In Loving Memory of our Editor-In-Chief,

Loretta Chin

BY JO JIN | 4 MIN READ

On July 28, 2025, BeSpoke’s Editor-in-Chief, Loretta Chin, passed away at her home in Toronto, Ont. Her death came as a shock to many, as she had kept her years-long battle with cancer private, sharing the struggle only with her closest circle. True to her nature, Loretta chose to live fully until the very end – working, traveling and surrounding herself with culture and the people she loved.

Loretta was born in Kowloon, Hong Kong, to Barbara “Peggy” and Dr. John Chin. The family later moved to London, England and settled in Canada in the late 60s; Loretta graduated from University of Toronto and began her career in journalism. She worked at the Toronto Star, Flare magazine, KINGWEST magazine and The Grid newspaper, often covering the fashion scene. This led to a successful decades-long career in styling, which later expanded into editorial work, commercials, and the world of television and film.

Loretta’s earliest involvement with CAFTCAD dates back to 2002. She held the Vice President position from 2013-2015 and served as the President in 2015. During her tenure she also taught courses on commercial and print styling. She was well read, caring, and unafraid to stand up for the underdog. She was a mentor to many and a connector of people; she treated everyone equally with kindness and respect.

Loretta lived life to the fullest. In recent years she frequented France, travelled to Hong Kong and Vietnam, and took a premium train trip across the Canadian Rockies. She worked on commercials and shows until April of this year, quietly facing cancer with remarkable strength.

At her funeral, her brother Richard recalled one of her hardest days of chemotherapy: despite the toll, Loretta came home from the hospital, dressed for the evening and attended an Andy Warhol exhibition event – she was never one to miss a good party. It was a story that captured her resilience, her love of culture and her joy in life.

Loretta will be remembered for her fierce dance moves, sharp intellect, and her unmistakable giggly laugh: she never held back her laughter and truly loved to laugh out loud.

Loretta Chin at an event. Image courtesy of CAFTCAD.

Loretta Chin with Richard Crossman at the CAFTCAD holiday party in 2017. Image courtesy of CAFTCAD.

Loretta Chin at A Conversation with Edith Head. Image courtesy of CAFTCAD.

Behind-the-scenes at a commercial in 2023. Image courtesy of Jo Jin.

Loretta Chin at the 2020 CAFTCAD Awards. Image by Semco Salehi.

She will also be remembered for her impeccable style. Loretta possessed a unique personal style that beautifully straddled her love of menswear with her appreciation for ladylike elegance, always dressing according to her mood or the occasion. Loretta was never afraid to embrace a theme, and dressed with intention and confidence. She experienced clothing and colour with an instinctive eye, her mind a living fashion catalogue spanning the generations of silhouettes and styles she had absorbed over the years.

She kept her knowledge sharp by observing, reading and immersing herself in the beauty of the world around her. Her love for classic films was part of this; she was endlessly captivated by the elegance of characters and the artistry of their costumes. In her final days, as I sat by her bedside, 1962’s Gypsy played quietly on the television – a moment that renewed my appreciation as well.

When Loretta entered a room, she lit it up with her positive energy. She always stood out from the crowd, leaving an impression of warmth, energy, and brilliance. She will forever be remembered as the radiant light that she was.