Fashion Art Toronto Pushes for a More Inclusive Industry

Photograph by author

The fashion industry is often criticized for its lack of diversity and inclusion, leaving many identities underrepresented. This year, Fashion Art Toronto (FAT) put a big focus on inclusion, celebrating a range of body types, identities, cultures and abilities.

FAT is way more than just a fashion show; it’s a clear example of a broader, necessary shift in the industry. Diversity and inclusion are no longer optional, but essential. For designers, models, and brands, being inclusive has become fundamental for reaching new audiences and expressing creativity that truly reflects the complexity of society. Designers are using their collections to challenge old standards and show that fashion can be a platform for representation, empowerment, and social change. At FAT, many emphasized that true creativity cannot exist without inclusion.

Adeola Obaseki, founder of Mohala Grey, highlights how her brand is for everyone, carrying sizes from extra small to three XL. “If you are not being inclusive, I don’t know what you are doing,” she says, stressing the importance of inclusivity in all aspects of design. “The world is evolving, the world has changed, so you have to evolve with the world and accept people and accept things and who they are.”

Kelsey Gulley takes a similar approach with a focus on femininity and empowerment. Her brand, Uglley, includes women of all sizes and the whole point of her brand is to showcase the vastness of what can be defined as femininity. Gulley says that FAT provides a truly inclusive platform to express identity, which can’t happen without inclusion. “All that fashion is supposed to do is showcase who you are from the inside and the outside, and that is so diverse,” says Gulley. “So fashion kind of has to be inclusive because otherwise it’s not really art.”

Photography by @cosplay and @devansakaria; courtesy of Fashion Art Toronto

Designers’ efforts on the runway are part of a larger shift across the entire industry. Joanna Berzowksa, the founder and research director of XS Labs, explains that the push for diversity isn’t just a trend. Fashion is responding to what is happening in politics and the world, especially in the North American fashion industry.

Embracing inclusivity across all body types and abilities isn’t just practical, but essential for the industry. "Fashion as a divine discipline can remain relevant for a larger section of the population and allow people to enjoy and dream and dress up no matter who they are and what they look like,” says Berzowksa.

Berzowksa points to Toronto’s role as a leader in inclusive fashion. Events like FAT provide a platform for emerging brands to experiment with new definitions of fashion, different business models and innovative ways to integrate clothing into people’s lives. Berzowska hopes that in the next five to ten years, this could influence larger global brands, helping the industry as a whole become more representative and accessible.

Photography by @cosplay and @devansakaria; courtesy of Fashion Art Toronto

The conversation around inclusion in fashion isn’t limited to the runway—it also involves how clothing meets the needs of all consumers. Izzy Camilleri, a designer specializing in adaptive clothing, emphasizes that inclusion is just as much about functionality as it is about representation. Clothing provides dignity and self-expression, and everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy fashion regardless of ability. Adaptive design ensures that fashion can meet the needs of people with disabilities without compromising style.

“We’re all different, we all have different likes and dislikes with clothing or fashion,” says Camilleri. “But everybody needs to be dressed. We all want to feel included and clothing is a big part of that.” Camilleri’s work highlights that inclusion is not only about who is seen on the runway, but also who can fully participate in fashion in their daily lives.

Ultimately, FAT demonstrates that inclusion in fashion is both ethical and crucial. As the industry continues to evolve, embracing diversity in all its forms will ensure that fashion remains relevant, expressive, and meaningful for everyone. Events like FAT are more than just a fashion show—they are encouragement for change, reminding the world that fashion belongs to all of us.