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While Canada is often recognized for things such as hockey and its cold weather, it’s slowly being recognized for something else, fashion. Brands such as Reigning Champ, Canada Goose and Viberg have built a worldwide following by consistently making quality garments and maintaining a unique identity. While new brands seemingly pop up every day, we’ve cut through the clutter and selected four new Canadian fashion labels you need to know about.
Find out who made the list and learn a-bit more about the newest faces in Canadian menswear.
CUT + TSO
Producing updated versions of staples such as bombers, hoodies and t-shirts is Toronto based Cut + TSO. The brand puts an emphasis on quality, only using Japanese fabrics and producing locally. Signature pieces such as the Ninja Bomber Jacket and Shearling Trench help set them apart in the increasingly crowded contemporary market.
How would you describe the aesthetic of your brand?
Cut + TSO: Over the past three years CUT+TSO has matured into a symbol of contemporary menswear fashion with a unique take on handcrafted ready-to-wear. CUT+TSO launched in 2012 and has since been developing its creations on the streets of Toronto. Taking influence from underground street culture, CUT+TSO is distinctive for its unique lines and focus on detail, while still giving nod to its urban references.
What can we expect from your brand this year?
Cut + TSO: This year we will be launching our first Spring/Summer capsule collection further maturing into a brand that puts a unique twist on men's handcrafted read-to-wear. Our customers have become accustomed to our unique outerwear styling and this capsule collection will serve as a showcase of what CUT+TSO will be offering in a wider ready-to-wear capacity, with a greater focus on knits and pants.
Where can we currently purchase CUT+TSO?
Cut + TSO: You can currently purchase CUT+TSO at Atrium in New York, Wolf and Badger in London as well as our online store, cutandtso.com.
Pale Black
The newest brand on this list is Pale Black, a men’s contemporary brand that brings a fresh take to fashion’s most popular subject, youth culture. Re-works of classic men’s pieces such as a tie—dyed field jacket and hand stitched denim tote have us excited to see how this brand develops.
How would you describe your aesthetic?
Pale Black: The pale black aesthetic is our homage to rebellious youth culture. We focus on deconstructing and creating garments with a keen attention to detail.
What can we expect from you this year?
Pale Black: You can expect a 5 piece capsule collection by the end of the year.
Where can we currently purchase Pale Black?
Pale Black: You can find out current pieces at paleblack.co.
SP Badu
Perhaps the most well known brand on this list is SP Badu. The futuristic, unisex line that was most recently one of the most under the radar shows at this past World MasterCard Fashion Week. As gender-neutral clothing seems to be the biggest thing impacting menswear today, we’re eager to see the direction this brand takes.
How would you describe SB Badu?
SP Badu: I would describe it as a minimal futuristic, gender-less brand. we try not to box ourselves into a box. it is our early stages and our aesthetic is under constant development, But some of the things we stress on is gender-less , futuristic and minimalism. All of our collections are a direct product of impatient towards gender.
What can we expect from you this year?
SP Badu: My main objective is growth, expanding our product range and our reach. We will also be making more thought provoking garments that can easily translate into everyday life.
Where can we currently purchase SP Badu?
SP Badu: We are currently operating "Direct to Customer" to help us build a strong base and to find out more about our target customer. All garments are available online: www.spbadu.com or at our annual pop-up shops at random locations around the world.
Daimyo
Last on my list is Daimyo, a modern menswear label created by Justin Escutin. With only three collections produced, Daimyo has steadily developed its aesthetic creating quality pants, shirts and tees that could easily interchange in a variety of closets. With the emphasis on quality and attention to detail, we expect big things from this brand in 2016.
How would you describe your aesthetic?
Daimyo: Daimyo is very much a reflection of my personal style of living -- balanced, low key, and conscious of every decision's impact. Visually, Daimyo is minimal and utilitarian; it takes cues from fluid realms like nature and the past, while remaining functional and contemporary. That being said, each piece is mindfully made not only for the productivity of the wearer but also its synergy to the environment, society and sustainability.
What can we expect from you in 2016?
Daimyo: Aside from tangible products, Daimyo is always eager to create narratives; 2015 was the brand's character development year, whereas 2016 is all about action and story progression. In tandem with the release of its core pieces, Daimyo plans to collaborate with a slew of artists across the creative landscape -- sounds and visuals will accompany the clothing by way of multi-sensory experience.
The collection I'm currently working on is a modern adaptation of 1920s work-wear. Following its April launch at a pop-up space in Toronto, the clothing will be available on the aforementioned online store and the collaborative pieces will live on Daimyo's revamped website.
Where can we currently purchase Daimyo?
Daimyo: Past and current Daimyo pieces were sold exclusively at pop-up gallery events in Toronto and can be viewed online. Future projects will be available for purchase through an e-commerce platform, set to launch in early spring. Until then, special orders can be coordinated via email.
