Hercina, President of Elite Furs, was born on the beautiful island of Graciosa in the Azores, Portugal. At a young age, she immigrated to Canada with her parents and sisters, leaving behind her small island home to begin a new life abroad.

Although her early dream was to become a teacher, her passion soon shifted toward the world of fashion. After working for a decade in a fur company, Hercina mastered the craft and deepened her knowledge of the trade. She later studied design at George Brown College, and in 1988, she founded Elite Furs.

Originally located in Toronto’s historic Fashion District, Elite Furs quickly gained recognition among international visitors and notable figures in the fashion industry. In 2007, the company relocated to its current showroom at 3045 Southcreek Rd, Unit 39, Mississauga.

Dedicated to uncompromising quality, Elite Furs works only with the finest materials to create timeless, handmade pieces. Over the years, the house has built a loyal clientele that includes artists and fashion lovers from Portugal, the United States, and around the globe. In addition to serving customers directly, Elite Furs also supplies exclusive designs to select boutiques across Europe.