Toronto Men’s Fashion Week Sets a New Stage

As far as fashion’s concerned, the border between Canada and the U.S. is more blurred than ever before. Beyond the international influence of menswear stores like Harry Rosen and Holt Renfrew, who won the American Apparel and Footwear Association’s American Image Award earlier this week, the Hudson’s Bay Company’s acquisition of Saks Inc. in 2013 has served to increasingly dissolve the divide.

Last year, Toronto became the eighth city worldwide to launch a dedicated menswear week, and will enter its third season this summer, but despite this and the ongoing international crossover, Toronto Men’s Fashion Week, which goes by the acronym TOM*, has not entered the global fashion consciousness in the same way as fashion capitals like New York, Paris, Milan and London. None of the designers who have shown at TOM the past two seasons have established themselves on a truly global scale, indeed the headliner, Christopher Bates, is only sold in Canada.

But, as the ongoing crossover continues, perhaps the scene is set for increased awareness worldwide. TOM announced this week their partnership with a company called Winmar, ‘Canada’s leading property restoration specialists’ as Presenting Sponsor for TOM S/S2016, and while the partnership seems at first glance unlikely, the company will support the event both financially and technically, by converting TOM’s historic venue at 444 Yonge Street into a ‘top ranking fashion environment’. Winmar, also the official runway sponsor, are the people behind the construction and design of TOM’s 80-foot long runway. “Aside from building our spectacular runway…their expertise in property restoration, construction and project management is what transformed our space into a top notch, world class venue,” says Jeff Rustia, Founder/Executive Director of TOM.

“We are thrilled to be a part of TOM for the second consecutive time in 2015 as a Presenting Sponsor,” says David Machado, President of Wimar. “Not only are we able to contribute by raising money for a great cause such as the SickKids Foundation, it also allows us to demonstrate our ability  to be a Boutique Restoration service and our expertise in all types of property restoration.”

TOM SS/16 will take place August 20th-25th, 2015.