Fashion Design Battle Royale

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 13, 2012) -

Editors Note: There is a photo associated with this press release.

The Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI) has just announced the four finalists selected for the 2012 TFI New Labels(R) Competition. The annual design competition, taking place May 3rd, 2012, will be a part of TFI25, a gala fundraising event at the ROM Crystal in celebration of the non-profit's 25th anniversary. After months of judging sessions and eliminations, the designers will showcase their Fall/Winter 2012 collections on the runway for Toronto top media and fashion industry elite.

THE FINALISTS

From dynamic duos to fierce soloists, this year's finalists are heating up the competition with their innovation and creative flair. Finalists include Montreal-based Patrick L'Arrivee's namesake outerwear brand, Toronto-based team Genevieve Pearson and Stanley Capobianco's luxurious outerwear label Jameson Kane, unisex label (blak) - i by Toronto-based Diego Fuchs and Helder Aguiar and Edmonton's Sid Neigum's experimental, self-titled label.

FASHION ROYALTY

With the recent involvement of philanthropist Suzanne Rogers, who will donate $25,000 to the Most Promising New Label the finalists are dueling it out to win more than $60,000 in prizes. This includes a full-page feature in FLARE Magazine and a design studio at the Toronto Fashion Incubator sponsored by Arie Assaraf of TNT Boutiques. Suzanne Rogers will sparkle as honorary chair of the gala, accompanied by fashion industry insider judges Arie Assaraf, Derick Chetty, Toronto Star, TFI president David Dixon and Lisa Tant, editor-in-chief, FLARE Magazine.

Adding more celebrity excitement to the event is award-winning performer Jully Black, who will be emcee for the evening! Canadian-born "Queen of R&B", Black will take to the stage under familiar spotlight to entertain guests at the event. Offering insight into the talent that has been nurtured over the last quarter-of-a-century, TFI25 will also feature an installation of 25 looks from the past 25 years curated by FLARE Magazine's award-winning fashion editor Elizabeth Cabral on display at the event.

Guests will be floored by these upcoming fashion stars and enjoy an evening of delicious hors d'oeuvres catered by L'Eat, an open bar, musical entertainment featuring recording artist Anastasia A and an after-party. VIP and Patron guests will also receive a gourmet plated dinner, champagne reception and seating for the fashion shows. For tickets & event information, please visit www.TFI25.com.

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, Los Angeles, Chicago, London, Melbourne, Auckland, Amsterdam, 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 @TorontoFashion.

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