Since the early 1900s, brave women have been standing up for the rights of future female generations. And as we continue to strive for stronger gender equality, thereβs no better time to celebrate female-owned businesses than all year long. While we celebrate groundbreaking women every damn day, we wanted to share a collection of Canadian female-owned businesses who inspire us to work harder and live bolder.
Here female-owned businesses to support.
Pivot Skincare
Made in the heart of Toronto, Pivot Skincare is a Canadian company to keep an eye out for. Created by Cindy Berg and her three daughters, this brand is all about using natural products on your face. Keep your skin moisturized and glowing all year long with clean ingredients.
WAXON Laser + Waxbar and South
Lexi Miles is a truly passionate female entrepreneur and beauty expert with two businesses under her belt. After realizing there werenβt any businesses offering high-end and efficient waxing services at competitive prices, she left her career in management consulting and started WAXON Laser + Waxbar in 2012. Today, WAXON offers hair removal services including waxing, laser, brows, tinging, and lash lifts at locations nationwide, with plans for further expansion. But if Lexi wasnβt busy enough, she also recently launched South, a clean, intimate below-the-belt line for women made with high-quality, PH-balanced formulas, and clean ingredients. The collection includes products like fresh wipes, intimate skin cleanser, ingrown hair serum, and more.
ARMED
Unapologetically bold and made-in-Toronto, ARMED began as a jewellery line in 2011 and has been flourishing ever since. Desiree Girlato, the owner and designer, has grown her brand into a lifestyle with two stores in the city: Dundas West and Parkdale. So not only does Girlato design jewellery that women can arm themselves with day-to-day, but you can shop reimagined vintage from her line The Rove, homewares by ARMEDhome, or pop by ARMEDbeauty for services like nail art, lash lifts, spray tans, and more.
Poppy & Peonies
Poppy & Peonies is a gorgeous handbag and accessories brand founded in Toronto. Created to offer practical purses, yet still keeping it trendy and chic. Pieces are designed to be worn a bunch of different ways so you can have a variety of looks with just one bag! We love a versatile moment.
Knix
Plain and simple, Joanna Griffiths has revolutionized the intimate apparel industry with Knix, a Toronto-based brand thatβs designed to make women feel more comfortable in their own skin. Joanna launched Knix back in 2013 with underwear that could handle βlittle leaks,β and today, the company carries a range of products including tops and bras, underwear, nursing tanks and bras, and loungewear that celebrate every inch of a womanβs body.
KENT
The undergarment company is setting the intimates bar ultra high. Made from organic pima cotton, which is free of pesticides and toxins that are normally found in our underwear. The best part is, not only are they sustainable, but theyβre also super comfy.
Brunette the Label
Founded by Miriam Alden in early 2014, Brunette the Label is a clothing brand based in Vancouver that is sold in over 700 stores in Canada and the US, while also quickly growing in Australia and Europe. The brand first started with its iconic βBrunetteβ and βBlondeβ sweaters and now carries everything from hoodies and jackets to bottoms and accessories, appealing to all βbabesβ. Since its inception, the female-owned brand has collaborated with a variety of brands including Juicy Couture, Garnier, Coveteur, and Goop. Plus, on International Womenβs Day, the brand is donating 100% of online sales to the charity One Girl Can.
BonLook
The well-known brand, BonLook, skyrocketed in popularity a few years ago, but did you know that it’s Canadian? The company was created by Sophie Boulanger in 2011 who wanted to offer designer inspired frames at a much lower cost, in which she most definitely succeeded.
Spinco
Michelle August has always been an avid athlete, playing sports from when she was little to playing varsity basketball in California. But when she returned home in 2014, she realized she truly missed the team atmosphere, which led her to turn her passion for fitness into a business, and launch SPINCO, a cycling studio in her hometown of Kelowna, BC, when she was just 22 years old. Today, SPINCO is Canadaβs largest indoor cycling studio, with 13 studios across the country, with the plan to open 20 studios in total by the end of the year.
Ellie Mae Studios
With a loyal fan base that spans Sophie Trudeau, Gigi and Bella Hadid, Gwen Stefani, Miley Cyrus, Alessandra Ambrosio, Mila Kunis, Jen Atkins, and Kate Beckinsale (just to name a few), thereβs a reason why women are obsessed with Toronto-based Ellie Mae Studios. The namesake brand embraces high quality fabrics, local production, and nostalgia to make one-of-a-few pieces that are as unique as the women who wear them.
Mejuri
If you have yet to own something from Mejuri, chances are youβve seen your favourite celebs or influencers post about it on social media. Founded by Noura Sakkijha in Toronto in 2012, Mejuri is a direct-to-consumer jewellery brand thatβs made by women for women. With a focus on fair and accessible prices, female-owned Mejuri carries timeless pieces that are both understated and striking, with its collection ranging from thin gold bands and classic small hoops to dainty pearl earrings and wearable diamonds.
Hey Babe Cosmetics
As a twice-widowed mother of three, Nicole Abbott knows a thing or two about resilience and strength. Following the passing of both her husbands, Nicole wanted to show her children that they could follow their dreams even through lifeβs most trying times. She found solace in creating her dream makeup line in honour of both husbands and founded Hey Babe Cosmetics. Each product in the collection, which includes lipstick, shimmer powders, eyeshadow palettes, brushes, and more, is non-toxic and paraben and cruelty-free, made and manufactured in Toronto.
Jenny Bird
If youβre a lover of modern and minimal things, you need to check out Jenny Bird. The brand has such beautiful accessories that will compliment any outfit. Layer the necklaces, bracelets, or rings, for a trendy moment, or wear each piece on its own, either way youβll love them.
ai Toronto Seoul
Founded by Hannah Kim, her mother, and her two sisters, ai Toronto Seoul is a family-run, sustainable fashion brand that uses entirely vegan leather for its beautiful range of PETA-approved handbags and accessories that are made in Seoul. The stunning collection includes totes, work bags, clutches, bucket and cross-body bags, backpacks, card cases, hair accessories, and more.
Callula Co.
Nerissa Jawanda first had the vision for Callula Co. when she realized there was a gap in the sunglasses market for women with smaller or more narrow faces, many of whom (like Nerissa) were limited to shopping in the childrenβs section. Today, the female-owned brand makes premium quality sunglasses in on-trend shapes and hues that help its customers feel confident and look beautiful. Callula Co. is fully women-run and operated, working with women in all aspects of its business including product design, photography, production, and more. In celebration of International Womenβs Day, Callula Co. has teamed up with Toronto-based graphic illustrator Rachel Joanis to launch a limited edition capsule of three t-shirts featuring inspiring sayings and illustrations for women. On March 8th, 100% of proceeds from the collection will support Dress for Success Toronto.
437 Swimwear
Founded by besties Hyla Nayeri and Adrien Bettio, 437 Swimwear was designed for real women with real bodies, with each swimsuit embracing a womanβs curves. Every style is made with a meticulous cut and luxe fabric in an attention-grabbing print or colour to give you an extra boost of confidence so you can look and feel your absolute best. The brand’s figure-flattering, minimalistic styles will have all eyes on you, whether youβre at the pool or the beach.
LEZΓ The Label
LEZΓ The Label was founded in Vancouver back in 2017 by Tanya and Karen. It was created on the basis of wanting workwear that’s recycled, comfortable, and chic, all at the same time. Plus, sustainability is definitely at the forefront of the brand’s practices and manufacturing processes.
Glass House Cosmetics
Created and self-funded by two powerhouse women, Kait Smith and Sara Bulhoes, Glass House Cosmetics is an example of side hustle gone right. The brand first launched a luxury lip gloss that sold out instantly. It’s now expanded to selling blushes, mascaras, powder, and more!
Azur Fit
Founded by Erin Ward-Williams, formerly a yoga teacher, Azur Fit is built on the philosophy of βelevating activewear for women who want to feel confident in clothes that compliment the female form”.The brand’s full range of activewear offers a wide variety of styles such as leggings, crewnecks, hoodies, sweatpants, and shorts in select materials and colors. Azur fit consists of thoughtful designs with its matching sets of tone-on tones, flattering cuts, and beautiful color palettes – that will take you from the gym to the office and the street.
Encircled
Encircled understands that the transportation of clothing between countries during the production process overseas creates quite a large carbon footprint for companies. To act against this, the brand reduces its footprint by knitting and dying over 50% of its fabrics in Toronto. The entire studio also uses recycled packaging, FSC-certified paper, and eco-friendly cleaning products.
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