The Style Box Showroom, Toronto’s hot new Canadian-only designer showroom exclusive to celebrities, musicians, politicians and influential personalities, is now accepting applications for residency! Housed in the Toronto Fashion Incubator (www.fashionincubator.com), only 15 designers looking to promote their brand through affordable product placement will be granted a position.

Selected designers will also be given the opportunity to show their most elaborate pieces during the ultra-private TIFF ‘09 Preview Event with a guest list restricted to the most influential film festival attendees, performers, media and high-profile stylists.

For designers interested in The Style Box Showroom, or more details on promotional management services for new and established Canadian designers, contact Amanda Brugel amanda@thestylebox.ca or Gail McInnes gail@thestylebox.ca.

FashionCan builds and manages online boutiques for independent Canadian designers. What a great low-cost option for designers to confidently hand over admin and tech duties to a company that has already built up a clientele of successful working designers such as House of Spy,Snoflake, Valerie Dumaine, etc…

The boutique sites are clean, easy to navigate and shop from!

Also, head to Fashioncan.com to find Canadian designers selling wares online >>

Do You Need Professional Office Space?

WORK… DESIGN… PLAY… BE INSPIRED… steps away from Liberty Village

We are having a studio tour at the Toronto Fashion Incubator on Monday, May 11th! Please join us anytime between 3 and 5pm to have all of your questions answered.

Affordable workspaces are available from only $275/mo.

Professional + creative environment with business support readily available
Close to TTC & GO Transit
Heritage site with renovated, modern interior
For more information contact:
tfi@fashionincubator.com or call – Nina (416) 971-7117 x 21 or Anne-Marie (416) 971-7117 x 31

The Fashion Design Council of Canada (FDCC) today announced the establishment of the FDCC DESIGNER Development Fund (FDDF) to assist aspiring Canadian designers at the early stages of their careers. The Fund, valued at $10,000, was announced at the FDCC Media “Love-In” hosted by Robin Kay, President of FDCC and Joseph Mimran, Chair of the FDCC.

“LG Fashion Week is dedicated to supporting emerging designers with a runway, market and access to media to launch their collections,” said Robin Kay. “Now, with this fund, we want to extend the potential to build their brand and assist the designers with the necessary tools to help them emerge in this new economy.”

The inaugural FDDF bursary will be awarded during Spring 2010 LG Fashion Week Beauty by L’Oreal Paris in October 2009. Each year, an independent panel will review submissions from designers and select one designer or design team as a recipient to support the marketing and production of their collection.

“For designers starting off in the industry, the FDDF bursary is a major stepping stone,” said Joseph Mimran. “It’s crucial that designers starting out have the support to accelerate their careers and flourish in Canada and internationally.”

Submission information will be available at www.lgfashionweek.ca in the coming months.

Toronto Fashion Incubartor Open House: April 2, 2009
Special Pricing until April 30, 2009

Known as a launching pad for only the best and the brightest, the TFI Resident Program is TFI’s premier membership program. With just 10 studios available, applicants must demonstrate outstanding creativity and marketing savvy, possess a team spirit, have adequate business financing in place and live in the city of Toronto.

• Starting at $275/month – Shared Day Studio with access to full production and sampling facilities 2.5 days/week
• Starting at $400/month – Private Studio with 24/7 access (perfect for any creative entrepreneur such as a jewellery designer, illustrator or publicist who does not need professional sewing machines)
• Starting at $500/month – Private Studio with 24/7 access to full production and sampling facilities (perfect for companies requiring use of sewing equipment such as a fashion designer or stylist)

Prices quoted above include base rent, utilities and TMI (taxes, maintenance and insurance).
Go to the TFI site for more info and to register >>

Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI) Introduces a New Team of TFI Consultants

Need some direction and advice to get your business moving in the right direction? TFI’s Industry experts are available to help with advice and knowledge about the industry.

Members Only
TFI Outreach Members exclusively receive 120 minutes of one-on-one scheduled consultation time with volunteer expert consultants per membership year. Whether about retail, PR, exporting or sponsorships – this is an amazing opportunity to take advantage of.

TFI members also benefit from many other resources including networking events, a resource centre and production facility, meeting space and media events. $130/year. www.fashionincubator.com

In addition to the 40+ runway shows at the upcoming L’Oreal Fashion Week, the Toronto Fashion Incubator will be presenting its annual TFI New Labels® seminar in the Fashion Environment tent at Nathan Phillips Square. Gain tips and advice on how to develop a winning TFI New Labels® collection from guest speakers David Dixon, National Post fashion writer Nathalie Atkinson and 2008 TFI New Labels® winner Eugenia Leavitt.

About the Competition
TFI’s prestigious, national fashion design competition is an annual event giving new designers a chance to win a prize package valued at $25,000 from ELLE Canada!

Friday, October 24th 2008 @ 2 p.m. Tickets for the TFI New Labels® seminar are available for $25.00+GST and can be purchased online here >>>

$150,000 Grant Fuels TFI Expansion

The Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI) is expanding to over 8,000 square feet thanks to a $150,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). TFI will take over the entire MUSIC BUILDING at 285 Manitoba Drive, starting January 1, 2009. The grant reflects the OTF’s maximum allowance for capital improvements and will go towards housing several new designers, transforming workspaces and helping to ensure the success of Canada’s talented fashion design pool.

Membership is available at the TFI, offering fashion designers the opportunity to network, grow and learn about the industry. In its 20 years, TFI has fostered many of Canada’s most celebrated fashion designers including Brian Bailey, Joeffer Caoc, Comrags, David Dixon, Pina Ferlisi, Foxy Originals, Colette Harmon, Todd Lynn, Arthur Mendonça and Mercy.

Toronto Fashion Incubator: 285 Manitoba Drive, Exhibition Place