Planet gorgeous

Toronto Alternative Arts & Fashion Week (FAT) sashays into Toronto for its fourth year, showcasing the edgy, the arty, the wearable and, for one entire day, the Earth-friendly.

“It just happened that one of the days during FAT is Earth Day [April 22],” says Vanja Vasic, executive director of FAT. “Each day’s theme relates to the concept of home, so it was perfect.” (Besides the Earth-themed day, “Planet,” on April 22, the daily themes include “Home” on April 21, which explores history and culture, “Gutter” on April 23, dedicated to fashion’s relationship to social and political issues and “Beyond” on April 24, which takes a peek into the cultural future.)

Vasic says they also decided to feature ethical fashion because so many designers were gravitating toward it. “A lot of people were naturally doing this — using eco-friendly fabrics. We were becoming more and more aware of this pattern and seeing the importance of it.” She adds that FAT “couldn’t even fit all the designers in” who wanted to showcase at “Planet.”

The people who made it come from around the world, and also include some of Toronto’s most forward-thinking designers and artists.

Brazil-born, Toronto-based jeweller and designer Baby Steinberg has a history of working with found and natural materials, from garbage bags to cellphone parts to hemp and seeds. Her work is playful, intricate and always has the environment in mind.

Local stylist and designer David C. Wigley is known for his extravagant costuming, but here he says he’s made a more wearable collection (called Worth.) with as many natural, organic materials as possible. “Fashion is an incredibly important outlet for green living. It’s one of those industries that affects every single person on this planet,” Wigley says. “It’s really about setting the right example and being a role model.”

Other local “Planet” participants include andal-lopez, Deadly Nightshades and photographer Caitlin Cronenberg (daughter of David, the legendary Canadian filmmaker).

Cronenberg will exhibit her series “In Your Nature,” a mix of graphic design and fashion photography (see photo above). “I used pictures of an apple tree… a magnolia tree, even some rocks,” Cronenberg says. “I just went out on ‘texture walks’ to see what I could find.” She then superimposed models from a previous shoot in front of these outdoorsy images for an effect that’s simultaneously bizarre and breathtaking.

Vasic says, “[Cronenberg’s] work just naturally responded to the theme.” For her, the “Planet” theme is a way of exploring how design relates to our environment. “It brings attention to innovation and shows that sustainability can be fashionable. And it’s engaging for the audience, as well. It makes them think.”

» Alternative Fashion Week runs April 21-24 at the Distillery District, Fermenting Cellar, 55 Mill, bldg 6. 6pm-1am. Go to www.getfat.ca for ticket and schedule information.