8 Best Canadian Designers to Support, From Fashion to Furniture
By land area, Canada is the world’s second largest country, and — as myriad pastoral patterns and quality materials will show you — the sweeping landscapes are both muse and canvas for Canadian designers. Perhaps you’ll see it in the subtle, river-like curves of Libero-made lapels; maybe you’ll find it on a shelf by Objects & Ideas, adorned with raw, textured ridges. Whether you refresh your wardrobe or your living room, take one tip from us: Canadian designers are ever-in-vogue.
Wanze Song
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After graduating from the Fashion Design program at Toronto Metropolitan University, Wanze Song founded her eponymous label to take “a patient approach to design.” Her patience is clear. Every design is filled with nuance, from the boxy, chore coat charm of a Wanze Poplin shirt to the many cozily-wrapped collars on cashmere jackets.
SECTION 35
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SECTION 35 tells a stylish story. Founded by Indigenous designer Justin Jacob Louis, the young label has flourished — even amidst of a crowded streetwear scene. Pixelated graphics punctuate the collection alongside flashes of syllabic patterns and cotton-twill carpenter pants. Each look is undeniably modern, yet laced with heritage-steeped motifs.
Objects & Ideas
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Every object starts with an idea. For a few particularly-skilled crafters, that transition is a smooth one — sleek and seamless as the swirling contour of the aptly-named Beaver Tail Chair. “The best products in the world are different. They have a soul, a presence, a voice that speaks to us all,” says the Toronto-based studio Objects & Ideas. The studio’s offerings speak clearly, blurring the line between sculpture and shelf, wood carving and coffee table. Mindful and meticulous designs radically reshape every interior, adding playful pops to each living room and kitchen.
Libero
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“Libero represents the timeless,” declares the Toronto-based label. Italian for ‘free,’ Libero overflows with chic offerings, from pastel Le Mans overcoats to olive green vests with creamy, wool-shearling collars. Traits like ‘playful’ and ‘bold’ recur throughout the range — each garment lives up to the brand’s name. High-quality and handmade, these garments are made for everyone; as Libero co-founder Adam Appugliesi told us, “If you’re going to do something, let everybody love it.”
JDH Projects
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École de Pensée
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Founded in 2014 on the streets of Montreal, École de Pensée sought to revisit and reimagine traditional masculine attire. In the decade since, these Canadian designers led a ‘new wave’ of men’s tailoring, combining a modern nonchalance with rigorous attention to detail; taken together, these approaches culminate in a menswear collection that radiates an effortless, casual confidence.
Characterized by its straight lines, low-rise forms, and negative space, JDH Projects walks along a few tightropes: it’s subtle, but stands out; it’s rustic and raw, yet undeniably crafted. Balancing the tension between complex engineering and simple subjects, every piece of furniture fascinates. Composed of luxe materials like white oak wood, vegetable-tanned leather, and raw iron, the collection is a must-see.
Wildcraft
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Most skincare bottles are filled with chemically-classified suffixes: -xane, -xyl, -mate. Canadian cosmetics Wildcraft keeps it simple, however. Laura Whitaker — a Haudenosaunee woman and member of the Mohawk nation — founded Wildcraft to address a lack of sustainably-made skincare. As the name suggests, Wildcraft puts a focus on organic materials and recyclable packaging. The site is sprinkled with organic scents and balms: eucalyptus and mint conditioner, lemongrass and sunflower body cream, sage deodorant. As part of 1% For The Planet, Wildcraft contributes a portion of each sale to environmental initiatives, the most recent being Water First.
Good for Sunday
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Unlike our other fashion-focused favourites, Good for Sunday thrives in the realm of casual comfort. Cozy sweats, tees, and the occasional bit of linen round out the portfolio of this fully made-in-Canada operation. They’re one of the last fully Canadian clothing makers that mills, dye, cut, and sews every garment in Toronto, Ontario. With sustainability and ethical manufacturing as key pillars of operations, the brand has has developed a devout following amongst those who value where and how their garments are made.
Alphabet
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Simple designs, sustainable materials. These are the hallmarks of Montreal’s Alphabet, a furniture specialist that’s laden with intrigue-sparking fixtures for your interior. Highlights include the creatively-elegant Storage Ladder and the whimsical Dimanche Table, both of which capture the je ne sais quoi charm of their native city.
