Hamilton is 5th largest fashion hub in Canada
Hamilton is home to the fifth largest cluster of fashion businesses in Canada. Yes, you read that right. We are number 5, behind Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Ottawa. Ottawa? Yes, Ottawa. But wait, there’s more. Hamilton is third in the country for number of fashion-related occupations, behind Toronto and Montreal. Turns out, Hamilton is a fashion powerhouse that includes designers, manufacturers and both online and brick-and-mortar retail.
Surprised? You’re not alone. But the numbers, which were gleaned from a 2016 Statistics Canada report, actually do mesh with what the city had been seeing and hearing anecdotally. Thanks to lower real estate prices than those you’ll find in the metropolis to the east, booming creative industries and a collaborative business community, Hamilton’s fashion industry is experiencing unprecedented growth.
“I think it’s where the city overall is in its development and that it tends to speak to people who are creative,” says Debbie Spence, business development consultant for creative industries within the planning and economic development department of the City of Hamilton. “Why filmmakers are attracted to us as a place to shoot here is because of the diversity within the locations and then the community — the community is fairly welcoming when it comes to people coming in.”
Spence points to clustering in areas like textile destination Ottawa Street, Locke Street, James Street and Upper Wentworth and Lime Ridge Mall to explain the fashion “clusters.” And Lynn Bebee, who opened Blackbird Studios with business partner Kerry Wade back in 2008, says that if you stop and think about it, yes, the numbers are surprising, but at the same time they’re really not.
“I was actually really surprised by that. But then after I really thought about it, it totally makes sense,” says Bebee. “I mean, look at Ottawa Street. We have supplies, we have the support. And you know, it does make sense. And
so dead on. I’m thrilled that we’re all working collaboratively together.”
That sense of community and collaboration among local businesses is noted by both Spence and Bebee as being key to the local fashion industry’s success.
“It builds an industry, and you know, if we were the only clothing shop on James Street, well people will come down to see us for sure,” says Bebee of their drive to bring along emerging designers. “But it would be better if there were more and it becomes a shopping district. So that’s the same way I feel about fashion, too. If there’s more of us, the events are bigger and better.”
To help build upon the industry success, the City of Hamilton hired local photography and videography specialists Style Group Co. to showcase 10 local designers in a slick look book and video it plans to promote to fashion industry players outside Hamilton, including buyers, costume departments and the film industry.
Shot on location in recognizable locations across the city like Gore Park, Whitehern, Cannon Knitting Mills and Auchmar House, the images present an ultraglam glimpse at designs by Angela DeMontigny, Blackbird Studios, Coppley, Defective Collective, Designs By Mallory, Eye of Faith, Karen McFarlane, The Thrifty Designer, Wickedness Loves Company, With Love Lingerie and Milli.
“So this year we did the video and the look book and then we … did a fashion show for the film industry,” says Spence of the city’s efforts to reach beyond individual consumers. “So it was directed to the film industry … not only from a youme customer but from an industry customer and then the next level.”
A recent trade show-style event at the Art Gallery of Hamilton also helped to showcase the work of local designers. And moving forward, Spence says the city will work to identify opportunities and work toward building on successes.
“I think it’s just a great story that’s happening right now,” says Bebee. “It’s just been a blessing that the city has finally recognized this industry. I mean, music, art have been supported and you know, fashion is an art process, too. So it’s really nice to get that acknowledgement.”