Startup Fashion Week

Startup Fashion Week Startup Fashion Week is an event that takes place in Toronto. Our events focus on Fashion, Business and Technology. www.startupfashionweek.com Want to volunteer?

Whether you are a Visionary, Early Stage Entrepreneur or an Industry Professional in Fashion - you don't want to miss this event! We are disrupting the concept of a Fashion Week to provide a range of events in our Program that focus on Fashion, Business and Technology. We have a particular interest in sourcing and promoting Startup Designers and Startups in Fashion-Tech, Wearable Tech and Retail T

ech! Want to showcase your designs? Want to demo your fashion-tech startup? Want to be a sponsor? E-Mail us -> [email protected]

04/19/2026

Best walks of the season SFW 2026 ✨

04/17/2026

About last night….

The Road To Startup Fashion Week: Episode 5: Content Creation Day 📸✨

Today, we’re taking you inside one of the most dynamic (and creatively charged) parts of the production: Content Creation Day.

“Today we’re at the Distillery running what we call our content creation circuit, a full day where designers collaborate with photographers, videographers, and creatives to produce the content they need to grow their brands. As emerging businesses, this kind of content is essential for their day-to-day marketing after Startup Fashion Week.

This experience was born out of adaptation. During COVID, when live audiences weren’t possible, we reimagined how designers could still gain value and visibility and what started as a solution quickly became a staple of the production.
Because at Startup Fashion Week, we’re not just producing a runway show, we’re creating opportunities for long-term brand growth.

Content Creation Day allows us to:

• Connect designers with photographers and videographers
• Produce high-quality marketing content in one place
• Encourage collaboration across creatives
• Support emerging brands beyond the runway
• Build assets designers can use long after the show ends

It’s fast-paced, a little chaotic, and incredibly collaborative, but that’s where the magic happens.”

🎬 Follow along and watch every episode drop here on Instagram as our team prepares for Startup Fashion Week, dated from April 13th to 17th.


04/15/2026

Best Dressed — at Startup Fashion Week™ Media Launch Party at Escobar ✨

Hope to see you all for the show happening this Friday!

04/14/2026

Day 1 of Startup Fashion Week - Designer Interviews & Consulting with Fashion Experts ✨

A big thank you to our lovely interview host Marina Valmont & the designers for making this event a huge success!

Stay tuned for more event updates from Startup Fashion Week™!

04/02/2026

The Road To Startup Fashion Week: Episode 4: The Venue

Today, we’re stepping into one of the most critical and often underestimated parts of producing a runway show: finding the perfect venue.

It is one of the most complex pieces of the entire production, with countless moving parts that all need to align. From capacity to backstage access, to lighting and rentals, every detail matters.

“Tonight, I’m heading to the Illuminarium with our Creative Director of Photography, Nancy, to walk through the space. We’re reviewing lighting, mapping out the layout, and deciding where photographers will be positioned. With so much technology integrated into the venue, we also
need to carefully consider backgrounds, so we’re fully prepared come show day.

At Startup Fashion Week, choosing the right venue means ensuring we can:

• Accommodate our full audience and production team
• Build a functional backstage environment
• Execute professional lighting (in-house or rented)
• Coordinate seating, staging, and overall flow
• Integrate creative direction seamlessly into the space

One of the reasons we continue to host at the Illuminarium is its ability to merge fashion with cutting-edge technology, creating a fully immersive experience. This has always been a dream, pushing the boundaries of what a runway show can be.”

- , Founder SFW

🎬 Follow along and watch every episode drop here on Instagram as our team prepares for Startup Fashion Week, dated from April 13th to 17th.


03/30/2026

Behind the scenes of The Road To Startup Fashion Week: Episode 3: The Models 👠✨

Today, we’re taking you inside one of the most important (and high-pressure) moments of producing a runway show: Model Casting.

“We are at Archeo in the Distillery District, where over 150 models have registered to be part of the 2026 show. This is also the first time I’m meeting many of the designers we’ll be
showcasing this year, a huge milestone moment in the journey to bringing this production to life.

One question I get a lot: Why don’t designers cast their own models? The answer is simple: we’re building a system that sets everyone up for success.

At Startup Fashion Week, many of our designers are stepping onto the runway stage for the very first time. Producing a show is already overwhelming, so we take on the responsibility of casting to:

• Remove stress from designers
• Ensure a seamless and professional experience
• Coordinate one continuous runway show featuring multiple collections
• Avoid scheduling and model conflicts across designers

Because this isn’t just a series of individual shows, it’s one unified production, one night, one runway. Casting in-house allows us to carefully curate the flow, energy, and consistency of the entire show, from the first walk to the final look.”

- Founder of SFW

🎬 Follow along and watch every episode drop here on Instagram as our team prepares for Startup Fashion Week, dated from April 13th to 17th.

Cover Model:
Photographer:
Videographer:
Venue: /


03/27/2026

Introducing this year’s theme: In Bloom 🌺

A full sensory experience, where fashion come to life in more ways than one.

Tickets linked in the bio!

03/25/2026

The Road To Startup Fashion Week, Episode 2: The Decisions.

Choosing designers for a runway show is never about the clothes; it’s about who is truly ready for the opportunity.

“Reviewing applications for this year’s Startup Fashion Week, the process gets more complex every year. With applications coming in from across Canada and internationally, the level of
talent is incredible. But, as the Executive Producer I have to look beyond the designs; I consider how each brand shows up as a whole:

Do they have a website?
A strong social media presence?
Professional imagery?

Because in this industry, perception plays a major role in how seriously a brand is taken. The reality is that many designers are at different stages; some are incredibly talented but still early in their journey, and timing matters when stepping into the spotlight.

I’m also intentional about curating a balanced runway. Avoiding competing categories ensures each designer has the space to stand out, gain attention, and make a lasting impression.”

- , Founder of SFW

At the end of the day, this opportunity is about visibility, growth and positioning your brand for what’s next.

🎬 Follow along and watch every episode dropping here on Instagram as our team prepares for Startup Fashion Week dated from April 13th to 17th.


03/23/2026

Welcome to Episode 1 of our new social series: The Road to Startup Fashion Week, a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to bring this show to life year after year.

“When I started Startup Fashion Week back in 2014, I never imagined I would be hosting Year 13! What began as an experiment while launching my own fashion tech startup quickly turned into a mission: bridging the worlds of fashion, tech and entrepreneurship.

Launching a business, whether in fashion or tech, has always been challenging. But through Startup Fashion Week, I wanted to create more than just a runway show. I wanted to
build a community, offer guidance to emerging designers, and support the next generation of fashion entrepreneurs.”

- Jodi Goodfellow Founder of SFW

Now, years later, the journey continues. Watch our social series to learn about:

Finding the perfect venue
Casting models
Working with a massive creative team
Supporting our selected designers with content creation, all the way to the final runway moment.

We are giving you a front-row look at what it takes to produce this show annually!

🎬 Follow along and watch every episode drop here on Instagram as our team prepares for Startup Fashion Week, dated from April 13th to 17th.


*DESIGNER OPEN CALL* | Deadline to apply extended to January 31stStartup Fashion Week is calling in the bold.We are look...
01/24/2026

*DESIGNER OPEN CALL* | Deadline to apply extended to January 31st

Startup Fashion Week is calling in the bold.

We are looking for forward-thinking designers and fashion businesses who believe fashion is more than aesthetics. We want fashion businesses that see fashion as both a creative practice and a catalyst for change.

From inclusive sizing to sustainability and innovative craftsmanship, we champion bringing awareness to emerging designers and entrepreneurs who are building brands with intention.

Participation Includes:

Model Casting
Logo as a participant on all event promotional sites
Media Coverage
2 Designer Guest Tickets for the runway show
Professional photos from our in-house Photographers

If you are ready to engage with mentorship, connect with industry peers, and use the runway as a platform for change, this is your moment.

✨ Professional website + active social presence required
✨ Emerging & independent designers encouraged
✨ Deadline to apply extended to January 31st

We have 2 Designer spots available! Apply now and show us what fashion can be.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc4FWbx-riYVry8cZyRWzk_9NkFGdjaxmfoQ-RXMrvNUjdjLw/viewform

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180 John Street
Toronto, ON
M5T1X5

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