LakshmiFashion Art Toronto, the city’s iconic multi-arts fashion hub, unveiled the details for its much-anticipated 1664 Fashion Week Fall 2024, held from Thursday, November 14th to Sunday, November 17th. This avant-garde spectacle brought together over 45 Canadian designers for ground-breaking runway shows, audacious fashion statements, and interactive art installations, all set against a vibrant retail backdrop. Beyond the fashion, guests were treated to the stylish 1664 Bar, lounged in chic spaces, vibed to DJ beats, and captured the moment with countless photo ops.
As Vanja Vasic, founder and executive director, Fashion Art Toronto said,“There is so much to explore and discover this season – we have more Canadian designers, artists and makers participating than ever before! It’s going to be an incredible four days of disruptive experiences from this country’s creative talent who are pushing boundaries and moving fashion forward.”
Here is a rundown of the runway highlights this season:
Disclaimer: All photos are copyrighted by Lakshmi/One Lash Shot. Any reuse without permission is considered a violation.
Narces:
Probably my favourite in terms of the haute couture range, Narces never fails to hit the mark.
Designer Nikki Wirthensohn Yassemi’s latest collection was a radiant blend of fantasy and fierce femininity. It opened with a glittering crystal-embellished gown, followed by a romantic white cropped dress adorned with roses and paired boldly with white boots. The runway bloomed with floral tank dresses, sheer white layers, and velvety silver looks channeling old-school glamour, complete with disco-sequined accents. A standout piece—a green and silver ribbon-shaped design—brought sculptural drama.
From pink mini crops with floral details to dark green and black lace, red crystal-studded ensembles, pale chiffon dresses, and edgy black leather, the collection balanced whimsy and strength. Yassemi’s vision delivered a dreamy yet empowered narrative, where every piece shimmered with story and style.
Suburban Deviant:
Founded by Canadian artist Danny Welsh, this season’s collection embraced an urban contemporary vibe. Highlights included a striking orange ensemble paired with a pink bag, a green fur piece accessorized with a mismatched mask, and a loose black shirt adorned with skulls. The runway also featured a whimsical, fairy godmother-inspired look complete with stars and crowns, as well as blue gingham dresses teamed with bold hot pink gloves. Models showcased an eclectic mix of styles, from leaf-patterned designs and stone-age-inspired white hunting attire with knee-high boots to zebra print ponchos, Cupid heart motifs, and chessboard patterns.
Phoenix Ba:
Phoenix Ba, a Toronto-based fashion designer, specializes in women’s occasional and evening wear. Drawing inspiration from her parents—both pattern drafters and tailors of uniforms and suits—she infuses her designs with a deep connection to craftsmanship.
With a beautiful cello tune as the opening act, this season, her accessories-focused collection paid homage to the many shades of blue, featuring earrings, blue pants, blue checkered patterns, and even a Gossip Girl-inspired blue dress.
Portia J Alight:
Designed to celebrate the boundless beauty of our divine selves, Designer Portia’s runway collection unveiled a striking array of scarves as the focal point of the accessories segment.
With a Gatsby-inspired theme, models graced the runway channeling air hostess elegance, showcasing scarves in countless creative forms—worn as tops, headpieces, neckties, dresses, halter necks, and wraparounds. The scarves, in shades of white, black, pink, yellow, and green, were often layered together to create a vibrant yet sophisticated aesthetic.
Imago Millinery:
With a boldly cheeky logo declaring, “Anything can be a hat if you’re brave enough,” Sebastian Blagdon’s latest collection was a fearless homage to that very idea—how much courage can a hat summon? Blagdon’s vision seamlessly merged eras, drawing inspiration from 1700s France, the present day, and even glimpses of the future, all while weaving in the storied legacy of the 1664 brand.
This show will stay with me for its sheer audacity: towering, breathtaking hats that demanded attention, charismatic models oozing trendsetting confidence, and an irresistible soundtrack of quintessentially French tunes. One black-veiled high hat in particular commanded the spotlight, a theatrical masterpiece. And the woman beneath the veil? A timeless showstopper in her own right.
StudioMema:
Designer Tara’s latest collection was a striking celebration of eccentric elegance, where bold statement accessories took center stage in a rich palette of gilded gold and deep black. With a flair for the unconventional, Tara introduced a lineup that included sculptural polymer clay earrings, structured yet playful handbags, and ornate gold necklaces that shimmered with opulence. Each piece felt like a wearable work of art—dramatic, unapologetic, and meticulously crafted. The accessories weren’t just add-ons; they were the heartbeat of the collection, exuding confidence and a fearless sense of individuality. Tara’s vision brought together art, fashion, and rebellion in one dazzling, gold-drenched statement.
Sagradesa:
Sagradesa, a luxury fashion brand renowned for its bold colors and prints, offers a range of contemporary women’s clothing, accessories, jewelry, and bridal wear, all while championing sustainability. This season’s collection exuded a vibrant “Tropical” spirit. The runway featured beach-ready summer styles, including white lace dresses cinched with oversized satin ribbons, lace paired with black textured fabrics, and red corset dresses.
The looks captured the essence of a chic, upscale beach vibe—perfect for next summer’s wardrobe.
Ballesteros:
Designer Sabrina Ashley Ballesteros’ collection took over the runway with all-black leather outfits, where the models were truly “serving” fierce energy.
The looks blended a boudoir vibe with a rebellious black motorcycle club aesthetic. Some models added lip rings and nose rings to complement the edgy, bold leather styles, creating a rowdy and unapologetic atmosphere.
Vveyago:
With an ethereal underwater fantasy where fashion meets the fluid grace of the ocean, Vveyago’s latest collection featured a dreamy palette of blue and white sets the tone, with white belts daringly reimagined as a sculptural top—edgy yet elegant. Jean corset dresses hug the form like a second skin, while purple and white sheer fabrics cling and float, barely held together, as if suspended by magic. Bold flashes of red cut through the softness like coral in a sea of calm.
Sleeves inspired by Van Gogh’s Starry Night swirl with celestial wonder, transforming arms into moving masterpieces. A cropped blazer with voluminous puffer sleeves balances structure and drama, while hand-dyed patterns in light blue and black evoke the ever-changing tides of deep waters. It’s a collection made for sirens who walk the streets like they own the sea.
ProcessVisual:
A chaotic symphony of storm-born elegance, ProcessVisual’s runway collection vision was on the tracks of ‘where destruction meets design’. Black garbage bags crown the head like dystopian veils, sculpted into avant-garde headpieces that command attention. Broken umbrellas, twisted and battered as if caught in a violent downpour, are repurposed into rebellious silhouettes—shards of shelter turned into statements. A rich array of black textures dominates the look, from slick plastics to matte weaves, each one echoing the grit of urban decay. Loose-fitting garments drape the body with intentional disorder, thrown on like armor in the aftermath of a storm. It’s a raw, unfiltered take on beauty—unapologetically dark, deeply expressive, and hauntingly powerful.
Zedes:
The show opened with a haunting male cover of Destiny’s Child’s Say My Name, setting a mood of sultry nostalgia and power reimagined. As the music pulsed through the space, dresses floated down the runway in a dreamy blend of pale orange, soft lavender, bold gold, pastel pink, and crisp white—each hue kissed by the high-gloss shock of hot pink accents, adding a daring edge to delicate tones.
Pale purple jumpsuits followed, sculptural yet fluid, exuding quiet confidence. Then came the drama: glossy red ensembles with towering black and red collars that sliced through the air like a whisper turning into a roar. It was a visual love letter to femininity and strength, past and present colliding in color and sound.
1ndividual Aesthetic:
The runway radiated with a bold Paradise theme—printed in red over a vibrant yellow backdrop—capturing a carefree Caribbean beach vibe. Tie-dyed hoodies met cowboy-inspired looks, accented with oversized gold floral earrings and fluttering green scarves.
Black prints added contrast, while models carrying flower bouquets brought tropical romance to the catwalk. Denim grounded the dreamy aesthetic, blending laid-back cool with island glamour.
Aadhe:
This collection was a vibrant ode to South Asian—specifically Indian—influence, seamlessly blending traditional silhouettes with contemporary flair. Flowing black patialas paired with airy blue chiffon shawls offered a striking contrast of depth and lightness, while classic white patialas brought an air of understated elegance.
The fusion continued with denim jeans styled alongside soft peach crop tops, merging everyday ease with cultural heritage. Rich in textures and rooted in tradition, the collection celebrated Indian fashion through a modern, wearable lens.
House of Hendo:
House of Hendo’s latest collection was a captivating tribute to freedom and movement, opened by the iconic anthem Everybody’s Free. Dark-cloaked dancers emerged from both sides of the runway, their fluid motions blending performance art with high fashion, setting a mesmerizing tone.
The collection itself was a masterclass in contrasts—structured corsets met loose-fitting ethnic jackets in earthy khaki tones, while sleek black-threaded bodysuits added a seductive edge beneath flowing macs. Black tops cinched with gilded belts brought a regal touch, and rich red wine hues paired effortlessly with classic black berets, infusing each look with a bold, avant-garde spirit. This was fashion as liberation, art, and attitude all rolled into one unforgettable show.
Kendrick Tran:
The runway was charged with a rebellious edge—devil horn headbands added a mischievous twist, while flashes of devilish red punctuated the darkness. Shimmering black sheer dresses teased the eye, revealing just enough mystery beneath their delicate layers.
Metallic pins expertly fastened deconstructed skirts, blending grit with glamour, and towering silver stiletto boots finished the looks with sharp, futuristic polish. This was a fearless celebration of shadow and shine, where darkness sparkled with undeniable allure.
Lakshmi
