FROM THE PUBLISHER – Fashion Week Windsor-Essex 2026 Brought The Energy . . . And Biz X Was There

Biz X magazine was very proud to be a Sequin Sponsor, along with Mastronardi Estate Winery, of Fashion Week Windsor-Essex (FWWE) which took place from March 22 to March 28, 2026.

I’m pleased to support the fashion industry across southwestern Ontario — from designers and models to photographers, businesses, and the organizations that help them thrive.

Backing this creative community aligns naturally with our magazine’s commitment to showcasing local talent, entrepreneurship, and the people shaping our region’s cultural landscape.

In the photo above you’ll see me with Stephen Drouin, FWWE President at the kickoff luncheon that set the “seams” in motion.

According to Drouin: “Putting together the seven-day FWWE was exhausting, but it really paid off for the local fashion community. In our first year (a three-day event in 2025), 300-plus attended, but this year over 750 turned out to show their support. Next year the community can expect a celebration of local women’s empowerment, pioneers, and trendsetters through the decades.”

The 2025/2026 FWWE Board Members are 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.

But first — check out a few of my favourite shots from this year’s event. Windsor showed up in style: bold looks, stunning locations, incredible support — and the photos prove it.

Click below to see what the buzz is all about!

PHOTO GALLERY IN THE MAY ISSUE ON PAGES 5 TO 7

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BIZ X WAS THERE – W.E. Care For Kids Presents CATWALK FOR KIDS

Photos and video by Mike Chase of Windsor Aerial Drone Photography

Catwalk for Kids returned to the Caboto Club on April 24, 2026 with a sold-out crowd of 220 guests, for an evening of fashion in support of W.E. Care for Kids.

This fun night featured an all-kids cast and local retailers coming together to improve healthcare for the kids of Windsor Essex.

VIEW A VIDEO RE-CAP HERE WITH INTERVIEWS FEATURING VIKI GRADO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF WINDSOR ESSEX CARE FOR KIDS FOUNDATION; SPONSORS AND LOTS OF AMAZING KIDS ON THE RUNWAY!

More than just a fashion show, Catwalk for Kids is driven by one powerful idea: Kids Helping Kids, showing our models that giving back to the community can be both meaningful and fun.

Events like Catwalk for Kids play a vital role in supporting W.E. Care for Kids, an organization dedicated to bridging the gap in pediatric healthcare funding across the region.

In 2025 alone, the organization reinvested $355,000 into the community, funding essential equipment and services such as ventilators for the Windsor Regional Hospital NICU, equipment for the Family Birthing Unit at Erie Shores HealthCare, pediatric hearing aids for Connections Early Years, funding mental health programs at the Youth Wellness Hub, essential tools for John McGivney Children’s Centre and Learning Disabilities Association of Windsor-Essex, and providing funding to W.E.T.R.A. to purchase a therapy horse — making a direct and lasting impact on local kids.

The runway featured a diverse array of fashions from local retailers, including Little Mischief Baby Boutique, GreenHawk, The Gap, Children’s Place, The Crease, Karen’s for Kids, Woodies Hoodies, Monty Formal Wear, and Joe Fresh, highlighting both style and community partnership.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the dedicated retailers and generous sponsors who made the evening possible, including Steven Wilder from Diamond and Diamond Lawyers, Windsor Regional Hospital Foundation, Erie Shores HealthCare Foundation, Ida Sproule and Amy Sarkis from Valente Real Estate, CSN Collision in Emeryville, and Amico. Their support, alongside the efforts of organizers and volunteers, ensured the event’s success.

Catwalk for Kids is a reminder that when kids and families unite, they have the power to create meaningful change in the community.

Check out our photo gallery here now too and watch for the June 2026 issue of Biz X magazine featuring even more shots from this local event!

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Biz X Was There – The 2026 Atelier Fashion Show

Runway photos courtesy Ted Kloske, others and video by Team Biz X!

The 2026 Atelier Fashion Show highlights the collections from the St. Clair College Fashion Design graduating students. The sold-out show, ran by the fashion design students took place at St. Clair College on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

CHECK OUT THE FINAL WALK THROUGH VIDEO

The top fashion designers from 2025 returned, Krishnendu Mohanan @astrae_ae, Elizabeth Trudell @aquasseilia and Lojain Sayyed @ruggedrreverie, opened the show with their new 2026 collections.

Emerging Designer Sponsor – St. Clair College Alumni Association Designer Collection Sponsors – Savvy Boutique, Vito’s Pizzeria, The Suit Shop Co. Ltd.

• 2026 Emerging Designer first place was awarded to . . . Akshat Virmani / Brand: AKKI @akkibyakshat
• 2026 Emerging Designer first place went to Larissa Kersey / Brand: Kerzi Klozet @kerziklozet
• 2026 third place collection winner is Alyson Sokolik / Brand CCC

The Judging Panel sponsor was Julie Bondy of Manor Realty and Signature Homes.

2026 Judges:

• Patti France, St. Clair College – Past President
• Tracey Harding, Fashion Buyer, Biz X writer & Fashion Week Windsor committee member
• Maddie Bevacqua, Mads Kollar – Fashion Designer
• Lindsay Angier, Dance Barre – Professional Dancer and Co-Owner

The Impact Award for the top sustainable collection is sponsored by Télio Fabrics in Montreal and won by Larissa Kersey / Brand: Kerzi Klozet @kerziklozet. In addition, the St. Clair College Fashion Design Technician program launched SEWING the SEEDS of CHANGE, a sustainable fashion competition open to all high school students.

The top three winners from across Canada also showed their designs on the runway on April 18. Criteria included to design, sew and construct one original outfit using upcycled garments, fabrics or materials.

Sewing the Seeds of Change winners:

• 1st place: Alexis Bombardier High School, Riverside Secondary
• 2nd place: Aryana Kroeger, High School: Wellington Secondary School, B.C
• 3rd place: Anna McMillian, High School: Holy Names Catholic High School

Pop Up Shop sponsor was MRA mobile experiential and the vendors were: ACWR; Enchanted House; Fashion Week Windsor; Miss MagPie; NN – Naajwi Naanooshgashinh; Risky Bee and Vibrant Mayhem
St. Clair College Professor Elaine Chatwood, Fashion Design Technician and her entire department wish to thank the title sponsor St. Clair College Alumni Association and . . .

• MRA mobile experiential
• Julie Bondy of Manor Realty/Signature Homes
• Savvy Boutique
• Vito’s Pizzeria
• The Suit Shop Co. Ltd.
• FREEDS
• D & R Vacuum and Sewing Centre
• Cabello Hair

Hair for the show was styled by the Cabello Hair team and SCC Hairstyling students.

Make up for all the models was created by the SCC Esthetician students and faculty, along with Kelly Spinarsky’s pro MUA team. Special thanks as well to all the volunteer models.

The show was produced/Directed by: Elaine Chatwood, Dee-Dee Shkreli, Lori Moore and the SCC Fashion Design students and volunteers.

Check out the 2026 St. Clair College Fashion Design student portfolios on their website. Follow them on IG @stclairfashiondesign.

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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.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE JANUARY EDITION AND FLICK TO PAGE 18 TO CONTINUE READING

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BIZ X MAGAZINE JANUARY 2026 VOLUME 29 ISSUE 1

ON THE COVER — Strike A Pose — Page 18. The Biz X photographer captures the perfect shot of our cover girl, who radiates confidence, attitude, style, and presence in this locally designed logo dress. This is all a big promo for Fashion Week Windsor-Essex (March 22 to 28, 2026) which takes the spotlight in the January edition. Learn about how this special week came to be, and what’s on the agenda for this year as we unveil the complete guide to all the events, panels, and activities. INDIVIDUALS PICTURED: Melanie Renaud (Miss International Canada 2023) hit the runway in fall 2025 for Paris Fashion Week, walking for Designers; Manish Vaid, Rajeev Fernando, Chona Bacaoco, Zajmira Qeraxhiu, Zuzana Hakova, and Vlada Dizik. But step aside, Paris! She’s back in Windsor to model a couture Biz X sundress designed by Stephen Drouin (pictured on the couch). Drouin is also the Creative Director for Fashion Week Windsor-Essex and sits with committee members, from left: Mena Biafora-Vincelli, Lead Stylist and Owner of Style Me Mena; Designer Noele Baptista, winner of last year’s Fashion Week Windsor competition and founder of the Nöelziñia clothing brand; and Lori Moore, Volunteer Coordinator and founder of the Auden Steward fashion brand. LOCATION: The site of the grand finale — Water’s Edge Event Centre, 2879 Riverside Drive East, Windsor — happening Saturday, March 28, 2026. PHOTOGRAPHER: Rod Denis. (RodneyLDenisPhotographer.com)

CONTENTS BIZ X MAGAZINE JANAURY 2026

4 Funny Stuff
5 From The Publisher: Honouring A Leader Who Inspired Business Excellence — Dr. Colin Jones, Biz X Vice-President
6 Motivational Quotes With Danny
8 Front Lines

9 Biz Buzz – It’s time to make a reservation at the area’s newest escape, TownePlace Suites Tecumseh Windsor. Staff are thrilled to welcome guests to a new and elevated experience with the warm, thoughtful hospitality the Windsor Essex community is known for. The hotel’s one-bedroom king suites feature a separate living room and kitchenette. Get further details on everything this hotel has to offer, plus learn about the consolidation of two area insurance brokerages and a new monthly giving program in our short news tidbits. (Photo courtesy of Gillian Jackson).
10 Have A Cup Of Joe With Joe: Black Kids In Action’s Seventh Annual Black History Month Stage Production Next month, people across Canada will participate in Black History Month (February) events and celebrations to honour the legacy and contributions of Black people in Canada and their communities. Our Cup of Joe columnist, Joe McParland, visited with Windsor’s Black Kids In Action (BKIA) group about their upcoming show on February 27 called Chains to Changes.
12 In The Community: The Polish-Canadian Business And Professional Association Of Windsor 30th Anniversary Dinner
13 From The Bookshelf: Music Virgin No More! Reliving The Soundtrack Of The ’80s
14 The Music Beat: New! The Windsor Federation Of Musicians, A Vital Voice For Local Musicians
16 Food For Thought: Café Amor & Art, Windsor & Belle River
23 Cover Story Sidebar: Stitch To Win! St. Clair College’s Fashion Competition, Sewing The Seeds Of Change
24 Awards Spotlight: The Power Of The Plaque! It Was Smiles All Around For 28th Annual Biz X Award Recipients
26 Hot Shots: Stigma Enigma’s Maryvale Fundraiser, Complete With A Killer Plot And Clues Over Cocktails
27 Ask The Experts: Stricter Rules For Carbon Monoxide Alarms

28 Hot Shots: Advance Business Systems (Abs) 34th Annual American Thanksgiving Football Classic This annual event in November mixes football fever with business flavour and a whole lot of fun! Danielle Sharron, Drew Foster, and Martin Istefan of NFP Insurance, not only co-sponsored the ABS event, but they also attended to actively engage in meaningful networking opportunities. Who else showed up ready to make new connections? Find out . . . (Photo by Tina Huynh)

30 The Parenting Biz: Tiny Trendsetters. For this installment, three local clothing shops (including Park Avenue Baby Boutique in Chatham) and a shoe store catering to the little ones are profiled. We point out the latest in kiddie apparel, ideal for the classroom to the playground, movie nights, and more … fashionable children means only one thing, happy parents! (Photo courtesy of Park Avenue Baby Boutique).
33 Parenting With Purpose: Confidence From Within
34 Xx Files: Penny Anger, Crafty Candles & More
35 Let’s Talk About: Amani, A Community-Based, Afrocentric Mental Health Initiative
36 Hot Shots: Cavalier Tool & Manufacturing Limited’s 50th Anniversary Supplier Open House
38 Biz Of The Month: Behind The Seams, The Success Story Of J & J Tailor, Windsor

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