IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Toronto Life magazine celebrates Roots as one of Canada’s best fashion brands

Last week, Toronto Life magazine held its 40th anniversary party, featuring an exhibit celebrating the works of top Canadian designers. Co-Founders Don Green and Michael Budman attended the event at which Roots was spotlighted as part of the exhibit’s commemorative look at Canadian fashion.

Asked to provide a retro outfit, Roots supplied four fashion staples in the company’s history: the New Matthew’s Jacket; a Roots Beaver Athletics (RBA) T-shirt; Vintage Sweatpants; and a pair of Negative Heel Shoes.

The vintage athletic jacket was designed in 1992 for the movie Indian Summer which featured Don Green and Michael Budman as characters. Roots created the wardrobe for the film.

The RBA T-shirt was introduced in 1985 as both a T-shirt and sweatshirt. It was a huge success in the 1980s and soon became a casual wear icon. Roots vintage sweatpants hit stores in 1979 and marked the beginning of the long lasting quality “sweats” the company is still known for. The negative heel shoes were the only product for sale when Roots first opened its doors in 1973.

“My main mandate for this archival collection was to feature some of Canada’s best and talented designers over the last 40 years,” says Exhibit Coordinator Farley Chatto. “And a Canadian fashion review is not complete without Roots being involved. They are one of our most noted brands worldwide.”

Other Canadian designers featured in the exhibition included Linda Lundström, Franco Mirabelli, Sunny Choi, Phillip Dubuc, David Dixon and Alfred Sung.

Toronto Life is one of Canada’s most accomplished city magazines, highly respected by both residents and visitors.