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From fabric store inspiration to runway sensation; My journey through Toronto’s Avant Garde Fashion Revolution
“Behind the glamour, the real magic happens. From the fitting room to the final strut, it’s the dedication and heart of everyone involved that brings this vision to life.”
The air was electric at Toronto’s Avant Garde Gallery on September 28th, 2025, where I witnessed something extraordinary unfold. As someone who has navigated both the fashion world and community organizing for years, I can tell you this was where: culture, commerce, and community collided in the most beautiful way possible.
My good friend Nathaniel Fray-Smith, Co-Creator and Executive Director of Sundé Social, shared a simple idea, “What if we created a space that truly celebrates African, Black, Caribbean, and Diasporan talent?” Fast forward to today, and that seed has blossomed into the 5th Annual Fashion Brunch, a full-circle moment that left me breathless.
What makes this event different? It’s the raw authenticity pulsating through every stitch, every design, every conversation. Unlike mainstream fashion events that often feel exclusive and detached, Sundé Social’s Avant Garde Fashion Show operates on three powerful pillars: Community, Education, and Exposure.
As I moved through the gallery, I couldn’t help but notice the contrast between the elegant models getting ready to strut with confidence on the runway, and the bustling marketplace where Black-owned businesses flourished. This duality, high fashion meets accessible commerce, creates something magical. It’s democratizing style in a way I have rarely seen in our city.
“I was in Yorkville, and a lady came up to me, and was borderline harassing me about my jacket. She was that impressed,” designer Jason Burke of Fraternity Brand shared in an interview. This chance encounter sparked his journey into fashion design. “A light bulb went off in my head, and I returned to the store, bought out the fabric, and made more jackets.”
Stories like Jason’s remind me why this work matters. Behind every garment is a narrative of resilience, creativity, and cultural pride. When we support these designers, we are investing in dreams and sustaining our community’s economic vitality.
What surprised me most about this year’s event was the deliberate accessibility. Marketplace entry was completely free from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, allowing anyone to discover Toronto’s vibrant African Caribbean-owned businesses without financial barriers. Meanwhile, spectator tickets for the fashion show created an intimate experience for those seeking the full runway spectacle.
The integration of brunch, live music, and art transformed what could have been a standard fashion presentation into a multisensory celebration of African Caribbean excellence. I found myself swept up in the energy, connecting with old friends and making new ones. The live painter added another layer of creativity, her canvases capturing the vibrant energy of the day in real-time.
As I reflect on the day, I am struck by how Sundé Social has built a movement. Their ongoing commitment to fostering networking, resource sharing, and creative collaboration within the ABCD community demonstrates a profound understanding of what sustainable empowerment looks like.
The 5th Annual Fashion Brunch was about where we are heading as a community, and if the passion I witnessed last Sunday is any indication, our future is incredibly bright.
“Behind the glamour, the real magic happens,” one volunteer told me as we watched models prepare for their final walk. “From the fitting room to the final strut, it’s the dedication and heart of everyone involved that brings this vision to life.”
As I left the gallery, still buzzing from the day’s energy, I found myself wondering, what stories will emerge from next year’s event? Which undiscovered designer will capture our imagination? How will this community continue to grow and evolve?
One thing is certain; I will be there to witness it, write about it, and celebrate it, because in a world that often tries to diminish our light, events like the Avant Garde Fashion Show remind us of: our brilliance, our resilience, and our undeniable style. That, my friends, is a trend that will never go out of fashion.