Raised and educated in Michigan, Marilyn came to Toronto in the early sixties and followed her entrepreneurial instincts by establishing Canada's first and highly successful one-of-a-kind boutique, The Unicorn. While she pioneered the concept of managing a vertical fashion business, she remained committed to serving the needs of the individual customer.

She utilizes her fashion expertise to enhance the design of uniforms for the growing service industry: clubs, government, hotels and airlines; the most recent being the "images" designed for The Benihana Room at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel.

Marilyn has also found the time to make a significant contribution to Ontario and Canada's fashion industry. She is the founding President of Toronto Ontario Designers, (TOD) and in 2001 became the 1^st President of the Fashion Designers Council of Canada (F.D.C.C), which is an organization that promotes Canadian Designers locally and internationally. She is an enthusiastic teacher and has been mentor to some of the industry notables.

Marilyn is a member of Color Marketing Group, a U.S. based association that forecasts international colour direction for all sectors of consumer products. She continues to be recognized for her contributions to the industry at every level and it was a particular honour for her to have the Mayor of Toronto officially proclaim "Marilyn Brooks Day" on February 3, 1988, in recognition of her then twenty-five years in the Canadian fashion industry. In 1993, the City of Toronto again recognized her with the Designer Achievement award; in 1994, Fashion Group International awarded her for her special achievements and dedication to the Canadian fashion design industry at the annual awards evening, "Night of Stars". The Bloor-Yorkville Business Improvement Association (BIA), has mounted a plaque in her name on Cumberland Street, for her commitment to the local initiatives in the retail trade area. In December 2000, Marilyn received The Order of Ontario for her continuing excellence in Fashion design for over 37 years as well as mentoring of young talent.