From the people that brought Toronto the somewhat controversial Poop Cafe, comes the city’s first unicorn-themed restaurant.
Unicorn restaurants have become somewhat of a phenomenon over the past year. With pastel and confetti-covered spots popping up in cities like Bangkok, Abu Dhabi, and now Toronto.
Whimsical and explosively colourful, Toronto’s Unicorn Cafe is no joke.
Owners Lien Nguyen and her husband Daniel Molnar, opened the Poop Cafe in 2016. They wanted to bring a dessert cafe to Toronto that was inspired by Nguyen’s travels in Taiwan and Vietnam, where she dined at many poop emoji-themed spots. Located in the Annex, the new cafe from the husband and wife team is serving up a more complex menu than its dessert-only sister restaurant.
The menu at Unicorn Cafe has an assortment of Unicorn-themed dishes, including several popular unicorn desserts from the Poop Cafe.
But this spot also has a full-fledged dinner and lunch menu with dishes like the Unicorn Bento Box, ginormous french fries and magic flying noodles. Their desserts are also super indulgent; the bubblegum milkshake is topped with a glazed donut and a cloud of blue cotton candy, while the unicorn-shaped waffles are just as adorable as they are sweet.
The decor is obvious, but adorable. Small pink, blue and purple row houses make for private seating areas and the walls are dusted in a sparkly confetti with images of cartoon unicorns prancing around on cotton candy clouds. The back area has a less private dining area with plush couches.
Guests are also invited to don a unicorn onesie upon being seated. There are a collection of multicolour, fleece onesies to choose from, all sporting that classic unicorn horn.
Check out this magical spot at 561 Bloor St. West, open everyday until 10 p.m.
Toronto continues to produce fantastic restaurants helmed by visionary chefs. But it is a merciless business, and sometimes even the best of the best lose momentum. We decided to look up some of the leading chefs who changed dining in this city over the past two decades, to see where they are now.
Didier Leroy, Didier
Chef Didier Leroy is only one of five master chefs in Canada recognized by some of the world’s best chefs for maintaining the art of French cooking and techniques.
Didier did a five-year run as executive chef at the Fifth that ended in 2002 and two years later opened his landmark eponymous bistro at Yonge and St. Clair. Here, chef served up his flawless soufflés and signature beef tartare for a decade. It left a gaping hole in the midtown culinary scene when it closed its doors.
Today, Didier has returned to where it all began: in the kitchen at the Fifth & Terrace. This time he’s designed a beautiful, seasonal menu, offering his contemporary take on French classics. And, of course, beef tartare has its rightful place on the menu.
Chef Aaron Joseph Bear Robe
Aaron Joseph Bear Robe ,Keriwa Café
In 2011, Keriwa Café was chef Bear Robe’s debut, showcasing his roots using traditional Indigenous ingredients and techniques. It was the first restaurant in the city to focus solely on Indigenous cuisine, and was far ahead of its time.
After only two years Keriwa Café gained nationwide respect, including being named one of Canada’s best new restaurants by enRoute. Once the restaurant was hit with some major flooding, Bear Robe saw this as an opportunity to start his new venture.
Today, he is the managing partner and executive chef at the Wine Academy. The exclusive members-only social club is designed for hosting private soirees, wine tasting, sommelier consulting and, of course, storing wines safely in a temperature-controlled zone.
Leah Marshall Hannon, Delux
Delux on Ossington was the go-to spot in 2008 with its limited but simple and authentic menu. Suddenly everyone was in love with Cuban food.
After more than six years, the owners were ready for a change, and their chef Leah Marshall Hannon went with them. Together they opened up a mini-chain of La Cubana restaurants, where they serve a proper post-hangover Cuban breakfast.
Today, chef Leah Marshall Hannon can be found helming the kitchen of Stella’s Eatery in Picton, Prince Edward County — named after Hannon’s grandmother.
Chef Rod Bowers
Rod Bowers, Rosebud
It has been almost 15 years since chef Rod Bowers burst onto the city’s culinary map with the opening of his first bistro, Rosebud. The tiny eatery was beloved by critics, and so was Bowers, with his East Coast charm. He went on to open the Citizen and then Hey Meatball.
Bowers has also made many TV appearances as a guest chef on morning shows. His days at the helm of his own restaurants seem to be behind the jovial chef, at least for now.
Currently, Bowers is culinary arts professor and co-ordinator for the food media program at Centennial College.
Michael Potters, Harvest
Years ago, when local food and this little rural swatch of paradise called Prince Edward County were just twinkles in a young hipster foodie’s eye, chef Michael Potters was busily creating delicious menus to coincide with seasonal produce at his acclaimed restaurant Harvest in P.E.C.
To say he was ahead of the curve is an understatement.
Since the restaurant closed, a slew of fancy city foodies have set up shop in the area and turned it into a culinary mecca.
Although Potters travelled to some other locales following the closure of Harvest, he is back in P.E.C. at a new event venue called the Cape, located in a gorgeous historic mansion.
The city’s first bona fide celebrity chef was Jamie Kennedy.
As soon as he finished high school, he started cooking. After some time at the Windsor Arms hotel and cooking school at George Brown, in 1980 he found himself in the Scaramouche kitchen alongside another notable chef: Michael Stadtländer. From there, Kennedy redefined casual fine dining in the city with his unique take on local ingredients prepared with flawless technique at such restaurants as Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar. Such was his influence that the chef was even named to the Order of Canada in 2010.
After his final restaurant in Toronto closed, the cute and offbeat Gilead Café, Kennedy moved to Prince Edward County permanently. Here, he established a farm where he continues the next stage of his culinary journey. Sure, we can still get our fix of JK Fries at local farmers markets. He consults, he has cookbooks, he caters. He never went too far.
Tawfik Shehata, Vertical
Chef Tawfik Shehata was a young hotshot chef 15 years ago working in all the best spots from Scaramouche to Auberge du Pommier but especially Vertical, where he helped establish the locavore trend in the city.
He was named one of the top 10 new chefs in Canada by enRoute.
But after the Bowery closed up shop back in 2012, Shehata ditched the restaurant scene to become the executive chef of the International Centre.
He still appears on TV, teaches and does talks in addition to his rather sizable duties overseeing the massive food operations at the International Centre.
Guy Rubino at his new venture We The Roots
Guy Rubino, Rain
Chef Rubino and his front-of-the-house brother Michael owned some of the most important restaurants in the city in the late ’90s and early 2000s such as ZooM Caffe & Bar and Rain.
In addition to pushing the envelope on the city’s culinary scene and introducing diners to new flavours and styles, the kitchen also kickstarted the careers of many notable chefs such as Brandon Olsen.
The Rubinos have been out of the T.O. restaurant scene for years, but, they didn’t stray far. The brothers are two of the seven co-founders of vertical farming company We The Roots, which uses space tech to grow luscious greens used in many of the city’s top restaurants.
The Toronto Light Festival has set the Distillery District aglow. Which means anyone suffering from the winter blues can now walk through an immersive sea of lights, swing from the clouds, or enjoy the blossoming flowers (okay, they’re fake, but still).
More than 20 light art installations from local and international artists are on display around the cobblestone walkways of the Distillery District. The best part? It’s all free.
Instagram bait awaits around every corner, with an added incentive; the Toronto Light Fest is offering a $1,000 shopping spree in the Distillery District for the best Instagram image — so get posting.
Hate (Studio Rosenblatt)
It’s the festival’s fourth annual event in Toronto, and they’ve added both daytime and nighttime programming. Several nearby restaurants will also be adding special brunch offerings for daytime goers to enjoy, including at El Catrin, Cluny and Pure Spirits.
Submergence (Squidsoup)
The Submergence installation by the U.K.’s Squidsoup is sure to draw the most crowds. It is an immersive, responsive, walk-through experience with over 5,000 individually controlled lights and sounds.
Shrooms (Amigo Amigo)
The brightly coloured Shrooms piece by Amigo Amigo is an Alice in Wonderland-esque installation, where visitors are dwarfed by giant mushrooms as they walk through the immersive artwork.
Sydmonauts (Amigo Amigo)
A tribute to the underappreciated heroes of the space age can be found throughout the Distillery, with Sydmonauts by Amigo Amigo on every corner.
Cloud Swings (Lindsay Glatz Curious Form)
Plus, Toronto Light Fest visitors can swing from the clouds on Lindsay Glatz’s whimsical installation.
Mariposita (Chris Carnabuci)
The Toronto Light Fest runs Jan. 17 to March 1. Lights come on from Sunday to Wednesday from sundown to 9 p.m. and Thursday to Saturday from sundown to 10 p.m.
It may not be baseball season, but the Blue Jays are slowly getting back on everyone’s radar. Hot off the news that the team has signed pitcher Shun Yamaguchi from Japan, the Jays are returning to the dome this weekend and welcoming fans of all ages to join them.
The third-annual Winter Fest takes place this Saturday and Sunday and is the place to be if you want access to your favourite players, current and past. Fans can get up close and personal with Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., as well as Cito Gaston and Tim Raines who are making their Winter Fest debut.
Fans will get a chance to tour the clubhouse, chat with Sportsnet personalities and peruse through some historic memorabilia. Be sure to bring the kids along as there will be a skating rink, trampoline park, winter slide, pitching pen and penguin archery challenge.
There will also be live entertainment on the stage. Jamie Campbell will be hosting games such as “finish the lyrics” and “antler toss” with some of the players, while Buck Martinez will be sitting down with personalities such as Mark Shapiro and Charlie Montoyo for Q&As.
Those looking for a chance to meet their favourite Jays of years past are in luck. Robbie Alomar, Ricky Romero, J.P. Arencibia and Adam Lind are just a few of the alumni that will be making an appearance. In total, more than 60 players, rookies, coaches and alumni will be attending the event, check out the full list here.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 18 and 19 at the Rogers Centre. Tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for youth aged two to 14 as well as seniors, and free for children under two. Tickets for player and alumni autograph sessions are also available for purchase at $5, as an add-on to the regular event ticket. The first 12,000 fans to arrive each day will also receive a Blue Jays toque presented by TD.
A Westbank rendering of the Mirvish Village development
Toronto is getting 366 more units of affordable housing at Mirvish Village. A financing agreement was announced at a press conference on Jan. 16 between the developer, the city and the federal government.
The Mirvish Village development includes six residential buildings and 916 units. The mixed-use community includes 100 per cent rental dwellings at the site formerly occupied by Honest Ed’s at Bloor and Bathurst.
It’s a historic day for Mirvish Village. Minister @HonAhmedHussen has announced that the federal government will finance $200m to build 916 rental units on the site of the former Honest Ed’s. 366 of these units will be provided at rents at or below 30% of median income. pic.twitter.com/HedE5fR0wp
The new plan, back by $200 million in federal government financing, means that 366 units will be provided at rents at or below 30 per cent of median household income, and at 80% of average market rent for the City of Toronto. The affordable units will be scattered throughout the development.
“This funding for the Mirvish Village will help us preserve a historic and vibrant community in our city,” said Mayor John Tory. “Honest Ed’s was a beloved part of our city and by creating affordable housing on this vacant land we are able to address the housing challenges our city faces. I want to thank the federal government for providing this important funding. This $200 million commitment demonstrates the importance of all levels of government working together to address issues that impact Torontonians.”
The project, developed by Westbank Corp. and Peterson Group, is receiving financing through CMHC’s Rental Construction Financing initiative (RCFi), a National Housing Strategy program delivered by CMHC.
“Today’s announcement reinforces our government’s commitment to creating homes that are affordable, energy efficient, and accessible,” said MP Chrystia Freeland. “By helping build communities such as Mirvish Village, where people can live close to jobs, schools, and public transit, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians.”
The large amount of money involved, $200 million, for just 366 units of 80%-of-market housing, did not go unnoticed by some who questioned the logic of spending half a million dollars per unit to save people 20 per cent on rent.
This. Is. Insane.
$200 million in public money is going to a private developer for 366 units of “affordable” rental housing. That’s over half a million dollars per unit ($546,448 to be precise).https://t.co/NQE8UXGCHD
With the new year in full swing, January is the perfect month to set goals for a healthier you. Four Toronto fitness experts reveal their favourite health trends, quick healthy snacks for those on-the-go, and tips for starting a new workout class.
Focusing on how a workout makes you feel. I am a huge believer in loving the body you have today, right now, instead of waiting for that imagined ideal.
What is your number one tip for first timers in your class?
Have fun! Anything new can be scary and we tend to put unnecessary pressure on ourselves to be great at everything. Your first class is the beginning of your journey, not the finish line.
What is your favourite exercise when you’re pressed for time?
A 30-minute barre3 online workout.
Are there any exercises that you recommend doing at your desk?
Push-pull series. Start in a flatback foldover with hands on your desk and feet under your hips. Come up to a plank, press halfway down into a push-up, then reverse back to plank and soften into flatback foldover. Repeat 10 times.
What is your weight loss secret?
Preparation! Having healthy options available at home and on-the-go help fight that urge to grab something unhealthy during that 3pm slump. I also think it’s important to find a balance between the not-so-great foods that you love and healthy whole foods. It’s okay to have a treat every once in a while.
What is you favourite healthy snack?
Sliced apples with nut butter and hemp heart sprinkled on top. It’s simple to prepare and it’s packed with healthy fats, fibre and protein.
1560 Yonge Street + (416) 901-9930
Founder and Certified Vestibular Physiotherapist Joon Nah
Vestibular physiotherapy for the treatment of dizziness.
What made you become a physiotherapist?
I’m a patient myself! I’ve had chronic issues with my own dizziness and found few experts that understood how to properly diagnosis these conditions. More importantly, even fewer therapists that were knowledgeable when it came to the treatment of dizziness.
What are some conditions people don’t realize Vestibular Physiotherapy can treat?
Most people have never heard of vestibular therapy. In addition to treating impairments such as vertigo, imbalance, and motion sensitivity, we are excellent at concussion management.
What’s your best tip on reducing dizziness?
Move! Most dizziness disorders show significant improvement simply by moving your head and body regularly. Don’t be afraid to do things that make you “a little dizzy”. Regular walking can be especially effective.
Any advice on diet?
Less salt, caffeine and alcohol. Increase your H2O.
What about patients who are unsure if vestibular physiotherapy can help?
We get this often. Dizziness is not well understood within the medical community and patients can get all kinds of conflicting advice. We offer a free 10 minute phone consultation where we will listen to your concerns and let you know if vestibular therapy is right for you.
There are many! Giving a client back the ability that they thought had gone forever is a touching moment for all involved. I’ve been working with someone who has grade 3 Osteoarthritis in her right knee. She had been in pain for years, and simple mobility — let alone exercise — suffered as a result. After a recent snowfall, she reported enjoying long walks and even snow shovelling without pain or limitation of activity. Helping people regain control of their muscles so they live freely are my proudest moments.
What are the new trends for 2020 that you love?
There is increased recognition of the importance of exercise combined with medical and fitness strategies. For instance, recent research proves that resistance training can be successfully used as a preventative measure for diseases (e.g. osteoporosis and obesity) and to support orthopaedic health.
What is your weight loss secret?
Everyone is unique, so customize your training to improve the metabolic demands of your tissues. Train what’s needed for you, not what’s trendy or what works for others. After that, commitment is key.
What is your number one tip for first timers in your class?
Enlist the help of a qualified advisor to help you decide if a training session or class with help you achieve your objectives. Then commit to the process — self discipline is key!
If a fitness trend is successful in getting people excited about exercising, then that’s a great thing. I stick with the basics — strength training, cardiovascular exercise, stretching, and eating healthy — these things don’t change with fitness trends.
What is your number one tip for first timers in your class?
Keep moving! I always tell people that are new to my classes that they don’t need to follow every move exactly — as long as they keep their feet moving and their heart rate up, they’ll enjoy all of the benefits of the class.
Who is your fitness idol?
Charles Poliquin — “the Strength Sensei”. The world lost a great strength coach when Mr. Poliquin passed away last year. His accomplishments are legendary, and his teachings are still used widely.
What is your favourite motivational quote?
“Learn and grow” — this is the quote that Charles Poliquin wrote in my copy of The Poliquin Principles when I met him at one of his seminars.
What is your proudest moment as a trainer?
When a client of mine, who had given up a lot of activities because of knee issues, told me that he is living pain-free because of the work that we’ve been doing together.
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) has just announced that they’ll be hosting a large special exhibit featuring the works of Andy Warhol in March 2021. The gallery’s special programming has been stellar for some time now with sold out exhibits like Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrors and next year’s arrival is sure to be no exception.
The exhibit is a joint project between the Tate Modern in London, the Dallas Museum of Art, and our own AGO. Warhol’s iconic pop art creations drawing on themes of consumerism, sexuality, and celebrity will be among the special collection (think: Marilyn Monroe and Campbell’s Soup). But associate curator of modern art Kenneth Brummel is equally excited to showcase four decades of Warhol’s broader works, that speak to “identity, belief, and desire.”
The exhibit will be a carefully curated bricolage of loans and private collections from around the world and will include a wide array of mediums from early drawings to experimental films, and even an installation of Warhol’s 1966 Silver Clouds. The driving themes of desire and sexuality will be set in motion at the start of the exhibit, which will open with Warhol’s series of male nudes from the 1950s. A particularly intriguing aspect of the broader showcase will be Warhol’s portrait series on the transgender community of New York City.
This intimate look at Warhol’s works will speak to the socio-political matrixes he was a part of while creating. While the 1950s slip ever further away and we enter a ’20s that’s roaring for host of new reasons, Warhol’s driving themes are the perfect reminder that countercultural commentary has a timeless quality.
Annual pass holders ($35) can see the special exhibit as a benefit of their one-time fee (ages 14 to 25 can get a pass for free), and individual adult admissions are $25.
The Chinese New Year is around the corner and this year marks our return to the first animal on the zodiac calendar: the rat. So without further ado, here are five of the best ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year in Toronto, just in time for Jan. 25 this year.
Lee Restaurant on King is prepared to go all out for Chinese New Year with a special menu from Jan. 23-30. Chef Lee will be serving up a $48 dim sum platter in celebration of the new year that serves two, and includes shrimp and scallop siu mai, chicken and porcini siu mai, braised beef with turnip cake, and crispy green onion dumplings with a sweet chili lime glaze.
Chef Anna Chen (Scaramouche, Buca Yorkville) and chef Ken Yau (Nota Bene, K.dinners) are coming together for one night only at Alma restaurant. Celebratory dishes from Hakka-Chinese and Hong Kong-Chinese perspectives will be offered family style for $15 or $16. Diners will be able to choose from eight menu items that include dishes like braised pork belly and shiitake, crispy fish-shaped waffles filled with molten salted egg yolk, and fried shrimp and pork meatballs with persimmon mustard sauce. The event will take place on Jan. 23, and reservations are recommended.
Dasha opened in 2019 and is a two-storey experience from chef Akira Back. The concept of the restaurant is super fun (see video here) so it’s a good bet that the place will be humming for your January visit. Cocktails that double as works of art and a second floor of private karaoke rooms are two exciting ways you can ring in the Year of the Rat.
The Shangri-La Hotel is doing their annual Chinese New Year afternoon tea from Jan. 20 – Feb. 29. Celebrants can enjoy the lovely décor while noshing on crystal shrimp dumplings, confit duck bao, lemon mousse almond cake, and warm sesame ginger balls to name but a few. Reservations are encouraged.
Lee Chen Asian Bistro is ushering in the new year with a specialty limited time creation. From now until Jan. 31, you can celebrate at Lee Chen’s three locations with a beautiful platter of pork knuckles served on a bed of bok choy. If you’ve never tried them, now is the perfect time.
Second City veteran and Canadian Comedy Award winner Neil Crone has been gracing television screens since the 1990s in favourites like The Red Green Show and Little Mosque on the Prairie. His latest role has him starring in CBC’s new sci-fi series Endlings, airing Sundays at 6 p.m. starting Jan. 5.
Here, we caught up with the actor to chat about how he met his fiancée Kathryn Kelly and what they’ve got planned for their wedding.
How they met
We met in 2011 at a get-together thrown by mutual longtime friends.
The first date
We are both dog lovers, so Kathryn suggested a walk in a nearby conservation area. It was wonderful. We walked and talked for hours — one of those connections where you both feel an immediate chemistry.
But the real litmus test came later as we sat on the tailgate of my hatchback with Owen, my Great Dane/Labrador cross, sitting between us. As we sat there and chatted, Owen leaned in and kissed Kathryn 11 separate times. He never kisses anyone. That’s how I knew there was something special about this woman.
The courtship
We’ve always been outdoorsy people. When we were first dating, we used to love to travel to Kathryn’s aunt’s cottage near Minden, Ont., in any season. We would sometimes drive up just for the day.
One particularly lovely moment was on a frigid February day. We didn’t even go into the cottage on this trip but instead made a fire down near the lake. We had a bottle of red wine chilling in a snow bank, and we were nibbling on dark chocolate with the dogs curled up near us. If you can find someone who’ll do that with you, hang on to them.
The proposal
One of our favourite places to walk with our dogs is Thistledown [Pet Memorial] in Uxbridge, Ont. The place is incredibly beautiful with acres of trails through a forest. I have a knee that can give me trouble sometimes, and on this hike, I deliberately fell behind a bit until Kathryn came to see how I was feeling. I told her I just needed to rest my knee, dropping down on one knee as I said it. She said, “Is there anything I can do for you?” I said, “Yes,” as I pulled out the ring. “You can marry me.”
Wedding plans
Water is a big part of our lives. That’s why both of the homes we’ve lived in have either been on or near a lake. We moved to Wasaga Beach in May, and we would love to be married on the beach — barefoot. It’s a place that brings us so much joy and peace and connection to the planet. We haven’t confirmed a honeymoon destination yet. Although I have a feeling Paris looms large — or Keswick — depending on the hotel rates.
The family
We are a happily blended family. I have two boys, Duncan, 28, and Connor, 25. Kathryn has brought me the wonderful gift of a daughter in Ashley, 33.
Secret of success
Communication and laughter. We have a wonderful sense of play in our relationship and neither is afraid of acting goofy in front of the other. Kathryn has taught me how incredibly important it is to keep talking to each other no matter how large or small the issue. That’s not always easy for me. I grew up in a house where my parents never, ever argued or fought in front of us. But it’s a game changer. Talking is everything.
Life after retirement
I don’t really ever plan on retiring. I’m hoping to die quietly in between takes on some set! I love my work. But I do see us somewhere warm and quite possibly on a big, beautiful boat and, of course, a dog or two in the picture.
Roncesvalles has a new destination for game day burgers and beer with the launch of BAR*Q. This revamp sees the former Barque Butcher Bar, which is located six doors down from Barque Smokehouse, transformed into a relaxed sports bar.
The bar’s pared-down menu features griddle-smashed burgers complemented by handmade spice blends and rubs, served on potato buns.
Staying true to its sports bar theme, the menu also includes smoked wings with classic sauce and dry rub options like Buffalo BBQ and Cajun. Draft beer focuses on local brewers like Bellwoods and Henderson, while cocktails include a Smoked Bourbon Sour and Barque Caesar with candied smoked bacon.
BAR*Q also puts a spin on the traditional cocktail selection by offering a ‘Choose Your Own Old Fashioned’ cocktail option, which allows diners to customize their old fashioned by choosing from a selection of mezcals or bourbons, sweeteners like raw sugar, and bitters like Dillon’s DSB.
The restaurant’s restyle, which was headed by the DesignAgency, is approachable but modern, offering a casual space for watching sports, playing board games, and tucking into hearty burgers.
A bi-annual celebration that was once considered to be the leading fashion event in Canada is on hiatus.
For the last 20 years, Toronto Fashion Week celebrated Canadian fashion, arts, and culture by allowing local designers to present their work to the world on chic catwalks across Yorkville. But on Tuesday, TFW organizers stated that they will be rethinking their platform.
“In order to best support the needs of the fashion community here in Canada, we’ve made the very difficult decision to pause production of our biannual event in order to rethink the platform and focus on how best to engage the industry, support designers and resonate with consumers across the country,” the organizers said in a Tweet.
“We remain steadfast in our resolve to continue to passionately support the Toronto community and champion the Canadian industry overall, as well as nurture the relationships we have built and maintained since the inception of Toronto Fashion Week, twenty years ago.”
“Toronto Fashion Week® to Rethink Platform” canceling this upcoming season of runway presentations in Yorkville in early February. #toronto#fashionweek
Toronto Fashion Week was founded in 1999 by the Fashion Design Council of Canada, a non-profit co-founded by Pat McDonagh and Robin Kay. The event was used as a means to showcase Canadian fashion to the international stage by giving designers access to critical media attention and buyers. It became a major hit in the industry, propelling brands such as Joe Fresh and drawing attention to Indigenous designer Lesley Hampton’s inclusive designs.
Glen Baxter, a former media strategist at Toronto Fashion Week, tweeted: “Canadian designers showing at Toronto Fashion Week were never part of the fast fashion industry though. Quite the opposite. They deserve our support.”
