Bridging the divide between the sidewalk and the catwalk, the Toronto Fashion and Design Festival promises to be the fashion event of the summer. It is happening on stage at Dundas Square August 23-25, open to the city and free to all.

What happens when you cross a fashion show and a street festival? Check out what the blogTO fashion contingent is anticipating after the jump...

With 25 shows over three days, the festival will be an eyeful. There will be deejays, streetwear and lingerie shows from The Bay, and lots of designers and labels from Quebec and the United States. Not to be outdone, there is a lot of Toronto talent to look forward to watching as well.

Who will it be? Toronto's Up & Coming Designer will finally be announced on Thursday and showcased at the festival. Who is your favourite to win?

I - Thursday August 23 at 8:30pm. Ethical fashion to hip hop beats by Team Canada.

Highlight Toronto - Thursday August 23 at 10:00pm. Sixteen of Toronto's best and brightest designers display their collective vision - including David Dixon, House of Spy, Juma and Tevrow & Chase among others. For those wondering what Toronto's fashion identity is, this show would be the one to see.

A Day in the Life of the Toronto Man - Friday August 24 at 12:30pm. The Toronto Man shops at The Bay. The Toronto Man has a Day.

Roots - Friday August 24 at 6:30pm. Archetypal Canadian casual strolls down the runway.

Fashion Schools Special - Saturday August 25 at 1pm. Fresh ideas from Toronto's next generation of designers, featuring looks from the International Academy of Design, Seneca College, George Brown College, and Ryerson University.

Live Draping Demonstration - Saturday August 25 at 3:00pm. Watch what designers can do in real time with a dress form, fabric, scissors and a box of pins.

Toronto Fashion Incubator - Saturday August 25 at 7 pm. Celebrating 20 years of bringing out the best in Toronto's emerging talent, the TFI takes a retrospective journey down the catwalk, displaying work by alumni including Desperately Different, Quelques Filles and Revolve.

Unlike so many fashion events, the Toronto Fashion and Design Festival is free to all, so make sure to come out and celebrate Toronto style - we'll see you there!