Toronto /Apparel

“ For years I have been attending the collections in Milan and New York, and this year Fashion Week is what I am most looking forward to.”

SUZANNE BOYD, EDITOR, FLARE MAGAZINE

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Our expert team is ready to answer all your questions about business and investment Buyers worldwide recognize the opportunities in the dynamic Toronto-based quality and value of Toronto-based fashion/apparel cluster. We offer an in-depth labels, while global apparel cluster profile, brochures on the city’s other key economic clusters and helpful liaison with companies count on the city’s many industry and government organizations. For acclaimed manufacturers for superb more information, please contact the Toronto craftsmanship, quick turn-around Economic Development Office: times, flexibility and reliable service. 416 392 3375 With this international recognition, www.toronto.ca/business the fashion/apparel cluster remains one of Toronto’s largest industrial employers. Since the introduction of the 1994 Free Trade Agreement, ’s apparel exports to the U.S. have increased by 550%. Toronto’s dynamic fashion industry is turning more heads than ever.

FAP 010 FASHION FACTS WHY TORONTO?

Fashion-conscious consumers buy > The fashion/apparel cluster in Toronto > Global model agencies such as Elite, Ford > The Toronto Economic Development Office > With one-quarter of Canadians in a 150 km and Giovanni have offices in Toronto, while coordinates the Fashion Industry Liaison by Lida Baday, Sunny Choi employs nearly 50,000 people, more than radius and half of all U.S. businesses within half of them in manufacturing. local photographers like George Whiteside, Committee (FILC), a catalyst for public- one day’s shipping distance, Toronto is a and Dominic Bellissimo from Saks Chris Chapman, Floria Sigismondi and Shin private cluster development since 1984. natural centre for sales and distribution. Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, > Toronto is home to more than 550 apparel Sugino have won international reputations. manufacturers whose wholesale shipments > The innovative Toronto Fashion Incubator > A recent KPMG study found Toronto to be Bloomingdale’s, Marshall Field’s and total nearly $1.4 billion annually, or 16% > A cluster study by ICF Consulting concluded is a non-profit small business centre with a 12.1% more cost-efficient than comparable . British, American and of the $9 billion Canadian market. that Canadian apparel makers are superior mandate to nurture, promote and support U.S. cities. Canada’s favourable exchange to their U.S. counterparts in responsiveness new fashion and entrepreneurs. Canadian athletes wear uniforms by rate on the U.S. dollar ensures lower labour, > Canadian trade legislation now permits and small-batch production – prerequisites > Other important organizations include: production and infrastructure costs. Roots Canada to the Salt Lake City duty- and tariff-free apparel imports from in today’s fast-moving fashion market. Apparel Industry Development Council, Winter Olympics. Toronto-founded 48 of the world’s least developed countries, > The Toronto region’s 5 million residents are increasing manufacturing flexibility. MAJOR PLAYERS Apparel , Canadian Apparel increasingly cosmopolitan and culturally companies such as M.A.C and Club Federation, Fashion Council of diverse – creating a vitality and style unlike > More than 4,600 Toronto fashion Manufacturers: Danier Leather, Dominion Monaco are global . What’s Canada, Fashion Group International – any other urban centre in North America. Hosiery, Macmor, McGregor, Phantom, stores generate annual sales of $2.6 billion. Toronto Chapter, Furriers Guild of Canada, the common thread? The Toronto Vikeda, Weston Apparel, Wing Son Garments. As Canada’s largest retail market, Toronto Ontario Fashion Exhibitors and UNITE. Our brief overview Toronto: A Diversified fashion/apparel cluster is booming. attracts high-end global retailers like Chanel, Retailers: Bata, Harry Rosen, , Economy has more on the availability of Gucci, Hermès, Prada and Louis Vuitton. Hudson’s Bay Company, Reitmans, Roots. > Ryerson University, George Brown, Humber capital, real estate opportunities, public Acclaimed designers, trend-setting Media: Citytv’s hit Fashion Television and and Seneca colleges, and the International transit (the second-largest system in North > Toronto’s reputation for well-designed, retailers, innovative manufacturers... Fashion Television Channel; CBC’s Fashion Academy of Design, all offer post-secondary America), vibrant cultural life and clean, high-quality apparel is reinforced by the Toronto is decidedly in fashion, and File; magazines such as Elle Canada, Fashion, programs in , production, safe streets – all the key factors that led success of designer lines such as Lida Fashion Quarterly, Flare and The Look. marketing and management. Ryerson also National Geographic to rate Toronto “the showing with the best in the world. Baday, Brian Bailey, Marilyn Brooks, David has a degree program in retail management. most civil and civilized city in the world.” Dixon, Mercy, Misura and Karen Palmer. SUPPORT SYSTEMS

> Manufacturers range from high-profile > Toronto Fashion Week, a twice-yearly TORONTO IS A MAJOR CENTRE FOR APPAREL EXPORTS APPAREL MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT GROWTH 1992–2002 Roots to design-driven specialists such as event on the international fashion calendar, (in CDN$ millions) (based on 10-year review of labour force growth) Sally Fourmy uniforms. Beauty products presents ready-to-wear collections by top All Industries companies include highly successful M.A.C Canadian designers. 1500 (now owned by Estée Lauder) and parfumier 1250 Apparel > Ontario Fashion Exhibitors markets and Riviera Concepts, known for its Sung line. 1000 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Mode Accessories trade shows draw buyers 750 > Toronto’s experienced workforce ranges from across North America. 500 from cutters, sewers and pressers to art 250 directors, makeup artists and hairstylists. 0 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002