Nino Cioppa is one of the most important representatives of Italian custom tailoring in Toronto. He belongs to the unique Napoli tailoring fraternity commencing his apprenticeship when he was eight years old, studying for two years before emigrating with his family to Toronto.

Nino was a busy young lad combining his schooling along with his apprenticeship, learning his trade under the hands and watchful eye of an Italian Master Tailor. Under completion of his studies, he was offered and accepted a partnership in the Master Tailor's company, ItalModa.

His growing experience heightened his desire to open his own factory which he did in 1973, producing trousers under the name, 'Smart Pants.' This success started his voyage towards the eventual opening of his own atelier at 473 Church Street. In 1982 sensing an Italian victory in the World Cup, he undertook the production of thousands of Italian flags to the delight of the Italian community who cheered their team to its ultimate success.

His atelier gained an exclusive clientele for whom he designed fashionable garments for women and men, delivering through these garments the Italian sense of style, based on fine craftsmanship.