Eight Canadian fashion and beauty brands you need to know about
As the pandemic hit, so many of us began focusing on shopping closer to home, and luckily for us there's never been more options for incredible Canadian-made products. From skincare and beauty to fashion and accessories, we've rounded up eight amazing Canadian brands that should be on everyone's radar right now!
Candles, Soap, Skincare and more
Woodlot is a Canadian line of premium, natural home and body basics based out of Vancouver. Founded in 2014, it was born from a desire for natural, plant based products which infused the best essential oils for aromatherapy.
Founders and real life couple Sonia Chhinji and Fouad Farraj had been making candles for themselves to avoid undesirable ingredients and began gifting to family and friends, who would then ask for more to gift to other friends and acquaintances.
Shop: Recharge Candle, $26 | Cascadia and Flora soap bars, $10 each | The Essential Oil trio, $44
Natural beauty products
Based in toronto, jELN is a line of made-to-order, sustainably-sourced skincare and self care products formulated with raw ingredients and essential oils. Founder Crystal Rowe was inspired to start the line after she started getting skin irritations- which prescriptions from the dermatologist or commercial products just made worse.
She spent years researching and testing out different natural products in her kitchen, and blending different essential oils to help with her scarring. Launched jELN in June of 2019 to share products that have worked for her with the world.
All jELN products are made with raw materials and essential oils. Everything is cruelty free and 100% natural, and they're working every day to keep packaging as eco-friendly as possible.
Shop: Love body butter, $15 | Balance facial toner, $34 | Recharge Me dry clay mask, $41.50 | Rich facial oil, $66.50 | Beard juice, $25
Bespoke handbags
Canadian designer, Ivana Walker, is the founder and creative director of Anavi Designs - a line of bespoke handbags perfectly balanced between fashionable and utilitarian.
Experienced as a master jewellery designer and goldsmith, Ivana has transitioned her technical and creative skills to create a brand that crafts bespoke luxury handbags - all made in her studio in Toronto
Shop: Blue hipsack, $71 | Jungle cruiser, $393
Handcrafted One of a Kind Jewelry
Making his debut at indigenous fashion week Toronto in 2018, Warren Steven Scott creates one of a kind Coast Salish-inspired pieces with mixed materials like sterling silver and acrylic. Scott’s approach to design merges modern design with his Indigenous culture, and all of his designs are handcrafted from his studio in Toronto
Shop: Mixed ovoids earings in ivory, $70 | Salish chandelier earrings in translucent orange, $70
Jewelry for you and your BFF
Foxy Originals is a made-in-Canada jewelry line founded by girlfriends Suzie Chemel and Jennifer Ger, who met while studying at Western University. Thirteen years later, Foxy is sold online and in over 400 stores around the world, from independent boutiques to department stores. Everything is made in their production site in Toronto out of pewter and is plated in real gold and silver.
Shop: Hollis earrings in silver, $30 | Oasis necklace in gold, $30
Stylish shoes
Toronto creatives Hayla Amini and George Sully came together to build House of Hayla present a shoe that hasn’t really been seen before. Drawing inspiration from the best selection of vibrant pantone colour palettes, their monochromatic collection combine the perfect mix of PETA approved vegan synthetics sourced in a single tone to create a unified look that will compliment any outfit.
George Sully also just launched a brand new platform called Black Designers of Canada (BDOC). It is the first-ever interactive index of Canadian black designers. George wanted to create a platform where black designers can be found and celebrated.
Shop: HOH Mono heel (generation two), $140
Made-to-order luxury fashion
Toronto-based British-Ghanaian designer Emefa Kuadey launched her luxury made-to-order label Israella KOBLA in 2019 with a focus on minimal and feminine pieces executed with expert technical construction.
Inspiration for her brand comes from a juxtaposition of the designer’s interests; fashion and a past life as a civil engineer. Israella KOBLA pieces highlight an appreciation for architecture and timeless design, and all of her impecibly crafted pieces are made-to-order, and come in under $400
Shop: Strapless ankle length dress, $350 | High waist midi skirt, $280 | Cap sleeve top, $180
Celeb-loved Swimwear
Launched in 2013 by Nigerian designer Dumebi Iyamah and based out of Ontario and Lagos, Nigeria, Andrea Iyamah Swimwear features silhouettes in their vibrant swim and resort wear inspired by the brand’s African heritage.
Her designs have been worn by actress Gabrielle Union, and it's no wonder she's built such a name for herself - with incredible colours and fabrics, and unconventional cuts that are truly showstopping, they flatter truly any body.
Shop: Kanen black high waist bikini, $256 | Saber robe, $209 (on sale)
