Partners in fashion and philanthropy

Eyal Cohen is president and chief executive officer of Marcarko Ltd., an on-site real estate management company that oversees 555 Midtown (Chabanel) in the heart of Montreal’s fashion district. Over a span of four decades, Cohen’s tenants have included some of Montreal’s most successful enterprises. Fashion designer Simon Chang, whose showroom has been located at 555 for 40 years, is one such tenant. With this edition of Inspirations, Cohen merges business with philanthropy. He is proud to be the sponsor of this edition’s Simon Chang Difference Maker Award. 

“As a businessman, you have to share and give back to your community,” said Cohen. “What Simon is doing is very special. He has a good heart, and that’s an admirable quality. He shares his extensive knowledge with the students he works with, as well as new fashion designers. You don’t see too many people doing this.”

A graduate in electronic engineering of aviation, Cohen has always been civic minded. He was a candidate for councillor of the city of Montreal and is engaged in his community. He served as president of the Community Centre of Saint-Laurent from 2005 to 2007 and is part of the Shaar-Hessed Committee, which collects funds to assist those in need.

Home to many fashion houses that have acquired international brand status, 555 Midtown is also the Centre international de mode de Montréal (CIMM), where Montreal fashion week began. CIMM provided a platform for emerging designers to showcase their work and grow. Cohen fondly remembers collaborating on many fashion shows with Chang. “I have known Simon since the 80’s. He was one of the first tenants and designers in the building. He understood how to bring design to the commercial level,” said Cohen.

While managing the day-to-day operations of the building and supervising renovation and construction projects, Cohen is also dedicated to making 555 Midtown a leader in sustainability by reducing the building’s carbon footprint and working towards the goal of zero net carbon emissions by 2040. This includes a “Zero Waste to Landfill” service, which will aim to ensure that all waste generated in the building is recycled, composted or converted to energy through anaerobic digestion.

Chang reflects on this long friendship and partnership – from fashion weeks providing him and the fashion industry at 555 a runway to share their work to encouraging and supporting the Simon Chang Foundation for Change. “Mr. Cohen has been such a strong and important friend of mine over the past 40 years. We couldn’t have found a better place and collaborator to support our work,” said Chang.