Toronto/Berlin — Feb 2, 2026
Bridge to Berlin is a three-year cultural and economic exchange initiative designed to help Toronto-based fashion designers build international presence, export readiness, and long-term global opportunities.
Running from 2025 to 2027, the initiative is led by Fashion Art Toronto (FAT), supported by the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Creative Exports Canada Program, with the Goethe-Institut as Arts Partner.
The initiative connects Toronto’s fashion community with Berlin’s global fashion and cultural networks— creating practical pathways for designers to expand internationally, develop sustainable export capacity, and participate in meaningful cross-cultural exchange.
Strengthening Toronto’s Global Fashion Presence
Toronto is home to a growing fashion ecosystem shaped by sustainability, interdependent production, and cultural storytelling. Bridge to Berlin positions the city not only as a source of creative talent, but as an active participant in global fashion and cultural exchange.
Through structured collaboration between Fashion Art Toronto, Berlin Fashion Week, and Berlin-based non-profit Neo.Fashion, the initiative links creative presentation, international visibility, and market development into a long-term pathway for Canadian designers.
Backed by Creative Exports Canada
Funded in part by the Government of Canada through the Creative Exports Canada Program (Department of Canadian Heritage). Bridge to Berlin enables Fashion Art Toronto to carry out market research, professional consultation, and international engagement that prepare designers for sustainable participation in global fashion markets.
“Our government is strengthening the economy and diversifying into more markets to create new opportunities for Canada’s creative industries. By supporting Fashion Art Toronto and helping homegrown designers export globally, we are supporting Canadian talent shine abroad while building a strong, resilient country.”
—The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages
Sustainability at the Core
Bridge to Berlin prioritizes designers working in sustainability, ethical production and responsible fashion, supporting brands in aligning with European sustainability standards while maintaining creative independence and Canadian identity.
Phase One (2025–2026) includes:
- Outreach to European buyers
- Sustainability assessments aligned with EU benchmarks
- EU trademark and legal consultation
- Export logistics and distribution research
- Relationship-building with German fashion institutions
Berlin Fashion Week Engagement
As part of the exchange, Fashion Art Toronto will participate in Berlin Fashion Week, meeting buyers, curators, institutions, and cultural leaders. These engagements inform a long-term export strategy grounded in real market insights.
The initiative’s long-term goal is to bring Canadian designers to Berlin Fashion Week in 2027 creating international visibility, export opportunities, and sustained cultural exchange.
Goethe-Institut Partnership
As active Arts Partner, the Goethe-Institut supports cross-sector collaboration between Toronto and Berlin, strengthening the cultural foundation of the initiative and supporting the multi-disciplinary presentation and documentation that enable deeper exchange between Toronto and Berlin’s creative communities.
“The Goethe-Institut is proud to come on board as a multi-year Arts Partner for Bridge to Berlin, building on our previous fruitful collaborations to continue to foster meaningful cultural exchange between Canada and Germany. This initiative with a focus on sustainable creative industry exchange reflects the power of fashion as an accessible cultural language—connecting cities, values, and creative communities across borders.”
— Goethe-Institut
