Toronto has been ranked among the top 20 cities to live in globally, earning the highest score among Canadian cities on the 2025 Oxford Economics Global Cities Index.
The index was first introduced in 2024 and ranks the top 1,000 cities worldwide, offering insights into how cities are adapting in the rapidly changing global environment. Cities are ranked across several categories based on shared characteristics, like global leaders, regional leaders, cultural capitals, sustainable cities, industrial hubs, legacy cities, developing megacities and emerging standouts.
Toronto landed 20th overall on the list, with the report listing it as one of the fastest-growing cities in the region! It boasts one of the most historically stable economies in North America, with a GDP of just over CAD 620 billion and a GDP per person of $86,402.
The index lists Toronto’s population as 7.2 million (which likely contributed to its strong GDP numbers) but also credits the city’s economic growth to its persistently high levels of immigration.
“While new, lower immigration targets from the federal government have started to slow the breakneck pace of population growth seen from 2022 to 2024, the city still has the largest share of foreign-born residents in North America,” the report states.
Toronto’s population growth likely boosted its Human Capital score (the city ranked 13th globally), but the report notes that this may have also negatively impacted the city’s quality of life score, where it ranks a much lower 240th. One major issue cited is housing affordability. The report states that the large influx of new residents has strained Toronto’s already expensive housing market. Even with Ontario setting a target of building at least 1.5 million homes by 2031, any improvements in affordability are expected to take a few years.
“With housing supply unable to keep up with demand, unaffordability remains near record highs. As a result, residents of Toronto spend more of their income on housing than residents of nearly every other city in the world,” the report states.
Toronto also performed poorly in the Environment category (ranking 224th overall), in part because the city struggles with temperature anomalies during the winter, as well as summer heatwaves, which increase the climate-related risks Toronto faces.
Despite these challenges, the report believes that Toronto will likely remain a popular destination for new residents for years to come!
As for the remaining cities on the list, eight of the top 10 cities are the same as last year, with New York and London remaining in the top spots for the second year running. Two new cities also entered the top 10 this year (Boston and Sydney), with Sydney ranking seventh due to its improvement in its Quality of Life and Environment scores. The top 10 best cities to live in globally are listed as follows (you can see the full list here):
Former owner of longtime Dundas West vintage shop Good Habits, Meaghan Harris, has ventured off to open a new vintage store in Little Italy with her partner Alejandro Moreno.
The name? Freak Vintage. Harris says the word “freak” is one she’s used for a long time to identify things that she really loves or that are particularly unique.
The shop officially opened on May 17, and according to the pair, it specializes in interesting staple pieces (conversation starters, so to speak).
“Alejandro likes to say it’s stuff you wear when you want to feel your absolute best,” says Harris. “Stuff you’d wear to go out on a date, to go on a night out, that you’d bring on vacation.”
“Sometimes you’re not feeling yourself, but if you put on one great piece of clothing, you’re like, ‘OK, this is going to get me to that party and make me feel good about myself,’” adds Moreno.
Brands range widely, with a focus on quality, personality and comfort. “It’s about feeling like the best version of yourself, which also means clothing that feels comfortable on your body,” says Harris, noting that they source a lot of natural fabrics, or else stretchy synthetics. Prices range from $15-$300 with the average item costing between $50-$70.
While there is a definite coalescence of their styles, there is also an intentional distinction. Harris’ taste leans more feminine, playful and campy, though she admits to having a penchant for sportswear as well. “In terms of fashion, I’ve always been really into campy glamor as an undertone,” she says.
Moreno’s style favours texture and ruggedness. “I think both of our styles merging together [makes for] a neutral, genderless experience,” he says.
They highlight the contrast in the shop’s interior design as well, pairing more stereotypically masculine decor with feminine details — like a piece of wall art featuring a bodybuilder that has a large bouquet of pink lilies in front of it. “To me, that’s delicious. I personally find that more interesting than if something’s just soft and pretty or if something’s just rugged,” says Harris.
The pair met at a New Year’s Eve party two and a half years ago and couldn’t stop making eyes at each other all night — perhaps in part due to a mutual appreciation of each other’s style. They began dating and quickly bonded over their love of vintage clothes, a passion hobby that they pursue in Toronto, but also in their travels.
“When we travel, we’re the types of people who don’t go home until we have to sleep. We’re going to be out all day, walking around and finding markets. Our relationship lends itself well to searching for vintage,” Harris says.
She had already been working in vintage for years, having opened Good Habits with her previous business partner Kelty Lewis in 2020, when the pandemic halted her former work as a tattoo artist. Harris and Lewis successfully ran the shop together for the past five years, and last fall they partnered with Expo Vintage owner Nick Marian to launch a vintage crawl in Little Portugal.
A new aspiration began to emerge when the couple planned a month-long vacation last winter and wanted to make some extra money to fund their travels. Since sourcing vintage was already second nature to Harris, she and Moreno began building a collection together, picking up pieces on their travels and selling them on Depop under the name Vintage Freaks. In October of 2024, they vended at their first market in Toronto, and the next month, they held a month-long pop-up on Ossington Street.
Where she brought the clothing retail experience, Moreno brought a background in hospitality and interior design. A mutual dream quickly materialized of having their own space to curate and host their collection.
When they found the unit in Little Italy, it felt like the perfect match. “The neighbourhood is very vibrant, and it reminds us of when we’re travelling, where people are going about their day without feeling too seen. It’s definitely a very wide demographic of people, older to younger, and all the styles are all different,” says Moreno.
“It suits the ethos of what we’re trying to do,” adds Harris. “Because although our shop is gallery style vintage, the prices are accessible, and it’s meant to be for lots of different types of people.”
Their hope is to facilitate an experience as much as a great selection of clothes. “We want it to be a place that people can come in and just look at things and feel inspired,” says Harris, “even if you’re not necessarily somebody who’s purchasing something today.”
You can visit Freak Vintage at 581 College St., Monday–Saturday from 1–7 p.m. and Sunday from 1–5 p.m. They also continue to pop up at markets, like the Good Friends Market taking place next month.
Nestled in Toronto’s Little Italy neighbourhood is a piece of Toronto history — from the 18th century, to be exact. 364 Palmerston Blvd. is an Edwardian gem from 1906, and it’s now on the market for $3.989 million, meaning you can own a heritage estate that will have you travelling back in time over your morning coffee.
Featuring four bedrooms and four bathrooms across 2.5 storeys and over 2,500 square feet, 364 Palmerston is also home to a charming library, temperature-controlled wine cellar, authentic period hardware and a stunning English country style garden out back.
The front entryway, complete with a manicured garden and intricate stonework, and porch sets the tone for what you’ll discover inside.
The grand foyer features the best of heritage architecture — finely milled balustrades and wainscotting in solid oak, gently arched ceilings and stained glass accents, all complemented beautifully by Jane Austen-approved patterned wallpaper.
Step inside the living room for even more historic charm; cozy up by the fireplace and gaze out the front-facing windows, with more oak and stained glass accents, on a rainy day.
The dining room, with yet another fireplace and wood flooring, is perfect for formal occasions and entertaining guests.
The sunny kitchen offers stainless steel appliances, a bright backsplash and white cabinetry throughout. Spend your mornings in the airy breakfast nook, with space for a full table and built-in shelving.
The primary bedroom on the second floor is a creative’s dream — a west-facing sitting room, perfect for writing, remote work or gaining inspiration from the stunning treescape visible through the windows, is attached, as is the blue-tiled ensuite.
Also on this floor is the library — a beautiful reminder of a bygone era.
The third floor is home to multiple additional bedrooms, each decorated with a historic sensibility of simplicity in mind.
There’s plenty more to enjoy in the basement, with its own recreation room, a temperature controlled wine cellar, a full bathroom and enough storage for any large family’s needs.
The picturesque backyard, with an English country style garden, seems to be plucked straight from the 1900s. Landscaped with a mix of mature trees and shrubs, the deep lot is a gardener’s dream.
364 Palmerston Blvd. is listed for $3.989 million with Oliver Macko of Sage Real Estate Ltd.
After an extended spring cold snap, things are slowly starting to heat up across the GTA, with temperatures expected to creep into the low-to-mid 20s within the next two weeks. And looking at summer 2025 forecast predictions from The Weather Network, Torontonians can also expect a hotter-than-usual summer!
Temperatures should be much warmer than normal across the country, especially during July and August. Regions stretching from the Rockies to northwestern Ontario will likely face a risk of extended heat waves that are “well above normal”, as well as a few days of extreme heat.
Get ready to soak up the sun, Canada! ☀️ After a tough winter and unpredictable spring, The Weather Network predicts a warmer-than-normal summer across most of the country. Get all the details in your #SummerForecasthttps://t.co/YfSuM8dv0p
— The Weather Network (@weathernetwork) May 28, 2025
In Eastern Canada, from the Great Lakes to Atlantic Canada (including southern and eastern Ontario), temperatures should be “above normal” — we might even see our first heat wave before Canada Day! Although the weather will be warm and humid, there shouldn’t be too many heat waves in southern Ontario this summer, and we likely won’t have to worry about persistent or extreme heat.
“For most of the region, high temperatures should be near normal or slightly above normal, but nighttime temperatures are forecast to be warmer than normal due to the muggy conditions,” the Weather Network’s Senior Meteorologist Doug Gillham said in the summer report.
Gillham added that the muggy conditions will lead to more frequent showers and the risk of powerful thunderstorms, so Torontonians could see either near-normal or above-normal precipitation totals for the season, echoing the summer weather predictions from the Old Farmer’s Almanac.
According to the Almanac, for Canada as a whole, it’ll be surprisingly wet, with above-normal rainfall expected throughout most of the country, including Atlantic Canada, southern Quebec, the Prairies, southern British Columbia and of course, southern Ontario just north of the Great Lakes.
So, although it’ll be humid, you might want to pack an umbrella before heading out!
Toronto’s Financial District is about to welcome a delicious new dining destination thanks to Convivium, a three-storey restaurant, cocktail bar and event space opening soon at 83 Yonge Street. Housed inside a landmark 1857 heritage building, this Euro-inspired spot plans to serve seasonally driven food, pour old-world wines and host everything from art shows to (very fancy) dinner parties.
Photo: Katrina Usmanova
The name Convivium might sound like something you’d chant at a Roman feast — which is basically the vibe. It means “a banquet” in Latin, and the space is overflowing with history. The building was once the headquarters of The Evening Star (the prior name of the Toronto Star) which served as a hub for artists and journalists. Inside you’ll find three levels of old-meets-new, where you can grab a bowl of soup on a Tuesday, sip a caviar-topped cocktail on a Thursday, or throw a 100-person bash on a Saturday.
On the menu, soup is the star. Chef Oxana Glazkova is rolling out up to 17 rotating varieties, from airy espuma to chilled summer blends to slow-simmered bowls. If you’re not into soup, try the Black Angus tartare which comes stacked on a deep-fried potato terrine, drizzled with chili aioli and finished with black caviar. Glazkova also plans to feature Canadian-sourced meats and seafood as well as incorporate unique flavours like lingonberries into dishes.
Photo: Katrina Usmanova
Inside, the design by Dull Genius is a blend of exposed brick, gold accents and sleek finishes. The first floor is casual-elegant, the second is private and moody with its own cocktail bar and the third will be all about events.
The team behind it includes hospitality vet Gio Stefanopoulos, who’s opened more than a dozen restaurants in Toronto and worked with culinary superstars like Gordon Ramsay and Nobu’s Master Matsuhisa. Be sure to expect exceptional service, a Euro-forward wine list and cocktails made with seasonal ingredients and small-batch spirits.
There’s no official opening date yet, but the team is aiming for late spring. Follow Convivium on Instagram for updates and sneak peeks.
Porch View Dances is back for its 14th year this summer, inviting people to experience dance in a way that is anything but ordinary. Toronto’s Seaton Village will once again come alive in a way that transforms the everyday into something magical. From July 16 to 20, this unique event turns front porches, alleyways, and streets into stages where dance performances unfold right outside people’s homes.
Produced by contemporary dance company Kaeja d’Dance, Porch View Dances breaks out of the usual soft-seat experiences. Instead of sitting indoors in a theatre, audiences walk through a neighbourhood, moving from house to house, guided by performers. Along the way, they encounter moments of dance, storytelling, and movement in surprising spaces.
Porch View Dances: ‘Real People Dancing In Real Spaces’ Photo by @SVPhotography.ca
The theme for 2025, “The Surprise of the Unknown,” invites everyone to embrace curiosity and the joy of discovery. Each night offers new performances created by both professional choreographers and local community members. These dances explore many themes such as connection to the land, cosmic journeys and ancestral knowledge and identity.
One of the festival’s highlights is an immersive experience that encourages people of all ages and abilities to move and interact together, culminating in a group finale called Flock Landing. This year also introduces a fun new element: tour guides who lead the audience with humour and keep the vibes on high, making the experience feel more like a shared adventure than a performance.
Porch View Dances
What makes Porch View Dances so special, and so very Toronto, is how it brings art right into the heart of the community, turning ordinary spaces into places of creativity where people come together. It’s an event for families, dance lovers, and anyone curious about seeing their city in a fresh way. No tickets are required—people pay what they want, making it welcoming and accessible to all.
L-R: Record detective Kevin Crump (@recorddetective/Instagram), Hamilton record store and upcoming fair vendor Into the Abyss (@intotheabyssrecords/Instagram)
Toronto’s very own record detective, Kevin Crump, is hosting a record fair for the masses on Sunday, June 1 in the city’s Stockyards neighbourhood, in an effort to bridge the gap between older and younger music fans.
As a sales representative at nearby Microforum Vinyl Pressing Plant by day, Crump moonlights as an indie collector and content creator who is constantly sleuthing the streets of Toronto for new music. “I wanted to curate something a little different than most record fairs,” he says of the Junction Steel Wheels Record Fair. “I’m trying to bridge the gap between older collectors who don’t think any new music is good while introducing them to 10 labels all making current music that rocks.”
The fair will feature over 25 vendors including 10 indie labels that Microforum Vinyl works with, as well as instruments, and clothing brands including Skate Smoke, The Bait Shop and their sub-brand Circular Economy, which recently began hosting a tiny desk concert series. There will be representation from record shops as well, including Hamilton’s Into The Abyss, Toronto’s Emissions, and Port Perry’s Archaic Records, as well as a discount table from Outside Music, who will be selling consigned equipment they’re hoping to offload.
By spotlighting the indie labels that he works with, Crump hopes to get the attention of older music fans (Gen X and older) who are particular about their taste and less likely to seek out new music.
“They’re kind of set in their ways,” he says. “You get into [certain music] at whatever age you are as a teenager and you kind of peak out on that music and don’t accept anything that comes after. But there’s a ton of amazing music, you just have to look for it.”
Toronto-based record shop Fadeaway Vinyl, one of 25 vendors at the Junction Steel Wheel Record Fair. Courtesy @fadeaway.vinyl/Instagram
Crump feels that people aren’t as willing to crate dig as they used to be because they don’t think it’s worth their time, but his opinion is that now is actually the perfect time to be looking. “I feel that music is in a really healthy state right now, whereas I dont think 10 years ago it was,” he says.
For those looking to hang out for a while, there will be food, beer from Rainhard Brewing and cannabis products from Truro Cannabis.
Non-profit collective Food For the Record (for which Crump is also a DJ) will be DJing and selling donated records. All proceeds go directly to a sandwich making program on the city’s east side, which DJs contribute to by taking turns in the kitchen making sandwiches.
A good friend of Crump’s, artist Robert Dayton, will also be at the fair, shopping his new book Gold Glitter, the untold story of Canadian glam rock. On top of selling and signing copies of the book, he’ll also be offering free glam mantras. “I’d take that up in a heartbeat if i were you, he’s a sensation,” says Crump.
You can visit the Junction Steel Wheels Record Fair on June 1 at 100 Symes Rd. N., from 12–5 p.m.
A Toronto artist has recreated a historic protest banner from Canada’s first gay rights march. The “We Demand” march took place in Ottawa on Aug. 28, 1971. In footage from that iconic event, you can spot protest signs made by members of the activist group Toronto Gay Action (one notable member of the group was photographer Jearld Frederick Moldenhauer, who helped document the event).
The march was reportedly done on a shoestring budget, so most of the signs were made with cheap materials (think white cardboard sheets and magic markers). Due to the torrential downpour during the demonstration, most of the paper signs were destroyed by rain within minutes.
But one large banner photographed by Moldenhauer stood out amidst the crowd. It was created from an old lace blanket, with giant letters sewn onto it stating, “Canada True North Strong & Gay”.
Although the original banner no longer exists, nearly 55 years after the march, Toronto artist Christopher Rouleau has brought the banner back to life! Rouleau recreated the relic using archival materials, in homage to this historic moment in Canadian queer activism.
“As a tribute to all of the 2SLGBTQIA+ trailblazers who have carved the path for queer community members in Canada, I chose to restore and recreate the “Canada True North Strong & Gay” banner,” Rouleau said in an Instagram post earlier this month.
“I used lace as a stencil on canvas to pay tribute to the original materials. I diligently revived the original typography based on archival records, and then hand-painted the text using enamel paint.”
“I hope this banner can live on for future generations of queer activists,” the artist added.
Post Malone in Toronto (photo: Instagram @alesiakd)
Post Malone performed under an open-dome at the Rogers Centre on Monday night as part of his BIG ASS Stadium Tour. With Toronto being the only Canadian stop on his tour, he took some time out to explore the city! Fans have been sharing photos of themselves posing with the 18-time Grammy nominee across social media.
Here’s one with Malone posing with a fan in downtown Toronto on Monday evening:
In another memorable encounter, Toronto resident Aamir Hajeeyani described his chance meeting with the hip-hop–trap–country singer on X as the “Nicest Celeb Encounter!!” As reported by BlogTO, and shared on Hajeeyani’s Insta story, he and his sister were grabbing drinks at d|bar in Yorkville (a fancy hangout in the Four Seasons Toronto) when they spotted Malone seated just a few seats away from them, snapping pics with his fans.
Once outside the bar, the two spotted Malone again and took a pic with him. Hajeeyani captioned the photo, “Ended off with a night cap with @postmalone” and “Not Olive Garden”, a nod to Malone’s love for the restaurant!
The fan interactions continued well into the night following Malone’s super-charged 26-song set at the Rogers Centre. He sang crowd-favs, like the Morgan Wallen collab I Had Some Help, Pour Me a Drink, White Iverson, and his diamond-certified single, Congratulations, which he closed the show with from a riser at the back of the floor.
Malone is most known for his hip-hop and pop hits, but he made a huge shift toward country music in the last year. His 2024 country album, “F-1 Trillion,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart last August, which secured him a Grammy nomination for Best Country Album!
L-R: The Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment award recipients Margaret Atwood, Jeanne Beker (by Fabian Di Corcia), Amrit Kaur
Five of Canada’s most influential women in entertainment — including Torontonians Margaret Atwood, Jeanne Beker and Amrit Kaur — will be honoured with individual awards at The Hollywood Reporter Women in Entertainment Canada 2025 event. An event honouring and celebrating the biggest talent in the entertainment industry in Canada, there will also be keynote speakers, performances, panel conversations and a star-studded gold carpet.
The event, happening on May 29 at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, will be The Hollywood Reporter’s second annual tribute awards. Launched in 2024, Women in Entertainment Canada was presented as a “first-of-its-kind summit” to bring together the Canadian industry — spanning television film and music — and recognize the achievements of women who are driving the industry forward in their fields.
This year, Margaret Atwood will be honoured with the ICON Award,created to recognize Canada’s cultural icons who have advanced the representation of women and whose artistic vision and excellence have inspired audiences around the world.
Host of the iconic Fashion Television, entrepreneur and media trailblazer (and Streets of Toronto columnist) Jeanne Beker has been named this year’s recipient of the IMPACT Award, created to recognize the positive impact of trailblazers who have changed the narrative for women in media by pushing for more opportunities for better representation. She’ll also be featured in a keynote interview at the event, followed by an exclusive book signing of her recent memoir, Heart on My Sleeve: Stories from a Life Well Worn.
Amrit Kaur, the recent star of hit Mindy Kaling-backed comedy series The Sex Lives of College Girls, will receive the Breakthrough Award, honouring rising stars in entertainment and media who are making waves with innovative storytelling and a distinct artistic vision.
The final Torontonian to be honoured is Christina Jennings, founder, chairman and president of film and TV production company Shaftesbury. She’ll be receiving the Glass Ceiling Award, created to recognize excellence in leadership in the Canadian entertainment industry.
Fellow Canadian Tantoo Cardinal will also be a guest of honour — the celebrated actor is the Equity in Entertainment Honouree.
The awards will be hosted by Etalk correspondents Traci Melchor and Lainey Lui, and The Hollywood Reporter’s second annual Canadian Women of Power List will be announced during the event. There will be opportunities for networking, mentorship and mingling for attendees; the schedule includes a panel on women in film and TV directing and one on leadership in the industry.
Torontonians looking to interact with the most adorable furry friends on their next coffee run are in luck: Toronto’s first interactive cat and dog café is opening soon (and for a good cause!)
Wonder Pet Cafe will be a cozy little retreat created for animal lovers to bond with rescue cats and dogs. The café is opening in partnership with local animal rescue organizations, such as Save Fur Pets, and will provide a home-like environment where these animals can meet their future families.
“Many of the cats and dogs in our café are looking for a forever home, and we strive to provide a platform where more stray animals can find their rightful place in a caring family,” the café states on its website. “Whether you come alone to relax, share joyful moments with friends, or search for a special companion, our café is the perfect place to connect.”
Come sample the café’s delicious desserts and sip on rich coffee or smooth milk tea while spending quality time with the sweetest cats and dogs. Even if you don’t intend on becoming a new pet owner, the daily dose of animal cuteness is better than a cup of java (and who knows, you might even leave with a lifelong companion).
The café will be nestled at 333 Queen St W, near Queen St W and Beverley St (about a five-minute walk from Osgoode subway). Its soft opening date is June 15. Visit Wonder Pet Café for more info or follow them on Instagram for the latest updates and for a chance to win grand opening gifts!
In the meantime, if you’re looking to enjoy a coffee outing with your own pet, then check out 23 Café (728 Queen St W). The space welcomes leashed dogs inside as well as outdoors on its serene garden patio.
L-R: Starkers Corsetry at FAT's Distillery District runway, photographed by @shotsbyyuvi; Rchive's TOFW F/W24 at Billy Bishop Airport, photographed by @raina.tomwing.
In some ways, Toronto has got the makings of a world-class city: considered the most multicultural in the world, it’s also an international centre for tech, finance and the arts. But our fashion scene, burgeoning though it is, has long been missing a true, city-wide fashion week that is the mark of a true cultural destination in comparable cities. A few designers, creatives and entrepreneurs in Toronto are finally looking to change that.
Toronto’s fashion scene has long felt competitive and siloed, while also remaining largely under the radar compared to fashion weeks in other urban capitals like New York and Paris. Efforts to gain international exposure for Toronto fashion talent have been hindered further by the lack of a collective “Toronto Fashion Week” label which once identified the scene in the early 2000s.
The non-profit entity Fashion Design Council of Canada hosted annual showcases under the official Toronto Fashion Week trademark for 13 years before selling it to American Sponsor IMG in 2012, only to have the company pull out four years later. The trademark was then purchased by real estate mogul Peter Freed in partnership with First Capital (the developer of Yorkville Village), only to have production cease indefinitely after another four years, in early 2020. Though the show no longer runs, the trademark remains, thus preventing other entries from adopting it. (Streets of Toronto reached out to Freed and First Capital for comment on the current status of the trademark, but received no response.)
In its wake, Toronto’s longest running annual fashion event — and de facto fashion week — is Fashion Art Toronto’s (FAT) “1664 Fashion Week,” a showcase founded in 2005 by designer Vanja Vasic.
This season’s FAT has been celebrating its 20th anniversary by hosting a month-long fashion celebration for the first time in its history, which is culminating in the show’s bi-annual four-day runway showcase, Spring/Summer 2025 1664 Fashion Week, taking place from May 29-June 1.
Fashion Art Toronto’s 2024 fashion showcase. L-R: Photo courtesy @mariko_photographer21, designer MichNat’s runway show, photographed by @cosplay.
While the month-long calendar honoured the fashion entity’s own two-decade milestone, it also served as a means to invite the wider Toronto community to interact with local fashion.
“I want people to embrace and celebrate fashion like we celebrate Pride or art,” says Vasic.
The events have included FAT’s collaboration with Artist Project, a secret “Fashmob” as a homage to the entity’s early days of guerrilla style runway shows, a collaborative party and outdoor runway show with The Bentway and a 20 year anniversary party in collaboration with Gotstyle clothing, hosted by The Distillery District.
The Distillery District runway show at FAT. L-R: 3ndolith, Starkers Corsetry and L’Uomo Strano, photographed by @shotsbyyuvi.
Though FAT attracts thousands of attendees each year, including travellers from outside of the city, it doesn’t garner international headlines the way that other fashion capitals such as New York or Paris do. The consensus among industry professionals behind the city’s leading fashion entities is that a lot of barriers remain in the way.
Vasic points to a lack of government funding, and insufficient media interest as two main culprits. “We need our media to be interested in Canadian fashion, to attend these events and showcase designers, to go to school grad shows and see what the emerging designers are doing,” says Vasic.
The third culprit is a lack of collaboration, she adds. Fashion Art Toronto partners with organizations like Vancouver Fashion Week, Indigenous Fashion Week and Toronto Metropolitan University’s fashion program, where Vasic sits on the Program Advisor Council.
“We want to continue building on those relationships, not just with TMU, but with other schools as well,” says Vasic, noting that FAT has collaborated with Seneca College in the past, and is now building relationships with George Brown College. In the future, she hopes to expand these partnerships to schools outside of Ontario as well.
“In order to succeed abroad, we need to make bigger relationships with local and international organizations [alike], to unify amongst each other,” she says. “Toronto has always had a hard time with that — [there’s] typically a more competitive scene than a collaborative one — but I think if we embrace that collaborative spirit, we can succeed.”
The founders of Toronto’s Rchive Fashion Club, Ion (Jai) Sobaliu and Sadaf Emami, agree — which is exactly why they started hosting fashion shows of their own, coinciding with FAT’s seasonal showcases. After hosting their first show in May of 2024 in Lower Bay Station, ultimately creating multiple fashion stages for Torontonians to visit, Rchive launched its own fashion week label, Toronto’s Own Fashion Week, (TOFW) during their second season in a hanger at Billy Bishop Airport.
The new name both bypasses the Toronto Fashion Week trademark and pays homage to Drake’s October’s Very Own brand. It points to the reemergence of a collective Toronto Fashion Week, years after the actual Toronto Fashion Week closed its doors. Rchive most recently hosted its third fashion showcase May 24–25 at the Toronto Reference Library.
Rchive’s Toronto’s Own Fashion Week showcase at the Toronto Reference Library. Photo by Emma Johnston-Wheeler.
Similar to FAT’s month-long calendar of events leading up to the S/S showcase, Rchive hosted a week of events leading up to TOFW themed around different forms of creativity —poetry, comedy, music, and art — with the intention of pulling in a wider community of Toronto creatives.
They are also working on building international relationships to bolster their platform.
“This season, we’ve made connections with buyers from New York,” says Sobaliu. They have also strengthened their own resources by building a larger backstage team, and are starting to host training sessions for models. “We really want to bring the show to that standard that New York has, and Paris has. I think through practice, and specialization, that’s what we’re on the road to achieving,” he says.
As for the new fashion week label, they consider it a way to unify Toronto’s fashion community. During New York Fashion Week, numerous entities host informal pop-ups coinciding with the formal shows, simply to take advantage of the exposure, but the same hasn’t historically occurred in Toronto. “Just because we can’t use the Toronto Fashion Week name, I don’t think that should stop us from growing the fashion community and putting on events,” says Emami. “We want to see brands do pop-ups during the fashion week period.”
For this to work, Sobaliu and Emami feel that more Torontonians need to be interested in buying locally made clothes.
“In a small market like Toronto, a lot of work is being done pro bono. But every single creative person in the city continues to do cool stuff anyway and it inspires me everyday,” says Sobaliu. If no one is buying, designers aren’t able to fund their collections and repeat the cycle of creating new ones each season, which subsequently affects models, stylists and photographers.
“We’re happy that multiple platforms are able to showcase and celebrate Canadian fashion, because the more platforms there are, the more opportunities there are for designers and artists and models and photographers to participate in fashion,” echoes Vasic.
“Oftentimes we look to bigger fashion capitals, like New York Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week, but what does Toronto fashion look like? We have a distinct identity and a distinct voice,” she says. “[This fashion season] comes at a time that Canada is actually supporting its own. And I think it’s about time that we do.”
