Yorkdale turns 50! A vintage look back at the mall’s fun fashion history

by Jessica Flower February 25, 2014

Yorkdale 50th Anniversary 1973 Yorkdale Fashion Show — Photography courtesty of Yorkdale Archive

See the vintage Yorkdale images »

Photography courtesty of Yorkdale Archive

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Yorkdale 50th Anniversary

Model wears a white shift dress during the “Adventures in Fashion” fashion show, 1965

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Yorkdale 50th Anniversary

Children’s fashion show, 1969

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Yorkdale 50th Anniversary

Spring fashion week windows, 1967

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Yorkdale 50th Anniversary

Spring fashion show, 1970

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Yorkdale 50th Anniversary 1973 Yorkdale Fashion Show

Israeli fashion show, 1971

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Yorkdale 50th Anniversary

Courtyard view, undated

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Yorkdale 50th Anniversary

Spring fashion show, 1972

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Yorkdale 50th Anniversary

Main hall view, undated

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Yorkdale 50th Anniversary

Models during the “Business Report” fashion show, 1985

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Yorkdale 50th Anniversary

“Spring New at Yorkdale” fashion show, 1988

Within Toronto’s ever-changing retail landscape (hello Saks, goodbye Sears!), one shopping titan reigns supreme. Yorkdale Shopping Centre has been at the forefront, launching first-in-Canada boutiques by brands such as Mulberry, David Yurman, Kate Spade and soon, Nordstrom. But did you know that the mall was also the city’s first? Toronto’s purveyor of fancy duds to the north is turning 50 this week. Fun fact: it even predates the CN Tower and the Eaton Centre.

Built in 1964, Yorkdale was, at the time, the largest indoor shopping centre in the world. Going through something of a renaissance recently, thanks to a hefty facelift, Yorkdale has become the destination for designer labels and American retailers. Despite the cosmetic changes over the years, there are a few things that remain—Holt Renfrew and Fairweather have been at Yorkdale since the opening fifty years ago.

And while some of the original stores like Simpson’s, Eaton’s and wonderfully retro-sounding Smitty’s Pancake House have gone the way of the dodo, what do remain are a selection of vintage shots from the mall’s archives, documenting its fun history. Not only are the fashions hilariously vintage (shoulder pads anyone?) but the photos serve to remind us of how much the fashion world has changed. A shoot on the wing of an airplane inside a hangar or Israeli fashions would have been quite novel and exotic in the ‘70s. Take a peek at all the old shots for your daily dose of vintage.

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