The Early Years
Basile Giaouris
Basile (Bill) Giaouris was a graduate of the leading school of Merchant Marine Engineering. He had sailed from a young age. In just a few years into his career, he managed to become the first in command on the Ocean Liner “Australis”.
From time to time, he would return to Piraeus, Greece and visit his brothers, who had a successful bag factory.
In 1969, once returning from a trip, he found their factory closed, and learned that his older brother had left for Canada. Having travelled in the Greek Merchant Navy, as a First in Command-Mechanical Naval Engineer, for almost a decade, and having paused in over 100 countries, Bill sorted out some pending issues and left for Toronto to see his brother. In a few days, the remaining Giaouris family members also arrived in Toronto for better prospects, and Bill never sailed again.
Upon initial arrival, Bill immediately completed the authorized Toronto professional mechanical examinations. However, despite the fact that he succeeded with excellence, the regulations required him to start from the ground up; from fourth level, and only with years of service, would he be able to work his way up to first mechanical engineer designation again.
Bill wanted more for himself, so he acquired a job as a waiter on the night shift, while looking for a progressive job during the day.
In the meanwhile, his brothers gained jobs in leather goods, and tried to start their own business from the basement of their home.
Bill had courage, just as all seafaring professionals do. He persuaded his brother John to co rent a shop with a shoe repair man and cordwainer; another fellow-countryman, at the Davenport and Dupont area. This gentleman was the original creator and owner of “Nick’s Shoe Repair”.
Although the brothers were manufacturing handbags, the people in the area began to request repairs and alterations of them. It did not take long, for Bill to realize the new horizons dawning before him.
Thereafter, the brothers relocated the business to a basement on Avenue Rd. In the meanwhile, within a few short months, the brothers decided to part business ways. Bill stayed in that location, and his beloved brother John started his garment business “Leather Craft”, close by on Yonge St.
Bill’s & Lucy’s Venturing
Having experience in design, Bill made his first attempt at designing a simple handbag. That bag proved to be the article that allowed his business to be recognized successfully.
From that moment on, the company made steady progress. It was around the time that he had just newly acquired a location in Yorkville that he met his wife, Lucy. Together the couple quickly conquered 2 locations within the Hudson’s Bay Centre (Yonge and Bloor), and various locations on Yonge Street, between Yonge and Bloor and Yonge and Dundas. Thus operating 13 other leather goods stores simultaneously in Toronto, London and Kitchener, between 1973 and 1975. By the end of that time, developers appropriated their property at Yonge and Dundas, where there were plans in the works, for the construction of the new Toronto Eaton’s Centre Mall to be built.
Around that time, Bill and Lucy had also been busy starting their family. They decided to uncomplicate their work life, and close their various locations. In this effort to destress, the couple settled their business at 340 Richmond Street West, but they quickly realized that it was difficult to conduct business on that one-way street, and soon decided to relocate. This time they set roots at 192 Spadina Avenue, where they settled for approx. 25 years. Perfect Leather Goods Ltd. now occupied 13,000 square feet with a staff of 35.
Having experience in design, Bill made his first attempt at designing a simple handbag. That bag proved to be the article that allowed his business to be recognized successfully.
Bill had accepted that the adversity he encountered, regarding his mechanical engineer profession being recognized in Toronto, was instead his stroke of luck. Being a driven hard worker, with travel experience, of which broadened his horizons, and paired with his empathy and charisma, he managed to create the largest leather selection in Ontario.
Perfect Leather Goods Ltd., now operated in this one location, which housed the show room, factory, and leather selection, with an impressively endless and varied exhibition of leather goods, produced by the onsite factory.
In that next decade, another handful of properties were owned and operated by Bill and Lucy, all the while testing if they would be suitable alternatives for their business. Once again, there was a need for a new home for their company. Spadina Avenue had evolved, and their rent was unreasonably increased. Now, with their children grown, and each child having specialized education in their prospective fields, Bill and Lucy were not alone. The family together, took on the responsibility to help relocate the stock acquired during its 25 years at Spadina Avenue, to its current home. The new location was now a stand-alone building on King Street West, of 8,000 square feet, with an additional almost 2,000 square feet of parking lot area, to benefit their customers.
The Commemoration of Bill Giaouris
Bill operated his business with integrity. There wasn’t a supplier, customer or office that he had disappointed. He was an honest business man, and very charitable.
Ultimately, his character enabled him to establish the reputation of Perfect Leather Goods Ltd. as “if you can’t find it at Perfect, you won’t find it anywhere”.
All the while, his true successful partnership, was with his wife. Having faced countless health challenges. Lucy, never failed him, and was undoubtedly the reason for him being able to work until the very last day of his life.
Bill was a man that was generous, and in charge of all his affairs until his very end, and of his own choice! He carried himself with dignity until his last breath.
Bill passed away September of 2019.
There isn’t a day that goes by at “Perfect”, that at least one customer can’t help themselves, and reminisce, about his impressive grace.
About Perfect Leather Goods Ltd. Today
Today, we are proud to state, Perfect Leather Goods Ltd. is still operating via the 555 King Street West location, Toronto, Ontario, and is celebrating 55 years in business. The business continues to house a large selection of ready-made goods, and an even larger selection of raw materials.
This Mom-and-Pop shop that focused on mass production, managed to surpass many larger companies in its specialty. In the 80’s, Bill had acquired the reputation as the “King of leather custom work”, where of course he and his incredible staff, took on endless projects, both simple and super specialized. He worked tirelessly. He continued to design well into his last years.
He realized that offering options to his clients, was a benefit.
He collected leathers, as if they were candy, only to create the largest selection of raw leather materials in North America; It took time, but he did it.
Still today, people drop in to our friendly establishment to simply say hello and reminisce; all the while raving how much they adored their first jacket from us, and how they are looking to finally replace it. Yet! They refuse to part with it, and insist that if we could match and add a little more material, well, then, they would continue using it!
Our customers have insisted that their original purchases have aged like fine wine.
Leather is a byproduct of the meat industry, and it is argued that leather is an environmentally friendly choice. If one uses leather for a long time, then one may reason, that it is also considered a sustainable option. Our customers claim that their articles have stretched, faded, molded and hugged their bodies to fit them perfectly. Most cases these articles are accompanied with a loving story. I.e., “it was a gift from my parents.” Or, “I wore my first jacket to impress my ____friend, and of course it made me feel confident”.
Whether you purchased a chamois sexy bikini, or an elegant maxi plonge dress, or a men’s blazer of fine lamb, or a warm sheepskin coat… Bill made it all. The proof is in the countless design patterns that exist, of which Bill made with his own hands.
Customer service is, and always has been, very important to us. The etiquette of days past, still rule. We answer our phones “Hello, Perfect Leather Goods, how may I help you?” because we mean it.
You ask for it, we have it. If we don’t have it today, well, we had it in the past, and we may bring it in again, in the future; Just ask.
Perfect Leather Goods Ltd., is a special place. It is a marvel to many. The leathers we import are due to the diverse clientele we have. Everyone gets a deal, and finds the material they need. Whether you need deer hides for native arts or black cowhide for a motorcycle jacket, “Perfect” has it all.
“Perfect” continues to provide teachers the opportunity to educate their fashion students. We have always honored students with the same pricing opportunities as wholesale businesses, as we believe they are the future business owners. Over the years, the students have proven us correct, and as today’s leaders and owners, they return to us with their business.
Our leathers are used in all kinds of industries such as the automobile industry, film industry, building industry, interior design industry, and fashion industry to name a few. Our customers include cobblers, milliners, garment manufacturers, sports gear makers, belt makers, book binders, artists, pet accessories producers, stampede western wear specialists, motorcycle material specialists, designers from various fields, chefs, knife specialists, team jacket manufacturers, ballet slipper makers, light fixture specialists, bondage specialists, doll makers, costume design specialists, upholsterers, high end camera and set specialists, retailers, orthopedic footwear specialists, and all kinds of leather crafts persons, saddlery makers, individuals with long term medical care needs and so many more.
Surprisingly, we are still the best kept secret (giggle), for individuals walking into our location for the first time.
Our leathers have clothed Arnold Schwarzenegger and Prince to name a few, but their artists and designers are the individuals named and recognized, for the talented and beautiful creations they make with our materials.
Naturally, we are not named as their leather source, as this is not the general practice. The fashion designers receive the fame. Nonetheless, we have been fortunate to have been featured in various articles over the years, i.e., Sarah Richardson’s Interior Designer article mentioning our Cowhide Rugs, and other Toronto Life mentions due to the kindness of our happy customers.
We are simply very happy and proud to have served our city, and to have the opportunity to continue to serve our public.
Bill and Lucy Giaouris have managed to survive economic recessions, tight times, and the recent King Street closure, proudly, never bouncing a cheque or reemerging with a new business name, as countless others had to, during difficult times.
Since Bill’s recent passing, his wife Lucy Giaouris has managed to continue operating the company without interruption, all the while watching so many Toronto businesses close within our beautiful city, due to this COVID Pandemic; once again proving to be the best “first mate” that Bill could have asked for.
PROUDLY CANADIAN – PROUDLY SUPPLYING LEATHER GOODS SINCE 1969
