Women Helping Women Through Clothes

As Toronto's LG Fashion Week kicks off this week, CanadaFashionLaw eagerly clasps her fashion week industry passes in anticipation of a week full of runway shows.  (I love my job!) But before the festival of fabulousness commences, CanadaFashionLaw wants to pause for a cause.  CanadaFashionLaw recently became aware of a great organization, Dress For Success, that aims to help women launch their career through the gift of clothes.  In the interview below, CanadaFashionLaw hopes to tap into the season of giving a little early.

Tell us about your organization and what it aims to achieve.

The mission of Dress for Success Toronto is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

Our programs include the Suiting Program, which outfits women in professional attire for job interviews and employment; the Dress Rehersal Program where clients go through a mock interview and feedback session and can get assistance with resume/cover letter writing; and the Profesional Women's Group, which offers women ongoing support as they successfully transition into the workplace. 

How has the response been in Toronto?

The response in Toronto has been extremely positive.  Dress for Success Toronto serves job-ready women by referral only through our community partnerships with over 300 non-profit organizations.  Clients come to us from domestic violence agencies, homeless shelters and job-training programs. We work together with our referring agencies to provide delivery of services designed to elevate the lives of low income women and their families.

The concept goes way beyond clothes.  Women helping women really seems to be a central theme.  Can you share any success stories?

Latoya was introduced to Dress for Success Toronto in 2009 by a government employment centre.    She came to use our services and was encouraged to sign up for mentorship, assistance with resume writing and once she landed a job, she was invited to join the Professional Women’s Group, a group for newly employed women that have used our services that offers monthly workshops, networking and support.  When I asked Latoya about what this organization means to her, this is the response she gave:

“A suit will last a year a two but it’s the lessons and support we receive that will last a life time and help us to better integrate and become successful in our lives and career.   Dress for Success is a driving force in my career development.  Getting a job is just the beginning, you have to start over, re-qualify and work your way up. This can be very demanding, difficult and challenging at times. I am better able to balance both personal and work life and cope with a new culture through the workshops and support I receive at Dress for Success.  This is more than just about suits; it is part of my survival. I may have received suits on my first visit but it’s the encouragement, support, joy and fulfillment that I receive that keeps me coming back.”

What are the biggest challenges that your organization has faced?

Our biggest challenge is that people think we're just about the suits!  The Suiting Program is an important part of what we do; however, our other programming is also essential to helping women become self-sufficient by addressing their social and economic needs in relation to work.  For example, the Professional Women's Group offers women ongoing support as they successfully transition into the workforce, build thriving careers and prosper in the mainstream workplace.  Funding to support all the other programming we do is essential in order for us to fulfill our mission.  We can't run our quality programming on clothing donations alone. 

There is a lot of buzz about your organization’s Fundraising Gala on November 2, 2011 at the Bata Shoe Museum.  Can you give us the scoop?

It is Dress for Success Toronto’s inaugural Fundraising Gala!  The theme of the night is “Most Memorable Shoes” while guests are having a “Heel of a Good Time!” Attendees will enjoy refreshments and hors d’oeuvres while watching a fashion show featuring the EDIT by Jeanne Beker denim collection and Ron White Shoes, complemented by the original fashions of GISH (Girls in Skirts), Sarah Stevenson Designs and MINK, talented local Toronto designers.

There will be signature cocktails, and “innovative interactive entertainment” for guests to enjoy.  We also have a special guest appearance and book signing by internationally renowned Canadian fashion icon, Jeanne Beker!

More information about the event, including ticket sales, can be found on our website: www.dressforsuccess.org/toronto

How else can people roll up their sleeves and help out? 

Dress for Success Toronto has several opportunities for individuals to get involved.

We take donations of new and gently used professional attire at our 188 Lowther Avenue location in Toronto.  Individuals interested in donating to us can go to our website for more information (www.dressforsuccess.org/Toronto) or e-mail us at donate@dressforsuccesstoronto.org.

We also have several ways an individual can volunteer!  Volunteer roles include stylists, merchandisers and career services.  Anyone interested in volunteering with us can e-mail volunteer@dressforsuccesstoronto.org.  With the help of our volunteers, we can continue to have a positive impact on the lives of low income women, their children and future generations.

Through a $100 donation, you can give one woman access to the whole suite of Dress for Success programs.  We all know how good it feels to put on the right outfit when headed out to a big meeting or event - first impressions are key, so imagine if you didn't have this ability!  Your $100 donation can make this difference.  Holiday season is just around the corner and helping one individual take the steps back into the workforce can make this a happy holiday season with hope for the future.  Donations can be made online through our website (www.dressforsuccess.org/toronto)

More Opportunities Abound in Toronto for Fashion Designers

One week before the launch of Toronto’s LG Fashion Week for the 2012 Spring-Summer collection, it was announced that the TFI New Labels competition has been given a face-lift.

The Toronto Fashion Incubator has teamed up with note-worthy Toronto-based fashion players, TNT and Suzanne Rogers.

Who is eligible?  Canadian fashion designers who have been in the business for three years or less.

What’s at stake? 

First, there is an opportunity to win a cash prize of $25,000 for the Suzanne Rogers Award for Most Promising New Label.  

Second, TNT will sponsor a design studio for 1 year at the Toronto Fashion Incubator.  

Third, Flare magazine will run a full one page editorial feature on the designer. 

Fourth, an opportunity to show the collection at Toronto Fashion Incubator’s TFI New Labels, which is a fashion show aimed at highlighting Canada’s emerging designer.  Attracting between 500 and 1,000 industry professionals, TFI New Labels is a great opportunity for these designers to showcase their talent.

Who are these players?  CanadaFashionLaw has previously introduced you to both Toronto Fashion Incubator and TNT.  Suzanne Rogers is a philanthropist who has married her love for fashion with her ability to raise funds for charities with finesse.  Rogers’ most recent noteworthy endeavor was her exclusive and private fashion show and dinner attended by Toronto’s most fabulous, wherein Marchesa was brought back to the runway.  Flare magazine is one of Canada's pre-eminent fashion magazines, which is reported to have over 1.5 million monthly subscribers. 

All in all, it’s great to see Toronto’s own helping to pave the way for Toronto’s own.

See you at TFI New Labels on May 3, 2012!

There's a New Retail Sheriff in Town

As the days get colder, the nights get longer and our cravings for hot chocolate with Baileys and whipped cream heighten, so does our need to find a good book.  Thanks to a recent event hosted by Fashion Group International’s Toronto chapter, CanadaFashionLaw need look no further.

This week, CanadaFashionLaw eagerly attended a presentation by Robin Lewis, hosted by FGI-Toronto.  Robin Lewis, author of the book “The New Rules of Retail”, is a retail consultant and former vice-president and executive editor of Women’s Wear Daily.  In “The New Rules of Retail”, Robin looks at the transformation of retail and what it means to the fashion and consumer products industries. 

This book is a must-read if you are:

• in the fashion industry,
• involved in the consumer products chain,
• are a marketing professional or
• just want to be an informed consumer.

In his presentation, Lewis provides an oversight of his theories.  In a nutshell, the shift to consumer power, coupled with rampant globalization and significant technological developments have been retail game changers.  According to Lewis, there has been a 3-part evolution in retail.  At first, the producers called the shots.  Retail outlets were few and far between and mostly centered in urban areas.  With the shift to urbanization, the producer’s power diminished.  This period was marked by an increase in malls, specialized retail outlets and big box stores.  As media became an ever-increasing force, the onus shifted to retailers to create demand for products.  In the current stage, globalization and technological advances have taken the retail market to a whole new level.  Effective mass global manufacturing and distribution networks have created an unprecedented surge in supply, thanks to the proliferation of retail outlets or e-commerce websites.

We live in a globalized, mass marketed, consumer hungry society. 

We know that. 

But what does this mean for the business of retail?  

Consumer value has shifted, going beyond the desire of quality and fair pricing.  Consumers want experiences – they want to emotionally connect to their retailer.  Lewis even went so far as to discuss the consumer’s neurological connection being tied to their retail experience. Customization is key; conformity is out.  Democratization of trends is in; exclusivity is out. Community is utmost.  Sustainability is a way of business and no longer a marketing tool. Survival of the fittest is not sufficient.  Retailers must excel in every aspect.  

CanadaFashionLaw urges you to run as fast as your stiletto-clad, pedicured feet will go to pick up a copy of Robin Lewis’ “The New Rules of Retail”.  

Silently in the Night…Canada Gets its ACTA Together

Did you know that this past week Canada become a signatory to the international treaty the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (or “ACTA”, if you want to flex your legal prowess)?  Chances are you don’t and you’re not alone, but CanadaFashionLaw does and is eager to share!  Sharing is caring, after all!

What is the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement?

The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement is an international treaty that was cooked up by Japan and the US in 2006 in a joint effort to combat counterfeit products on a global scale.  In 2007, Canada joined the negotiations but did not become a signatory until very recently.  

ACTA attempts to create international standards to facilitate a cohesive global attack on counterfeiting between countries. 

Why Do We Need a Global Agreement for Counterfeiting?

Perturbed that you may not be able to get your designer purse for a fraction of the cost?  Too bad, so sad!  Counterfeiting is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.  CanadaFashionLaw previously tackled the great ramifications of counterfeiting to Canada (click here to hone up on this issue). 

Canada’s Foreign Affairs and International Trade department endorsed the necessity of bolstering Canadian intellectual property laws:

“The emphasis on innovation as a measure of global competitiveness as well as the growth in participation of the Canadian economy in global trade have made the international dimension of intellectual property policy increasingly important.”

Why All the Secrecy?

Some of the countries that participated in the negotiations (cue fake cough “US”) classified the negotiations as secret.  Thus, although the Canadian government has been involved in the negotiations for a number of years, the Canadian public was not allowed access to any of the information.  There was essentially no information available on Canada’s position on ACTA.  At one point, a well-reputed Canadian intellectual property law professor submitted an access to information request to the Canadian government.  Rumour has it that in response to the request, the Canadian government only confirmed the name of the act.  Of course, this type of secrecy does not sit well with many stakeholders.    

What Does ACTA Entail?

ACTA can be broken down to a 3 prong plan of attack:

1. Improving international cooperation between countries;
2. Establishing best practices for enforcement;
3. Architecting a more effective legal framework for enforcement.

An interesting aspect of ACTA, which will directly benefit Canada, is the focus on border controls.  Going back to CanadaFashionLaw’s previous article dealing with the issue of counterfeiting, Canada’s ability to enable borders patrol to actively participate in the war against counterfeiting is critical.  It is critical in controlling the import of counterfeit products into Canada and it is also critical in ensuring that Canada is a player in the international trade market.

Who RSVP’d to the Party?

So far, Australia, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Korea, Singapore and the US have endorsed ACTA, along with Canada. 

So What Next?

Probably, we wait.  Ratification of legislation is one thing, implementation is another.    

Taking on the World...Taking Your Brand Global.

After attending a fabulous intellectual property law conference in Chicago last week, I started thinking about Canadian designers who are looking beyond our borders for success.  What information can CanadaFashionLaw bring to these designers?  Today, we’re thinking global! 

In the fashion world, it’s a global world.  Surprisingly, the luxury goods market has been buoyed despite the crumbling economic climate in Europe and North America, thanks to the increasing middle class’ purchasing power in emerging markets such as India and China.  Perhaps if you think global you’ll (hopefully) benefit from the different economic climates throughout the global economy. 

But taking your brand globally can be expensive.  The maze of distributors, suppliers, real estate, tax planners etc. expands.  And so do their fees!  Unfortunately, law is no different.  From a brand protection standpoint, intellectual property protection is granted on a country-by-country basis.  (Obtaining trade-mark protection in Europe is slightly different and can be obtained on a regional basis).  Once your fashion line goes global, the Canadian trade-mark registration that you diligently obtained will only protect you in Canada.  Not in the US, not in Europe, not in Japan.  I think you get the point.  But if you’re operating in these countries, you should contemplate seeking trade-mark protection in each of those countries.  Yes it’s cumbersome, complicated and cher, but it is necessary to ensure that your company’s brand, which is the major (if not, most important) asset, is protected.

Think strategically. 

Think sensibly. 

Be budget conscious.  

Do your research! 

Does the market justify launching in that country? 

Is there long-term growth potential in that country? 

Has there been positive response to your clothing line? 

Where there is potential for market presence in a country, adopting a legal brand protection strategy in that country makes sense.  

Now, these are all factors to consider when taking proactive steps to protect your brand.  

What happens when you have a global brand and “it” hits the fan? 

Do you come out like a well-dressed John Wayne ready to sheriff your brand on a global scale? Likely not.  Litigation is not cheap!  A custom-made fur jacket lined with raw silk is likely a bargain compared to the cost of global litigation!  (I do not have or condone wearing a fur jacket and no animal was harmed in the writing of this article). 

One of the seminars at the Chicago conference looked at managing multi-jurisdictional litigation.  Universally, the speakers agreed: the cost of litigating in every country that a company has a market presence is not a smart business decision.  Take, for example, the Christian Louboutin v. Yves Saint Laurent case.  Both companies are global brands, yet the case is based in the US.  Why? 

Behind every legal action taken by a company, there is a business rationale. 

• What are the budgetary constraints of the company? 
• How much does litigation cost in a country?  
• Which country is a symbolic power-house?  
• Which country does the brand have the strongest market presence?  
• Administratively, which country’s legal system has the quickest turnaround for the judge to render the final decision? 
•  Which countries have the strongest enforcement or damages awards?

Think business.  Think budget.  Think global.  Think long term.