This week Startup Fashion Week took off and it was definitely a show to remember. From educational panels and forums to an eccentric runway show, this fashion event is one to keep an eye out for.
So what is Startup Fashion Week???
Startup Fashion Week is a not for profit organization that looks to provide entreprenuers with a space to make connections, and showcase their own personal label/business to gain visibility and credibility. This week long event was founded in 2014 by Jodi Goodfellow in Toronto (wahoo Toronto!!) and has just spread to Montreal! Unlike other fashion weeks in Toronto this one looks to intersect the fashion, technology and business worlds.
Aside from the obvious fashion runways this week long event incorporated panel discussions and networking parties used to help entrepreneurs gain more contacts and to showcase their work. What we really loved about this event (and what we think closely correlates with our brand) is the fact that it empowered so many different people, from individuals in the fashion world, to women in tech, to the average business owner.
The SFW Alumni includes 10 Wearable Tech Startups, 18 Fashion-Tech Startups, 20 Emerging Designers, 50+ Speakers and 100+ emerging models. A sea of innovative and stylish individuals.
The designers at this event were chosen from a vast array of top Canadian designers. From UMI (you+I), to Emy Armor, to DAMASSIA, the designs in this show were unique, wearable and very fashion forward (there was even a clothing line that was completely made up of fibre optic technology, google them seriously it was soooo cool: inlighten.co).
And because this was a fashion/business/tech show, in addition to fashion designs this show also had wearable tech start-ups feature their inventions on the runway, which I thought this was really cool.
Here are some of our favorite pieces shot from the show:
The show in it's entirety was amazing, the venue was perfection and the way that it was executed was phenomenal. Even after the show, they had the designers in the lobby area to showcase their designs for purchase and to have a casual conversation with. For the emerging designers or business owners trying to get their name out there, I highly suggest not even just the Startup runway but the Startup Fashion Week panel discussions or the networking events to get your name out there and to meet like minded people in the industry.
For more on Startup Fashion Week connect with them here:
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/StartupFW/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StartupFW
Website: http://www.startupfashionweek.com