A vibrant fashion industry is made up of more than fashion designers. It takes pattern makers, event planners, marketers, customer service specialists, inventory management professionals and many more to support it. 

The Fashion Industry Advisory Panel (FIAP) was planning a campaign to garner more recognition for the people in these important positions when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. 

“We pivoted the campaign to get people excited about Toronto Fashion and supporting this local industry and those in it,” said Bruce Sinclair the program coordinator for Humber College’s Bachelor of Commerce, Fashion Management. He is involved with FIAP and the #SupportTorontoFashion campaign. 

“There are so many people in the industry who usually don’t receive recognition for their contributions and we wanted to change that story.” 

The #SupportTorontoFashion campaign spans several weeks and will showcase the people, brands and institutions that comprise the industry, sharing their unique stories on social media. 

The Pattern for Career Success 

Mabel Agyem understands the breadth of fashion careers available to those with the right skills and knowledge. 

Throughout her 15 years in the fashion industry she has held a variety of roles and currently works for an e-commerce retailer as an Operations and Showroom Manager. This involves the day-to-day operations of the storefront, managing events, pop-ups, and inventory. 

Agyem is also a 2017 graduate of Humber’s Fashion Management program. 

“I think some misconceptions stem from seeing the fashion industry as superficial. It’s an industry that has all types of employment and provides a service for our wants and needs, said Agyem.

“We tend to disregard the other face of fashion and that’s the non-creative side.” 

While she doesn’t create the designs that hit the shelves, she is part of an important process. 

“It brings me great joy to see someone proudly wearing a piece of clothing or accessory that I had part in making available for purchase.” 

Since the pandemic began, many companies in the Toronto fashion industry have adapted by focusing on producing masks and PPE when it was needed the most. 

“I think the #SupportTorontoFashion campaign is important especially now as a black woman who was born in raised in this city to be able to support my own,” says Agyem. “We are all we got. Toronto fashion has its own identity that needs to be recognized, shared and awarded!” 

More information about #SupportTorontoFashion is available here.