Win $10,000 CASH and a $30,000 feature in Flare Magazine
Send in entries by December 6, 2010

Click here for more information, a application package and Tips & Advice on How to Develop a winning TFI New Labels® 2011 Entry >>

The Toronto Fashion Incubator’s (TFI) New Labels® is an annual, national, fashion design competition open to professional Canadian women’s wear apparel designers who have been in business 3 years or less. This prestigious competition organized by the Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI) and now in its 18th year, has launched the careers of many of Canada’s top designers such as David Dixon, Joeffer Caoc, NADA, Mercy, JUMA, FAREN, House of Groves and Anastasia Lomonova to name just a few.

Questions? Contact TFI at 416-971-7117 or e-mail tfi@fashionincubator.com

Join up for the Toronto Fashion Incubator’s quarterly newsletter for all the latest of the city’s fashion industry news…

On April 24, 2010, three or four of Canada’s hard-working fashion labels will compete for the title of the best new designer at the Elle Canada/TFI New Labels Gala, an annual event.

For 2010, the top five contenders are:

Paris Li

TFI resident designer. Collection of tunics, dresses and separates inspired by the Asian philosophy of elegance and beauty.
www.parisli.net

Jennifer Waters of House of Groves

House of Groves creates garments with grace and integrity, meant to become instant classics in a modern woman’s wardrobe – using eco-friendly fabrics, menswear tailoring and detailed construction.
www.houseofgrovesdesign.com
Follow Jennifer’s competition journey: http://jennifersletters.blogspot.com/

Justine Diener & Justine Poon of Diepo

Vintage lingerie inspired looks – Ryerson School of Fashion grads recently showed at Alternative Fashion Week.

Hayley Gibson of Birds of North America

Ryerson grad, established designer of a few years sold in several stores across Canada.
www.birdsofnorthamerica.ca

Anastasia Lomonova

Montreal based, Ryerson grad who’s been designing and selling her brand for a few years already.

On April 24, 2010, the TFI New Labels® competition finale takes place where one lucky designer will win $10,000 cash from Mattel Canada and a $25,000 editorial package from ELLE Canada. Tickets for the benefit are on sale now at www.elleevent.com.

Faren Tami for FAREN won the coveted title of Canada’s hottest upcoming label at the Toronto Fashion Incubator’s (TFI) Elle Canada New Labels Competition, April 25, 2009 and a ‘prize package’ valued at $25,000.

The lengthy, intensive competition took place over many months where top industry judges rate not only the aesthetic of a designers’ collection, but also its wearability and saleability; the professionalism and business ethics and the overall sustainability of a designers’ business.

Faren beat out not only dozens of applicants and early contestants – but also the other three finalists who showed coherent collections at the Saturday night show (unfortunately I have very few photos) including an amazing presentation by Sonja den Elzen ‘Thieves’, Jody McMillan and GushueSwim.

Hopefully we’ll be hearing more about Faren in the future (as part of the prize, she should be featured in an upcoming issue of Elle Canada) – perhaps she’ll put some of the cash towards a website

Judges from left: Nathalie Atkinson ( National Post), Peter Papapetrou (Renovate My Wardrobe), Rita Silvan (Editor-In-Chief, ELLE Canada), David Dixon (Designer) and
Teresa Isabella (Bluenotes).

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

This Saturday, April 25, 2009 – we’ll be at one of the city’s best fashion events of the year!!

TFI New Labels Fashion Show & Gala

Date: Saturday, April 25, 2009
Location: The Carlu, 444 Yonge St., Toronto

Enjoy the not-to-be-missed fashion show of the season, a silent auction featuring amazing prizes to be won, delicious cocktails & hors d’oeuvres, a VIP dinner, an ELLE Canada goody bag filled with beauty products from P&G Beauty and all of this while schmoozing with celebrities and shopping at fantastic vendor booths!

Help support the Toronto Fashion Incubator, committed to nurturing & supporting fashion entrepreneurs since 1987.

To purchase tickets please visit www.elleshow.ca or call Scott Newlands at 416-227-8315.

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 >>

TFI New Labels® Runway Fashion Show & Gala
April 25, 2009

In an evening of fashion, shopping and innovation, the four TFI New Labels finalists will compete for an ELLE Canada prize package valued at over $25,000.

See Brazilian-inspired swimwear go up against avant-garde apparel in a ground-breaking event packed with fashion insiders. With MC Anne-Marie Mediwake (Co-Anchor, the News Hour at 6, Global News) and judges Nathalie Atkinson ( National Post), Kim D’Eon (ET Canada), David Dixon (Designer), Teresa Isabella (Bluenotes), Peter Papapetrou (Renovate My Wardrobe) and Rita Silvan (Editor-In-Chief, ELLE Canada) deliberate live at the gala to decide the winner.

Contenders:
GUSHUESWIM BY CHERYL GUSHUE: Brazilian-inspired swimwear for the sexy and confident woman

JODY LEIGH: Classic career wear takes a cue from the 1940s

THIEVES BY SONJA DEN ELZEN: Fine tailoring and easy draping in eco-friendly fabrics

FAREN BY FAREN TAMI: Architecture and art meet for edgy separates

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TFI New Labels Runway Fashion Show & Gala
The Carlu, 444 Yonge Street, Toronto
Saturday, April 25, 2009 – 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. General Admission, VIP & Dinner, 9 p.m. Fashion show

TICKETS: General admission $55, VIP tickets $255, VIP Table for 10 $2000
All ticket levels available at www.elleshow.ca, or 416-218-3545