TFI Gala Joins Forces with Barbie(R) to Celebrate 25th Anniversary

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 11, 2012) -

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In celebration of its 25th anniversary milestone, the Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI) has partnered with the iconic Barbie(R) to hand-select 25 top Canadian designers for a Barbie(R)-inspired fashion challenge - and the chance to win $10,000. The 25 art-as-fashion pieces will be unveiled at TFI25, a gala fundraiser being held at the Royal Ontario Museum on May 3, 2012.

The one-of-a-kind Barbie(R)-inspired gowns will be judged onsite at the event. The challenge includes a diverse array of 25 renowned and up-and-coming design talents, all members of the Toronto Fashion Incubator, including major labels VAWK, Arthur Mendonca, Farley Chatto, 2012 New Labels semi-finalist Jameson Kane and past TFI New Labels(R) winners Mila Yudina (Finkelshtein), Sarah Nicol and Eugenia Leavitt.

"TFI's 25th is an incredibly exciting and important landmark for our organization and we are thrilled to be working with a longstanding, renowned brand like Barbie," says Susan Langdon, Executive Director, Toronto Fashion Incubator. "Celebrating and supporting Canadian fashion is something that our like-minded companies hold in high regard and enlisting these fantastic design talents as a part of the event will reinforce the significance of what the TFI stands for." As Executive Director of the TFI for 18 years, Susan Langdon has inspired, mentored and supported hundreds of designers and fashion entrepreneurs. Committed to promoting Canada's fashion landscape, Langdon has harnessed valuable relationships and partnerships for TFI. TFI first brought in Barbie's iconic style in 2009 for TFI's New Labels(R) Design Competition.

"We're thrilled to bring Barbie(R) and TFI back together again for TFI's 25th Anniversary," says Mihiri Tillakaratne, Brand Manager, Mattel Canada. "This is a natural fit, as Barbie has served as muse to countless designers - it will be exciting to see what happens when TFI designers unveil their wearable art pieces inspired by the world's most iconic doll."

For TFI 25 Anniversary Gala VIP dinner tickets, VIP tables and patron tables, please contact TFI: 416.971.7117 ext 22.

For information about TFI25, please visit www.tfi25.com.

ABOUT MATTEL

Mattel, Inc. (www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. The Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Barbie(R), the most popular fashion doll ever introduced, Hot Wheels(R), Matchbox(R), American Girl(R), Radica(R) and Tyco(R) R/C, as well as Fisher-Price(R) brands, including Little People(R), Power Wheels(R) and a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. In 2011, Mattel was named as one of FORTUNE Magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" for the fourth year in a row, and also is ranked among Corporate Responsibility Magazine's "100 Best Corporate Citizens." With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs approximately 30,000 people in 43 countries and territories and sells products in more than 150 nations. At Mattel, we are "Creating the Future of Play."

ABOUT THE 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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