Executive Producer, Runway Director and Casting Director
Charles Huang — Executive Producer & Runway Producer
My fashion journey didn’t start with a runway — it started with a camcorder and curiosity.
Back in 2005, my friend Taige Zhang and I co-founded UFashion, the first-ever student-run fashion club at the University of Toronto. We wanted to bring fashion out of the magazines and into student life. Over the next 10 years, UFashion produced annual fashion shows that spotlighted U of T’s own student fashion designers and student models — long before it was trendy to support local and DIY creativity. It was grassroots, chaotic, and absolutely unforgettable.
Fast forward to 2009, Taige and our videographer friend Stan Trac asked to borrow my Canon XL2 to film Toronto Fashion Week, then called LG Fashion Week. I tagged along — and was instantly hooked. I was blown away by the artistic energy, the creativity, and okay yes — as a single university student — being surrounded by beautiful models didn’t hurt either.
In 2018, while producing the Toronto episode of DIY Layover for Prime Video, I decided to feature the city’s fashion scene. I reached out to Toronto-based designer Phoenix Ba, who graciously welcomed my two young co-hosts to walk in her show. That moment gave me my first real look at behind-the-scenes runway production — and it lit a fire in me. Phoenix and I became good friends, and soon I was no longer just filming fashion — I was producing it.
In April 2019, I officially stepped into the role of Runway Producer at Fashion Art Toronto, producing two standout shows — one for Phoenix Ba, complete with live singing and dance, and one for Manika Gaudet of Manik Fashion, featuring a live violinist. These weren’t just fashion shows — they were immersive, multi-sensory performances, and both were a resounding success.
Later that year, I assisted with the opening show of Toronto Fashion Week for 90’s Kids and Anisha Kumar, and then flew straight to New York Fashion Week to produce Phoenix Ba’s official show with CAAFD.
Since then, I’ve never left the runway. Today, I continue to work as:
- Executive Producer & Runway Director for the official New York Fashion Week (NYFW The Shows)
- Former Associate Producer at Toronto Fashion Week
- Runway Producer at Fashion Art Toronto, and Montreal Fashion Week
- Casting Director for Flying Solo NYC, HiTechModa, Couture Fashion Week New York
- Casting Director for models heading to Paris and Milan Fashion Week
- And an ongoing collaborator with emerging designers across Toronto, Montreal, L.A., and beyond
- Executive Producer for Canada Fashion Council, including FashionWeekTO, Toronto Swim Week
What started as a student passion project has turned into a career I love — one full of creative chaos, bright lights, bold fashion, and some truly unforgettable shows.
🎤 My Work with New York Fashion Week (NYFW)
I am proud to be one of the two Canadian producers for the official New York Fashion Week – NYFW The Shows, the other being my friend Jamal Abdourahman of Global Fashion Collective, founder of Vancouver Fashion Week. But my work extends across many platforms. I collaborate with all major NYFW producers for model placement (list of past models) and casting, including:
- Flying Solo NYC
- HiTechModa
- Couture Fashion Week New York
- And other respected platforms that keep the Big Apple stylish and buzzing every season
If you’re an aspiring model and want to walk for these shows — especially NYFW The Shows (Official) or Flying Solo NYC — please read the following carefully before reaching out:
👠 NYFW / Paris Fashion Week CASTING REQUIREMENTS
🔹 NYFW The Shows (Official) & Flying Solo NYC
Female Models:
- Height: 5’9”+ (Flying Solo NYC and Paris Fashion Week prefer 5’10” minimum)
- Size: 0–2, max size 4 (with approval)
Male Models:
- Height: 6’0”+
- Must be confident in both editorial and runway walk
🔹 Other NYFW Platforms (e.g., Couture Fashion Week, HiTechModa)
Female Models:
- Height: 5’7”+
- Size: 0–6 and plus-size models welcome
Male Models:
- Height: 5’8”+
- Must be confident and have strong runway presence
I receive a very high volume of casting requests, especially during Fashion Week. Meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee selection, as casting also depends on availability, designer fit, and overall show direction. But if you’re ready, prepared, and passionate — I always keep an eye out for emerging talent.
🎭 Fashion Art Toronto (FAT)
I’ve been proudly involved with Fashion Art Toronto since 2019, producing some of the most memorable and creatively ambitious shows the event has seen — from live violinists to custom soundtracks and surprise performances that left audiences in awe (and influencers scrambling for front-row selfies).
Over the years, I’ve received many requests from fashion designers asking me to produce their FAT shows — and I’m truly honored. However, due to my other commitments (like filming travel shows in obscure time zones, studying for my MBA, and trying to remember what sleep feels like), I now limit myself to producing ONE show per FAT season.
If you’re a designer and would like me to produce your show at Fashion Art Toronto, here’s what you need to know:
✅ Production Policy & Designer Requirements
Before we begin, I ask that all designers agree to the following:
🔸 All models must be paid — to compensate them for their time and transportation.
✨ I believe in fair treatment and professional standards for everyone involved — especially the models who bring your collection to life.
💼 What You’ll Get as Part of My Runway Production Package:
If we work together, I’ll take care of every aspect of your FAT runway show so you can focus on creating your art:
🎵 Custom runway music production — edited to match your collection and avoid copyright issues
🎭 Incorporation of live/artistic performances or special effects (if desired)
💡 Lighting and sound coordination — so your garments are seen and heard exactly how you imagined
🎫 Seating requests for your VIPs and industry guests
🏙️ Prime time slot negotiation with the FAT team
📍 Backstage logistics — including fitting and rehearsal space
👠 Model casting support — finding the right faces and walk styles for your collection
🎬 Full runway show video production, edited professionally and uploaded to Shutterstock (so you can share, monetize, and show the world your work)
👠 Casting for Fashion Art Toronto (FAT) – Models Please Read!
Every season, I receive a large number of messages from models who want to walk in Fashion Art Toronto — and I totally get it! FAT is an incredible platform to showcase emerging talent, creativity, and diversity on the runway.
But before reaching out, please take a moment to read the following:
✅ Already Accepted by FAT?
If you’ve already submitted through the official FAT model casting process and were accepted, congratulations! That’s fantastic — you’ll most likely be placed with a designer through the FAT internal matching system.
📣 If that’s you, please do not contact me. Your placement will be handled directly through FAT and the designers.
❗Rejected or Not Yet Placed?
If you applied and were not accepted, or you haven’t been picked by a designer yet, there may still be an opportunity.
I do my best each season to place unassigned models in my own show or with other fellow producers, if there’s:
- A suitable fit for your height, body type, gender/sex, and the designer’s aesthetic
I can’t guarantee placement, but if your look aligns with what’s needed — especially for creative shows requiring diversity in presentation — I’ll absolutely try to help.
🎯 Pro Tip: Please include your photos, comp card, height, measurements, and note whether you’ve already walked for FAT in the past. The more complete your info, the easier it is to match you quickly.
If you are still interested than you can reach out to me at my New York Fashion Week (Canada) production email at charles.huang@nyfw.ca