Chatters Professional Beauty joined Toronto’s Own Fashion Week (TOFW) 2026 as the official hair partner.
Held on May 15 to 17 at The Church of the Holy Trinity in downtown Toronto, the weekend event showcased emerging and established designers while celebrating the city’s growing fashion community.
In a collaboration with Redken, Chatters worked with this year’s fashion designers to create runway-ready looks throughout the weekend.
Salon attended the opening day, where guests experienced an evening of fashion with four runway presentations. Between shows, attendees also had the opportunity to visit a dedicated hair touch-up station led by the Chatters styling team, who offered quick styling services and professional hair refreshes throughout the event.
Celebrity hairstylist and brand ambassador for Chatters, Cindy Duplantis, led the hairstyling direction for the weekend and oversaw the team responsible for creating runway looks that complemented each designer’s collection.
“Being on the frontlines of fashion in Canada is what keeps us inspired as hairstylists,” says Duplantis. “It helps us stay connected to trends, push our creativity and bring that energy back to our clients.”
As the official hair sponsor, Chatters played a key role in bringing the fashion presentations to life, highlighting the connection between fashion and professional beauty while showcasing the expertise of salon professionals in a live runway environment.
The event reflected the continued growth of Toronto’s fashion scene and provided a platform for collaboration between designers, hairstylists and beauty brands. Through its partnership with TOFW, Chatters reinforced its commitment to supporting creative talent and elevating professional hairstyling within the Canadian fashion industry.
From backstage styling to attendee activations, the weekend demonstrated how hair remains an essential element of the runway experience, helping to complete each collection’s creative vision while inspiring both industry professionals and fashion enthusiasts alike.
TOFW was founded by Sadaf Emami and Ion Sobaliu of Rchive Toronto, and brought together fashion, beauty and creative talent for a weekend of style and innovation.
Salon also had the opportunity to go backstage to capture behind-the-scenes moments and speak with Duplantis about leading the styling team, collaborating with designers and the impact opportunities like TOFW can have on Chatters stylists.
Q&A with Cindy Duplantis
Salon: What was it like working with Chatters backstage at Toronto’s Own Fashion Week?
Cindy Duplantis: It was such an incredible experience. The stylists were so eager and excited to be part of something beyond the salon environment. The atmosphere backstage was amazing, and it felt like a real celebration of the industry coming together again.
Q: As lead hairstylist, what did your role involve behind the scenes?
A: My role started well before the show. I met with each designer to understand their vision and then translated those ideas into looks that could be recreated consistently across a wide range of hair types. Backstage, I coached the team through every look, guided product selection and checked every model before they went to the runway. My job was to make sure the designers’ visions came to life while ensuring the entire team felt supported throughout the process.
Q: How important is teamwork in a fast-paced runway environment?
A: Teamwork is everything backstage! Every stylist brings different strengths, and everyone has an important role to play. Sometimes that means creating a look, and other times it means supporting another stylist so they can work more efficiently. We really focus on creating a positive environment where everyone feels included and supported. At the end of the day, when the models walk the runway, it’s not one stylist’s work—it’s the entire team’s achievement.
Q: What does Chatters’ role as the official hair sponsor of Toronto’s Own Fashion Week say about the brand?
A: It shows that Chatters is committed to being at the forefront of fashion and education in Canada. They’re creating opportunities that go beyond working in the salon—whether that’s Fashion Week, editorial work or red-carpet events. What’s exciting is that they’re investing in their stylists’ growth and recognizing the value of those experiences. It’s refreshing to see a salon organization championing creativity, education and career development in such a meaningful way.
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