From fast trends to lasting legacies: The women powering Toronto’s slow fashion scene

Through craftsmanship, heritage and community, Toronto’s female designers are transforming the fashion landscape one creation at a time

(Image by Pexels via Pixabay)

Fashion is more than a showcase of style; it's a celebration of the artistry, dedication and spirit of the fashion community. Whether you’re a designer or a consumer, the movement towards slow fashion reminds us of the powerful role we play in shaping the narrative of what we wear and why.

In an era dominated by fast fashion and the pressure to keep up with the latest trends, the growing awareness of slow fashion offers a much-needed pause for reflection. It lifts local designers who pour time and care into their creations. Their work is a testament to the value of craftsmanship, the power of storytelling, and the love that these designers infuse into every seam. Slow fashion is about intimacy and connection. From hobby knitters to fashion students, their labour proves the value of handmade garments in a world that values speed over quality. One of these students is Alex Chen, a third-year fashion major at Toronto Metropolitan University.

“I had created pieces using fabrics I randomly found…a tablecloth for a dress…a stuffed animal for a bucket hat…My friends said, ‘I would totally buy that,’ and that's when I realized people actually want these things,” said Chen.

Chen’s experience isn’t unique; many designers find inspiration in upcycling. Every piece tells a story of patience, heritage and dreams passed down through generations. For many, the craft is deeply personal—a way to honour those who teach them sewing, knitting, embroidery or design. Through their work in fashion, they keep these traditions alive while adapting them for a new era. In line with this, Chen’s vision for their future reflects the heart of slow fashion: individuality, intention and emotional connection.

“I love sourcing pieces and seeing them find a new home…I want my pieces to be so unique that someone picks it up and says, ‘This is so me!’” said Chen.

Fashion has always been a space for people to express themselves, but slow fashion takes this a step further. It empowers individuals not only as consumers but also as creators. By choosing to invest in quality over quantity, designers and consumers are challenging the throwaway culture of fast fashion. They are proving that style can be ethical and elegant. 

For many young designers, staying true to themselves is part of that empowerment. “I hold my morals and values close to my heart…I try my best to commit to them, even when it’s difficult,” said Chen.

The process of creation is empowering. It grants agency over their work by allowing them to decide the terms of production and the values embedded in each garment. Many designers operate small, independent studios, which enable them to nurture a community where people can thrive and work on their own terms, ultimately enhancing the value of their work. 

Every stitch on the runway tells a story, and these stories often carry weight. They represent the challenges of balancing creative ambition with the demands of life, like juggling careers, families and personal aspirations, a struggle seen now more than ever. Balancing commercial viability with the stories that a designer wants to tell can be a difficult experience. This only emphasizes the power and importance of the pieces showcased on runways. The garments themselves are narratives, reflecting the complex identities of the people who make and wear them.

Slow fashion is more than a trend - it is a movement. It is about reclaiming time, honouring creative processes and fostering deeper connections to our clothes, to the creators and to ourselves. This means embracing fashion as a form of self-care and self-expression, rather than consumption. This embracement of individuality echoes across the entire movement.

“Slow fashion is important. With slow fashion, you can take your time and build your craft…It's more timeless. Designers take the time to research and source the materials. It helps create the garment,” said Deniah Spence, a third-year fashion student at Toronto Metropolitan University.

While the concept of sustainability is what makes the headlines, the sense of community that fashion fosters is the true accomplishment. Designers support one another as mentors, collaborators, and patrons. They share resources and advice, celebrate each other's successes and lift each other in the fashion industry. In art, it's less about who is “better” and more about who truly cares and who puts in the effort to succeed. When choosing slow fashion, people are making a statement about the kind of world they want to live in. 

The future of fashion is shaped by designers who refuse to compromise on their values. They are redefining the concept of style as a whole and proving that beauty is not just in what you wear as a finished product, but in the process of creating. 

But the slow fashion movement still faces obstacles. Despite growing support for the movement and its environmental and ethical benefits, the movement struggles against the convenience, speed, and low prices that fast fashion offers. The industry’s race to be the quickest and cheapest creates an uneven playing field, while small designers often bear the brunt of this imbalance.

“There’s still so much corruption in the fashion industry, like small businesses getting their sustainable designs ripped off by fast fashion companies,” explained Chen.  

Choosing slow fashion creates a pathway to more ethical, transparent and inclusive practices, which sets a guide for the next generation to follow, leading to a sustainable world where creativity and art are valued above all else. 

In every piece of clothing crafted, there is a story of love, resilience and the thread that connects us all. Celebrating these designers and their creations reminds us that fashion is not about what we wear, but about who we are and the stories that we choose to carry.