It’s easy to think of all the big designers who show at Fashion Week – the ones whose covetable pieces make it onto each season’s “It” list of must-have items. For this reason, it can be tough for new or local designers to make it into the mainstream. If you’re looking to support home-grown talent, there are plenty of amazing local designer that deserve just as much attention as the larger fashion houses. For exactly this reason, we’ve rounded up five up and coming Canadian designers to watch this season and beyond.

Lesley Hampton

Lesley Hampton is a Canadian First Nations designer based out of Toronto. In her designs, you’ll find embellishments like stones and beadwork, lace, and graphic cut-outs. Hampton’s collections focus on women’s eveningwear, but she also designs chic athleisure as well. Most important though is Hampton’s use of diverse models in her fashion shows – hers are clothes truly created for women of every shape, size, and ethnicity. Available at: http://www.lesleyhampton.com/robust/

Hayley Elsaesser

Hayley Elsaesser is another Toronto-based designer that has been gaining momentum in the Canadian fashion scene in recent years. Known for her bold and quirky prints, her line caters to men and women looking to stand out in a crowd. Her colourful designs have been spotted on the likes of Katy Perry, Lilly Singh (aka. IISuperwomanII) and Miley Cyrus. Most recently, the brand has collaborated with Annabelle Cosmetics for a capsule collection of lipsticks that are as colourful as Hayley herself.  Available at: https://www.hayleyelsaesser.com/collections/all

Triarchy Denim

Triarchy is one of Canada’s top premium denim labels that just happens to be leading the way in sustainable luxury. Every aspect of their denim production has been altered to be more sustainable, from the low water consumption wash cycle, to the nickel-free buttons used, to the recycled leather used to create labels on the jeans. Their creative use of vintage denim results in one-of-a-kind pieces that make a bold (and environmentally-friendly!) statement. Available at: https://triarchy.com/collections

Fellow Earthlings

Based out of Prince Edward Island, this eyewear company specializes in custom frame sunglasses. You’re able to completely customize the lenses, frames and shape of these sunglasses to create a personalized look. Each pair is made to order in Fellow Earthlings’ PEI factory, ensuring that no-one else will be seen wearing your design. Available at: https://www.fellowearthlings.com/shop/

Sentaler

Beloved by international fashion favourites like Kate Middleton, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, and Meghan Markle, Sentaler is definitely a Canadian label to watch. The brand has been featured in Vogue, Elle, USWeekly, InStyle, and Vanity Fair for its timeless designs that have caught the attention of high-profile fans. With prices that start at $1000, these outerwear pieces are definitely an investment – but be prepared to wait! With all the recent media exposure, many styles are back-ordered and will only be delivered in the months ahead. Available at: https://sentaler.ca/collections/all-items

Inspirational Images
Main image courtesy of HypeBae
Image courtesy of Lesley Hampton
Image courtesy of Hayley Elsaesser
Image courtesy of Triarchy
Image courtesy of Fellow Earthlings
Image courtesy of Sentaler

By Kate Mendonca, Toronto, @kate.mendonca

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