City of Toronto launches Support Toronto Fashion campaign

By

Jennifer Braun

Published
Sep 18, 2020

The City of Toronto's Fashion Industry Advisory Panel (FIAP) launched on Thursday a campaign aimed to bring awareness to Toronto's fashion industry, and celebrate its perseverance in the wake of the challenging year. 

Dubbed “#SupportTorontoFashion”, the campaign will span several weeks and will highlight the people, brands, and institutions that make up the industry.

The campaign will specifically take a look at people in tech, sustainability, inclusivity and ethical standards in the fashion industry, who have contributed to making Toronto's fashion industry what it is today. Their stories will be shared via daily social media broadcasts. 

The campaign launched with a video message of support from the city’s mayor, John Tory. 

"We have a lot to be proud of when it comes to Toronto fashion. We are the home of iconic people and popular brands that are known and celebrated globally. Toronto is a leading force in the fashion industry and that recognition starts right here with us today," said Tory, in a news statement. 

"I encourage everyone to support local and to support the Toronto Fashion campaign so that together we can help our city's fashion industry.”

Toronto’s fashion industry has taken actions to fight the spread of Covid-19, since the beginning of the epidemic. Toronto is home to brands like Canada Goose, which helped produce personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline healthcare workers across the country, while brands like Peace Collective launched fundraising collections. 

Before the pandemic, Toronto's fashion industry employed 50,000+ people and contributed more than $1 billion in annual wages.

FIAP launched in 2018 with a mandate to provide advice and support to the City of Toronto on fashion industry issues and opportunities to promote the long-term viability of its fashion and apparel sector.

"The Fashion Industry Advisory Panel represents a cross-section of Toronto's fashion industry ecosystem. It was purposefully formed to be comprehensive in its approach to the different sectors that make up Toronto's fashion industry," said FIAP chair and branding and fashion lawyer, Ashlee Froese. 

"The #SupportTorontoFashion campaign is a culmination of Toronto's fashion industry leaders bringing awareness to the complexity, depth and value of Toronto's fashion industry to the Toronto consumer. It needs your support now more than ever."