Circular Threads: Sustainable Estonian Design - Live Fashion Shoot and Lunch

What You'll Experience

Watch a live editorial fashion shoot unfold before your eyes.

Enjoy a gourmet luncheon with fellow fashion, design and sustainability enthusiasts.

Hear Annika Lautens and Dr. Reet Aus discuss where fashion goes after fast fashion.

Ask your questions during the live audience Q&A.

Discover why Estonia has become an international leader in circular design.

Live fashion shoot:

Step behind the scenes of a professional editorial fashion shoot as NYC photographer Mauricio Zelaya captures the collection live throughout the event. Watch styling, movement and photography come together in real time while discovering garments created through industrial upcycling and innovative Estonian design.

From Tallinn to Toronto: Fashion After Fast Fashion

Fast fashion transformed the way we consume clothing. What's next? Join award-winning journalist Annika Lautens and internationally recognized circular fashion pioneer Dr. Reet Aus for an inspiring conversation exploring how innovation, craftsmanship and circular design are reshaping the future of fashion. Over a gourmet luncheon, discover why Estonia has quietly become one of the world's most innovative leaders in circular design - and what that means for the clothes we wear every day.

Annika Lautens | Style & Social Director at The Kit

Annika Lautens is the Style & Social Director at The Kit and an award-winning journalist with a decade of experience in fashion coverage, celebrity culture and trend analysis. She's previously held senior roles at WedLuxe, Elle Canada and FASHION and her investigation into the lack of pockets in womenswear earned her gold for Best Short Feature at the National Magazine Awards in 2025. 

Instagram: @Annikalautens

Reet Aus | PhD Researcher & Founder, UPMADE®

Reet Aus is a PhD-qualified fashion designer, environmental activist, and natural rebel on a mission to save the fashion industry from itself. As the founder of REET AUS COLLECTION®, she is an international pioneer in industrial upcycling.

She developed the revolutionary UPMADE® certification to teach major brands and manufacturers how to eliminate waste at scale. Driven by a passion to end throwaway fashion culture and dramatically reduce the industry’s environmental footprint, Reet continues to prove that sustainable circular design is achievable on a global level. 

Instagram: @reet_aus_PhD

Your sustainable design weekend as part of KESKfEST

Extend your immersion into Estonian design with a curated weekend of satellite events across Toronto:

The pop-up exhibition: UPMADE IN. EE Sustainable Design from Estonia

Canadian Premiere: August 15–23. Visit us at Studio LL-108, 401 Richmond St. W (Daily 11:30 AM – 7:00 PM).

Discover the soul of Estonian design, where tradition meets circular innovation.

Curated by design luminaries Dr. Reet Aus (PhD) and Ilona Gurjanova (MA), this exhibition is a vibrant celebration of Estonian creativity presented by The Estonian Design House, The Estonian Association of Designers, Tallinn Design Festival DISAINIÖÖ and KESKUS International Estonian Centre.

Explore high-concept sustainable works from nearly 40 visionary Estonian designers—spanning industrial upcycling, eco-biomaterials, 3D printing, and contemporary heritage crafts.

Upmade in Estonia+ presents modern Estonian design through five key themes, highlighting how designers combine heritage, sustainability, and innovation to shape a forward-looking circular design culture:

• Upcycling: Giving discarded materials a new life by transforming textile leftovers, leather, and industrial waste into meaningful objects.

  
  

• Tradition & craftsmanship: Blending centuries-old craft skills with contemporary aesthetics, carrying heritage techniques into modern forms.

  
  

• Recycling & regeneration: Focusing on creating products that can be easily disassembled and reused, supporting a circular design ecosystem.

  
  

• Digital innovation / 3D printing: Merging digital precision with creative freedom to bridge craft heritage with advanced digital manufacturing.

  
  

• Biomaterials: Experimenting with bioplastics, natural fibres, and sustainable composites that replace traditional materials and avoid the waste cycle entirely.

Rooftop showcase & reception | August 20, 5:30 PM: Celebrate the Canadian premiere of UPMADE IN. EE at 401 Richmond St. W, (Studio LL-108). Enjoy an evening of designer introductions, wine, and Estonian snacks as you mingle with industry peers. Head down into the exhibit space afterwards to see more of the designs up close.

Denim reborn: Hands-on workshops | August 21-22: 

Join renowned sustainable fashion designers Reet Aus and Eva-Karlotta Tatar for a hands-on upcycling workshop transforming old jeans into a unique tote bag with leather handle, while exploring local reuse and textile waste in fashion.

Pick from Friday and Saturday, at the Tartu College events space (right next to KESKUS).

Pop-up participating brands:

92 Layers, Andres Labi, Ann Müürsepp, Anneli Tammik, By Urmas Lüüs, Cervo Volante, Cärol Ott, Elize Hiiop Jewellery, Eva Reiska, Eve Hanson, Filaret, House of Pärnamets, HYTI, Ideeklaas, IKIGI, Karlotta, Kärt Summatavet, Kelpman Textile, Kiukivi, Kirill Safonov, Killud, LAURASAKS, Lentsius Design, LUKS, LUM, Myceen, NüüD, Oksana Tandit, Raili Keiv, Reet Aus, Riina O, SILE LUIK, SJX, Stella Soomlais, Tarmo Luisk, Tijn Nelemans, WOH, Woola.