For Canadian lovers of the royal family and fashion, there’s no better thrill than when a Windsor (or soon-to-be) is photographed wearing clothing by a Canadian designer. And lucky for us, it’s been happening a lot recently due to the fact that Meghan Markle (who lived in Toronto for six years while filming Suits), has a penchant for Canadian labels that doesn’t appear to be going away any time soon. In honour of the wonderful union between Canuck fashion and the monarchy, we’ve put together a list of 8 Canadian fashion brands that have the royal seal of approval.
- LINE THE LABEL
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcA6yoGB465/?taken-by=linethelabel
When Meghan Markle stepped out for her engagement announcement to Prince Harry wearing a white trench from Line the Label, the coat immediately sold out (obvs) and the company’s website crashed. The Toronto-based retailer proceeded to rename this wrap style trench “The Meghan” in the future bride’s honour.
- ARITZIA
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhPo0FegrSx/?hl=en&taken-by=aritzia
We love how Meghan Markle (or rather her stylist, Jessica Mulroney) is a huge fan of Aritzia – just like us! The future Duchess of Sussex wore the “Lawson Trench Coat” by Aritzia brand Babaton to the UK team trials for the Invictus Games in April. She was also photographed wearing the “Beaune Dress” by Wilfred to the Invictus Games last year. Much to our delight, both items are currently back in stock!
- SMYTHE
https://www.instagram.com/p/-KFDqnu3Oi/
Meghan Markle has been photographed wearing the Canadian label Smythe on multiple occasions, the most recent being a long grey trench in April. Meghan actually isn’t Smythe’s first brush with royalty – during her first tour of Canada in 2011, Kate Middleton wore a navy Smythe blazer with gold buttons (which she has since re-worn several times).
- ERDEM
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfY807MlRUs/
Kate Middleton has worn many designs by Montreal-born designer Erdem Moralioglu over the years and appears to be quite taken with his pretty printed dresses and coats.
- SENTALER
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh7KOXqgLfn/?taken-by=sentaler
Although Meghan has been photographed wearing outerwear by this brand too, many will remember it first popping up on the global fashion map after Kate wore the brand’s grey ribbed sleeve alpaca coat on the Royal Tour of Canada in 2016.
- MACKAGE
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgtdHtcgR8k/?hl=en&taken-by=mackage
Another homegrown brand that’s gotten a fair share of attention on the royal stage is Mackage. The $790 nude coat Markle wore in March demonstrated the power of the “Meghan Effect”, selling out in just an hour.
- BIRKS
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhw6Cu3F67u/?taken-by=birks
It isn’t only Canadian apparel designers Meghan loves — she’s also a fan of the fine jewellery brand Birks, which was founded in Montreal in 1879. Meghan wore a pair of Birks earrings at the royal engagement announcement and has been photographed wearing their pieces at several engagements since.
- CLUB MONACO
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfMUl0cH_Iv/?hl=en&taken-by=clubmonaco
Meghan’s love for Canadian fashion seems to have spilled over into Prince Harry’s wardrobe — the price looked dapper as ever wearing Club Monaco’s grey Twill Topcoat in February.
Which royally-approved Canadian fashion brand is your favourite? Let us know in the comments!
Featured Image: Instagram/@Mackage
Between fierce competition and trying to attract the attention of both a national and an international audience, the struggle is real for Canadian fashion designers – it’s no easy gig.
That’s why we have nothing but crazy respect for those who manage to break through, one heavily Instagrammed fashion show at a time.
Here are seven Toronto-based fashion designers to watch in 2018.
Lesley Hampton
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZvirALjnIP/?taken-by=lesley_hampton
Just a year out of graduation from George Brown College, Lesley Hampton is already catching the attention of everyone from major media outlets like Cosmopolitan, Glamour, and Today Show, to famous faces like Cheryl Hickey and Kim Kardashian. Creations from her body inclusive line of womenswear have graced the red carpets at The Emmys, the Canadian Screen Awards, and the Toronto International Film Festival. On the runway, last year, Hampton made international headlines with her involvement with the Be Body Aware campaign. Look for her new line of athleisure wear, Robust, which launched late last year.
Mani Jassal
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc7rbmtlahJ/?hl=en&taken-by=manikjassal
We can expect to see more of South Asian eveningwear designer Mani Jassal this year. The up-and-coming designer is widely known in the South Asian Communities for her non-traditional wedding gowns, which are decidedly sexier, edgier (including touches like leather), and more boundary-pushing than the typical South Asian wedding dress. Jassal has been a red carpet favourite for celebrities during the Toronto International Film Festival for the past few years, in addition to capturing attention on the carpets at both the BET Awards and the Emmy Awards. This will be a big year for her, as she has her first major industry runway show planned for late February in a converted Toronto church.
Hendrixroe (Jordan Erin McKay)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc8DdGJnAqT/?taken-by=hendrixroe
Hendrixroe’s runway shows are always a hot ticket in Toronto and filled with the city’s most stylish and move-making crowds. Case-in-point: McKay’s celebrity clientele includes Jason Priestley, Jennifer Beals, Lauren Lee Smith, Kardinal Offishall, and the cast of the Real Housewives of Toronto. Canadian fashion icon Jeanne Beker is also a big fan of the brand, and has stated that designers like her were “the reason she got into fashion,” likening her show to the hay days of New York in the 80s and Betsey Johnson. Look for the designer’s imitative Property of No One, which will help charities dealing with human trafficking.
Andrew Coimbra
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdyrrN5Fyfm/?hl=en&taken-by=andrewcoimbra
Toronto-based lifestyle and ready-to-wear designer Andrew Coimbra has captured the attention of an international audience since launching his namesake label in 2015. The designer got his start in menswear, in addition to more gender-neutral pieces before introducing womenswear for Fall 2017. Coimbra’s star in the Canadian fashion industry continues to rise as his name and creations find themselves in the pages of major media outlets.
Miriam Baker
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bckbj8RFQZ7/?taken-by=miriam_baker_
Ryerson School of Fashion grad Miriam Baker got her start at the Toronto Fashion Incubator before becoming widely known for her coveted bust-friendly (finally) womenswear. The born-and-raised Toronto designer is familiar with the struggle when it comes to finding great tops and dresses for bustier women – and she sought to change that. Her resulting creations are the type of pieces that become closet staples with a years-long shelf life thanks to their timeless, understatedly elegant designs. Baker launches two collections per year that are available at select boutiques, in addition to her online business.
Hayley Elsaesser
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYXDoEZBjzi/?taken-by=hayleyelsaesser
Hayley Elsaesser’s bright, bold, pop culture-inspired, and animated pieces are easy to spot and are praised for being both unique and body positive. Since launching her line in 2013 and opening a storefront on Queen West, she has amassed a collection of celebrity fans that include everyone from Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus, to Joe Jonas. The designer has also collaborated with brands like Taco Bell (marking Taco Bell’s first designer collaboration) and Nike, who have been drawn to her playful and eccentric designs.
Hilary MacMillan
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bd20NcAHRqN/?taken-by=hilarymacmillan
Now a mainstay on Toronto runways, Hilary MacMillan has quickly become an industry favourite with her animal-friendly womenswear line. This season, the label is expanding its sizing to accommodate the growing demand for the wearable pieces. Last season, the brand’s must-have Feminist varsity jacket flew off the racks and was spotted on a number of notable personalities, including Natasha Negovanlis, the star of the hit cult series Carmilla. Expect to see her FW18 collection back on the runway at Toronto Fashion Week.
Who is your favourite Canadian designer? Share with us in the comments!
Featured image: Instagram/ @hayleyelsaesser
Posts you might be interested in:
10 Books That Are Essential To Your Fashion Education
Montreal Based Designer Creates Clothing out Of Materials From Dollarama
Toronto Designers Create Their Own PUMA x Tsugi Kori Sneakers
8 Canadians to Follow on Instagram for Street Style Inspiration
9 Weird Fashion Trends We Wish Would Go Away