Fashion designers in Toronto are navigating a landscape of increasing scarcity. January 2026 saw the closure of Toronto Fashion Incubator, marking the end of the world’s first fashion-specific incubation model, after supporting thousands of designers for nearly 40 years. Independent designers are facing a reality where rental costs for arts organizations have outpaced inflation by nearly 38 per cent from 2019 to 2023, and creative hubs have shifted away from historic neighbourhoods like West Queen West — where over 76 per cent of galleries and independent studios have disappeared in the last decade.
Still, within this bleak context, innovation thrives. Young designers tap into the shared resources of their expanded communities, and take control of how capsule collections are presented as the seasons come and go. A couple of friends of mine, Gabriel Ting of the brand and designer Jhon Roncal, relocated Gabriel’s studio to an experimental downtown workspace for six days last year to transform it into a “live working environment.” They moved sewing machines, cast paper patterns into a resin sculpture and set up a custom shirting station to “expose the architecture of making.”
Meet three trailblazing fashion designers who are redefining what it means to build an intentional, sustainable brand — in a city where community ties are strong, but space comes at a premium.
Wanze Song
The label in a nutshell
My eponymous clothing label, , designs both menswear and womenswear. My practice has always been rooted in craftsmanship. I believe in making things by hand, using traditional techniques. We develop all of our pieces in-house, and all garments are made locally in Toronto. My goal is to create compelling garments for everyday wear —pieces that carry intention, value and a sense of connection for the wearer.
Keeping a studio space in Toronto
I feel incredibly lucky to have found my studio space in Toronto. The search was challenging, but through a chance encounter, it led me to my dream place. I believe that the spaces we occupy can deeply influence how we feel and think. With that in mind, having a studio that inspires me has been invaluable. It supports both creativity and focus, and I don’t take that for granted.
How pop-ups and public studio visits play a role
Studio visits have been essential to the business from the very beginning. I’ve always craved human connection and wanted to truly understand who my customers are. These experiences have given me insight and a strong sense of purpose. Building meaningful relationships with clients has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this journey. Hearing people share the stories and memories they associate with the garments has been incredibly fulfilling.
What’s next
We’re currently developing our Spring/Summer 2027 collection, which will mark our 10th collection to date. It’s an amalgamation of the past 10 seasons — revisiting our best-performing styles while refining design details and functionality. I want it to feel like a homecoming: a reflection of all our explorations, and a thoughtful refinement of the brand’s core identity.
Spencer Badu
The label in a nutshell
My name is , and I’ve been running my brand for 10 years. It’s rooted in the idea of uniforms. Within my work, I explore uniforms as a philosophy, deconstructing them and reconstructing them into things that are informed by curiosity and culture — with the goal of creating something that is minimal, functional and yet expressive.
Keeping a studio space in Toronto
I started in a shared space, the Toronto Fashion Incubator, which was pivotal to the longevity of my career, especially during the pandemic. I’ve been in my own space for the past three years. The city is expensive, but I’ve learned to use space in dynamic ways, to make the most of whatever space I’m in.
How pop-ups and public studio visits play a role
We once had a pop-up space on Queen Street. For us, it was a way to experiment with the idea of creating our own store. The space had multiple activations, a coffee shop and collaborations with other local brands.
What’s next
Our newest collection, Playboy, is out. It’s our 17th collection, and a summer collection that continues to explore the uniform. This season, we tried a lot of new silhouettes. And after years, it was really important to start to think about how we can own every product category — how can we make everything look like SB, even down to a tank top.
Gabriel Ting
The label in a nutshell
My name is Gabriel Ting, and I’ve been running a label called The Wandering Wit. The name stems from the idea that your body is here and your mind is elsewhere, and everything created is rooted in this message. We are primarily focused on the art of world-building narratives that are encompassed by pattern-making, garment design, installation and visuals.
Keeping a studio space in Toronto
Honestly, it’s a challenge. I have moved studios four times, and there’s always an issue that the space is either too small or too big. Balancing commercial, client and personal work has always been my pipeline in keeping an independent space in Toronto, even though it spreads me thin. I value the peace and silence it gives me.
How pop-ups and public studio visits play a role
I treat those like someone coming into my home. The studio and pop-up function as a “third space” for a lot of people. For me, the focus isn’t always about sales, but a place you metaphorically break bread or converse, and if that leads to a sale, then great.
What’s next
I’m working on Capsule 3 right now. It’s going to be a slow burn, and at the moment, I’m working on a side project for the brand called “INFANT BY WiT”. The performance series explores the duality of movement direction with garment-making and ideas stemming from Catholicism. All of our previous Capsules, INFANT, and other projects leading up to the fall will tie together, birthing Capsule 3.
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