Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre will become home to Tom Ford’s first standalone store in Canada. Construction is already underway, with signage now visible on hoarding within the mall’s newest luxury wing. The store will span approximately 3,100 square feet and bring together Tom Ford’s men’s and women’s collections under one roof, a first for the Canadian market.
Yorkdale, owned and managed by Oxford Properties, has become Canada’s premier destination for luxury retail, attracting global brands eager to establish flagship locations. This opening underscores Yorkdale’s position as the top choice for luxury retailers entering or expanding in Canada.
The upcoming Tom Ford boutique will occupy a prominent location in Yorkdale’s new luxury wing between Loewe, which opened at Yorkdale last year, and a Dior flagship that is set to open Tuesday of this week. Across the aisle, two of the mall’s largest luxury flagships are also on the way: Saint Laurent will unveil an expanded 11,000-square-foot location this fall, while Gucci is set to open a 12,000-square-foot store in 2026.
The new luxury wing has quickly become a hub for some of the world’s most prestigious brands, with recent openings including Brunello Cucinelli, Versace, Jimmy Choo, Maison Margiela, Rimowa, Loro Piana, and others. This cluster of top-tier retailers creates a critical mass of luxury offerings that is drawing both domestic and international shoppers.
Brokerage DWSV Realty, led by David Wedemire and Stan Vyriotes, represented Tom Ford in the lease transaction.
Tom Ford’s Canadian Presence to Date
While this will be the first dedicated Tom Ford store in Canada, the brand has maintained a presence through select wholesale partners. Tom Ford menswear is available in dedicated shop-in-shops at several Harry Rosen locations nationwide, and Holt Renfrew operates Tom Ford menswear boutiques at its Vancouver and Montreal flagships. Holt Renfrew previously carried the women’s collection in Toronto and Vancouver, but the Yorkdale opening marks the first time that Canadian shoppers will have access to the full range of men’s and women’s ready-to-wear collections, accessories, and footwear in a single standalone space.
Industry insiders have talked about Tom Ford seeking retail space for Canada for years, with Toronto and Vancouver often mentioned as key markets. While Yorkdale has now been confirmed, it remains to be seen whether Tom Ford will pursue additional locations in Vancouver or other Canadian cities.
The Rise of Tom Ford as a Global Luxury Brand
Tom Ford founded his namesake label in 2005 after his highly influential tenure as creative director at Gucci, where he was widely credited with revitalizing the brand. Under Ford’s direction, the Tom Ford brand quickly became synonymous with refined glamour, introducing menswear, accessories, eyewear, and fragrance lines that set a new standard for modern luxury.
One of the brand’s earliest successes was the 2006 launch of “Tom Ford Black Orchid,” a fragrance that remains a global bestseller. Tom Ford eyewear, produced in collaboration with Marcolin Group, has become a defining product category, instantly recognizable for its sleek design and signature “T” motif.
Over the years, Tom Ford has dressed celebrities, politicians, and cultural icons, including Michelle Obama, Beyoncé, and Daniel Craig in several James Bond films. The brand’s association with red-carpet style and popular culture has cemented its status as one of the most influential names in fashion.
Corporate Evolution and Brand Direction
In 2023, Tom Ford sold his brand in a landmark transaction: The Estée Lauder Companies became the sole owner of all Tom Ford trademarks and intellectual property, while Ermenegildo Zegna Group entered a long-term license to operate the global fashion business, including ready-to-wear, accessories, and retail. Tom Ford stepped down as creative director in April 2023 and was succeeded by Peter Hawkings, whose tenure lasted until July 2024;
Haider Ackermann is the incoming creative director for 2025. Zegna now leads Tom Ford’s global fashion strategy, including direct-to-consumer expansion, with a target of approximately 100 stores worldwide by 2030, focusing on major luxury markets across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
