All models should be FAT

[Fat] Part I:

In between shows, the runway edges are littered with extended feet, half-full glasses of wine and over-sized purses. Models, designers, photographers and well dressed plus-ones glide across the runway, moving backstage, drinks in hand, without so much as the flash off a media pass.

On the opposite end of the room, a rock band is playing covers in front of a small crowd of enthusiastic dancers; and when the shows start, models transcend the audience barrier, handing shots of booze to the front row.

This isn't you're average fashion week. Decidedly different, Toronto Alternative Arts and Fashion Week [FAT] is Toronto's direct alternative to the higher-minded, slightly snootier, and admittedly glitzier LG Fashion Week. In the face of LG's corporate culture and conservative fashion, [FAT] has become a stage for designers without the cash flow to pay the high price tag of showing at LG. It's also been celebrated by by advocates of grassroots and artisan design, who push for fashion to break outside of retail and couture boundaries.

But mostly, it's a party. In fact, half of the room's space is saved for socializing. The crowd is more dreadlocked than double-kissing, but that's not to say the glitterati aren't present. The usual fashion suspects are here: actors, djs, promoters and the occasional Project Runway castaway or winner. Its the type of crowd where you recognize faces, but can't place them.

It's not the A-list, but FAT wants to write its own list, anyway. With tickets at only $55 for the four-day event, FAT has succeeded in making Toronto's fashion scene accessible. LG Fashion Week does have tickets for sale, but buyers are usually directed to the standing room only section, right behind the attendees who are pretty, special or savvy enough to be handed a pass.

This is the second evening and the first shows are less alternative than I had been expecting, but dull streetwear gives way to showmanship and theatrics as the night progresses. Re-construction seems to be the unannounced theme: clothing is made of records, cell phones, teddy bears and plastic bags. Models look like, and in most cases actually are, "real" people. Some are short, others fat, all pretty. Tattoos are not covered up and there is no debate about black models, all races are represented.

The whole thing would actually be a too little PC, if it weren't for the spirit of the event. The crowd cheers for its friends and favourites, and loud, rude remarks are met with almost unacceptable amounts of laughter. I realize my standardized under-the-breath commentary is entirely unnecessary when I hear "Awful!" and "Disaster!" bellowing across the catwalk. I can't help but laugh, a little too loud, and the accuser hears me. Pointing at an adjacent model he mouths "They can't hear me," and laughs even harder. "Write that down!" he shouts at me, his finger drawing a line towards my notebook.

Much of what's shown on stage is a disaster. Some collections are too much, others not enough. Some designers need to edit their work, others need to run a lint brush over it. But every show entertains. The theatrics are fascinating when beautiful and embarrassing when brutal.

And the crowd, critics included, is into it. They are laughing, smiling and eyeing the looks with awe. A Beth Ditto-sized model elicits the night's loudest cheers, proving that even alts enjoy the perfect trend. And our cute and cacophonous commentator does have some encouraging words. "Work it bitch!" he shouts, just a little too loud, causing the modeling agent beside me to turn beat red with laughter.

She leans over to me and says, "This is why I come to FAT. Because it's fun."

The fun isn't over, yet, but this blog post is. The evening ends with a performance piece and an earth day after-party. Expect to see polar bears and the fashion forward life vests we'll be needing to stay stylish straight through global warming, in part II.

Until then, enjoy your weekend.