CAUTION: CONFLICT! [FAT] Day 3

by Liza Zawadzka

The last night of [FAT] gets off to a raucous start as desparate fans steal front row seats - tossing seat-saver coats and bags aside and defending their view like it was the Gaza strip. The theme of the last evening was Conflict and revellers were incidently slightly more on edge and
moody...

The show started with a modern dance performance (I know - I usually gag at modern dance too - but the dancers are amazingly interesting). An artist drums on a computer snare drum, a video of Chinese drummers in military uniforms plays in the background, while a dancer winds yellow caution tape around the audience. Perhaps the work suggests a caution to the Olympic organizing committee to "think before you do"!

Asphyxia and Magdelina showcase their clothes with zombie models covered in "blood" (albeit glittery pretty blood) and the most creepy and amazing special effects make-up. The designers create a contemporary collage of Victorian materials - a tarnished silver ballgown, vintage velvet sparkling with jet, and ancient lace tangled and mangled to create a most interesting net effect. Vanja Vasic works with heavy white cotton outrageously cut to reveal an entire boob or butt cheek. Her deconstruction/reconstruction of fabric cut and sewn back together in thousands of layers of soft feathery ruffles is astonishingly beautiful as much as it is obsessive.

If you're looking for something to wear to a Yuri party then Red Barron has the perfect outfit in heavy white canvas ensembles complete with plastic bubble helmets and the NASA logo emblazoned in strategic places. Fashion diehards give Jessica Nicholson a standing ovation for her fearless collection which includes a video of anti-globalization protests and a cowl-backed dress made from a Palestinian scarf. Jewelry designer Jiame Galinea sets off the collection with witty necklaces, bracelets and headgear made from delightfully colourful lego pieces. Vecerra presents a small but interesting collection of plaster body cast corsets and a silver Barbarella short suit. Thanks to [FAT] for giving artists an opportunity to play, experiment and speak without limitations!

[FAT] Day 2: Everything but the...

DJ Daniel Wilson in a one shoulder jumper by Andrew Kerrigan

Sonja Andic in a Kameleon watch necklace with Liza Zawadzka

Model and scenester Biko Beauttah before her NOW MyStyle runway debut

Sarah Campbell backstage preparing for the The Rage fashion show

Front row day 2

The Deadly Nightshades celebrate the fashion film, 'A Night out with the Deadly Nightshades' promoting sustainability in fashion and good times!

Stylist Kym Chambers, curating a [FAT] installation, '7 Straight Jackets interpreting 7 Deadly Sins' with Fashion Television intern Shenae Grimes

Imagine a spot where you can go, hang out with friends, listen to amazing bands, dance a little, catch some eye candy and do some seriously interesting people watching, peruse some multimedia art exhibits, watch a few runway fashion shows AND experience more than one performance dance show - all in a night. That's [FAT] Toronto Alternative Arts and Fashion Week 2008.

Dancers kept us glued to our seats for Anna Smutny's "Thick Motions"

On Day 2, major kudos go out to the music and dance performances. Anna Smutney's contemporary dance troupe captured our attentions and held on so tightly as the three dancers extracted emotion and feelings with intense dramatic movements. Later in the evening a mucho caliente salsa couple spiked the energy and mood of the crowd with hip grinds, lifts and hot moves.


The Virginia Titty Killers, a multi-man ensemble (that I can't seem to find online), fronted by former runway model Kobe James, funked out like a George Clinton P-Funk band, except it was more rapping and singing - high energy and super stage presence!

Sick Sound System created a full-on orchestra of beat boxing and vocal percussion - more than impressive - you HAVE to check them out!

[FAT] Day 2: ...fashion

Did you plan those outfits? Runway Co-ordinator Wesley Badanjak and PR gal Sonja Miokovic


Paper People Clothing by Jen Fukushima


The first of the only two standing ovations at [FAT], Heidi Ackerman and her fashionable sustainable knitwear collection.


Marlene Shiff with model Cedric after the Babu et Moi show... The party begins!



[FAT] ended in the most invigorating and positive way, leaving everyone with a smile on their face as they left! For the last show, Babu et Moi, each of the models individually danced (and I mean danced!) down the runway. As the show ended, models pulled the front rowers onto the runway, creating a giant dance party. Can you imagine - everyone got up and danced - how cool is that?!

I have to mention that I have the utmost respect for all the amazing models who worked show after show and injected much personality into the collections with their purple hair, tattooed arms, love handles and newbie innocence (except at the Krane show of course, see below).

Tommy Ton, photographer and stylist injected a little Parisian mystique for the KRANE show - photo jakandjil.com

[FAT] Day 1: Do you even like fashion?!

[FAT]s fiercest model rocks a Magpie gown


Rachel with Vessna Perunovich and [FAT] photographer William Chrysler aka Zaiden

[FAT] is so cool (come a long way in three years) that Executive Director Vanja Vasic is surely giving L'Oreal Fashion Week bigwig Robin Kay a run for her money!

The vibe at the Fermenting Cellar of the Distillery District on day one (1) was slow and steady; soothingly lit with at least 10 flat screens spread around the space showing various artistic videos including Arline Malakian's 'The Gaze' and Vessna Perunovich's Midnight Marriage (who happens to be [FAT] artistic director and Vanja's mom).


Similar to foreplay if you will, the aura bred excitement with slight hestitation (likely because many of the would-be participants were at Ryerson's Mass Exodus Show); but the crowd was certainly fashionable and edgy and the models were even better, throwing runway convention aside and strutting, dancing and swaying with the flow of this alternative event.

[FAT] is art, amazingly talented musical acts and fashion; and day one showcased 12 fashion designers in three parts.

Amie Scott broke from her usual sunnyside up egg shirts and presented a dozen looks that had everyone around me in stitches (in a good way) as each look surfaced: a blood-tainted gown with a severed arm attached, a hamburger dress with fabric bun, tomato et al., and a camo-print full bustle gown. We loved the dress made with pj material with a bum-flap (what a great idea, why hasn't anyone thought of this before?!)

Wesley Badanjak (runway coordinator and designer) presented the most polished collection of the group for men and women which included tailored skinny pants and chic vests; while Magpie enchanted with full-length tie-dyed African-style dresses wound and tied with straps of fabric. For the final show, Lena Love opened for Kirsty McKenzie and was followed by a group of fabulously fierce models dressed in her mix-up of floral creations which garnered much praise from my fashion friends.

We didn't spot much fashion media in the crowd besides FAB writer Rolyn Chambers, NOW Magazine's Andrew Sardone and fashionista extraordinaire Lucinda McRuvy (maybe saving their energy for our fashion film tomorrow night?) but did hear from a source that when asked what she thought of the show, the Flare editor's assistant shrugged and scowled. No taste for art?? Our source then questioned, 'Do you even like fashion??!' We love it!

[FAT] Day 1 More Pics

(apologies for the photo quality - was having issues - better tomorrow!)

A Night out with the Deadly Nightshades

Official movie photography by digitalfabrik.ca

Toronto Alternative Arts and Fashion Week [FAT] is in a couple of days (April 9-11, 2008), following Ryerson's new Fashion Week and the graduating fashion design show Mass Exodus.

In-studio shooting (minor parts) with the green screen - super fun!
digitalfabrik.ca

On Thurs. April 10, myself and a bunch of illustrious crazy people will be premiering a 10 minute fashion video we've been working on called, 'A Night out with the Deadly Nightshades' - a high-energy, fashionable tale of four stylish designers, who also happen to be a bike gang, who set out to spread the word about sustainability and social responsibility in fashion.

Even with the 'green' movement, the fashion industry is continuously guilty of toxic chemical clothing, fast-fashion and massive waste and slave-labour factories. The Deadly Nightshades, made up of Irene Stickney, Nniamh McManus, Cat Essiambre and Meaghan Orlinksi, ethically strive to bring industry change in this film and in their every day lives.

The girls @ Critical Mass in Toronto ethical-minded cyclists from all over the city digitalfabrik.ca


Spreading the message @ L'Oreal Fashion Week

A Night out with the Deadly Nightshades, directed by George Browne, premieres Thursday, April 10 @ 8:15 p.m.
[FAT] Fermenting Cellar, Distillery District, 55 Mill Street Tickets $15/20 for all three nights.

[FAT] Designer LINKS

Performer Lena Love for Kirsty McKenzie


UsThemWe "Vanity Turns to Green" (Photography: Keith Ledoux of WMXXIII Productions
Makeup: Charlotte Mars, Hair/Model: Ashley Brewer of Blood, Sweat & Shears)

Toronto Alternative Arts & Fashion Week
[FAT] April 9-11, 2008 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Fermenting Cellar, Distillery District

April 9 Transitory Space (only those 'runway' artists with web links are listed)
www.starkers.com
www.breeyn.com
www.magpiedesigns.com
www.amiescott.com
www.brookealviano.com
www.lovasfashion.com
www.decadentdesigns.ca
www.myspace.com/kirstyisthirsty

April 10 Urban Experiment
www.therage.etsy.com
www.dillydaisy.com
www.innergeek.ca
www.paperpeopleclothing.com
www.fieerce.com
www.snowflakefashion.com
www.marmalade-shop.ca
www.kranedesign.com
www.babuetmoi.com

April 11 Conflict
www.magdelina.com
www.asphyxiadesigns.com
www.usthemwe.com
www.redbarndesigns.com
www.vicerra.com
www.plastikwrap.com
www.futurstate.com

For a complete list of web links and schedule, visit www.getfat.ca

[ FAT] 'Real' Model Auditions

With only a month to go, Alternative Fashion Week [FAT] organizers are pulling together major details of the 3-day production! This past weekend, Extreme Fitness and the Ben Barry Agency added their support to 'Models&Mirrors' - a casting call for [FAT] models.

Although professional models graced the runway the last two seasons, organizers have opted for 50 everyday people to ‘mirror’ the beauty of the world around us.

[FAT] runs April 9-11, 2008 at the Distillery District. Stay tuned for updates, highlights and key info!


photos by Siya Chen