12 Canadian Streetwear Brands You Should Have on Your Radar
Though the fashion industry has been ravaged by COVID-19, these Canadian brands have adapted by forging ahead with dope drops while supporting the community.
Image via Atelier New Regime
Yes, the fashion industry has been ravaged by COVID-19, leaving countless people out of work and rendering previously planned strategies for 2020 redundant. Still, brands and designers in Canada have been adapting, moving ahead with dope drops to get us through these dark times, while demonstrating that fashion is also very much about community. Labels like Reigning Champ and Raised By Wolves, for instance, have been releasing special items in order to raise money for the Black Lives Matter movement and people afflicted by the pandemic.
Over the past decade, streetwear in Canada has turned into a movement of its own, bringing about brands inspired by the multiculturalism of Toronto as much as scenery deeper in the country. Here, we share some of the labels from that movement we’re stoked about, and think you should be too. These are 12 Canadian streetwear brands you should have on your radar.
Mr. Saturday
Mr. Saturday is the brainchild of Joey Gollish, a graduate of The Weeknd's creative incubator HXOUSE. The 26-year-old Torontonian is something of a fashion history buff, his work rife with tasteful nods to the nightlife and subcultures of days past. His Spring/Summer 2021 collection, for instance, mines New York City's party scene during the late '70s and early '80s, referencing iconic venues like Paradise Garage, The Ritz, and Danceteria. When the pandemic hit, Mr. Saturday released the SS20 Artist Relief Capsule, which raises money for the COVID-19 Response Fund, launched by HXOUSE and the Toronto Arts Council, supporting countless out-of-work creatives across Toronto. More recently, the brand also dropped its Priceless Lies T-shirt, 100 percent of its proceeds going to the NAACP and the Black Solidarity Fund. "There's a big focus on giving back to our community in what we do," Gollish tells us.
Get Fresh Company
Based out of Toronto, Get Fresh Company has always aimed to be more than just a clothing company. Part brand, part boutique, its beginnings date back to 2013 and, since then, it has always aimed to represent the youth of the city. They mill their own fabrics, create their own garments, and sell only 100 percent authentic drops. At present, they’ve got a collaboration set to release soon that’s been in the works for over a year.
Atelier New Regime
Though it started in 2009 as a passion project, Atelier New Regime has grown to become a staple of Montreal’s streetwear scene, where it has a flagship store on Notre-Dame St W decked out in orange (a colour synonymous with the brand). Atelier New Regime is founded on the principals of creativity, freedom, and self-expression. While the coronavirus pandemic has pushed the release of the brand’s next drop to July, the team has a homeware and jewelry collection in the works, as well as a debut denim and leather line. They will also be dropping a new collection at the end of the year temptingly named “The Birth of A New Regime."
4YE
Founded by wildly popular Toronto comedy duo Jae and Trey Richards, 4YE is a media company that's also emerging as a streetwear brand in its own right. Up to now, the brand's gained traction for its wavy durags, but lately it's been expanding its offerings to include classic hoodies and sweats. What's more, you can rock them with a clean conscience. Their "reWORK 1 of 1" collections source garments through Toronto's thrift market, which they remix via airbrushing and printed graphics. It's an effort to extend the lifecycle of second-hand clothing and combat the impact of fast-fashion. But most importantly, it looks dope as hell.
TheLegendsLeague
Since it was founded by esteemed artist Bryan Espiritu, TheLegendsLeague has gone from strength to strength. After sharing his art online and gathering a loyal following, he transferred his talent to apparel. Today, that exists as an online space and brick-and-mortar store on Toronto’s Camden Street, stocking tees, headwear, hoodies, and more. As well as regularly announcing restocks of products, TheLegendsLeague has been throwing free, handmade masks into a selection of online orders. Their recently dropped "We're not alright but we'll be fine" tee could be the official shirt of 2020.
Carson Cartier
Carson Cartier is a multi-disciplinary artist based out of Vancouver with an aim to bring together the worlds of painting, photography, digital art, and fashion. Part of that mission has been brought to life through various mens and womens collections. Within these, you might see denim jackets inspired by industrial workwear and the sounds of dark techno, or T-shirts characterized with industrial fabric spray paint. Recently, Cartier’s been working on a new collection, set to drop in fall, as well as new paintings and editorials.
Malice Studios
Led by a team of Montreal designers and Toronto rap artist 88 Camino of 88GLAM (who we recently spoke to about their surprise mixtape), Malice Studios is all about generating gear for the modern space cowboy/girl. “At the root of it, Malice is inspired by Japanese director Shinichirō Watanabe’s Cowboy Bebop,” Adamo Zinno, one of the brand’s co-founders, tells us. This month, Malice dropped their latest collection, Knocking On Heaven’s Door, via an online-only launch. It’s a collection that deals with their infatuation with death and what comes next, but with a positive twist; the items are printed with ‘Jesus is coming look busy’ and ‘knocking on heaven’s door.' The pieces themselves are produced locally, in downtown Montreal, and come from a place of authenticity. Even the name Malice is born from real experiences of being uncomfortable, and able to push personal boundaries.
Reigning Champ
Reigning Champ has been delivering mens and womenswear drops from Vancouver since 2007. With a focus on quality, it’s a brand that lives to an ethos of "respect the details; master simplicity." As well as a performance line and other annual arrivals, Reigning Champ has embarked on a number of collaborations with brands like ASICS and New Era Cap. Their most recent collection is inspired by the timeless style and history of competitive rowing, bringing together lightweight staples and a full range of summer sweats.
Raised by Wolves
When Pete Williams decided to set up Raised by Wolves in 2008, he did so to put Canadian streetwear on the map. Since its inception, it’s safe to say he’s done exactly that. As well as embarking on collaborations with Timex, Timberland, and Reebok, the brand stocks tees, outerwear, footwear, and incense. Over the past month the brand’s been busy, launching a new collaboration with eyewear brand AKILA, as well as a Support Local program highlighting local businesses and artists they’ve worked with over the years. In the weeks to come they’re launching a digital cookbook with all sales being donated to the Ottawa Food Bank.
KUWALLA TEE
Based out of Montreal, KUWALLA TEE (pronounced quality) brings premium fabrics to essential pieces designed to be as comfortable as they are timeless. Since launching in 2012, the brand has been about giving back, and all products are produced with minimum waste and the environment in mind. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic KUWALLA TEE has, alongside offering 25 percent off online orders, been running a number of campaigns for those in need, donating to both retailers forced to close and frontline workers.
HAVEN
Since its beginnings in 2016 in Edmonton, Alberta, HAVEN has grown to become one of the finest streetwear stores on the market. Alongside stocking a variety of brands from Nike to The North Face, it launched its own collection in 2018. Their Spring/Summer 2020 collection features the Apex Parka, made from KOMATSU’s knit polyester, which moulds to the wearer over time. As a statement from the brand reads: “Inspired by Canada’s four seasons and the contrasting conditions that accompany them, the collection unifies modern and traditional materials with the functionality of military, workwear and performance outdoor apparel to create timeless garments that are optimized for the urban environment.”
Committee Members
Dedicated to the exploration of identity and culture, Committee Members is a brand and collective by people born and raised in the west with roots in South Asia. Perfectly placed in the multiculturalism of Toronto, you can expect to see sweatshirts, graphic tees, or jackets inspired by the '90s as much as political unrest. “We pay homage to the philosophers, the artists, the storytellers, and the activists—those who sing the Universal Melody,” reads a statement. “As we aim to create from that vibration, we hope to inspire others to join us and do the same.” Throughout quarantine, the team has been taking the time to reset, and plans to come back more focused than ever.