TOFW SS26: The Venue Is Part of the Story

 

From May 15 to 17, Toronto’s Own Fashion Week (TOFW) returned for fourth season. Although the project was only launched in 2024, it has already become one of the city’s most talked-about independent fashion events. Part of that success can be attributed not only to its carefully curated roster of designers, but also to its unconventional approach to venues and event production.

This season’s venue was Church of the Holy Trinity, a historic church in the heart of downtown Toronto known for its striking stained-glass windows and Gothic architecture. The location joins TOFW’s growing list of memorable venues, which previously included a subway station, a library, and even an airport. These unexpected settings have become one of the event’s defining characteristics, helping distinguish it from other fashion weeks across the city.

Adding to the anticipation, organisers kept the identity of the season’s final designer a secret until just one day before the event. It was eventually revealed that Dorian Who would close the programme with The Blood of the Homeland’s Youth. The collection was dedicated to the people of Iran, who continue to fight for freedom and human rights while much of the world turns a blind eye to their struggle. The secrecy surrounding the finale generated significant excitement, with tickets selling out within hours.

Over the course of three days, guests experienced collections from both established designers with international recognition and emerging talents making their mark on the industry. Despite their different backgrounds and levels of experience, all participants shared a strong creative vision and a willingness to push boundaries.

One of the most atmospheric presentations came from Bone & Busk. Their collection, Usque Ad Mortem, blended seamlessly with the church’s architecture, creating the impression that the garments had been designed specifically for the venue. The brand’s dark romantic aesthetic felt perfectly at home within the historic space.

Designer Leyla Kashani presented Partisans, a collection inspired by Iranian artistry and created in collaboration with skilled craftspeople. Combining clothing, accessories, and jewellery, the collection celebrated cultural heritage, traditional craftsmanship, and an ethical approach to fashion.

Among the season’s new names, VETNOEL made its TOFW debut with Love for a Lost Soul. The brand balances soft elegance with strong construction while experimenting with form and contemporary design. The collection offered a compelling introduction to the designer’s vision while highlighting the brand’s potential within Canada’s evolving fashion landscape.

Between shows, we had the opportunity to speak with TOFW founder and creative director Sadaf about the event’s unique venues, the growth of the organisation, and the challenges of building one of Toronto’s most distinctive fashion platforms.

This season’s choice of Church of the Holy Trinity surprised even longtime TOFW attendees. From a subway station to a library and even an airport, your venues have become a defining part of the event’s identity. How do you choose these spaces?

To be honest, unique venues are one of the biggest characteristics of TOFW. They’re what sets us apart from other events. My partner, Ion, is always scouting locations throughout the city — places that have existed for years but that people seem to have forgotten about. This season, we’re hosting the event at Church of the Holy Trinity. It’s a beautiful, stunning church with incredible stained-glass windows, and we’re very happy to be here.

TOFW’s subway station show became one of the most talked-about moments of the 2024 season. When a global luxury brand like Chanel later presented a runway show in a similar setting, what was that experience like from the perspective of an independent fashion organisation that explored the idea earlier?

Chanel is an enormous brand, and their creative director consistently creates incredible work. If we, as a young independent organisation, were able to influence anyone, that would be a huge honour.

Even beyond fashion, we often see other organisations begin using spaces that we helped bring attention to through our events. The TOFW effect is definitely there, and we love seeing others find new ways to activate these venues.

Your venues continue to surprise audiences every season. Is there a place in Toronto you dream of turning into a runway, but aren’t quite ready to reveal yet?

If I answer that question, I’ll end up revealing our next venue, so I’m going to keep it a secret. There are many places throughout the city that seem almost impossible to access or transform into event spaces — but we’ll get there. We absolutely will.

Your partner, Ion, plays a key role in organising TOFW while also developing his own fashion brand. How challenging is it to balance those two roles within the same project?

It’s incredibly difficult. Organising an entire fashion week while simultaneously designing and presenting a collection is a huge undertaking. That’s why this season will be the last time he presents his work within TOFW. We need to focus on growing the organisation and supporting our designers even more effectively.

It’s a tremendous amount of work.

After three days of shows, it seems like the team has earned a break. Does TOFW ever pause between seasons, or does planning begin immediately?

It’s starting to become an endless cycle, but we genuinely enjoy it. We’ve already begun planning the next season. We’ve opened a waitlist for designer applications and are already in discussions about our next venue.

Because every season takes place in a completely new location, it almost feels like creating an entirely new event each time. It’s incredibly exciting, and we’re always looking forward to what comes next.

After four seasons, TOFW has evolved beyond its beginnings as a local initiative and is steadily establishing its own identity within Toronto’s fashion landscape. If Sadaf’s hints about future “unattainable” venues become reality, the next season may prove even more ambitious than the last. For now, the organisers are keeping their next location under wraps, but TOFW continues to prove that some of fashion’s most compelling stories unfold far beyond the traditional runway.

Instagram: @tofw.ca

By Catherine Mills