UPMADE IN. EE: Toronto Showcase - Sustainable Design from Estonia

Join us for an exclusive reception—the Canadian premiere of UPMADE IN. EE —on Thursday, August 20, at Studio LL-108, 401 Richmond Street West.

As a featured highlight of KESKfEST, the festival celebrating our unstoppable culture and spirit as we mark 35 years of Estonia’s restored independence, this event introduces a new wave of Nordic-inspired circular fashion and design to Toronto.

Join us on the rooftop at 5:30 PM. Remarks and designer introductions begin at 6:00 PM, followed by a showcase of key pieces. Enjoy wine and Estonian snacks while connecting with the visionaries behind the collection.

We invite buyers, media, and design professionals to an exclusive reception to experience the UPMADE IN. EE exhibition.

The rooftop reception on August 20th offers a special opportunity to explore the showcase and connect around the designers behind it, while the exhibition itself remains open to visitors throughout August 15–23 (11:30 AM - 7:00 PM).

After the rooftop remarks and mingling, join us inside at Studio LL-108, 401 Richmond St. West for an intimate look at the exhibit space and see how designers are blending heritage with circular innovation.

The exhibition is curated by Reet Aus, PhD (President of the Estonian Association of Designers) and Ilona Gurjanova, MA (past President of the Estonian Association of Designers, organizer of the Tallinn Design Festival, and founder of Estonian Design House).

Together with Tallinn Design Festival DISAINIÖÖ and KESKUS International Estonian Centre, they present five pillars of circular design:

UPCYCLING: Transforming textile leftovers, leather, and industrial offcuts into meaningful objects, proving that thoughtful design can breathe new life into discarded materials.

TRADITION & CRAFTSMANSHIP: Honouring centuries-old techniques by blending them with contemporary aesthetics to create timeless, artisanal pieces shaped by generations.

RECYCLING (REGENERATION): Prioritizing longevity and modularity, these products are designed for easy disassembly and reuse, actively supporting a resilient circular ecosystem.

DIGITAL INNOVATION & 3D PRINTING: Bridging heritage and high-tech, this approach merges digital precision with creative freedom to craft complex, custom objects with minimal waste.

BIOMATERIALS: Leading with an innovative mindset, designers experiment with bioplastics, natural fibres, and sustainable composites that challenge traditional material reliance and close the waste loop.

Additional workshops & exclusive events:

Denim Reborn: Hands-on upcycling workshop - Experience these principles firsthand. 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 a leather handle, while exploring local reuse and textile waste in fashion. Workshops run both Friday and Saturday. Pick between these 2 dates and register to secure your spot: Friday, August 21st or Saturday, August 22nd

UPMADE IN. EE sustainable design from Estonia pop-up exhibition - August 15–23: Visit Studio LL-108 at 401 Richmond St. W (Daily 11:30 AM – 7:00 PM). Experience the Toronto premiere of UPMADE IN. EE, a curated exhibition and pop-up shop bringing modern Nordic circular fashion and design to Toronto. Explore high-concept sustainable works from nearly 40 visionary Estonian designers—spanning industrial upcycling, eco-biomaterials, 3D printing, and contemporary heritage crafts.

Circular threads: Sustainable Estonian design, live fashion shoot & dialogue with Reet Aus and Annika Lautens - Join us on Saturday, August 22nd, 12:30 PM for an exclusive luncheon and industry dialogue hosted in the KESKfEST outdoor tent at KESKUS (8 Madison Ave., Toronto). This event offers a unique platform to engage with the visionaries shaping the future of circular design. Tickets available soon!

• Live Fashion showcase & photoshoot - Go behind the lens with a live, real-time fashion photoshoot featuring the UPMADE IN. EE collection, offering a rare glimpse into the artistry of sustainable production.

• Industry insight & dialogue - Let’s get real about the state of fashion. We’re sitting down with designer Reet Aus to talk about the friction between fast fashion and truly circular design. We’ll look at how Estonian designers are shifting the focus from 'new' to 'lasting,' using heritage methods to rethink how clothes are made and proving that you don't have to choose between quality and the planet.