PAST SPEAKERS
Marilyn Brooks is the founding President of Toronto Ontario Designers (TOD) and the 1st President of the Fashion Designers Council of Canada (F.D.C.C), an association that promotes Canadian Designers locally and internationally. Marilyn has accumulated a number of achievements and awards including the Designer Achievement Award in 1993 and the Order of Ontario in 2000 in response to her outstanding contribution to the fashion industry and mentoring of young talent.
Stacey McKenzie was commissioned to work in markets around the globe including Europe, US, Asia and the Caribbean’s. She worked for the likes of Alexander McQueen, Betsy Johnson, Tommy Hilfiger, Todd Oldham and of course Jean Paul Gaultier. She has graced covers of Essence, Le Monde and Panache, and editorials in Vogue(U.S, Italian, British, Japan, Korean and Spanish), Harpers Bazaar, Interview, ID, The Face, and Vibe Magazines.
Dani Reiss heads the iconic outerwear company, Canada Goose. Founded in 1957 by his grandfather, the company can be seen everywhere from the South Pole research facilities and the Canadian High Arctic to the streets of New York City, Stockholm, Milan, Toronto and Tokyo. The Canada Goose brand has built an international reputation for quality, functionality and style.
“One of the 25 leaders of tomorrow” by Maclean’s Magazine, 24-year-old Ben Barry is the founder and CEO of Ben Barry Agency, a model consultancy headquartered in Toronto, Canada. His company scouts and sources models of all ages, sizes, colours, and abilities for fashion and beauty brands such as L’Oreal, Macy’s and Dove. Ben is author of the Canadian bestseller Fashioning Reality: A Generation of Entrepreneurship.
Harry Rosen is Executive Chairman of Harry Rosen Inc., which operates a chain of 16 better menswear stores in the 8 major markets in Canada. Harry Rosen claims a 40% share of the better quality menswear market and in 2004, celebrated 50 years in business. Harry has long been recognized as one of Canada’s most creative and innovative retailers. Over the years, he has been recognized by the Retail Council of Canada with the Retailer of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Award.
David established his label, David Dixon, in 1995. Starting out at the Toronto Fashion Incubator, a highly respected organization focused on assisting new designers, he began wholesaling and manufacturing his line. Four short years later, David left the Incubator to establish his own design and production studio based in Toronto. Today, David Dixon is sold across Canada, the United States, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, Germany, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
Q'BFFI is privileged to host some of the most influential and upcoming names in the fashion world. Engaging speakers educate delegates about all aspects of this dynamic industry, through both motivating keynote addresses and interactive seminars. Q’BFFI continues to attract industry leaders from both creative and business backgrounds.
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2012 SPEAKERS
Jillian completed her Commerce degree at Queen’s University and while there, studied abroad at Switzerland’s University of St. Gallen. Before Jillian began her career at fashion and lifestyle agency, Faulhaber Public Relations, she spent summers tackling Toronto’s real estate market and also interned with TC Transcontinental. Jillian now enjoys her role working with FPR’s home décor and arts clients, ranging from Canada’s design museum, the Design Exchange, to furniture brand, EQ3
Joanna Track is the Founder and CEO of eLUXE, Canada’s online shopping destination offering the best edit of global contemporary brands through engaging consumable content. She has over 15 years experience in marketing, business strategy, branding and advertising. Joanna has become one of the most well-known and respected digital entrepreneurs in Canada.
After a 16 year career as a flight attendant, Lida Lisney took over Inside Story Fine Lingerie in Oakville in 2003. As a result of her excellent customer service skills and her intrinsic flair for fashion, Lida grew Inside Story Fine Lingerie into Oakville’s favourite lingerie store, tripling annual sales by 2007. In April of 2011, she opened a second location in another upscale neighbourhood, Sherwood Forrest Village in Mississauga.
Ashlee Froese is a branding and fashion lawyer at Gilbert’s LLP in Toronto. Ashlee assists designers and companies protect their brands in Canada and internationally via intellectual property and social media laws. Ashlee is a board member of Fashion Group International – Toronto chapter and is a regular guest lecturer at various universities, colleges and industry organizations on branding and fashion law. Ashlee operates the website www.canadafashionlaw.com.
Zayna Mosam, BA(Hons), AICI, CIP Zayna is the director of Zayna Mosam Image Consulting, a Toronto based practice with clientele in Canada, the United States and various countries overseas. Services involve image and lifestyle management, communications coaching, etiquette and protocol, personal shopping, personal branding and styling, and public image development. Clients include those in industries such as finance, technology, communications, education, athletics, and entertainment.
Collectively Ashcroft, Kennedy and Richards share a cohesive vision about the business of fashion with placing a strong focus on representing new and emerging Canadian fashion designers. Their collaborative work includes working with designers Chloe Comme Parris, Sid Neigum, Laura Siegel, Cara Cheung, Travis Taddeo, Tosca Deflino Swim and Rad Hourani on site at Toronto Fashion Week during SS’12 and FW’12.
A PR fashion veteran, Genny worked in the PR/Marketing department of Canadian women's retailer Braemar for 8 years before heading up the internal PR team of national women's retailer Laura Canada. After 12 successful years with Laura Canada, Genny made a career change and is now the resident fashion expert on CBC's highly acclaimed Steven and Chris show. Genny is delighted to share her "PR lessons acquired from the field" with this year's Business Forum delegates.
Queen's Business Forum on the Fashion Industry