The top 7 alternative fashion weeks in Toronto

Last month the already shaky legs of Toronto Fashion Week officially gave out when its sudden end was announced to the public. Many were sad, many shrugged their shoulders and kept shopping, others rubbed their hands together and thought: this is the time to really shine.

Though the official week is gone, there are a swell of other recurring fashion events in this city worth paying attention to. Even more so now that the official week is dead and gone, it's these small, more interesting shows that truly support Toronto's fashion scene without Joe Fresh's Canadian leftovers trampling in the way.

Here's a round-up of other Toronto fashion weeks and events you should know about.

International Muslim Fashion Design Festival (August 13-14)
IMFDF is a two-day fashion and design festival geared towards Muslim women, "creating a more cohesive tie between fashion and modesty, while creating stronger ties between Muslim women entrepreneurs and fashionistas," according to their website.

Toronto Men's Fashion Week (August 15-23)
TOM is still working at building its reputation as a professionally run and managed event but it still stands strong as a fashion event worthy of your attention. This August they present Spring/Summer 2017 collections from a slew of local menswear designers. I recommend catching the Joao Paolo Guedes' show.

African Fashion Week (August 18-21)
One of the most recognized fashion weeks in Canada in its own right, AFW takes over the Design Exchange and supports local, national and international designers. The African Fashion Industry Awards take place on August 21. There's also a student designer competition, and runway showcases.

TFI Fashion Labels Design Competition Show (Fall 2016)
Move over Toronto Fashion Week, the Toronto Fashion Incubator is the fashion beast on the block with lots of cred and cash. They host a Design Competition and Show, which basically acts as a boot camp for new, talented Canadian designers. Stay tuned for an exact date.

Startup Fashion Week (October 3-7)
SFW has a model casting call happening August 29, but if you're just a fan or blogger or fashionista, then you'll have to wait for the fall. Beware: the four-day fashion frenzy sold out last year. This Fashion week supports "startup entrepreneurs by providing a one week program filled with events that will help them connect, launch and accelerate."

Fashion Art Toronto (Spring 2017)
FAT was already cooler than Toronto Fashion Week when that old thing still existed. Five days, over 100 designers and 50 shows, this fashion week features local and international designers who "celebrate contemporary art and design through fashion." So there's also art shows. It all happens inside Daniel's Spectrum in Regent Park.

Mass Exodus (Spring 2017
One of the most exciting student-run fashion events in Toronto is Mass Exodus. It's Ryerson's Fashion Design program's year end show and often a launch pad for future fashion stars. It's like a hockey draft but with silks and stitching instead of pucks and blades.

Top photo courtesy of FAT.

by Phil Villeneuve via blogTO