'Elegance personified': Canadian menswear mogul Harry Rosen dies at 92

Harry Rosen, who created one of Canada's most prominent menswear chains, has died. He was 92. Rosen's eldest son confirmed his father's death in a statement.

Harry Rosen, who founded one of Canada's most prominent menswear retail chains, has died. He was 92.

Rosen's eldest son confirmed his father's Dec. 24 death in a statement.

"It’s with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our founder and visionary Harry Rosen," Harry Rosen Inc., chairman and CEO Larry Rosen, said on Dec. 25. "His passion for menswear and fashion was contagious; his ability to teach and inspire were unparalleled."

Founded in Toronto in 1954, the Harry Rosen retail chain grew from a single made-to-measure store to a leading destination for high-end menswear in Canada, with 15 locations and five outlet stores across Canada.

"Starting with a $500 loan and a dream, Harry willed his business into existence one client at a time," Larry Rosen said. "The team he built and the values he instilled have helped the business span across the country, three generations, and nearly 70 years. Words simply can’t summarize the impact he had on us all."

Harry Rosen was born and raised in Toronto to a Jewish family. After 51 years, he stepped back from the company's day-to-day operations in 2005 but continued to advise his son and senior management as executive chairman.

Speaking to CTV News Channel on Monday, friend and fashion journalist Jeanne Beker described Rosen as "elegance personified."