U.S. Performer Jet Phynx will be performing at [FAT] Thursday, April 22, 2010

This is the fifth season of [FAT] – Alternative Arts & Fashion Week in Toronto. This time it’s five nights in Liberty Village (1 Pardee) – a decorated warehouse space where independent designers, artists and musicians passionately prepare and perform for our viewing pleasure.

I always rave about the chill vibe at [FAT] and this time is no different – except the new venue in Liberty Village is even more like a (well-curated) house party. Instead of an expanse of space, the festival; the art; the fashion; and the music is spread throughout the space behind curtains and doors. Turn a corner for a new room – and then follow a wall towards an almost secret hall.

The seven art exhibits - The Dressing Room Project - are housed in individual rooms behind the main runway curtain, while video projections and short films can be viewed from benches in the “main” entrance area. The runway is fabulously staged with plenty of space – and the entire show is filmed and streamed around the room.

[FAT] continues for four more days. See schedule at http://www.getfat.ca. 6 p.m. to 1 p.m. Licensed!

The performance pieces always amaze me. They’re long enough to be awed, yet short enough to appreciate. This is 3 Solos 1 Duet by Marq Frerichs (the male dancer). I’m sorry I don’t know the name of the soloist (lady in middle) – but she sang opera for the entire length of the powerful dance sequence. What a beautiful beginning to [FAT].

Talented Toronto hip hop artist Miles Jones put on a really great performance. So glad they put some hip hop into the alternative mix!

You can find this shady masseuse (and actually get a massage) at the end of a hallway (past the loo) – The Pump Room

‘Hello Gorgeous’ (David Anderson/Slavica Panic) is lipstick and mirrors – a great pit stop where gals and guys alike hang out and draw hearts and stuff around the room.

How’s this for instant PR? Fashion globetrotter Jeanne Beker showed her support for a designer friend of her daughter’s – Hillary Sampliner for Ruth Weil. She almost got smoked out from an over-powered smoke machine in the beginning of the Davidamor show; but she was bright-eyed and back on Twitter backstage when I got this shot of designer with Jeanne.

This Davidamor finale dress is reminiscent of the [FAT] we’re used to, although for Day 1 at least, the collections have been very toned down – practically wearable!

UK-basedd designer Jasper Garvida once again flew in to present his Fall 2010 collection – an art deco, fur-full, gorgeous 20s inspired line – that was by far, the best showing of the night. Deserving of its own post, photos will follow!

Tags: FAT 2010