TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwired – Sept. 24, 2015) –

Editor’s Note: There are three photo associated with this release.

The emerging designer’s dream program, Press & Buyers Brunch at World MasterCard® Fashion Week (WMCFW), created and hosted by the Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI), is back for its fourth season. This unparalleled Canadian boutique style tradeshow welcomes the most innovative designers in apparel and accessory disciplines to reveal their latest designs for their spring summer 2016 collections. The extraordinary exposé will take place in The Studio at David Pecaut Square onsite at WMCFW on October 21^st and October 22^nd from 12:00pm to 2:00pm with a light brunch catered by The Ritz-Carlton.

The 2016 TFI Press and Buyers judging panel is a power-player roster of nationally renowned design and fashion minds in collaboration with IMG Fashion. Applications and press kits were evaluated based on presentation, marketability, noteworthy features, design and branding consistency and overall style. This season, TFI is thrilled to be showcasing the following brands:

• Agata Pieniek (Accessories)
• Aleem Arif (Apparel)
• Carineh Babayan (Accessories)
• Christina Di Pede (Accessories)
• Jon De Porter Jewelry (Jewellery)
• Karen Pyu (Jewellery)
• Moda:ko (Accessories)
• Kristin Barbaree (Jewellery)
• Maya El Habre (Apparel)
• Miriam Baker (Apparel)
• Patricia Wong (Jewellery)
• Serean Bechara (Millinery)
• Som Kong (Apparel)
• Susan Yahya (Jewellery)
• Thomas Henry Made (Menswear)

FASHION YOUR FUTURE (#TFIFYF): FASHION ENTREPRENEURSHIP INITIATIVE FOR ASPIRING ACCESSORY DESIGNERS

TFI really does make design dreams come true – Canada’s new, innovative, fashion entrepreneurship initiative for aspiring accessory designers, FASHION YOUR FUTURE (#TFIFYF), engaged 60 youth aged 20 – 29, created 10 new small businesses and 10 new jobs by providing them with an opportunity of a lifetime. Launched in July 2015 by the Toronto Fashion Incubator, funded by the Government of Ontario as part of the Youth Jobs Strategy, and supported by the City of Toronto, TFIFYF offered free educational seminars, creative development workshops, tutorials, mentoring and micro grants up to $3000 per youth.

After an initial 18-day fashion boot camp and 15-day intensive mentoring session, the top three achieving youth, Serean Bechara, Agata Pieniek and Susan Yahya, were carefully selected to receive funding to develop a sample collection, produce marketing materials and press kits and buy display fixtures. The trio will make their professional debut at this season’s TFI Press & Buyers Trade Show taking place October 21 – 22 at World MasterCard Fashion Week in Toronto.

Serean Bechara is a new avant-garde milliner who studied fashion at ESMOD, Fashion University in Beirut, Lebanon. The 21-year-old was chosen as one of the top three finalists with her debut hat collection called, ‘Stygian’. Her innovative brand, Aphotic, tells a story of her cultural travels and experience.

Agata Pieniek is a Toronto resident who has created a line of fun and functional handmade leather sunglass cases with a multifunctional purpose. The hallmark of the AGZ brand’s aesthetic is linearity, simplicity and functionality. For spring 2016, the AGZ MIRAGE collection is inspired by the Californian lifestyle as well as fashion and architecture from 70s.

Susan Yahya is set to launch a new tradition with her unique brand of Canadian-made jewellery entitled Expectancy Rings. These affordable luxury diamond rings set in gold or silver for expectant mothers and fathers are meant to celebrate, announce and commemorate the expected arrival of their newborn.

Media and retailers interested in attending the TFI Press & Buyers Brunch can contact tfi@faulhabercommunications.com before October 7^th 2015.

ABOUT TFI

The Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI) is an award-winning and highly-acclaimed non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and nurturing Canadian fashion designers and entrepreneurs. Established in 1987 as the world’s first official “fashion incubator”, the TFI model has been adopted by cities such as New York, Chicago, London, Paris and Milan. Housed in an 8,000 sq. ft. heritage building at Exhibition Place in Toronto, TFI provides critical support to creative entrepreneurs to develop the business and professional skills they need to thrive and survive. Start-up and advanced community programs include educational seminars on the business of fashion, one-on-one mentoring with industry professionals, exclusive promotional and sales opportunities, and valuable sales, marketing and trend resources.

Toronto Fashion Incubator: 285 Manitoba Drive, Exhibition Place Toronto, Ontario M6K 3C3 Canada 416.971.7117 tfi@fashionincubator.com www.fashionincubator.com #TFIPBB

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