This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive.

'Fashion Santa': 10 Things You May Not Know About The Man Behind The Beard, Paul Mason

1. He didn't always have the beard.

By now you've probably heard of Toronto's "Fashion Santa," the handsome and stylish Kris Kringle taking selfies with shoppers at Yorkdale mall for charity.

And while he may be a new face to some, Paul Mason has been a Toronto fave for quite some time.

The 51-year-old model is a regular at World MasterCard Fashion Week (a.k.a. Toronto Fashion Week) and at TOM*FW (Toronto Men's Fashion Week) and represented Yorkdale in his role of Fashion Santa at MediaProfile's holiday party in 2014.

#mpparty crew love 😍😍😍

A photo posted by Arti Patel 🐘 (@artipatel1) on

So who is the man behind the big, white beard?

Here are 10 things you may not have known about 'Fashion Santa':

Yes, a beard-free Paul Mason did once exist, and according to Beautygeeks, Mason didn't mean to grow his signature facial hair at all. "I stopped shaving when my mom passed away two years ago — I was a bit down," he says. "Then the beard took on a life of its own, and I decided I like the look."

"That looks like a catalogue guy ... With that short hair ...Boring," he told the Ryersonian of his pre-beard self.

His career has taken him to London, Paris, Tokyo, Milan and New York, and has landed him campaigns with DKNY, GAP and Dolce & Gabbana.

Including DTK Men, Fantastics and Australian Vogue.

A photo posted by Rani Kim (@ranikiim) on

While walking for a year-end show at his university, Mason was scouted by a photographer from the Judy Welch agency. Though one professor warned him of the "toxic" industry he was joining, Mason went with his gut and signed with the agency. (Note: the above photo shows Mason opening for Ryerson University fashion design alumn, Rani Kim, at TOM*FW.)

And is always met with roaring applause when he walks the TOM*FW runway.

He told Toronto Life he spent four hours getting these fake versions all over his body, something he "never would have done" before growing the beard.

It's called Paul Mason Management and has Toronto Argonauts player, Mike Bradwell, signed to its roster.

Aptly deemed the "Silver Fox."

Our editors can attest to that. We

1) Gisele Bundchen

Forbes' Highest-Paid Models 2015

Close
This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.