NOVA PICKS.

Designers from Fashion Art Toronto 2026.

One of the most exciting aspects of Fashion Art Toronto is its ability to bring together a wide range of creative voices under one platform. Each season introduces new perspectives while giving returning designers the opportunity to evolve, experiment, and push their work further.

(Models wearing “GRIMEY” at Fashion Art Toronto 2026, photo by: asianwithcamera)

Throughout SS26, we witnessed collections that challenged expectations, embraced craftsmanship, and offered fresh approaches to storytelling through fashion. While every designer brought something remarkable to the runway and contributed to an incredibly strong overall season, a few stood out to us for their particularly compelling vision, execution, and ability to surprise.

From emerging talents to names we continue to follow, these are the designers that left the strongest impression on us during Fashion Art Toronto SS26, our Nova Picks, highlighted for their distinctive proposals and the work that truly surprised us.

1. Charles Lu

   
   

   Few collections this season felt as personal and intentional as Charles Lu's. The designer, known for his appearance on Project Runway, presented a body of work rooted in his Vietnamese heritage, transforming family history and cultural identity into a visually striking runway experience.

   
   

   Lu described the collection as a love letter to his parents, a gesture of gratitude expressed through craftsmanship, silhouette, and design. That sincerity could be felt throughout the presentation, giving the work a depth that extended beyond aesthetics.

   
   

   Visually, the collection was defined by dramatic volume and architectural construction. Sculptural shapes moved through the runway with precision, creating silhouettes that felt both commanding and graceful. Despite their structural complexity, the garments maintained an undeniable elegance, balancing bold proportions with refinement and fluidity.

   
   

   Charles Lu transformed personal history into a visual language that felt powerful and sincere, offering a collection that resonated on an emotional and aesthetic level simultaneously.

2. Leidi Beibi

   
   

   Based in Montreal and rooted in her Mexican heritage, Leidy Beibi presented a collection titled Perreo Couture, a vibrant exploration of Latin identity through the lens of contemporary urban culture.

   
   

   The collection drew inspiration from the visual world many Latin Americans know intimately: quinceañeras, family celebrations, bold colors, music, and the energy of a dance floor that stays alive until the early hours of the morning. Rather than treating these references as nostalgia, Leidy Beibi transformed them into a contemporary fashion statement.

   
   

   Layers of texture, saturated colors, and body-conscious silhouettes created a collection that felt playful and different. The looks combined the extravagance associated with formal Latin celebrations with the confidence and attitude of contemporary urban culture.

   
   

   What made the collection particularly successful was its authenticity. There was no attempt to dilute or soften its influences; instead, Leidy Beibi fully embraced the aesthetics, emotions, and cultural references that shaped the collection, allowing them to exist proudly on the runway.

3. AB.O Project

   
   

   A purposeful and innovative collection, demonstrating how fashion can become a vehicle for storytelling, advocacy, and sustainability simultaneously. Centered on the visibility and celebration of women in sports, the collection transformed athletic garments into something entirely new, creating a dialogue between performance, identity, and design.

   
   

   Using upcycling as its foundation, the project reworked existing sportswear into one-of-a-kind pieces that retained traces of their previous lives while taking on entirely new forms. Jerseys, athletic fabrics, and performance elements were reconstructed into contemporary silhouettes.

   
   

   Beyond sustainability, the collection celebrated the resilience, strength, and presence of women within athletic spaces. Every look seemed to embody movement and determination, reflecting the spirit of the individuals who inspired the project.

4. Authentic Roz

   
   

   For his first presentation in Canada, Qatari designer Rayan Alami introduced Toronto audiences to the world of Authentic Roz through Third Space, a collection that quickly became one of our standout moments of the season.

   
   

   There was a quiet confidence to the work, one that didn’t rely on spectacle, but on impeccable execution, thoughtful design, and a strong point of view. The collection is refined and contemporary, offering a fresh perspective that became one of our favorites.

   
   

   What impressed us most was Alami’s ability to reimagine everyday dressing. Classic wardrobe staples were subtly transformed through unexpected cuts, innovative construction, and elevated material choices, creating wearable and distinctive garments.

   
   

   There was elegance without rigidity, minimalism without simplicity, and sophistication without excess. The result was a body of work that felt modern, intentional, and relevant.

5. Zoe Stone

   
   

   Zoe Stone’s collection stood out as one of the most visually experimental presentations of Fashion Art Toronto SS26, operating at the intersection of fashion, sculpture, and material exploration.

   
   

   The designer approached the runway as a space for transformation, where garments became objects of study rather than conventional clothing. Through an intuitive and tactile process, organic shapes emerged that felt raw, instinctive, and almost otherworldly in their presence.

   
   

   A key element of the collection was the use of unconventional materials and handcrafted elements. Ceramic details, feather compositions, and textured surfaces were incorporated into masks and accessories, adding a ritualistic and sculptural dimension to the looks. These pieces extended beyond functionality, becoming expressive objects that enhanced the conceptual depth of the presentation.

   
   

   Rather than adhering to traditional fashion codes, Zoe Stone leaned into abstraction, allowing form and texture to guide the narrative. The result was a collection that felt immersive and atmospheric, where each look contributed to the exploration of the body, identity, and transformation.

6. Grimmey

   
   

   One of the most energetic and unapologetically rebellious collections of Fashion Art Toronto SS26. From the moment the first look stepped onto the runway, the collection radiated a sense of freedom, attitude, and playful defiance.

   
   

   Drawing heavily from the spirit of alternative youth culture, the collection evoked the aesthetics of the early 2000s, an era defined by individuality, subcultures, and a refusal to conform. There was a distinctly punk energy throughout the presentation, balanced by a sense of humor and self-awareness that kept the collection feeling fresh rather than nostalgic.

   
   

   Distressed details, layered styling, and unconventional combinations contributed to a visual language that felt chaotic in the best possible way. Each look appeared to celebrate personal expression over perfection, embracing the messy, experimental nature that has always defined alternative fashion.

7. Mayer

   
   

   The designer brought an undeniable sense of energy to the runway, delivering a collection that felt tailor-made for summer escapes, coastal adventures, and long days spent between the city and the sea. Confident, polished, and effortlessly wearable, the presentation captured the essence of contemporary resort dressing while maintaining a strong fashion-forward perspective.

   
   

   The collection moved seamlessly between sporty and sophisticated, introducing a wardrobe built around movement, leisure, and versatility. Neapolitan-inspired jackets added structure and refinement, while nautical references anchored much of the collection’s visual identity, evoking the timeless appeal of seaside style.

   A palette of blue, white, and red reinforced the maritime influence, appearing across sharp tailoring, relaxed separates, and standout power suits that balanced elegance with ease. Sporty chic elements were woven throughout, creating looks that felt equally suited for a yacht deck, a summer getaway, or a stylish afternoon in the city.

   
   

   Major’s SS26 presentation was a celebration of warm-weather dressing at its best, elevated, energetic, and designed for a lifestyle where fashion follows you from the beach to dinner without missing a beat.

8. Pearletta

   
   

   One of the most charismatic and unforgettable presentations of Fashion Art Toronto SS26. More than a traditional runway show, the collection felt like a performance, an unapologetic celebration of confidence, self-expression, and larger-than-life personalities.

   
   

   From the moment the models stepped onto the runway, there was a palpable sense of attitude. The collection embraced flamboyance, theatricality, and a playful sense of cockiness, inviting the audience into a world where taking up space was not only encouraged but essential. Crowd interaction became part of the experience, blurring the line between spectator and participant and amplifying the show’s infectious energy.

   
   

   Drawing inspiration from nightlife, party culture, and the freedom of self-invention, the collection radiated what could only be described as main-character energy; personality became just as important as the garments themselves.

   
   

   Skin played a central role throughout the collection, with sheer fabrics, cut-outs, and body-conscious silhouettes creating moments of sensuality without sacrificing playfulness. The aesthetic felt reminiscent of the girl who arrives fashionably late to the after-party, effortlessly commanding attention while embracing a beautifully imperfect, slightly chaotic glamour.

   
   

   What made Perleta stand out was its commitment to joy, confidence, and individuality. Bold, sassy, and impossible to ignore, the collection reminded audiences that fashion can be fun, expressive, and deeply personal, a celebration of attitude as much as style.

Kendrick Tran

An emotionally charged and narrative-driven show, using fashion as a medium to explore themes of depression, vulnerability, and healing.

The first half of the collection immersed the audience in a darker emotional landscape. Dominated by black tones, spiked details, distressed elements, and dramatic makeup, the looks embodied feelings of internal conflict and psychological unrest. Garments appeared to be held together by safety pins, clips, and buckles, creating the impression of a person attempting to keep themselves intact while unraveling beneath the surface. Moments of screaming, abrupt lighting changes, and an increasingly intense soundtrack heightened the sense of tension and instability, transforming the runway into a theatrical representation of a mind in crisis.

As the presentation progressed, darkness gradually gave way to hope. Color began to emerge, replacing the monochromatic palette that had dominated the opening looks. Flowers appeared throughout the collection as symbols of growth and renewal, while accessories such as cage-inspired bags suggested the possibility of liberation from emotional confinement. The contrast between the two halves created a powerful visual narrative, illustrating a journey from struggle toward acceptance and recovery.

What made Kendrick Tran’s presentation particularly memorable was its willingness to engage with difficult emotions while still offering optimism. Rather than romanticizing pain, the collection focused on transformation, resilience, and the possibility of healing. It was a show that invited audiences not only to observe but to feel, one of the most impactful storytelling moments of the season.