Canadian luxury menswear retail icon Harry Rosen has passed away at the age of 92. 

After founding the first menswear boutique on Parliament Street in Toronto in 1954, Rosen oversaw the company for 51 years until his eldest son, Larry Rosen, took over as chair and CEO in 2005. 

“For those of us who had the privilege of working alongside Harry, this news will be felt with sorrow,” said Larry Rosen. 

“His passion for our menswear and fashion was contagious; his ability to teach and inspire was unparalleled. For those who never had the opportunity to meet Harry, just know that so much of what our business looks like today stems from his incredible drive to outpace client expectations. Each of us plays a role in continuing Harry’s vision into tomorrow.”

Harry Rosen was the first to source luxury Italian designers including Ermenegildo Zegna and Giorgio Armani into Canada and helped develop fashion labels including Hugo Boss and Polo Ralph Lauren.

He also expanded the retail footprint with 19 stores across Canada and an e-commerce offering. 

The brand, Harry Rosen, focuses on helping Canadian men establish their style while also providing “personalised experiences across any customer touchpoint”. 

Further reading: Canadian grocery pioneer David F Sobey passes, colleagues pay tribute