15 Canadian fashion brands redefine made-in-Canada style

A new generation of Canadian fashion brands is redefining what it means to be made in Canada, with a focus on sustainability, local production and innovative design.

From tailored shirts in Toronto to upcycled garments in Vancouver, 15 independent labels across the country are putting their own spin on homegrown style. These brands prioritize keeping their supply chains close to home, collaborating with local talent and embracing upcycling.

Toronto's T. Line, founded in 2022 by fashion-industry veterans Britt Barkwell and Alia Bissett, specializes in tailored shirts and raised wardrobe essentials. The brand's core collection includes classic white button-ups, tuxedo shirts and striped banker's shirts in 100-per-cent cotton fabrics.

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Excluding knitwear, the entire collection is made in Toronto. "Shorter supply chains and close relationships with our manufacturing partners allow us to react more quickly and make thoughtful decisions without being as dependent on a long, complex production cycle," Barkwell said.

Montreal-based Jobair Jaber founded his label in 2020 around a vision of uplifting Canadian craftsmanship, makers and farmers. The line centres the concept of Canadian-made classics, Jaber said, adding that the brand sources some of its wool directly from Canadian farmers for about a quarter of the collection.

"Made-in-Canada is at the heart of what we do," Jaber said. "We believe in being close to our production in order to better control it and manage it. The further you are from it, the less awareness you really have, and we value that awareness beyond having a lower cost structure."

Wanze Song's Toronto label gained viral success with her Dumpling bag. The Chinese-Canadian designer, a Toronto Metropolitan University graduate, continues to offer the popular style while producing the majority of her garments and soft accessories at her downtown Toronto studio from Italian and Japanese materials.

Toronto's Re, Pull, founded by stylist Juliana Schiavinatto in 2023, is a unisex fashion label inspired by reconstruction and upcycling. "We take existing garments, primarily tailoring, shirting, denim and workwear, and use them as the starting point for new clothing and accessories," Schiavinatto explained.

Every piece is developed and made in Canada. "Keeping production close matters because reconstruction is a hands-on process," Schiavinatto said. The brand started with just three pieces: a shirt, a pair of jeans and a jacket.

Vancouver's Nena Hansen, founded in 2022, creates one-of-a-kind pieces handsewn by designer Alydar Twack-Hansen using second-hand garments and deadstock fabrics. Its signature style is the Bungee shirt, made from upcycled vintage men's button-ups.

Designer Twack-Hansen said keeping the brand small and local is the only way to ensure its supply and production chain remains truly sustainable.

Toronto's Body of Work, founded by Dwayne Vatcher and Brittney MacKinnon in 2020, specializes in sportswear-inspired apparel that is designed, knit, dyed, cut and sewn in and around Toronto. The brand develops its own fabrics, including a fine-rib jersey for women and sueded French terry for men, in collaboration with Canadian mills.

"We believe deeply in the integrity and quality of Canadian manufacturing, so we have been committed to making our products here," MacKinnon said.

With files from The Globe and Mail