Estonian Design in Toronto 08.08.2026
UPMADE IN.EE: TORONTO SHOWCASE – SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FROM ESTONIA
UPMADE IN.EE — Canadian Premiere in Toronto
We invite you to the Canadian premiere of the exhibition UPMADE IN.EE in Toronto. The showcase presents a new generation of Nordic‑inspired circular design, sustainable fashion, and contemporary Estonian design.
The opening reception will take place on Thursday, 20 August 2026 at Studio LL‑108, 401 Richmond Street West, Toronto.
As one of the key events of KESKfEST, the exhibition marks the 35th anniversary of Estonia’s re‑independence and introduces the work of Estonian designers to an international audience.
Opening Reception
Thursday, 20 August 2026 Studio LL‑108, 401 Richmond Street West, Toronto
Doors open at 5:30 PM.
Welcome remarks and designer introductions begin at 6:00 PM, followed by a presentation of selected exhibition pieces.
Guests are invited to enjoy wine, Estonian‑inspired refreshments, and meet the designers and creative professionals behind the collection.
About the Exhibition
Open 15–23 August 2026, UPMADE IN.EE explores how Estonian designers combine cultural heritage, craftsmanship, and contemporary circular design innovation.
The exhibition is aimed at buyers, media representatives, design professionals, and anyone interested in the future of responsible fashion and product design.
As part of the KESKfEST program, the showcase offers a direct insight into how designers rethink material use, production methods, and the lifespan of everyday objects.
Curators
Ilona Gurjanova, MA Former President of the Estonian Association of Designers, founder of Tallinn Design Festival / Disainiöö and Estonian Design House.
Reet Aus, PhD President of the Estonian Association of Designers and internationally recognized sustainable fashion designer.
In collaboration with Tallinn Design Festival / Disainiöö and the KESKUS International Estonian Centre, the curators present five key directions in circular design.
Circular Design Themes
Upcycling Design
Textile leftovers, leather scraps, and industrial production waste are transformed into meaningful new objects. The showcase demonstrates how thoughtful design can give discarded materials a valuable second life.
Tradition & Craftsmanship
Centuries‑old techniques are combined with contemporary aesthetics to create timeless, carefully crafted objects that carry forward generational knowledge and skills.
Recycling & Regenerative Design
Products are created with longevity, modularity, and reuse in mind. Easy disassembly and responsible material choices support the development of a more resilient circular economy.
Digital Innovation & 3D Printing
Digital precision meets creative freedom, enabling the production of complex, personalized objects while reducing unnecessary material waste.
Biomaterials
Designers experiment with bioplastics, natural fibers, and sustainable composites that offer alternatives to conventional materials and help close the loop of material cycles.
Registration
Please note that the main registration link applies only to the UPMADE IN.EE opening reception on Thursday, 20 August 2026.
Other KESKfEST events — including the Denim Reborn workshop and the Fashion Forward circular design lunch — require separate registration via their dedicated links.
Workshops & Special Events
Denim Reborn: Practical Upcycling Workshop
Experience circular design hands‑on with sustainable fashion designers Reet Aus and Eva‑Karlotta Tatar.
Participants will transform old jeans into a unique tote bag with a leather handle. The workshop also covers local reuse practices, responsible production, and the textile waste challenges in the fashion industry.
Workshops take place on:
Friday, 21 August 2026
Saturday, 22 August 2026
Choose your preferred date and register early to secure your spot.
Registration: Denim Reborn Upcycling Workshop
Fashion Forward: Circular Design Lunch & Industry Discussion
Join us on Saturday, 22 August 2026 at 12:30 PM for an exclusive lunch and industry discussion in the KESKfEST outdoor pavilion next to KESKUS.
Location: KESKUS International Estonian Centre, 8 Madison Avenue, Toronto
The event brings together designers, industry professionals, and guests interested in the future of circular fashion.
Fashion Photoshoot & Presentation
Guests will have the opportunity to see behind the scenes of a fashion photoshoot featuring the UPMADE IN.EE collection.
The session offers a rare look into the visual storytelling and creative process behind sustainable fashion.
Industry Insight & Discussion
Designer Reet Aus will lead a conversation on the current state of the fashion industry and the tension between fast fashion and truly circular design.
The discussion explores how Estonian designers shift attention from the new to the durable, meaningful, and long‑lasting.
By combining heritage techniques with contemporary innovation, Estonian designers demonstrate that quality, creativity, and environmental awareness are not opposing values.
