On Tuesday October 28, Toronto’s Cultural Goods Gallery on Dupont Street hosted the latest Tilley Sport fashion show, marking the debut of the brand’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection. The event represented another milestone for the performance-lifestyle label under the creative direction of Kim Newport-Mimran, who continues to evolve the brand’s aesthetic and market reach.
Just five months earlier, Newport-Mimran had presented the first Tilley Sport collection at a pop-up within Holt Renfrew Bloor Street, signalling the brand’s high-fashion ambitions. This week’s show expanded that vision further, introducing new technical fabrics, colours, and accessories to an audience of industry professionals, athletes, and design enthusiasts.
In an interview following the show, Kim Newport-Mimran, Creative Director of Tilley Sport, shared her approach to the evolving line. “I love to build on collections,” she explained. “You start with the new colours, and I love retro references in the sport arena. This collection feels fresh and modern while grounded in the athletic lifestyle that’s inspiring fashion right now.”
The SS26 line reflects Newport-Mimran’s ongoing fascination with the convergence of sport and style. “We’re looking at trends where you see celebrities courtside at basketball games,” she said. “Sport is having a moment, and I’m happy to be a fashion designer entering into it.”
The new collection embraces the idea of versatility — clothing that transitions effortlessly from the course to the city. Highlights include breathable polos, skorts, and lightweight windbreakers, all made from technical fabrics with moisture management and antimicrobial finishes. Many pieces also feature UPF sun protection, aligning with the brand’s outdoor heritage.
Elevated Accessories and Design Details
Accessories played a major role in the SS26 presentation, reflecting a growing emphasis on lifestyle integration. “We designed gym bags in canvas and leather,” Newport-Mimran noted. “Some of them were styled to show how they complement the look. Little bags for sun, tennis, or golf. It’s a twist on elevated style, tying it all together with scarves and textures.”
This balance of utility and sophistication is consistent with the broader direction of Tilley Sport, which has positioned itself at the intersection of athletic functionality and designer refinement. Subtle preppy details, reimagined argyle patterns, and fresh tones of pine green and sand underscored the SS26 palette. “I really loved that neutral story,” said Newport-Mimran. “I loved taking an argyle and reworking a traditional pattern into something new.”
A Rapid Expansion Across Canada
In the five months since its first major showcase, Tilley Sport has achieved significant retail growth. Newport-Mimran revealed that distribution has expanded dramatically through Canada’s top golf clubs. “We went from being in three to 50,” she shared. “It’s been really exciting because this market takes you from the course to the clubhouse. It’s fashion that fits active lifestyles.”
The brand’s rapid adoption in premium golf settings highlights its ability to resonate with both sport enthusiasts and style-conscious consumers. From Fairmont resorts to elite private clubs, the collection’s mix of technical innovation and refined design has found strong traction.
Tilley Sport products are also featured at Tilley’s corporate stores on Ossington Avenue in Toronto and in Oakville, as well as online. This multi-channel strategy, balancing heritage retail with contemporary sport distribution, has positioned the brand for continued growth.
Building on Tilley’s Canadian Heritage
Tilley Sport is a modern evolution of Tilley Endurables, the storied Canadian outfitter founded in Toronto in 1980 by Alex Tilley. The brand built its reputation on durable travel apparel and the world-famous Tilley Hat, known for its lifetime guarantee and performance under extreme conditions.
Now owned by Gibraltar & Company since 2018, Tilley’s reimagining under Newport-Mimran and her husband Joe Mimran, best known for Club Monaco and Joe Fresh, marks a deliberate shift toward lifestyle luxury and performance fashion.
“Tilley is an iconic Canadian name,” said Newport-Mimran. “My goal has been to evolve that heritage into something relevant for today’s customer…someone who wants performance, but also wants to look great doing it.”
Fashion Meets Function
Under Newport-Mimran’s direction, Tilley Sport has found its niche in the growing market for fashion-led athleticwear. The line includes technical knits, compression pieces, and tailored silhouettes that emphasize function without compromising style.
“I love working in this performance function, effortless style,” she said. “When you shop retail, you often see a beautiful item, but you don’t always see how it comes together. I love showing how to wear it, how it fits into real life.”
Her design philosophy centres on engineering garments for longevity and adaptability, a nod to Tilley’s legacy of craftsmanship. Each piece in the collection is designed to perform in active settings while maintaining a level of polish suitable for travel or leisure.
From Holt Renfrew to the Green
The Tilley Sport Spring/Summer 2026 Collection represents a balance between heritage craftsmanship and forward-thinking innovation. Following the success of its Holt Renfrew showcase, the brand’s Toronto show reaffirmed its momentum and growing influence.
Fashion insiders noted the collection’s ability to merge technical athleticwear with a luxury aesthetic, a niche that has gained significant traction in the post-pandemic market. With pickleball, golf, and casual sportwear now driving lifestyle trends, Tilley Sport’s focus on refined performance design places it at the forefront of this shift.
Attendees echoed the positive reception, with many praising the “sport-luxe” sensibility of the SS26 lineup and its strong sense of identity.
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