Farewell to Duke of the Danforth
Toronto mourns the loss of a Canadian men’s fashion icon.
Saul Korman — the clothier known as the Duke of the Danforth — has died. His death was announced on Sunday night, on his Facebook page. No cause was given. He was 86.
“Legend, icon, mentor, hero. Thank you for everything. Thank you for helping shape Canadian men’s fashion through your passion, dedication, and most of all love for people. You are one of a kind, irreplaceable, and simply the best,” read the uncredited post.
As president of Korry’s Clothiers to Gentlemen, Korman was a man about town, taking a personal approach to his store’s radio ads by voicing them himself.
His death was mourned from city hall to those that knew him because of his radio appearances.
“We will never again see the likes of Saul Korman, the Duke of the Danforth,” tweeted Mayor John Tory. “He was much more than the owner of a men’s clothing store, one I shopped in.
“He was the ambassador, the salesperson, the inspiration that helped make the whole of the Danforth what it is today: a destination. My condolences to his wonderful family and to all of his many friends. We will miss him and we will miss hearing his voice on the radio.”
Former Sportsnet 590 The Fan host Bob McCown — on whose show Korman frequently advertised — also tweeted his condolences.
“Saul was a dear friend for at least 40 years … one of the kindest, most generous people I’ve ever known. He suffered so much sadness in his life, losing two of his children and his wife,” tweeted McCown. “Through it all, he soldiered on … anyone who knew him will feel immense sadness with this news.”
Korman eschewed buying off the rack “unless you’re a member of the one per cent of the population with a totally standardized frame … If the jacket moves independently of you, it is either possessed by demons or too ill-fitting or low quality.”