Couture In Focus: Fashion Week Windsor-Essex Takes Centre Stage
Biz X magazine is proud to be a Sequin Sponsor of Fashion Week Windsor-Essex from March 22 to March 28, 2026.
The sponsorship packages all have fabric inspired names, with Sequin being the Presenting Sponsors, followed by Silk, Velour, Chiffon, and Lace. The 2026 event promises to be an unforgettable week of glamour, fashion, and fun!
The idea for this event was first conceived in October 2024 by Stephen Drouin, the Creative Director for Fashion Week Windsor.
Drouin experienced many obstacles when applying for Fashion Art Toronto after coming in second place in the St. Clair College Fashion Program’s Runway Show.
The entrance fees, the cost of a collection, transportation costs, and operating from a distance made the task almost insurmountable. He was not chosen, and rather than feeling defeated, Drouin decided to
start his own show in Windsor. With amazing mentors like Elaine
Chatwood (Fashion Design Professor at St. Clair College) and Moya McAlister (President and Executive Director for Arts Collective Theatre), Drouin began recruiting a board and volunteers to launch
Fashion Week Windsor in March 2025.
This past three-day event consisted of an Opening Launch Party, a Sew-cial talk, and the Runway Show on the closing night.
Check out the FWWE promotional video with Stephen Drouin (Creative Director) and Josie Elysia (Content Creator)!
The operating budget was small, and the sponsors were few, but Fashion Week Windsor was able to offer free entry, a small stipend for materials, and a $500 prize to the winning designer. The events were sold out, and an even bigger idea was about to catch fire.
Drouin’s concept blossomed into a community-building exercise with a charitable component that connected all forms of the Arts in Windsor. Artists from makeup, hair, music, acrobatics, and visual arts, including the LGBTQ community, were all involved in the first Fashion Week Windsor.
The March 2025 winner, Noele Baptista (founder of the Nöelziñia clothing brand) of Kingsville, took home the first-prize honour.
You can browse her clothing section inside the Windblown & Weathered shop, 19 Main Street East in Kingsville, of which she is the co-proprietor.
There are few places in Canada where we have seen this level of talent in the industries of Creative Arts, Theatre, Music, Painting, Graphic Design, Writing, Modelling, and the list goes on and on. Drouin’s vision
is to create a community that shares and encourages artists to stay and build their professional reputation in Windsor.
Fashion Week Windsor-Essex (FWWE) was registered as a not-for-profit in November 2025 and Essex was added to the name. Could Windsor, Ontario, become Canada’s fashion capital?
“When I say, Windsor could be the next fashion capital of Canada, it is based on a larger creative vision and mission for fashion at large,” states Drouin.
The mission statement of FWWE is to create a diverse vision of fashion within Windsor, Essex County, and beyond.
Through the embracing of knowledge-sharing, community conversation, and innovation as fundamental to the art and skill of fashion design in all its forms, they are passionate about their craft and dedicated to
celebrating and advancing the industry.
The vision for FWWE is to become an annual event. This showcase aims to spotlight the vibrant and dynamic world of fashion happening right here in the region through engaging public programming, public events, and community outreach in various forms throughout each year. “The goal of the event is to understand the challenges faced by local emerging and professional fashion designers, advocating for systemic change in inclusivity and increased support to foster their growth and success,” adds Drouin.
The event strives to provide a platform for designers to present their most groundbreaking and avant-garde creations, inspiring creativity, while dedicating space for local designers to showcase, connect,
network, and be challenged in their scope.
It also aims to connect Windsor Essex to the broader fashion world, contributing to an international dialogue about style and design within the diverse cultural landscape. In addition, they strive to bring attention to sustainable practices within the fashion industry, inspiring innovation in eco-conscious design.
With the first event wrapped up, second-year planning began in August 2025. This involved choosing Board Members, determining the budget and creating a jam-packed, seven days of fashion events in March 2026.
The 2025/2026 Board Members include Drouin; Sam Turner, Digital Design and Social Media Content; and Moya McAlister, Production Manager.
Committee members include Justine Thompson-Fisher, Administrative Assistant; Melissa Hicks, Treasurer; Tracey Harding, Advertising Liaison; Irene Moore Davis, Editor; Lori Moore, Volunteer Coordinator, and Mena Biafora-Vincelli, Lead Stylist.
“We look forward to shining a light on the best talent in our community and giving both emerging and established local designers a stepping stone of opportunities to elevate themselves and their brands to the next level,” indicates Drouin.
The community support has grown since last year, and sponsors are listed throughout this article. However, please note new sponsors and partners may be added after this article was submitted.
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