Marilyn Brooks

Born

  • Binghamton, New York

Education

  • Wayne University, Michigan
  • Ontario College of Art, Toronto

Career 

  • Display Director, Franklin-Simons, Detroit stores, 1959-1961
  • Display Director, John Northway & Sons, Toronto, 1961-1963
  • Owner, Unicorn Boutique, Toronto, 1963 – 1970
  • President & CEO, Marilyn Brooks Boutiques Inc., 1970 – Present

Awards

  • “Judy Award” for Merchandising Excellence, Marilyn Brooks Boutique, 1986
  • Festival of Fashion, Metropolitan Booth Award, Excellence of Design, 1989
  • City of Toronto, Award for Excellence in Fashion Design, 1993
  • Fashion Group International, Canadian Designer Award “Night of Stars 1995″
  • NOW Magazine Readers Choice Awards, Voted Best Fashion Designer, 1999

Honors and Recognition 

  • “Marilyn Brooks Day” declared by the City of Toronto for 25 years in Fashion, February 4th, 1988
  • International Academy of Merchandise & Design – Outstanding Dedication and Service to the Academy, 1990
  • Matinee Fashion Foundation grant recipient, 1999
  • Eaton Centre – Salute to the City Honouree, 1997
  • Order of Ontario recipient, 2000

Associations 

  • Toronto Ontario Designers – Founder, 1976
  • Fashion Group International – Regional Director, 1984
  • Color Marketing Group, U.S.A., 1988 to present
  • Fashion Designers Council of Canada – Former President, Member of the Advisory Board, February 2000
  • The Bloor-Yorkville Business Improvement Association – Board Member, 1993-1997

Selected Credits 

  • “Coliseum 1970″ Canadian National Exhibition, biggest fashion show in North America
  • “Making it with Marilyn”, television program series, Citytv, 1971-1972, Ivan Reitman, director
  • Costume designer for Doug Henning’s “The Magic Show”, Toronto, 1973, Ivan Reitman, director
  • Expo 1986, uniform designer for the Ontario Pavilion

Community Involvement 

  • Seneca College – Member of the Advisory Board, 1970 – 1977
  • Ryerson Polytechnic University, Toronto – Member of the Advisory Board School of Fashion, 1999 to present
  • Hospital of Sick Children, Toronto – avid supporter and fundraiser for the last 6 years “Dress a Bear” campaign
  • Parkinson Foundation – Hon. Chairperson, “Cut A Thon”, 1990-96
  • City of Toronto economic development Committee – Toronto/Chicago “twinning” project for fashion export
  • UNICEF – product developments
  • “Honorary Big Brother” – Fundraising contributions
  • Fashion Cares – participation in all annual events for the fight against AIDS
  • Trans Canada Trail – supporter and fundraiser
  • Frequent speaker and lecturer at business organizations, universities, colleges and high schools

Other Interests 

  • Relaxing at her Cottage on Lake Rosseau.
  • Drawing, decorating, cooking, entertaining, gardening, sewing, teaching and travel, travel, travel, travel.