20 cool-girl (and Canadian!) fashion brands to know

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Aritzia, Mejuri, Lululemon — Canada has some fashionable heavy hitters.

While we’re big fans of these three big brands, we’re always on the lookout for other homegrown options that also fit into the cool-girl category. From small-batch accessories to made-in-Europe shoes, these brands are all at various stages of retail renown —  but are equally as It girl-approved.

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Rest assured, there’s at least one wish list design to be found among every single one of them.

Here are 20 cool-girl — and Canadian — fashion and jewelry brands to know.

Maguire Shoes

Sisters Myriam Maguire and Romy Belzile-Maguire have built a brand that’s become a go-to for shoes among the fashion set. Crafted primarily in Europe using quality materials, the designed-in-Montreal designs include winter boots, sleek slides, covetable ballet flats and much more.

Eliza Faulkner

Dreamy, playful and fun are three words I’d use to describe the designs of Montreal-based designer Eliza Faulkner. Prepare to discover clothing pieces with romantic details like peplum waists, ribbon shoulder ties and lots of ruffles.

A Bronze Age

Almost a decade into the brand’s story, Vancouver-based designer Renée Power is going strong with her cool-girl creations for A Bronze Age. What started as offering handmade babouche shoes has expanded to include bow-detail handbags and ready-to-wear designs ranging from bubble-hem skirts to shirt dresses — and beyond.

Kara Yoo Jewelry 

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Vancouver-based jewelry designer Kara Yoo is constantly ahead of the curve. Her jewelry creations, which include sculptural silver designs, precious seed pearl pieces and more, always seem to offer the next big thing before, well, it’s the next big thing.

Brunette the Label

Founder Miriam Alden’s brand is built on her own status as a fashion it girl. A face — and force — behind most of the clothing brand’s launches, the Vancouver-based brand’s collections serve up cheeky slogans and effortless essentials that are perfect for everyday wear.

Silk Laundry

A favourite for celebrities looking for a sleek silk designs, founder Katie Kolodinski’s brand Silk Laundry delivers elevated basics such as blouses, bias-cut slip dresses, trousers and more — all almost exclusively made from luxuriously slippery silk. (Also, shoutout to a longtime creator of silk staples on the West Coast, Christine Lingerie. 

SMYTHE

Another celeb favourite — Kate Middleton and Blake Lively are among its regulars — Toronto-headquartered brand Smythe offers investment-worthy, made-in-Canada blazers, coats and more that will enjoy a place in your closet for years to come.

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The Disco Hour

If you’ve ever wanted to wear pyjamas to a party — and look damn good while doing it — The Disco Hour is for you. Toronto-based founder Heather Finlay creates silk leisure sets through the line that are unfussy and oh-so fabulous.

Liza Gozlan

It’s hard not to smile at the smiley face jewelry designs from Toronto-based brand Lisa Gozlan. While the collection has been built out to include a variety of demi-fine and fine jewelry finds, the standout creations are still the fan-favourite Happy Face pieces.

Horses Atelier

The wool Alchemical Coat from Toronto-based brand Horses Atelier has been on my personal wish list for years now. But, if we’re being honest, the whole collection is covetable. Designed and made in Canada, the pieces by co-founders — and best friends — Heidi Sopinka and Claudia Dey are created with longevity and long-term wearability in mind.

Beaufille

Another sister design duo, Chloé and Parris Gordon, are behind the Toronto-based brand Beaufille. The brand’s elegant creations strike a cool mix between Parisian chic and a touch of nostalgia. The A-list approved designs have been spotted on Lady Gaga, Solange, Selena Gomez and others.

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&OR Collective

Founded by entrepreneurs Kristen King, Katie Green and Rosa Halpern, this fashion brand recently celebrated its one-year anniversary with a collaboration with Holt Renfrew’s H Project. Offering a curated selection of mindfully designed and made pieces, the sustainable brand is built on the idea of conscious consumerism.

Ahiri

From tie-front tops to a cool, logo-adorned motorcycle jacket, Toronto-designed womenswear brand Ahiri serves up styles that are made for wearing — and sharing in your latest outfit of the day posts. The popular pieces are made in factory partners that are LEED certified and part of the Bangladesh Accord, according to the brand.

Cherry Gardens

Because we all love a little loungewear in our lives, Toronto-based Cherry Gardens is a must-shop stop for all things cute and comfy. Inspired by the styles of the early aughts — think: flares and cropped tees in super-soft fabrics — founder Myla Davey creates mix-and-match separates that are ethically made and intentionally inclusive.

Aaniin

Indigenous streetwear brand Aaniin is a hub of discovery of both in-house designs and other Indigenous-owned brands and businesses. From bike shorts to hair scrunchies, there’s something here for everyone.

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Decade Studio

Founder Molly Spittal is on a mission to change the way we shop for denim. Through the Vancouver-based brand Decade Studio, the designer offers ethically made, 100 per cent cotton denim designs that are sized from 24 to 40 and “made for life.”

Sonya Lee

Designed and made in Vancouver, small-batch accessories brand Sonya Lee creates timeless accessories that also happen to hit on the hottest trends. Inspired by founder Stephanie Sonya Ibbitson’s take on art, architecture and contemporary perception, the brand has been crafting covetable designs since 2014.

Boheme Goods

What started as a vintage thrifting project has turned into a full-fledged brand for founder Sarah Shabacon. Offering locally made linen pieces, carefree shorts, tees and more, the designs and styling are all ease and effortless chic. And she still offers curated vintage, too. The brand also recently partnered with other local cool-girl company Beth Richards to create a seriously stylish one-piece swimsuit.

KOTN

The collections from this Toronto-based brand let you look good while doing good thanks to its ethically sourced materials and philanthropic initiatives. With designed-in-Canada styles for men, women and home, Kotn pieces are sustainably made in the Nile Delta in Egypt. Plus, the brand boasts an education initiative in Egypt called the The ABCs Project, which has seen more than 21 schools funded and 15 schools built to date.

Paper Label

Bold basics are pretty much the name of the game for the Vancouver-based brand Paper Label. From sweet summer dresses to loungewear designs, it’s a brand you can look to for wardrobe workhorse pieces at pretty much every stage of your personal style story.

What are some of your favourite Canadian fashion brands? Let us know in the comments below. 

Aharris@postmedia.com

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