The clothes don’t make the man, but a good suit doesn’t hurt

By: Hilary Caton

Theo Garfinkle gave his best model stride as he strutted down the catwalk to cheers and applause at the 14th annual Suits Me Fine Fashion Show in an ensemble that has become a point of pride.

“I love what I’m wearing. They gave me a suit. It’s a Ralph Lauren Polo suit, light grey color, perfect for summer. Very fitted, very tapered.  It’s a great look,” Theo says grinning.

His admiration quickly grew to gratitude when he learned he’d be taking the suit home with him— free of charge and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

“My sister is having a Bat Mitzvah (for her daughter) and I’ve been invited to a wedding in June, so I actually have something to wear,” he says.

“It’s pretty uncomfortable when you’re going somewhere and you don’t have anything to wear and suits are kind of hard to borrow because it may not fit… I’m just very happy to get what I got for the fashion show.”

This was Theo’s first time taking part in the show despite having been a client at CAMH for about two decades on and off for addiction treatment. 

The show was hosted by an energetic and warm Jeanne Beker.  All the models were CAMH clients who not only go to keep their outfits, they also chose them themselves. This year’s theme was all about loving yourself and it showed as each model worked the catwalk.

“The significance of this year’s fashion show is being able to recognize that when you love yourself you can overcome anything,” says Norma Mcdowall, Volunteer Coordinator with Volunteer Resources who’s helping organize the show.

“Loving yourself takes strength and courage.”

To Theo , participating in the show is part of recovery. He says, when you really look at your actions, it’s all working towards recovery.

“Everything is part of your recovery. Everything.  Recovery isn’t just with your group or your therapist at CAMH. It stays when you leave the group and when you come back. Recovery is also everything in between,” he says.

Teddy first went to CAMH’s Suits Me Fine years ago where he was able to pick up some basics: sweatshirts and pants. He also got a collared shirt, something he admits he’s never owned before setting foot in the store and he’s been grateful ever since.

“During different times in my life when I didn’t have any clothes they gave me stuff to wear.  Usually I take things, people don’t usually give me things,” Theo says, alluding to his shoplifting past that helped finance his drug addiction.

He’s been working on his recovery every day. He was once four-and-a-half years clean and was able to see his son again after years of separation.  And with the help of Suits Me Fine, he was able to dress appropriately for the occasion.

“I really didn’t have much of anything. I know people say it’s what on the inside that counts but I wanted to feel good on the outside,” Theo explains.

“I never worked so hard for those clothes, so I could feel good on the outside when I saw my son again.”

Being a part of the fashion show, Theo adds, is more like being a member of club, which holds a lot of importance for him because he often feels out of place.

“The thing is, being an addict and having some mental health issues, I feel like I don’t belong. I just don’t belong anywhere. The only place I have a membership to is the gym and I really belong there,” he says.

“But when it comes to walking down the street, or going to a wedding or a family affair, I just feel like I don’t have a membership. But with CAMH they’ve somehow expanded the membership into the community.”

With that being said, it doesn’t mean Theo is entirely comfortable strutting his stuff down the runway today, but he’s committed to the cause.

“I may be a bit uncomfortable, I’d like it if they just gave me the suit but that’s not how this works,” he says with a laugh.

“I’m happy to do it.  I want to give back.”