IMG acquires World MasterCard Fashion Week

The Fashion Design Council of Canada has announced that World MasterCard Fashion Week has been acquired by IMG Canada and will be operated in collaboration with IMG Fashion, global leader in fashion event production and management.

Established in 1999, the World MasterCard Fashion Week in Toronto was created to stimulate demand for Canadian designers nationally and globally, and under the FDCC’s leadership the fashion showcase has grown to become the second largest fashion week in North America. IMG have been involved with the fashion week since 2010, when the FDCC commissioned the organisation to consult on production, designer outreach, marketing, and sponsorship sales.

Toronto now joins the likes of New York, London, Milan, Berlin, Australia, Tokyo, Mumbai, Istanbul, Miami, Russia and many more top international events worldwide, opening the door to a global network of expertise, contacts and numerous fashion initiatives that will undoubtedly give Canadian designers unprecedented benefits.

Commenting on the acquisition, Sam Galet, Vice President and Managing Director, IMG Canada, said: “We look forward to the exciting changes ahead. Our main goal will remain to focus on Canadian design talent, offering them a world-renowned platform to debut their latest collections and present themselves to an international audience of media and industry professionals.”

Danny Fritz, Vice President Co- Managing Director, IMG Canada, added: “We will continue to focus on opening doors and offering solutions to designers that will allow them to reach their ultimate business goals.”

The move marks Robin Kay’s exit as Executive Director of World MasterCard Fashion Week, however she will remain the president of the FDCC and continue to support and mentor Canadian designers.

“Creating Fashion Week in Toronto was a career dream for me as I was able to translate my skills as a designer and retailer into a celebration of Canadian fashion that has supported so many talented people to find an audience and a global runway. In business, timing is everything, and I am confident that the time is right for IMG to take World MasterCard Fashion Week to the next level,” said Robin Kay. “I have no plans to disappear and I will remain committed to helping and nurturing Canadian designers shine on the catwalk.”

The spring/summer 2013 edition will take place at David Pecaut Square, Toronto from October 22 to 26.