INSIDE TORONTO´S OWN FASHION WEEK.

A Conversation with Founders Sadaf Emami and Ion Sobaliu.

Toronto’s fashion scene has long existed in the shadow of larger fashion capitals, despite the city being home to an abundance of emerging talent and creative voices. For Sadaf and Ion, founders of RCHIVE and Toronto’s Own Fashion Week, that absence of visibility became the starting point for building something of their own.

( Sadaf Emami & Ion Sobaliu at TOFW 2026.)

The project was born from a simple but ambitious idea: creating a platform capable of showcasing Toronto fashion to the world. During our conversation, both founders spoke about the need for a space where local designers could not only present their work, but also gain real opportunities to grow commercially. The goal is not simply to organize fashion shows, but to help designers sell more clothing, expand their audience, and position Toronto within larger global fashion conversations.

They explained that many talented designers already exist within the city, yet often lack the access, infrastructure, or opportunities needed to properly showcase their work. Toronto’s Own Fashion Week aims to become that missing platform, a place where emerging creatives can finally be seen. Rather than waiting for validation from established fashion capitals, Sadaf and Ion are focused on building a system that gives Toronto its own voice and identity within the industry.

“We want to bring Toronto’s fashion scene to the world map by creating a platform that not only showcases designers but also elevates local talent onto an international stage.”

-Sadaf Emami.

(@itsrezleone by @mylesjvy)

What also distinguishes the project is the way they approach the fashion show experience itself. According to the founders, their intention has always been to challenge traditional structures and expectations often associated with the fashion industry. Instead of reproducing the same formulas seen elsewhere, they aim to create something more immersive, more community-driven, and more emotionally connected to the people participating. Their latest show, presented inside the Church of the Holy Trinity, reflected that philosophy perfectly, transforming a historic and unconventional space into a setting that felt intimate and disruptive, far removed from the traditional runway environment.

For Sadaf and Ion, fashion should not feel inaccessible or restricted by rigid industry codes. Through Toronto’s Own Fashion Week, they are attempting to dismantle some of those ideas by creating an environment that feels more open, collaborative, and representative of a new generation of creatives. In many ways, the project reflects the same spirit as the city itself: diverse, evolving, and unwilling to fit into preexisting molds.

Although the platform is rooted in Toronto, both founders believe its potential can eventually become global. Their vision extends beyond a single city; it is about building a network and a cultural movement capable of connecting local talent to international audiences without losing the authenticity that makes Toronto unique.