We unveiled our event line-up for 2012 at last week’s AGM. Tickets for our February business/retail event are already on sale – check out the Events page or click here to register online.
If you would like to participate as a committee member, volunteer or sponsor at one of our upcoming events, contact farley [at] fgitoronto [dot] org or leesa [at] fgitoronto [dot] org.
FEBRUARY
Guest speaker Lori Schafer, author of Branded! How Retailers Engage Consumers with Social Media and Mobility
MARCH
Trend Edit w/Stylesight
APRIL
Designer Sample Sale
Roundtable (members only)
MAY
Beauty event
JUNE
Roundtable (members only)
SEPTEMBER
FGI “Friends & Family” retail promotion
Roundtable (members only)
OCTOBER
Rising Stars
NOVEMBER
Trend Edit w/Stylesight
DECEMBER
Visual merchandising event
FGI Toronto awarded its first annual Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously at last week’s AGM to Shirley Cheatley, a long-standing member of FGI and daughter of Toronto’s founding member, Elen Henderson. The award was accepted by Shirley’s widow Peter, son Peter and daughter-in-law at the Toronto chapter’s Annual General Meeting, held earlier this week. Shirley passed away in September 2010.
“Since FGI Toronto’s inception in 1958, so many people have voluntarily given their time and devotion to the organization. We wanted to establish an award that recognizes the significant contributions of truly outstanding members who have gone above and beyond,” says Leesa Butler, new regional co-director, Fashion Group International Toronto.
“Shirley Cheatley was a staple in children’s fashion wear,” said Farley Chatto, regional co-director, Fashion Group International Toronto. “And we are proud to showcase a woman who played a key role in our chapter for so many years. She will be greatly missed, not only by FGI but by the entire fashion community,” adds Chatto.
Shirley sat on FGI’s Board of Directors, numerous committees and was the longtime chair of archives for Fashion Group. Her most recognized accomplishment was her transformation of her mother’s small, designer children’s wear boutique from a local cottage industry into a multi-million dollar, international enterprise. Under Shirley’s care, the production grew from one line to four, including, E-H Girls’ Dresses, Elen Henderson Baby, Harper’s by Rosemarie and O for boys. Shirley received many awards for merchandising excellence, including an Ontario Fashion Design Award. During her tenure with FGI, she served in various capacities: Treasurer in 1967, Director in 1969, Chair of the Awards Committee and Chair of Archives for more than a decade.
After the business of the AGM, cross the street to join fellow FGI members for a glass of bubbly, networking and shopping at 104 Yorkville Avenue, 2nd floor. Rue Pigalle boutique, Kim Du Salon and Mync Lash Lounge & Brow Boutique are teaming up to host a fabulous FGI event.
Rue Pigalle: You’ve seen Isabelle Fish of Rue Pigalle in this month’s FASHION magazine, wait until you see the boutique’s beautiful jewellery and accessories in person. Enjoy 15% off all purchases this evening.
Kim Du Salon: Paola and Kim are pleased to offer a free hair color and hair cut consultation plus 25% off for hair services booked this evening. Book a wash and blow dry for only $30 including a special treatment that will give you super shiny hair.
Mync Lash Lounge & Brow Boutique: Get 20% off any service booked this evening.
Don’t forget to RSVP to our AGM events here.
It’s proxy time, and all FGI members will see invitations from the New York chapter to renew membership and vote in the upcoming Annual General Meeting. All of our email communications are sent by “FGI Toronto.” Be sure to add it to your address book so you don’t miss a thing.
When it comes to the proxy and membership renewals, here’s the deal: you can only vote in Toronto but you’ll renew membership through the New York office via mail, fax or online payment. If you have any membership questions, please contact Pat [at] fgitoronto [dot] org.
Our AGM is scheduled for January 18th, download the proxy here. We are planning a three-part evening – come to one, come to all! There’s more information under the Events tab or register online here. It will be an evening of networking, shopping, great food and friends. Look forward to seeing you there.
It’s that time of year again, when FGI members around the world receive the official “Membership Update Form & Renewal Invoice” in their in-boxes. Membership is handled by FGI’s New York headquarters and all renewals are handled on an annual basis.
Memberships are updated in the first quarter of the year, regardless of when you join. This is also the time to update your contact information. Changed jobs? Have a new email address? Let us know using the form.
Renewal payments can be made online, by fax or mail. If you have any questions about your membership, please contact our Toronto membership chair, michel [at] fgitoronto [dot] org.
And members, don’t forget to register for our AGM on January 18th! Register now!
FGI Toronto took over the raw space of Airship37 in the Distillery District for the bi-annual Trend Edit. For the first time, Stylesight came on board to provide the trend forecasting.
Guests enjoyed 
a cocktail hour featuring wine, sparkling wine, Smartwater and passed hors d’ouevres from We Cater to You.
Annual sponsors Cayman Islands and Rowenta set up areas for guests to enjoy taking self-portraits. Rowenta’s booth with 44Wide even allowed guests to take the photos themselves for posting later on their Facebook page. Cayman Islands enjoyed the spotlight to award one grand prize winner a trip for two to the Cayman Islands. Congratulations Judi Barr!
FGI regional director Farley Chatto and board member Carrie Hayes presented a quic
k recap of trends seen on the international and Canadian spring runways. Stylesight’s senior trend director, Andrea Praet, followed with an in-depth megatrend presentation for 2013.
Interested in Stylesight’s ongoing trend information for your company? Contact leesa[at]fgitoronto[dot]org for more information.
FGI's Lynda Jagros-May, winner Judi Barr and Cayman Islands country manager for Canada, Paul MInich
Congratulations to Judi Barr who won an all-expence paid trip to the Cayman Islands. The random draw took place at the Trend Edit event on November 16, 2011. FGI and the Cayman Islands partnered on this contest last spring by awarding two finalist slots at each monthly event beginning in April. The final draw was held on this evening, and the winner was chosen from eight finalists. Guests enjoyed gift bags in Cayman Islands’ signature turquoise blue bags.
Consisting of three islands just 480 miles south of Miami, Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman are little pieces of paradise. Congratulations Judi! Enjoy your vacation.
Robin Lewis, The New Rules of Retail
On October 4, 2011, the Toronto chapter of Fashion Group International proudly welcomed retail expert Robin Lewis for the New Rules of Retail event at King Street’s SAS building.
Robin Lewis, retail specialist, author and former Vice President and Executive Editor of WWD, discussed the impact of these changes on retail and the forces behind them to a full house.
Lewis outlined the three crucial aspects in the formula for success among leading trend-setting companies such as Apple, Starbucks, Amazon, Gilt Group and Ralph Lauren.
Cayman Islands continued as a partner in our event, and two lucky attendees were named eligible to win an all expense paid vacation! A special thank you to gifting sponsors: Popchips, Wrigleys, Townshoes and Damn Heels for helping our event be a smashing success.
“Go above just elevating experiences… think outside the box, understand it more deeply and take it to another superior level.”
Robin Lewis’ book, The New Rules of Retail: Competing in the Worlds Toughest Marketplace is a must-read for both the entrepreneur and the business savvy. He exposes trends to watch for, ways to improve and a formula to live by.
“Lewis and Dart, backed by years of experience in consumer-facing businesses, have produced a penetrating study of how and why some of America’s most iconic retailers and brands lost their way, and examines the winning strategies of those that continue to thrive and grow. The New Rules of Retail is a must-read guide to survival in a changed and changing world.”
- Margaret Hayes, President, The Fashion Group International
The beautiful John Paul & Co., a shop for luxe home interiors located on Avenue Road, served as the venue for FGI’s i2i: Insights into Interiors event on May 18, 2011. The evening kicked off with a networking cocktail hour featuring wines by Remy Pannier, food by Summerhill Market and water care of Smartwater.
FGI annual sponsor Cayman Islands pulled another two finalists names for the grand prize trip giveaway that will take place at a FGI event in fall 2011. Congrats to our finalists! The evening’s panel 
discussion, moderated by Antonietta Raviele, B.A., LL.B. also included:
Andrew Jones – Andrew Jones Design
Marc Kyriacou – MarcKyr, Inc.
Shauna Levy – MMPI and IDS
Karl Lohnes – on-air home and decor expert for Canada AM
For more photos of this event, visit our Facebook page.
