Coco Rocha
Modest Toronto born Irish dancer Coco Rocha may have not known much about fashion when she started modeling at 16, but things have certainly changed for her. Since being discovered she has appeared on the cover of Vogue magazine, and modeled for the worlds hottest designers from Marc Jacobs to Stella McCartney. But what truly makes her a fashion icon is the way she uses her passion for fashion to raise money for charity. In 2009 she began Strut for Cure, a fashion show to raise money and awareness for children with cancer. Knowing about fashion is one thing, but using it to inspire and help people in need is truly iconic.
DSquared
Twins really do, do everything together. At least that is true in the case of Canadian twin bothers Dean and Dan Catenacci who grew up together, attended design school together, and started a successful women’s clothing line together. The duo is now based in Milan where they feature their Italian- and pop culture-inspired designs at Milan Fashion week, and provide clothing for countless celebrities. The duo is now considered to be one of the top designers in the world, and even though they now live in Milan, they were born and raised in Canada so we can still take credit for them.
Daria Werbowy
This top model may have been born in Poland, but she grew up in Missisauga Ontario, and holds both Canadian and Ukrainian citizenship. She started her career by winning a National modeling contest and was then signed to Elite Models where her career took flight. Not only does she look good in magazines and on the runway, but also she has impeccable yet effortlessly casual street style that frequently lands her on the most popular fashion blogs. She was the second Canadian model to land a star on the Canadian Walk of Fame. Not only is she a top model in Canada, but also she is ranked number six on Forbes’ The World’s Top-Earning Models list.
Jeanne Beker
When you think of the Canadian fashion industry, probably the first person that comes to mind is Jeanne Beker. Jeanne is the ultimate example of the transformation of people in the fashion media into opinion leaders and celebrities in their own right. Beker has worked in entertainment for most of career; everywhere from 1050 CHUM, to CityTv, to MuchMusic. But she is best known as the quirky and captivating host of FashionTelevision. Jeanne worked from the ground up to create her role in the Canadian, and worldwide fashion industry. She created her own job at FashionTelevision and she even created the internet’s first fashion website; @Fashion. If that’s not a fashion icon, I don’t know what is!
Tommy Ton
Who can say they have a major influence on the wardrobe choices of one of the editors of Vogue magazine? Canadian fashion blogger Tommy Ton can put that on his resume, along with running a hit fashion blog, photographing for Style.com and GQ, and sitting front row during all the major fashion weeks. Despite reaching major stardom within the fashion industry, Ton remains grounded and still posts daily to his personal blog. And you know he is a true fashionable Canadian because he grew up watching Jeanne Beker on FashionTelevision, just like the rest of us!
