The holiday is fast approaching and you still have no gift ideas? How about shopping at these local brands for our loved ones and yourself? We all know 2020 was extremely stressful for everyone and we should all treat ourselves for running this unpredictable marathon together because let’s be real, we deserve it. Let’s find out where in Vancouver you can find must-have local fashion items to add to your shopping list!
Priory is an emerging contemporary fashion brand that is based in Vancouver, and was founded back in 2012. The clothing label is known for its feminine aesthetic and minimalist design, with a focus on form and timelessness. Not only that, Priory also thinks about quality, comfort, as well as functionality. The brand works very closely with local businesses to produce its designs, and none of their fabric comes from overseas, so everything is 100% sourced from the West Coast of North America. Be sure to check out this brand if you are a fan of simple yet elegant fashion statement pieces!
https://shop.priorypriory.com/ IG @_priory
Reigning Champ is another clothing brand based in Vancouver that focuses heavily on high quality fabric and comfort. If you’re a fan of high quality basics and like to invest money on something that you can keep for years, definitely check this brand out because their clothes are very durable and long lasting. They are all about manufacturing their own signature fabrics and all of their products are built in their Vancouver cut-and-sew factory. They carry both men and women’s products from casual sweats to athletic wear that emphasize simplicity and comfort, so if this is what you’re looking for, time to add things to your basket!
https://reigningchamp.com/ @reigningchamp
Are you a fan of sneakers? Well, look no further for ultimate shoe experience! Six Hundred Four is a premium sneaker brand, which executes original art from local artists onto premium limited edition sneakers. How cool is it that you get contemporary art turned into sneaker form? Before COVID-19, visiting this store was also a great way to explore different arts from various artists, and get an art gallery experience with sneakers. Even though that’s not possible right now, you can still view these items online. If you’re an art lover and also a sneaker lover, be sure to check out this brand and make a purchase this holiday season!
https://www.sixhundredfour.com/ IG @sixhundredfour
Obakki is a Vancouver-based lifestyle brand that represents itself through modern design. Obakki places its values on tradition, sustainability, traceability and ethical production. “We believe in slow design. We’ve connected with artisan groups from around the globe to preserve and honour traditional artistry, and we love the idea of limited edition, small-batch homewares that can be admired for a very long time.”
What’s special about this brand is that they create a wide range of products from home decor to jewelry to clothes. Their t-shirts are made with organic cotton with low carbon trace, and they even make sizes for kids! They currently have a Holiday Gift Guide on their website, so be sure to check it out!
https://obakki.com/ IG @obakki
Who else loves living in Raincouver? Yes, it’s a great place to live in, but the wet weather is a little too much sometimes. Living in Raincouver, rainboots is a must, but what if we told you that you could get waterproof runners and sneakers? Vessi is a Vancouver-based footwear startup that produces sneakers that are 100% waterproof and vegan. Their knit shoes are super lightweight, comfortable, and breathable due to their special material called Dyma-tex. They have shoes for everyday wear, shoes for running/workouts, as well as shoes to up your OOTD game. Make a purchase this winter and keep your feet dry at all times!
https://ca.vessi.com/ IG @vessi
Founded in 2009, Herschel is a global brand based in Vancouver, that produces quality clothes and accessories such as bags, hats, wallets, and more. They integrate modern functionality and design while paying close attention to detail and quality. Despite the fact that their products are durable and long lasting, their products are very affordable, which is a plus!
https://herschel.ca/ IG @herschelsupply
Vitae Apparel is a Vancouver-based clothing brand, known for their stylish and trendy activewear that tailors every body size and shape. They are environmentally sustainable, yet affordable. Their material is super comfy, so it would be perfect for lounging around the house or working from home! They also have an ambassador program to support women empowerment and body positivity, and some of the perks include free products, lifelong discount code, and commission by referral, so if you’re interested, make sure to check their website!
https://vitaeapparel.com/ IG @vitaeapparel
RYU is another Vancouver-based athletic apparel brand. Engineered for fitness and performance, their purpose is to promote active lifestyle. Before they started building their products, they saw that males were not served in the market because there weren’t many options and lines of activewear that emphasized the line and structure of the male body. With that in mind, they focused a little more on masculinity, but keep in mind that they’re not exclusive to men. The brand is all about being inclusive, so whether you’re looking for athletic wear for men or women, RYU apparel would be a good place to start browsing.
https://ryu.ca/ IG @ryu_apparel
Another great brand if you’re looking for high quality basics. Free Label builds trendy, but easy-to-wear pieces that are ethical and sustainable. Their products are made in Canada, mainly in Vancouver and Toronto, and whenever possible, they like to choose local when sourcing materials. Small slow fashion businesses have been especially affected by COVID-19, but with the community’s support, they can continue to create great products for conscious shoppers. So if you want to check out some elevated basics that are super cute and trendy, visit their website and start browsing!
https://freelabel.com/ IG @free.label
Shopping local doesn’t just mean supporting local businesses and brands, but it also means you’re supporting the hard work of those in our community during difficult times. Many people are already aware, but additional perks of shopping locally include reducing environmental impact because local businesses buy from local businesses instead of outsourcing, and driving economic growth and diversity within your community. Start buying local and support the community especially because they’ve been affected by COVID-19. Let’s celebrate the people and members of our community who try their best to stay in business!