Fashion Art Toronto's Vanja Vasic Reflects on Event's 20th Anniversary (Web Exclusive)

Vanja Vasic poses on the red carpet at FAT, November 2024. Photo courtesy of FAT.

Fashion Art Toronto -- the longest-running fashion week in Toronto – turns 20 this year. In honour of the event's milestone, we spoke with Vanja Vasic, Founder and Creative Director of FAT, to learn more about this year's exciting new features and what we can expect in 2025.

1. Fashion Art Toronto is celebrating its 20th anniversary! What has been the most rewarding part over the 20 years?

The most rewarding part has been witnessing how our community has grown – how we’ve moved from the margins to the centre of the conversation around fashion, identity and creativity in Canada. Seeing designers, artists and performers who once debuted on our platform go on to build successful careers, while still returning to contribute to the FAT community, is incredibly fulfilling. We've built something that not only showcases fashion but shapes culture.

2. This season marks the third year of the vendor market—what inspired the continuation of this element?

The vendor market has become an essential part of our programming because it creates direct access between local creatives and the public. It allows small, independent brands to showcase their craftsmanship, build their businesses and sell directly to audiences who are eager to support sustainable, locally made fashion, art and craft. Our guests genuinely look forward to discovering and purchasing one-of-a-kind pieces that resonate with them. The market spotlights and uplifts small businesses, fosters community connection, supports sustainability, and encourages conscious consumerism. It’s a meaningful way to help our creative community thrive both artistically and economically.

Models walk down the runway for the Sagradesa show during FAT's fall/winter 2025 event. Photo by Jessica Byrne (@jessbyrnephoto).

3. As a creative leader, how do you stay inspired and push boundaries each year?

I’m inspired by the drive to push Canadian fashion forward and grow our voice on the global stage. That means constantly taking risks – whether it's spotlighting unconventional artists, collaborating across disciplines, or introducing new platforms for expression. I stay focused on amplifying emerging and underrepresented talent, and challenging traditional ideas of what fashion can be. That commitment to evolution keeps things fresh and fuels my passion every season.

4. If you could describe FAT 2025 in three words, what would they be and why?

Community. Because at the heart of Fashion Art Toronto is a network of creatives, collaborators and supporters who have built this platform together and we thrive through collective energy. FAT is a supportive space where like-minded artists, designers, and cultural leaders can connect, uplift, and inspire each other. It’s more than an event; it’s a creative ecosystem that nurtures growth, fosters meaningful relationships, and celebrates the power of shared purpose.

Creativity. FAT provides a space where imagination leads – we give artists the freedom to tell bold stories, break boundaries, and reimagine what fashion can be. Every season is an invitation to push the limits of design, performance and presentation – and we’re constantly amazed by the innovation that emerges when people are given the freedom to truly experiment.

Inclusion. From the beginning, FAT has been rooted in representation, uplifting voices across race, gender, sexuality, ability and culture. Inclusion isn’t just a trend for us, it’s our foundation. We believe in creating a platform where everyone feels seen, valued and celebrated, and where diversity of identity and perspective is integral to the creative conversation.

A model poses on the runway during the Ballestros fall/winter 2025 show at FAT. Photo by Hanmin Yun (@memoryun_snap).

5. How can collaborations between fashion designers and decorative arts institutions (like museums or archives) enrich both fields?

Collaborations between fashion designers and decorative arts institutions open up powerful opportunities for storytelling that bridge the past, present and future. Museums and archives safeguard cultural histories, materials, and aesthetics that can deeply inform and inspire contemporary design. When designers engage with these resources, they reimagine tradition through a modern lens -- bringing new meaning, context, and relevance to historical narratives.

Fashion Art Toronto has had the privilege of collaborating with institutions like the Royal Ontario Museum and the Bata Shoe Museum, where we’ve presented contemporary designers whose work is either informed by or placed in direct dialogue with the history and stories of these spaces. In our experience, these partnerships spark dynamic conversations – where the legacy of the institution meets the bold visions of today’s creatives. It’s in this intersection between preservation and innovation, that both fields evolve and find fresh, transformative ways to connect with audiences.