As the year winds down and the holiday season draws near, it is once again time to celebrate with a festive dinner. This gathering has become an annual tradition of ours, an opportunity to come together for a night of tantalizing food and stimulating conversation.
With fourteen extraordinary men in one room, it also offers a chance to explore finding oneself in formality. When we invite our guests, we also invite them to blur the lines of black tie and experiment with expectation. This year, we convened in the private dining cellar of a Toronto institution, Barberian’s Steak House.
NHL HOCKEY PLAYER FOR THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS
Mark joined us in the tuxedo created for our first-ever collaboration together: a luxurious three-piece crafted with his signature wide peak lapels. An ideal mix of classic and modern, the NHL player's black-tie look combines a contemporary blue hue and velvet plain toe loafers with a more traditional shirt and bow tie.
AHL HOCKEY PLAYER FOR THE TORONTO MARLIES
Pro-hockey player Joseph Blandisi made a statement from head to toe. The Toronto Marlies forward embraced color and texture with his eggplant velvet jacket, finishing strong with the shine and extra adornment of patent tassel loafers. Classically styled with a studded white shirt, black S150 wool trousers, satin bow tie and hand-stitched pocket square.
SPORTS, TECH AND MEDIA EXEC
Canadian businessman and former president of Rogers, Jordan Banks offers a fresh take on timeless elegance. In a sophisticated shade of midnight blue, his tuxedo is quietly decorated with a jacquard paisley – a captivating detail revealing itself only in certain lighting. He opted to finish his black-tie attire with a crisp white cotton tuxedo shirt, black satin bow tie, and calfskin oxfords.
FILM AND TELEVISION WRITER, PRODUCER AND DIRECTOR
This black-tie ensemble by film director Clement Virgo offers up traditional style with a sophisticated twist. The tuxedo is a masterclass in subtlety with a barely-there paisley that only becomes visible when it touches the light. Styled classically with a pleated tuxedo shirt, satin bow tie, and calfskin oxfords.
ARTIST
Adam Markovic is an American painter and transplant to Niagara-on-the-Lake. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he prefers a more creative black-tie style: tonal meets texture. His distinctive look harmoniously blends various shades of midnight blue, accentuated by luxurious touches of velvet throughout. Styled here with his own patent shoes.
REALTOR AND FOUNDER OF THE STARKE GROUP
You might recognise realtor Brett Starke from the Amazon Prime series Luxe Listings Toronto. He certainly brought some luxury to the dinner with his wool-mohair tuxedo in a timeless midnight blue. A double-breasted jacket with wide peak lapels. Styled here with tuxedo shirt, black bow tie, white silk pocket square and black patent shoes.
HOST AND JOURNALIST AT SPORTSNET
Modern classic is sports anchor and journalist Donnovan Bennett's approach to black tie. While he maintains tradition in the silhouette, his choice of color and styling sets him apart. This particular green strikes a beautiful balance between festive and understated elegance. Completed with a white tuxedo shirt, black Ottoman bow tie, and green velvet plain toe loafers.
BECK FAMILY CEO OF TORONTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Master of the understated statement, TSO's CEO Mark Williams arrived in a deep navy blue tuxedo. In a modern twist on styling, he incorporates tonal and visually-captivating pieces: a slate blue sateen tuxedo shirt, midnight blue velvet bow tie, and matching plain toe loafers. From our ready-to-wear collection, his oversized bow tie adds a distinctive finish.
PARTNER AND AGENT AT RAZE SPORTS
Todd Reynolds' ensemble is classic sophistication with a particular reverence for comfort. The executive partner selected a black shawl-lapel tuxedo woven with stretch, combining it with an exceedingly breathable tuxedo shirt and our pliable plain toe loafers. Styled here with black satin bow tie and white cotton pocket square.
STORE LEADER, BUYER AND STYLE ADVISOR AT THE AM HOUSE TORONTO
Style advisor from Toronto Gaurav chose to completely challenge the conventions of black tie, arriving in a navy blue corduroy tuxedo. The suit was striking in more ways than one with a bold double-breasted silhouette. He opted to style his ensemble with elements of shine: a white checkerboard sateen shirt, midnight blue satin bow tie, and dark blue tassel loafers.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LEADER AND STYLE ADVISOR AT THE AM HOUSE TORONTO
If we had to choose one word to describe style advisor Vince it would be radiant. His tuxedo is crafted from a silvery wool-silk blend with a luster that is hard to beat. He continued to bring elements of shine through his look with a satin bow tie and patent tassel loafers. His pocket square is a special edition from the Atelier Munro archives.
STYLE ADVISOR AT THE AM HOUSE TORONTO
Jeffrey, a style advisor from the Atelier Munro House Toronto, curated look for the occasion that would make Sean Connery proud. The off-white bamboo tuxedo jacket features a little extra flair with its wide shawl lapels. Paired with luxurious pieces including all black wool-mohair trousers, satin bow tie, and patent plain toe loafers.
STYLE ADVISOR AT THE AM HOUSE TORONTO
One gent who certainly brought holiday spirit to the table was style advisor Kevin. It’s no secret velvet is one of our favorite fabrics for this time of year – and his rich, dark green dinner jacket is a prime example of why, radiating a blend of festivity and luxury. He kept his styling fairly formal with a pleated tuxedo shirt and black wool-mohair trousers, with the addition of a last touch of the decadent material on his black plain toe loafers too.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT
ATELIER MUNRO
Always playing with the boundaries of black tie, our creative director Joachim opted for a modern monochrome approach. He layered luxurious materials in dark blues and blacks: a wool-mohair suit, cotton poplin shirt, matching pocket square, Ottoman cummerbund, matching bow tie, and black velvet loafers.
The collection of black-tie attire is now available to order. Browse our made-to-measure looks to inspire your own.