A Celebration Built On Craft
Ottawa Fashion Week has always leaned into the handmade, and 2026’s edition is no exception. Rather than a straightforward runway show, the evening is billed as an immersive celebration of the designers, stylists, and artisans who create original pieces by hand instead of relying on mass production.
Expect a night that treats fashion as community art, with the people behind the garments front and centre alongside the clothes themselves.
The Open Runway Kicks Things Off
The evening opens with the event’s signature Open Runway, a chance for models and photographers of every experience level to step into a professional setting and collaborate. It is designed to showcase the breadth of talent across Ottawa’s creative scene, giving newcomers and seasoned pros alike a shared stage.
It is a fitting start for a night that is as much about building community as it is about the clothes.
Meet the Designers and the Beat
Once the main program begins, guests will see original collections from some of Ottawa’s leading designers, including SmileStitch15, Angelique Boutique, Ivor Fashion Lifestyle, Afro Quest, and James Leclaire, with styling from Rebecca Row. Between looks, live performances from local bands will keep the energy moving, pairing the visual spectacle of the catwalk with a soundtrack straight from Ottawa’s music scene.
It is that combination, fashion and live music sharing the spotlight, that gives the night its signature buzz.
What to Know Before You Go
Ottawa Fashion Week 2026 runs from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, with doors opening at 4:30 p.m. at Mac Hall inside the Bronson Centre, 211 Bronson Avenue, Room 221. The event is open to all ages and runs about four hours, with paid parking available on site and no refunds offered once tickets are purchased.
Tickets are available through Eventbrite, and if you have been wanting an excuse to support Ottawa’s independent design scene while catching some live music, this is shaping up to be the night to do it.