From Tallinn to Toronto: How Estonia is schooling the world on sustainable fashion (and how Canada can catch up)
- 14 hours ago
- 4 min read
Update #293
Every year, Canadians toss about 500 million kilograms of fabric into the trash. That’s roughly 37 kilograms per person, and most of it just rots in landfills. We’ve started taking small steps with new federal investments, but we’re mostly just treating the symptoms of a much bigger problem: our fast fashion habit.
Then there’s Estonia.
For over a decade, Estonian designers have done more than just talk about sustainability—they’ve been building the blueprint for it. While we’re just starting to realize the impact of industrial textile waste, they’ve already figured out how to make circular design work at scale.
On August 22, 2026, KESKUS International Estonian Centre brings this movement to Toronto with Circular threads: Sustainable Estonian design - Live fashion shoot and lunch. It’s a fun runway show but moreover, it’s a practical discussion about how to fix a broken industry.
The pioneers of post-waste fashion
Take Dr. Reet Aus, for example. She didn’t just study upcycling; she industrialized it. Her UPMADE® certification shows major manufacturers how to stop waste before it starts, turning leftovers into high-quality clothes. This method uses 70% less water and 88% less energy. Estonia is proving that a zero-waste economy isn’t just an idea, it’s actually profitable. You can do well, by doing good.
What Canada can learn
Canada is at a turning point. We have local groups like Fashion Revolution pushing for more transparency, and people are starting to demand better. But we still have a lot to learn from Tallinn’s design-first approach. Moving away from a "throwaway" culture requires a plan, and Estonia has the one we need.
Fashion Art Toronto is also helping to drive the sustainability conversation by promoting and spotlighting designers who use recycled and deadstock fabrics.
A cross-Atlantic conversation
The afternoon's highlight is a dynamic panel moderated by Annika Lautens (an Estonian-Canadian journalist and Style & Social Director at The Kit) and presented in partnership with Fashion Art Toronto. She will lead a conversation between Dr. Reet Aus and Sarah Jay (fashion director, environmentalist, and sustainability consultant). This discussion will bridge the gap between Estonian industrial innovation and the Canadian consumer landscape, offering expert perspectives from Sarah Jay’s deep knowledge of the local fashion scene and Dr. Aus’s groundbreaking work in circularity.
Why you should come
If you’re over fast fashion and want to see real solutions, this event is for you. Here’s what’s happening:
Get a behind-the-scenes look: Watch a live editorial fashion shoot by NYC fashion photographer Mauricio Zelaya and see how upcycled pieces are transformed for high fashion.
Join the conversation: Connect with designers, sustainability advocates, and industry insiders over a gourmet lunch at the KESKfEST Festival Tent.
Get hands-on during KESKfEST: Participate in Denim Reborn workshops (Aug 21 + 23) at Tartu College with Dr. Reet Aus and Eva-Karlotta Tatar to transform your old jeans into custom tote bags.
Explore the exhibition: Discover the UPMADE IN. EE exhibition at 401 Richmond St. W (Aug 15-23) featuring cutting-edge work from 40 Estonian designers using 3D printing and biomaterials. Evening rooftop showcase on Aug. 20 at 5:30 PM.
As both Canada and Estonia look toward a more sustainable future, we have much to learn from each other. Bringing these perspectives together is how we’ll map out that better way.
Tickets are $50 and include a delicious lunch. Grab yours on the Circular Threads event page. Full KESKfEST schedule at estoniancentre.ca/keskfest.
Annika Lautens, an Estonian-Canadian journalist and the Style & Social Director at The Kit, brings her expertise to the role of moderator for the panel discussing Estonian circular innovation and the Canadian fashion landscape.
Sarah Jay is a Toronto-based sustainability expert, stylist, and the former Executive Director of Fashion Revolution. She created the Emmy-nominated documentary TOXIC BEAUTY, which examines regulatory gaps and health impacts within the cosmetics industry. As an advocate for supply chain transparency, she founded All Earthlings to help brands eliminate hidden animal-derived ingredients from their products.
Reet Aus is a PhD-qualified fashion designer and environmental activist, a natural rebel who founded REET AUS COLLECTION®.
She is a pioneer in the field of industrial upcycling for fashion, and has developed the UPMADE® certification, in order to pass on her knowledge to brands and factories.
Join the growing list of KESKUS capital campaign donors to help bring KESKUS to completion!
KESKUS leadership donors are recognized here, there are many ways to make a contribution to KESKUS.
To donate, click here, or call +1.647.250.7136 or email donations@estoniancentre.ca. Donations may be made as a family gift, or in honour of an individual or family. All donations are issued a tax receipt, in Canada via Estonian Arts Centre, US tax receipts via Myriad USA and Estonian tax receipts via Eesti Rahvuskultuuri Fond. Donations by credit card may be made here.
Legacy gifts made to the Estonian Arts Centre, the charity associated with KESKUS, are creative and tax-effective ways to provide support. These are known as “planned gifts” because with thoughtful planning, we create a win-win situation that benefits both you and our community for generations to come. Find out how to provide a bequest in your will by going to www.estoniancentre.ca/bequest.
For information on making other types of planned gifts, including gifts of appreciated securities or insurance policies, or if you have any other questions, please contact EAC Donations Manager Taimi Hooper via email at donations@estoniancentre.ca or phone +1.647.250.7136.
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