November 2011: Letter from the editor

Westons, Mimrans, Budman and Green. There are some Canadian fashion families that are so well documented, their faces are as familiar as Brad’s and Angelina’s. It’s not that we don’t revere these brilliant style mavericks for putting Holt Renfrew, Club Monaco, Joe Fresh and Roots on the map, but in this issue, we wanted to turn the spotlight on some Canadian fashion families you may not be as familiar with. We always assumed there was a Laura, for whom the chain is named, but we didn’t realize she opened shop in 1930. The story of how 100 Jacob stores were born out of a dream is an inspiration. And how marvellous that the Cherry family passed their knowledge of retail down like a precious heirloom to Barry and Deena Weinberg, who run the Max Mara flagship in Toronto.

Like all clans, fashion folk have their dramas—murder and madness have become Gucci lore. But in “Power Lines” (page 62), Laura deCarufel highlights the positives of working with kin. Aldo’s Douglas Bensadoun cites a “deep, silent understanding.” Penny Shuster of La Canadienne values the trust factor inherent in every decision. For Browns’ Michael Brownstein, it’s the simple pleasure of being able to eat lunch with his son and his daughter.

Distilling global fashion trends for the Canadian lifestyle is key to the success of all these brands. That’s exactly what we do in every issue of FASHION. This month, the prim vs. perverse drama that played out on European runways—often in a single outfit—is addressed in The List (page 77) and throughout our fashion spreads (page 153). Think you can’t pair leather and florals? Think again….

Irresistible fashions, remarkable people; this issue is full of them. We know there are many more great Canadian stories out there, and we will continue to tell them. In the meantime, dig in, and let me know what you think at letters@fashionmagazine.com.

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