FASHION
BUILDING THE CANADIAN FASHION LANDSCAPE FOR OVER 10 YEARS
Startup Fashion Week™ (SFW) is the only Fashion Week in the world exclusively highlighting emerging talent across every corner of the fashion industry — from design to tech, business, and beyond.
Founded in 2014, SFW has become the launchpad for Canadian designers, models, photographers and entrepreneurs - a place where under-the-radar talent is not only discovered but given the opportunity to grow.
Startup Fashion Week™ has proudly partnered with some of Canada’s leading businesses, media platforms and cultural voices to create bold, career-defining opportunities for emerging talent. Over the course of 15 Fashion Weeks in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, we have showcased more than 130 designers and startups, drawing over 22,000 guests to our events. SFW continues to build a powerful community that champions innovation, creativity and inclusivity in fashion.
COMMUNITY OVER COMPETITION
SFW was created as a direct response to the traditional — and often fractured — fashion industry, where exclusivity, egos and gatekeeping have long stifled emerging talent. Instead of replicating that toxic culture, SFW was built to prioritize community, collaboration, and accessibility.
By fostering an environment where creativity and entrepreneurship are supported over status and hierarchy, SFW empowers the next generation of fashion leaders to rise together — not compete in isolation.
OUR VISION
Startup Fashion Week™ provides the most innovative program and a memorable experience by focusing on three main pillars.
FASHION - We select Canada’s most promising fashion designers to showcase on our runway.
BUSINESS - We program cutting edge conferences and networking events to fuel the growth of Canada’s fashion industry.
TECHNOLOGY - We integrate technology into our production wherever possible whether it is through featuring wearable tech brands, partnering with tech startups or creating immersive runway show experiences.
BUSINESS
TECHNOLOGY
OUR IMPACT
Startup Fashion Week™ is more than a series of runway shows — it's a curated experience designed to educate, elevate and empower our participants. Throughout the week, we host a dynamic lineup of events leading up to our final designer showcase, offering hands-on mentorship and industry insights. We understand the specific challenges faced by startup businesses, which is why SFW has a hands on approach preparing our designers to be runway ready, media ready and business ready — equipping them with the tools and confidence to thrive in a competitive industry. We have helped more than 130 designer and 1500+ models break into the industry. Our designers often get media coverage, generate sales and see an increase in online traffic from SFW.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
At its core, Startup Fashion Week™ is built on the belief that the fashion industry should reflect the diverse world we live in. From the runway to the boardroom, SFW champions ‘community’ and inclusivity by amplifying voices that are often overlooked — including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Indigenous, newcomer and differently-abled creatives. We actively seek out emerging talent from all walks of life, ensuring our programming, casting and partnerships reflect a wide range of backgrounds, identities and perspectives. SFW isn’t just about showcasing fashion — it’s about creating a space where everyone belongs and where every story has the chance to be seen and celebrated.
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