Someone gave Toronto´s mayor a claw-print Raptors blazer. Now he `can´t take it off´
(The Star Religion)

A black-and-gold Raptors blazer has become the unlikely symbol of a buttoned-down mayor who looks like he might have been born in a navy blue double-breasted diaper. John Tory is surprised and bemused by the jacket’s popularity — he started wearing it as a fan-pleaser at Jurassic Park but now, by popular demand, sports the blingy frock all over town.“It’s now become this thing where I can’t take it off. It’s become a requirement that I wear it,� the mayor says with a shrug and a laugh.It all started May 11 at the opening of George Chuvalo Community Centre in the Junction.Tory wore one of his two Toronto Raptors jackets — a “We The North� windbreaker and an NBA-OVO number. Fellow guest Clarke Douglas, a partner in Clarky & Zac Clothing Company, told him: “I’m going to upgrade your Raptors wardrobe.�“I knew the mayor would be there. I had seen him wear a couple more traditional Raptor jackets and thought it would be fun to give him one of ours,� says Douglas, whose company made 200 of the claw-print blazers for Real Sports at Scotiabank Arena that had already sold out at $140 each.The mayor looked at the blazer and thought: “It is a little garish and not exactly made of spun silk, but fine.� When he wore it to the Jurassic Park fan zone outside the arena during the Raptors’ playoff run, people lined up for selfies. Then colleagues at political announcements started asking: “Where’s the jacket?�Last weekend Tory wore a traditional suit to a wedding but caved to guests’ demands. “I had (the Raptors blazer) in the car so I said, ‘Fine I’ll go get it.’�Douglas says of his handiwork: “It’s a statement piece, it’s not for the shy or bashful.� Part of its appeal, he says, is the contrast with Tory’s usually conservative attire. “It’s fun, it works.�There are no ...