Toronto Fashion Cluster

Toronto is one of the most fashionable cities. Acclaimed designers, trend-setting

retailers, innovative manufacturers are all members of this large city.

The fashion industry is one of the city’s largest industrial employers and the

cluster is booming.

Background

Information

• Toronto is home to more than 550 apparel manufacturers with wholesale shipments totaling nearly $1.4 billion annually or 16% of the $9 billion Canadian market. Canadian trade legislation now permits duty- and tariff-free apparel imports from 48 of the world’s least developed countries.

• More than 4,600 Toronto fashion retail stores generate annual sales of $2.6 billion.

ICF cluster study concluded that Canadian apparel are more superior to the USA.

• Designer lines including Lida Baday, Brian Bailey, Joeffer Caoc, David Dixon, Arthur Mendonça, Franco Mirabelli, Pink Tartan, and Sunny Choi got their start in Toronto.

• Fashion Schools: Ryerson, Seneca, OCAD, Humber and George Brown

Background

Information

• There are over 4600 fashion retail stores in Toronto that accounts for more than $2.6 billion annual revenues. This attracted many different high end brands such as Chanel, Prada and Gucci.

• The Toronto Fashion Cluster employs more and 50 000 people and half of them are in manufacturing.

• There are more than 550 apparel manufacturers who’s wholesale shipment total $1.4 billion yearly

• or 16% of the $9 billion Canadian market

Cluster Members • Manufacturers

Danier Leather

Dominion Hosiery

Macmor, McGregor

Phantom, Vikeda

Weston Apparel

Wing Son Garments

•Retailers

Bata Harry Rosen Holt Renfrew Hudson’s Bay Company ReitmansRoots.

• Established in 1987 and was the first fashion incubator of its kind in the world.

• Innovative, non profit business that helps designers develop the creative skills required to bring their product to the industry.

• The TFI provides semi-private on-site studio space, with 24/7 access to industrial equipment, unlimited mentoring and daily interaction with other top caliber talent.

www.fashion-incubator.com

TFI Continued

• They help new designers develop the creative and professional skills they need to thrive and survive in the challenging world of fashion.The Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI) is an non-profit, small business center dedicated to supporting and nurturing new fashion entrepreneurs.

• TFI is a great resource to start and manage your own fashion business.It’s a great way for new fashion designers, small business owners, start-ups and fashion students to get the inside information they need about the fashion industry. 

• The main reason for their success is dedicated to the sponsors.Without them there would be limited space and resources for the new fashion designers to start their own business.Sponsors:

• TEDCO, The City of Toronto, P&G Beauty, Industry Canada, Vin de Pays d’Oc,  ELLE Canada, Ontario Trillium Foundation, TD Canada Trust and, Reliable Corporation

Fashion Industry Liaison Committee

FILC• The Fashion Industry Liaison Committee (FILC) was

established in recognition of the importance of Toronto's fashion industry.

• FILC includes representatives from manufacturing, design, education, wholesale, retail and labor.

• Its focus is on key issues and needs for the industry. Also provides valuable information and advice to City Council.

Apparel Industry Development Council (AIDC)

AIDC is developing training programs to enhance and diversify the skills of garment-industry workers to meet the needs of Ontario employers.

Fashion Design Council of Canada (FDCC)

• Is a national Canadian organization dedicated to branding fashion in Canada.

• Promotes the diverse fabric of Canadian fashion design talent.

• Links buyers with designers, media with buzz, and business executives with product.

• Produces an event in the elite category of Fashion Week that includes fashion aficionados from around the world.

Marketing the Fashion Cluster

• Marketed through television ads, magazines, online, and radio.

• Online: www.torontostreetfashion.com

• Television: Citytv’s Fashion Television

• Magazines: Elle Canada and

Fashion,

Events L’oreal Fashion Week“Wear in the World!”

FASHION WEEK • Date: March 17th to March 22nd • Location: Nathan Philips Square Toronto •  The Heart Truth Fashion Show is an exciting

partnership with Canadian Fashion industry and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

• Celebrities that are appearing in this show are Cheryl Hickey and CatherineO’Hara and Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau.   

Hong Kong FashionCluster

• Hong Kong is the second largest worldwide in the exporting industry.

• Hong Kong designer labels have been sold worldwide at Bloomingdale's, Macy’s and Marcus.

• Strengths to the cluster: managerial skills, international trade, and manufacturing.

• Cluster Members: TDC Hong Kong Trade Development Council

Hong Kong Fashion Week

•They have a fashion week at the beginning of every season.

•The Spring and summer week is July 8th to 11th.

•Located at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition center.

New York FashionCluster

• 10% of national employment in Fashion, Apparel and Textiles is in New York State

• Statewide, the Fashion cluster employed 122,000 people in 2001 at 9,618 establishments.

• Nearly half of New York City’s employment in the Fashion, Apparel and Textiles employment is in apparel manufacturing. About one third is in apparel wholesaling.

New York Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

• From the world's most prestigious fashion shows to world-famous models and behind-the-scenes media coverage.

• They partner with leading designers and marketers interested in reaching fashion-centric consumers through our industry-leading fashion properties and unmatched expertise.

• World's largest producer of fashion events • Top international modeling agency • Industry-leading event publications for fashion insiders • Fashion-related media programming