FAT, Toronto’s alternative fashion week, starts tomorrow

Fashion Art Toronto—or just FAT, as it’s known in artsy circles—is the punky goth chick to Toronto Fashion Week’s popular mean girl: it’s less mainstream and attention-grabby, and definitely more accessible to ordinary non-socialites. Some might also call it more interesting. Starting tomorrow, April 22, the week-long event celebrates the wacky, experimental side of fashion, which means the stuff on display isn’t always super-wearable (a coat without a head-hole, say, or a giant tree covered in shoes). This year’s edition takes place at the Daniels Spectrum Centre in Regent Park, with each day’s events devoted to a different pair of contrasting ideas, like grit/glamour, or masculine/feminine. Along with 45 runway shows, the fest includes artsy films, photography exhibits, experimental dance performances and thought-provoking art installations. There’s also a whole day devoted to emerging Montreal designers, whose hometown fashion fest was unceremoniously cancelled last fall. Tickets are available here. 

Apr. 22-26.$35 (day pass), $100 (week pass). Daniels Spectrum Centre, 585 Dundas St. E., fashionarttoronto.ca