For immediate release:
Scholars and fashion industry experts will meet at Ryerson University’s Digital Media Zone to discuss the social value and business opportunities of advancing height inclusion in menswear—on Tuesday February 13, 2018, from 6-8pm. This event is free and open to the general public.
Judging by the sizing of apparel available in North America, shorter men don’t exist. Men who are shorter than the 5’ 8” cut off of standard sizing are out of luck when looking for clothes. But shorter men—often people of colour—actually make up about 33 percent of the Canadian and American fashion markets. This panel will explore the social and economic implications of expanding the current menswear sizing system to include shorter men, and will include visuals of new menswear and footwear for shorter men.
Height discrimination means that shorter men cannot afford not looking sharp. Yet all they can purchase are garments that aren’t designed to fit their bodies. “Apparel designed for men of modest height will positively impact trans men as well,” says School of Fashion Professor Navarro Delgado. Often shorter cisgender men and trans men must buy clothes in the children’s sections, or pay to alter their garments, or are forced to spend more to get them custom made.
A panel of experts in apparel manufacturing, clothing fit, men’s image, and 3D body scanning technology, along with scholars, will explore these issues. “Addressing the lack of apparel for men of modest height will make the fashion industry more inclusive and makes business sense,” adds Professor Navarro Delgado.
Confirmed panelists include Marilyn McNeil-Morin (Toronto Fashion Exchange director and an expert in apparel manufacturing and fit), Leah Morrigan (manager of model relations for Toronto Men’s Fashion Week and a men’s image expert for the Toronto Star), and John Fijen (managing director of American 3D body scanning and imaging company [TC]² Labs LLC).
The Height Inclusion for Menswear Panel takes place Tuesday February 13 at the Digital Media Zone (DMZ) from 6 to 8 pm. This panel is a coordinated effort between the Menswear Size Inclusion Study (Sastro Circle), the Fashion Zone, and the Research Centre for Fashion Diversity and Social Change.
The DMZ is located at 10 Dundas St. East, Suite 600. Toronto, ON M5B 2G9
Tickets available via Eventbrite, and seating is limited.
For media inquires about this event or about the Menswear Size Inclusion Study, please contact:
Asst. Prof. Henry Navarro Delgado
hnavarro@reyerson.ca
647 709 1004
