About Us
ZALE Apparel was founded by Akil Thomas and Ethan Low when they were 15 years old. What began as just a hobby, ZALE Apparel is now a Toronto-rooted clothing brand run by best friends who are dedicated to creating versatile products that you genuinely enjoy wearing.
ZALE's philosophy and slogan “See Beyond” serves as our brand identity and fuels our creative process. Being a part of ZALE means pushing beyond your "boundaries" and not conforming to society's expectations. ZALE embodies a blend of talent from many different industries and has allowed us to come together and convey our ingenuity through different collections and products. This is our way of sharing stories and experiences while also showcasing our development as a brand.
Since its inception in 2015, ZALE has had incredible support from all over the world and we hope you continue to follow us on our journey.
Meet The Team
Learn about the people behind the brand and their stories
Co-Founder
Akil Thomas
Akil Thomas is the Co-Founder of Zale Apparel. As a young entrepreneur he started a T-shirt business when he was only 13 years old. Using an online t-shirt printing company to customize hockey themed t-shirts to sell friends, Akil was able to buy his own transportation tickets to school without having to ask his parents for money.
After realized the support and larger market for clothing Akil founded Zale Apparel with the help of Ethan Low. Akil now is a professional hockey player for the La kings and works on Zale during his time away from the rink. He oversees' the business as a whole and drives the creativity for each collection.
Creative Director
Patrick Romain
Born and raised in Toronto, Patrick grew up with a passion for playing sports and fashion. He has since ventured into the creative industry, where he now works as an Art Director in Advertising. Patrick aspires to bring his unique creative vision to the fashion world.
As the Creative Director at ZALE, Patricks collaborates closely the team to lead the brand’s creative endeavors. He develops new original ideas bringing a new perspective on fashion and brand development.
Customer Operations
Paul Akouris
Growing up in Toronto, Paul developed a deep passion for both sports and fashion. His friendship with Akil began when they became neighbors shortly after Akil moved to Canada, and their bond deepened as teammates on the ice. Similarly, Paul and Ethan connected during their minor hockey days, forging a close friendship that united the three.
Paul holds a Bachelor of Medical Sciences in Biochemistry and a Master of Science in Microbiology and Immunology from Western University. Now a medical student at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, he balances his rigorous academic journey with his enthusiasm for fashion and streetwear. As the Director of Customer Operations at Zale, Paul is dedicated to delivering excellence while fostering meaningful connections with customers.