Burlington designer Joseph Tassoni presented his 2024 Fall-Winter and Resort collections to a sold-out crowd at the Art Gallery of Burlington (AGB) last Friday, with a portion of proceeds going towards charity partners Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation, to revamp the therapeutic room, and ArtHouse and the AGB towards youth programs. The 45-minute presentation took place across two packed rooms, both the Lee-Chin Gallery, amongst the ceramics of the Weight of Clay exhibit, and the Rotary Room.
Even before the show began, the atmosphere in the cocktail garden was buzzing — glittering attendees were excited for the big event. From the outerwear he is known for, to swimwear and separates, the well-dressed crowd took it all in, with particularly loud cheers for the gender-bending and gender-fluid looks that Tassoni showed.
The range of looks was nearly as diverse as the models themselves. The agency models stomped down the runway with their almost otherworldly beauty alongside community leaders and celebrities, all of whom were glowing, gorgeous, and seemed to enjoy their turn on the runway in support of mental health and youth services in Halton.
That diversity in models and clothes extended to the makeup and hair looks as well, and all of that was completely intentional. Tassoni explains that diversity and individuality is essential in his eyes, and he chose to work with models who embrace their own individuality. “My brand is about diversity, it always has been.” He wants any young people watching his shows, seeing the way his brand is presented to be able to connect with someone. “However they identify, I want them to know there’s a professional working to show that,” he says.
And so, some models glided down the runway looking serene, others truly did stomp. A celebrity model or two danced down the runway. Tim Bolen, co-host of CHCH morning live, did a particularly charming groove on the catwalk, and artist Rosacea Cheeks joyfully sashayed. Alison Nonato, a retired karate professional, dancer, and model, strutted down the runway in his thigh-high heeled boots to much applause. Tassoni happily described one agency model’s walk as a “morph into a model robot.” Burlington’s own Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, Ward 2 Councillor Lisa Kearns, and the Honourable Karina Gould were amongst the leaders and celebrities who leaned into their fashion moment. As Tassoni enthuses of his models, “Every. One. Delivered.”
The models are not the only ones who delivered. Tassoni’s impeccable tailoring skills were on full display, particularly in the jackets and in the one-piece glove/hood/crop top hybrids in liquid paillette stretch fabrics, perfectly fitted to the models. “That fit doesn’t happen overnight,” Tassoni says. The correct supports must be in place for these pieces to fit properly, particularly for women. Some of the silhouettes have been in the works for almost two years.
The colour palette included camel, taupe, black, shades of green, nudes with what Tassoni calls “diamond dust” all over them, liquid metals, and electrified gem tones. Texture was also an important piece of the presentation; Tassoni used woven fabric, knits, linens, those liquid metals, and more. The idea was for them “all to work with one another, and all to play with one another,” Tassoni explains.
Other particular standouts were the corsets — on all genders, beautifully flowy pants with that diamond dust, sheer tops that were just the right amount of flirtatious (again, on all genders), and a dark green military-inspired four-pocket blazer with a tailored pant made of 100% virgin wool with a wrap belt.
And while Tassoni is rightfully known for his outerwear, the coats with oversized hoods were especially gorgeous — modern and timeless at once.
If you were not at the runway show, fret not — the pieces are available online for order as of today. Plus there’s always next year: this year’s independent Joseph Tassoni runway show will not be the last. The plan is to put on a yearly combined Fall/Winter and Resort collection show, and the next collection is already in motion. Given that there was a waitlist of 175 deep for this year’s show, best to get your tickets early to the next.
Tassoni is appreciative of the support this show received from the community. “It’s so cool that people want to come out and support this,” he says. “There was a lot of love.”
Ultimately, Tassoni wants everyone “to be able to find a piece in my collection that makes you feel you.” And though he was both recuperating and still on cloud nine when we spoke post-show, Tassoni’s big message now and always is “Embrace who you are.”
Correction notice: updated to more accurately reflect the specifics of the charity portion of the article. Our apologies for any inconvenience caused.
