March 28, 2024

Sarah Power knows Canadian designers. As the founder of Inland, Power has created a marketplace stocked with outstanding homegrown clothing and accessories — Lesley Hampton, Hilary MacMillan and Cat Janiga are just a few of the dozens of top-tier designers available on the site. But Power is more than a retailer — she’s a tireless champion for Canadian fashion talent. We asked Power to share a few Canadian pieces she’s most excited about right now. Her list is so good, a winding path of creative discovery in the fields of fashion, decor and art.

Bramble Lee Pryde Dreamscape wall art, $210 —$1,850, brambleleepryde.com SHOP HERE

Multidisciplinary artist Bramble Lee Pryde, based in Mohkinstsis Treaty 7 Territory (Calgary), is a creative goddess. Blurring the lines between art, craft and fashion, her work has evolved from jewelry, ceramics and illustration to her most recent collection of surrealist-inspired tufted decor. I love how these playful pieces — handmade upon request — encourage you to take a pause and get lost in a dreamscape. Made from either wool or acrylic — an option Bramble added after discovering a lot of people have wool allergies — the leftover fibres are repurposed or donated, making these zero-waste creations.

Christina Sicoli rings, $65, christina-sicoli.com SHOP HERE

Christina Sicoli rings, $65, christina-sicoli.com

Though dainty jewelry is still trending, I’ll always have a soft spot for ’90s-dream-pop-inspired chunky adornment — which now actually feels more futuristic than nostalgic. My jewelry box is a juicy rainbow of resin, lucite and enamel that I like to mix in unexpected, untidy ways. The No Drama ring collection by Vancouver-based Christina Sicoli is a charming example of this bold statement jewelry. Each piece is hand-poured and then layered with colour and non-toxic materials — a little gold leaf, perhaps — to create a decadent, one-of-a-kind palette.

Misbah Ahmed vase, $450, nintheditions.com SHOP HERE

Misbah Ahmed vase, $450, nintheditions.com

Mia Nielsen, my dear friend and director of Art Toronto and Artist Project, is my go-to for discovering new local artists. She recently introduced me to Ninth Editions, which I now frequent for inspiration. One of my current favourite artists is Misbah Ahmed, a Pakistani-Canadian artist and designer based in Toronto. Primarily with oil paint and ceramic sculpture, her work “examines duality, shifting cultural landscapes and the day-to-day human experience.” I absolutely adore her series of porcelain clay vases for both their rawness and whimsy.

studio botté light, price upon request, studiobotte.com SHOP HERE

Studio botté light, price upon request, studiobotte.com

Circular design is a massively important movement, which is why I’m such a fan of Montreal-based studio botté, founded by Philippe Charlebois Gomez. Botté specializes in upcycled lighting using donated and found objects, such as fan guards and venetian blinds to reimagine interior sculpture. The process demands a great deal of love, energy and resourcefulness, starting from the collection process to cleaning, ideating, customizing, cutting, bending, sanding, assembling and painting. Since prototyping isn’t an option with rare materials, Philippe uses 3-D modelling software to realize his stunning vision. So innovative!

Curves by Sean Brown chair, $330, curvesbyseanbrown.com SHOP HERE

Curves by Sean Brown chair, $330, curvesbyseanbrown.com

Sean Brown is a Canadian creative treasure: He’s a fashion designer, musical collaborator and multi-hyphenate designer for his home and lifestyle brand Curves. I love everything from his collections past and present, but especially the Archway Chair, a contemporary interpretation of the African birthing chair. The chair is made in Canada using two pieces of birch plywood with a melamine finish. Sculptural yet functional, contemporary yet retro, minimal yet elaborate — this chair is a gorgeous work of art.

Partoem tote, $500, madeinland.ca SHOP HERE

Partoem tote, $500, madeinland.ca

Although working from home means that I rarely have an occasion to carry a handbag, I continue to collect pieces that bring me pure happiness. Handcrafted in Montreal by designer Madeleine Beaulieu for Partoem, the Domus tote is created using vegetable-tanned leather and signature hardware with an origami-inspired technique free from glue or stitching. The brand name is inspired by the French saying “par toi-même,” which means “on your own.” It neatly fits all of my daily essentials and always commands attention.

LLiM by Yaw Tony scarf, $250, madeinland.ca SHOP HERE

LLiM by Yaw Tony scarf, $250, madeinland.ca

Whether on the cover of Designlines magazine or launching a new concept collection at the recent DesignTO Festival, Toronto-based artist and designer Yaw Tony is full of colour and surprise. It’s all expressed through his brand LLiM (Life Liveth in Me). His wearable art scarves reflect a blend of sophisticated African adages with Western influences. All the patterns, motifs and details are first hand-drawn, then digitally printed or screen-printed on 100 per cent silk. I could stare at his work for hours.

Jennifer Glasgow sweatshirt, $128, madeinland.ca SHOP HERE

Jennifer Glasgow sweatshirt, $128, madeinland.ca

I’ve admittedly grown a bit tired of wearing almost exclusively sweats and loungewear the past few years, so when Montreal-based designer Jennifer Glasgow launched her Caol sweatshirt earlier this season, I immediately fell in love. This elevated yet ultra-comfortable piece has dreamy smocked forearm sleeves, plus it’s made from organic cotton and Tencel, one of the most environmentally responsible fibres — with a touch of Spandex, which is always welcome.

Eliza Faulkner dress, $234, madeinland.ca SHOP HERE

Eliza Faulkner dress, $234, madeinland.ca

A dress is never just a dress. A symbol of multi-layered social and cultural identity, a dress, or anything we put on for that matter, reveals something intimate about the wearer. The Pippa dress by Montreal designer Eliza Faulkner feels like a contemporary take on “power dressing,” a term born in the 1970s with origins found in the Chanel suit of the 1920s, said to be a fashion style that “enables women to establish their authority in a professional environment traditionally dominated by men” (thanks, Wikipedia). The way we dress, express and articulate gender has thankfully evolved, but I still enjoy a vintage reference when it comes to fashion, especially if it involves a peep-hole bow-tie neckline with bright green topstitching.

Lo’bat earrings, $125, madeinland.ca SHOP HERE

Lo’bat earrings, $125, madeinland.ca

Papier-mâché is not a material you would expect to wear, but when Toronto-based friends and co-creators Golnar Ahmadian & Hediyeh Maadi Tehrani decided to use recycled, low-impact findings for their jewelry line, Lo’bat Accessories, they took a more daring approach than most. The result, as you can see, is stunning. Their work is playful, thoughtful and incredibly eye-catching. I love the romance behind each piece and the way they contrast softness with bold strength.

When you make a purchase through the links in this article, we may earn a small commission. Our journalism is independent and not influenced by advertising. Learn more.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Conversations are opinions of our readers and are subject to the Code of Conduct. The Star does not endorse these opinions.