GTA FASHION + APPAREL CLUSTER

Submitted by: Mishka AlarconProfessor: Rod ShannonDate: Thursday, April 10, 2008

OUTLINE

History Industry Overview Associations Schools Print Television How to get Press Upcoming Events Things to

Consider…

HISTORY

The original fashion district in downtown Toronto, originally called “the garment district” still exists today. The original fashion district is King Spadina, a 35 block area in downtown Toronto.

This district features clothing, fabric, and accessories stores, leather and furriers. There are also several Bridal stores. The old warehouses have been transformed into more modern, loft spaces. Due to Toronto’s port, the city established itself as an apparel manufacturer during the late 1800’s, early 1900’s. A gigantic thimble, located at Spadina and King, was erected to pay homage to Toronto’s manufacturing past.

Today it has become a shopping mecca for hipsters and fashionistas.

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

• 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.

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

• The Fashion and Apparel Cluster’s labour force employs nearly 50,000 people, more than half of them in manufacturing. Toronto's workforce ranges from cutters, sewers and pressers to art directors, fashion designers, makeup artists and hairstylists.

• The Fashion Industry Liaison Committee (FILC )- established to recognize and support the importance of this industry. FILC includes representatives from manufacturing, design, education, wholesale, retail and labour. It focuses on key issues and needs and advocates for the industry and provides valuable information and advice to City Council.

• The Apparel Industry Development Council (AIDC )- develops training programs to enhance and diversify the skills of garment-industry workers to meet the needs of Ontario employers.

• The Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI)- provides shared production facilities, studio rentals, office assistance, seminars and promotional opportunities, helps fashion entrepreneurs develop their creative and business skills.

• To learn about other important associations, please visit http://www.fashionincubator.com/resources/starting_your_business/canadian_organizations.shtml

ASSOCIATIONS

SCHOOLS

Ryerson University • FASHION DESIGN• FASHION COMMUNICATION• RETAIL MANAGEMENT

George Brown• FASHION TECHNIQUES AND DESIGN• FASHION MANAGEMENT• FASHION BUSINESS INDUSTRY• INTERNATIONAL FASHION DEVELOPMENT AND

MANAGEMENT

Seneca• FASHION ARTS DESIGN AND PRODUCTION• FASHION BUSINESS

Print

Elle Canada MagazineElle Canada Magazine also has a website which provides videos and forums for visitors to use. Along with new trends and looks in the fashion industry. Flare MagazineFlare Magazine also has a very comprehensive website. Compared to the other ones, it offers visitors interactive information; such as Flare Radio, Flare Video and a posting of Canadian fashion events. Lou Lou Lou Lou is a relatively new publication which attracts a younger demographic. This site offers a posting of Canadian fashion events, Editor Blog, and Forums.  Fashion QuarterlyAlso known as FQ was launched in September 2003 by presiding Editor-in-Chief, Jeanne Beker. It offers more of a haute couture perspective on fashion.  Fashion MagazineFashion Magazine provides a blog on its website, as well as advertises their intern positions. They have a standard website outlining the season’s trends in fashion and beauty.

TELEVISION Fashion Television

Fashion Television has become an iconic Canadian fashion television show produced in Toronto. It has been on the air for a record breaking 20 years with host Jeanne Beker. Fashion Television is syndicated in over 130 countries.  Its audience reach is 14 million in Canada; its target market is affluent and highly educated viewers.

Fashion File Hosted by a new journalist, Adrian Mainella, Fashion File manages to go behind the scenes to talk to high profile designers and models. It is co-produced by CBC Television and Fashion Magazine and it is watched in over 147 countries.

Project Runway Canada World-famous supermodel Iman hosts the first season of Project Runway Canada. A spin-off of the very successful American version hosted by Heidi Klum; it gathers the best independent designers in the country to compete for the chance to start their own fashion line.

Canada’s Next Top Model Canada's Next Top Model is a spin off of the American reality show, America’s Next Top Model, in which ten women compete to win a modeling contract. Canada’s Next Top Model is co-produced by Temple Street Productions and The May Street Group, in association with CHUM Television and CBS Paramount International TV.

Toronto Fashion Incubator provides information on how to get great press for budding designers.

• National Post• NOW Magazine• METRO • blogTO • The TFI News team • Final Fashion www.finalfashion.ca

BLOG TO  Blog TO has a section called Fashion Bites, which is a weekly round-up of fashion

news in Toronto. Bloggers were press-worthy during fashion week thanks to Eye Weekly and Media in Canada.The Toronto Street Fashion crew had extensive coverage of fashion week from the shows to the parties and, of course, street fashion. Canadian and Makeup Junkie were backstage at fashion week getting all the beauty secrets. Susan Langdon of the TFI was on Steve and Chris, watch the clip. Zinc Magazine launched during fashion week, it is an editorial magazine

HOW TO GET PRESS

• Ryerson Fashion WeekApril 6 - 10, 2008A five-day event featuring fashion shows and exhibits.

• Luggage, Leathergoods,Handbags & Accessories ShowApril 13 - 15, 2008Accessories trade show targeted to retailers from North America

• FGI Night of StarsApril 17, 2008Honoring Outstanding Canadians who have made an impact in the world of fashion, beauty and design.

 • The ELLE Show Opening Night GALA

April 24, 2008Come to the FASHION GALA of the YEAR!

• The ELLE ShowApril 24 - 27, 2008The pages of ELLE Canada come to life at this fabulous fashion and beauty event.

 • FGI Student Forum

October 18,2008Annual career day forum for fashion students.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• There is some concern among the fashion community with the FDCC’s validity

• Firstly, Toronto Fashion Week is scheduled after the buying season, so the major buyers have already made their purchases for the oncoming season.

• Another problem for some fashion designers is the high fee to be included in the shows or to even rent a table at the show. Designers claim that the show has transformed from being a supporter of new and struggling designers to those who have already made it.

• To read Fashion File’s host Adrian Mainella’s blog regarding this year’s show, click here.

• In order for this cluster to continue to grow, these concerns must be addressed, and the common goal must be revisited with the associations and its members.

THINGS TO CONSIDER…

THANK YOU!