Fashion

Toronto's Fashion Santa Is Kinda Hot

by Marc Cuenco

Jolly Old St. Nick has undergone a stylish makeover for 2015. Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto's resident Santa Claus sports the trademark white beard, but the rest of his look is more Ralph Lauren than North Pole. So, who is Fashion Santa? Let's get to know the dapper gentleman who's giving Kris Kringle a dose of couture.

Fashion Santa is actually Canadian model Paul Mason, who has walked the runways of Paris, London, and New York. The stylish 50 year old has been modeling for over 30 years, with campaigns for Dolce and Gabbana, DKNY, and a cover of Australian Vogue under his belt. Last year, Mason was named one of the city's Best Dressed people by Toronto Life magazine. But his stint as Yorkdale's Fashion Santa is unlike anything he's ever done before.

"You get people that are a little confused, but once they think about it for a second, they warm up," Mason said. The gig also comes with a heartwarming benefit: The mall will donate a dollar to the SickKids Foundation for every selfie taken with him and posted with the hashtag #YorkdaleFashionSanta.

"The biggest similarity would be our approach," Mason said when asked what made his hipster Santa similar to the classic Claus. "We want to make people smile and bring joy and goodwill to everyone over the holidays."

Of course Fashion Santa checks the naughty and nice list on his iPhone.

Only Fashion Santa could make a freshly cut Christmas tree look chic.

Do you think Fashion Santa will sport a trendy, hipster-approved Glitter Beard for the holidays?

Want some fashion tips from Fashion Santa? He's got a sleigh-full of them.

Let's just say that Mason's Fashion Santa was not one of the five types of mall Santas that you'll encounter this holiday season.

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