ABOUT US

How it all began...

Our history begins in 1996 in Toronto, Ontario. After a brief stint as a haberdashery sales rep, I realized it was time to venture out on my own. I decided to combine my entrepreneurial spirit with a lifelong interest in fashion, and after meeting with several clothing mills in Como, Italy, I began importing and distributing neckwear to small independent menswear stores. For the first eight years of this journey, my wife Silvana and I ran the business from home while tending to our five young children. I would go out selling by day and would be picking orders by night, and Silvana would ship and invoice while holding down the fort.

The business eventually expanded enough to move operations out of our home and into a warehouse and showroom in a mid-town fashion district. Today, we proudly operate out of 10 times the space compared to our humble beginnings. Our number one priority has always been, and remains to be, offering value and loyalty to our customers through our quality product and quality service. 

7 Downie St.

In 2006, our flagship brand was born: 7 Downie St. I’m always asked about the meaning behind the name, especially given my love for all things Italian. My favourite spot on the Earth is London, England and particularly, Piccadilly Circus. On one of many trips to London, I was inspired to use a UK-based theme for our new brand. I wanted to make sure the name incorporated the number 7—my favourite number, and the number of members in my family, without whom our business could never have flourished. Drawing inspiration from the famed 10 Downing Street, I decided on 7 Downie St. And of course, I wanted our brand imagery to incorporate some English icons like Big Ben, The Tower Bridge, and the Union Jack.