Influential modeling agency Ford Models decides to leave Toronto

Word dropped late yesterday that Ford Models, the prestigious modeling agency behind famous faces like Christy Turlington, Twiggy and Christie Brinkley, is closing its Toronto branch at the end of the month. Ford has yet to explain the motives behind the surprise decision, but competitors speculated that Toronto is too small for the powerhouse agency, whose other offices are in New York, Paris, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and Rio de Janeiro. (According to one agency head, Toronto is “an amazing, amazing grooming ground, but it’s small, small potatoes compared to Paris and New York.”). Not a good sign for the city’s fashion scene, which is still waiting for IMG World’s recent purchase of Toronto Fashion Week to translate into some global recognition. [Toronto Star]