Homecoming with Mark Giordano

Homecoming with Mark Giordano

Determined and genuine are a couple of words that sprung to mind when first chatting to NHL veteran Mark Giordano. As we walked through the streets of Toronto, it’s clear the love he has for the city and his joy at returning after many years abroad and over in Calgary. We had plenty in common and much to learn, as we too find ourselves creating a new home here.

With our first flagship store opening in Yorkville, it seemed the perfect time to welcome our first Canadian to our growing list of collaborators. The hockey star and Toronto native curated a made-to-measure collection designed as tribute to the city, captured in places close to his heart as he toured us around his Toronto. Each look is tailored to a different aspect of Mark’s life in hockey and beyond the rink, so we wanted to deep dive into his pieces and the stories behind them.

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For game day

Captured outside his new home ground, the Scotiabank Arena, this look was created as the ultimate confidence boost for game days. The suit is a perfect combo of bold design and comfort – a double-breasted suit with wide peak lapels in a special striped gray wool. It’s a super soft S130 wool flannel by Drago that’s noted for its natural breathability and a stretchiness that will ensure he can keep his cool on the way to the rink or in front of the press. He paired for peak sophistication, with warm and classic pieces: a flannel Oxford shirt, striped jacquard tie, and black calfskin Derbies. It’s what he feels his best in, a vital element to his prep as Maple Leaf’s defenceman.

"I've had some suits made for me, but not on this level. I'm a pretty casual guy in my day-to-day life, but I have always enjoyed looking good because it makes me feel good. It can lift a person up. I like to approach fashion in that way. I love a classic look. Especially when going to home games: in my eyes it helps the mental state when you just look sharp in every way before you need to perform."

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For family weekends

Coming from an Italian culture, family is an important part of Mark’s life. Keen to spend as much time with his kids as possible, this outfit was curated for their adventures together. We hit his local neighborhood to capture the pieces perfected for cold Toronto weekends.

The outerwear: a taupe car coat made from brushed wool-cashmere, layered with a cozy flannel utility jacket in timeless camel. The rest are casual classics, made more elevated with their fabrics and details. The turtleneck is new this season and one of our favorites – a sophisticated silk and cashmere blend you can wear all year round. It’s paired with quality selvedge jeans and water-resistant parajumper boots with some brogue detailing that brings a smarter vibe to the heavier style. He crafted all these essentials in versatile colors across the board for maximum wearability and pairability.

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For Team Giordano

Mark’s greatest achievements aren’t limited to the rink. Though he’s taken home the Norris Trophy, he is just as celebrated for his philanthropic work. A few years ago Mark and his wife created Team Giordano, a foundation focused on educational projects for the underprivileged. This all-blue look was curated as a uniform-of-sorts for this work.

Specially-designed with a Team Giordano patch, the utility suit is sharp and practical for all-day outings in the community. Crafted from a flannel blend by Botto Giuseppe with softness, breathability, and a little stretch – no need to worry about creasing while on the road. Mark wears a merino polo knit underneath and paired with low-top leather sneakers to stay comfy. The hooded car coat is optional, for when he’s out and about. It’s made from a waterproof and wind resistant 3-layer technical fabric to ensure he can do his thing rain, hail or shine.

“If you are able to help others, you should feel obligated to help. That’s what I’ve learned in life. It took me a while to figure that out, which is totally fine, but I’m very happy and proud of where it has taken me."

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For Celebrating

Last but not least, Mark created a look for celebrating the milestones in his life. We captured it in one of his favorite restaurants where he celebrated his homecoming: NODO. It’s a 3-piece tux with a bit of a twist.

Instead of your standard black tuxedo, Mark went for a modern Neapolitan blue with a subtle shine and wide peak lapels. It’s made from a high-end blend of wool and mohair worthy of those special occasions. His shoes? Equally luxe and statement making – velvet loafers with our party-ready plain toe. To balance it all out, he kept the rest of his styling classic with a tuxedo shirt and satin bow tie. It’s a beautiful mix of modern and classic for those awards events and inevitable wins.

Want more?

Get inspired by the homecoming collection to create your own pieces or read the full interview now.