Designer accuses Toronto Men’s Fashion Week of homophobia after being cut from show

Organizer says poor workmanship reason Mic. Carter’s L’UOMO STRANO collection will not hit the runway



A menswear designer is accusing Toronto’s newly minted men’s fashion week of homophobia after organizers cancelled his show just three days before the event.

Mic. Carter alleges his new collection was deemed “too feminine” and abruptly axed from the runway, while TOM Fashion Week organizers say the clothes were “frayed” and didn't meet quality standards.

The differing stories stem from a fitting last weekend in which TOMFW organizers met Carter to preview his L’UOMO STRANO collection. According to Carter, an event producer was upset by the clothes and told him to replace embroidered slippers with combat boots and eliminate some straw hats, which were allegedly called “bonnets.”

“They thought it was all extremely feminine and that it would be really embarrassing. They said they were concerned about the headlines saying that womenswear is being shown at men’s fashion week,” said Carter, 29, who spent about $10,000 on his yet-to-be-seen “Printemps” collection.

Carter says that when he refused to make the changes, a TOMFW representative called him Monday and cancelled his show altogether.

“The fact that they said you need to add combat boots, you need to add accessories, that sort of messaging felt very femme-phobic and homophobic,” said Carter.

But TOMFW’s executive director says the allegations are baseless.

“It’s not true at all,” said Jeff Rustia. “The workmanship needs to be improved. He needs to work harder on his collection.”

As for homophobia, Rustia said the idea is “absolutely ridiculous.”

“I’m surprised that the homophobia and femme-phobia is actually an issue. I’m a big support of LGBTTIQQ2SA community,” said Rustia, dressed in a gold sequin jacket, adding that he identifies as part of the community.

It’s not the first time that Rustia and Carter have together worked; Carter’s garments have shown at Canadian Philippine Fashion Week, which Rustia also founded.

“He created a fabulous dress, an ode to the butterfly dress. In fact I am quite surprised that it’s gotten to this point,” Rustia said.

Androgyny is nothing new for Carter, whose garments often veer away from gender norms. His most recent shows have included male models in cropped shirts, skirts and blue streaks in their hair.

The Toronto designer spent nearly five months and about $10,000 on the collection. He is no longer sure when the garments will show. It’s a tough blow; Toronto’s few fashion shows are the prime places to make a splash among local buyers and media.

“I’m trying not to take it personally and put it in to perspective. They wanted something that was very corporate,” Carter said.