News

Toray Ultrasuede (America), Inc. (TUA) announced their partnership with the Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI). Started in 1986, TFI is a unique, vibrant organization dedicated to supporting and nurturing Canadian fashion designers. Toray Ultrasuede embraces a similar commitment to working with the brightest, most talented designers and every season can be seen on the runways of New York, Los Angeles, Moscow and Paris. It seemed a natural progression to become involved with the TFI events and runway program in the Toronto fashion arena and there are plans for Ultrasuede® to be part of other designer rich cities. “The idea of just two or three ‘fashion capitals’ no longer exists. All across the country and world are cities with incredible design talent that we are privileged to be working with” states Des McLaughlin, Apparel and Industrial Sales & Marketing Director of Toray Ultrasuede.

TFI New Labels® Fall 2005 Fashion Design Competition is made up of six collections: Cincyn by Cynthia Florek and Cindy Custodio; Karamea by Michelle Turpin; Lucid by Anna Kosturova; PierreJale by Peter Tsang and Kelly Jale; Nostalgy by Samantha Thomson; To:For:: by Tee Kow. PierreJala and Lucid are from Vancouver, BC while others are from Toronto. Designers will be vying for top honors in the Competition that takes place in March of 2005 and will be judged by a panel of fashion experts that includes Wendy Medina, Fashion Sales & Marketing Manager for TUA. Comments Wendy, “TFI New Labels® gives Toray Ultrasuede the opportunity to reach a new group of young and creative talents and we’re so excited to be part of their unique interpretations of Ultrasuede®”

The winner of the competition receives The ELLE CANADA New Labels® Fashion Award comprised of $1,000 cash and a one-page editorial in the magazine, a one year Outreach membership to the TFI, and participation in the TFI New Labels® Fall 2005 Show at no cost. Additionally, a new category has been created by TUA for “The Most Creative Use of Ultrasuede®” with the winning designer receiving an additional $500 cash prize from Toray Ultrasuede.

According to Susan Langdon, Executive Director of TFI “The Toronto Fashion Incubator is thrilled to partner with Toray Ultrasuede in TFI's New Labels® Fashion Design Competition 2005. TUA's support will encourage new, innovative fashion designers to incorporate Ultrasuede® into their fall collections and the results will be incredible!"

To learn more about TFI New Labels® Fall 2005 Fashion Design Competition visit www.fashionincubator.com