LOCAL LOVE
16 fabulous gift ideas from B.C. brands and makers
When it comes to the local lifestyle industry, there's a lot to love. But, according to recent data made available on the Canadian Federation of Independent Business Small Business Recovery Dashboard, only 66 per cent of small businesses in B.C. are open amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and only 33 per cent of those businesses have managed to reach or exceed normal revenue numbers.
The struggle for local businesses is real. And with the holiday gifting season nearly upon us, there is perhaps no better time than now to shop local in order to support homegrown entrepreneurs.
With this in mind, we've rounded up a list of some B.C. favourites. From luxurious knits and handmade soaps, to keepsake jewelry and timeless tumblers, here are 16 fabulous finds from local brands to gift a loved one — or even yourself — this holiday season:
The item: AG Hair Healthy Hand Lotion.
Why we love it: It's been a tough year for our hands, what with all the frequent washing and application of sanitizing fluids and gels. Local beauty brand AG Hair is looking to soothe the situation with its Healthy Hand Lotion. The formula features benzalkonium chloride, a “gentle disinfectant,” along with hydrating ingredients such as shea butter, argan oil and Abyssinian oils to further smooth things over.
$12.99 | Aghair.com
The item: Aritzia The Super (Re) Puff
Why we love it: Beloved local fashion brand Aritzia changed the way many people think about puffer jackets with the release of their cute-and-colourful The Super Puff design. Now, they've shaken things up again with the release of The Super (Re)puff, a winter-ready jacket design that features Econyl fabric made from regenerated nylon, as well as Re:down, a recycled, regenerated down fill.
$298 | Aritzia, aritzia.com
The item: Brunette the Label Brunette Gothic Hair Clip.
Why we love it: Wear your hair colour with pride with this cute crystal clip from Vancouver-based brand Brunette the Label. The company, which popularized the appearance of wearing “Brunette,” “Blonde,” “Redhead,” and other assorted slogans on one's garments, is celebrated for creating casual pieces that embrace the idea of creating a community surrounding fun fashion. $19 | Brunettethelabel.com
The item: Cadine Table Mat.
Why we love it: Minimalist-chic pieces that will last a lifetime is the main mission of the luxurious local brand Cadine. The company offers a curated selection of keepsake items that embrace the idea of “fewer better,” like this genuine leather table mat, which is crafted from vegetable-tanned skin. The accessory will get better with age as it earns all the marks and scars of daily tabletop use.
$90 | Cadine, shopcadine.com
The item: Canvas Candle Company Woodland.
Why we love it: From the Port Moody-based company's Signature Collection, this hand-poured candle features notes of vanilla, cedarwood and sandalwood for a “sweet and musky” allure. Housed in a heavy glass container with a natural cork lid, the candle creation will add an element of the outdoors to your indoor experience.
$28 | Canvascandleco.com
The item: Ecologyst The Fisherman Toque.
Why we love it: B.c.-based clothing company Ecologyst focuses on creating high-quality garments using sustainable fabrics that are made at their own factory in Victoria, as well as partner manufacturers in the U.S. The perfect addition to every wintertime look, the Fisherman Toque is made from 100 per cent sustainable merino wool.
$90 | Ecologyst.com
The item: Foe & Dear Yin Yang Signet Ring.
Why we love it: Vancouver-based jewelry designer Katherine Schlattman highlights the use of recycled and fair-trade gold and sterling silver, as well as conflict-free gemstones, in her locally designed and made creations. Foe & Dear's latest release, titled 11:11, is a “collection of life's moments” and features hoop-earring charms, rings, necklaces and more.
From $475 | Foeanddear.com
The item: Herschel Heritage Backpack.
Why we love it: A hard-working accessory from the Vancouver-headquartered Herschel Supply Co. is always a good gift idea. Looking for a classic piece? The company's latest iterations of the popular Heritage Backpack play with colour, pattern and materials in a fun, fashionable way like the Eden Slub option in the sweetest shade of green.
$69.99 | Herschel.ca
The item: Jillian Harris x Chelsea King hair scrunchies.
Why we love it: TV personality and lifestyle tastemaker Jillian Harris has teamed up with local brand Chelsea King to create a lineup of scrunchies. As Harris puts it, she has a “love” for the hair-accessory style. The collection includes this polka-dot version that the influencer says is “reminiscent of Julia Roberts' character Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman and her iconic polka-dot dress.”
$19.99 | Chelseaking.shop
The item: Le Fil Rouge Linen Tea/ Hand Towel.
Why we love it: We may not be able to travel to Europe, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy a small European touch in our homes thanks to the local linen company Le Fil Rouge. The lineup offers towels, aprons, robes and more, sewn in Vancouver using “natural, eco-friendly European linen.” $27.50 | Lefilrougetextiles.com
The item: Merge Tumblers.
Why we love it: A partnership between Tofino-based boutique Merge and local artist Karla Strickland, these tasteful tumblers are handmade in limited numbers in Ucluelet. The mix-and-match natural tones of the cups are complemented by the raw clay exterior for a naturally beautiful appeal.
$34 | Shopmerge.ca
The item: Mumgry Pistachio Chocolate Almond Butter.
Why we love it: If it's good enough for Beyoncé, the odds are, it's good enough for the rest of us. Entrepreneur Lilian Umurungi-jung has found a fan in the Queen Bey herself for the Pistachio Chocolate Almond Butter from her plantbased snack line Mumgry. The line features simple ingredients that are prepared and packaged locally.
$20 | Mumgry.com
The item: Sonya Lee Leighton bag.
Why we love it: Local fashion creative Stephanie Ibbitson has an eye for creating covetable designs. Take this “soft scrunchie pouch” bag from her line Sonya Lee. Said to be inspired by the brand's creative marketing manager of the same name, the petite Leighton bag features a soft leather exterior with a removable strap — other options available include an in-house designed chain. The made-in-canada design is also available in a cool, croc-embossed leather.
$216 | Sonyalee.co
The item: Sisters Sage Oatmeal Rose Soap.
Why we love it: Created by sisters Lynn-marie and Melissa-rae Angus, this local wellness brand uses Indigenous traditions and medicine practices in its handmade soaps, salves and smokeless smudge sprays. Featuring natural ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, rose petals, coconut oil and more, the rapidly growing enterprise celebrates traditions — while also building a bright future of its own.
$10 | Sisterssage.com
The item: Smash + Tess Holiday collection.
Why we love it: Loungewear is the undisputed outfit MVP of 2020. And Vancouver-based company Smash + Tess basically has the industry cornered thanks to its wide array of styles and fits for men, women and kids. The company's latest holiday release includes a Poinsettia Plaid onesie that's crafted from a signature bamboo and rayon-cotton blend for a soft, snugly fit you can cosy up in all season long.
From $53 | Smashtess.ca
The item: True Curated Designs x The August Diaries.
Why we love it: Vancouver-based Tori Dundas has teamed up with former Vancouverite Jill Lansky of the fashion blog The August Diaries for a limited-edition collaboration of pieces inspired by the Art Deco era. Featuring “clean lines, geometric forms and blazing colours of the period,” the collection includes earrings, a signet ring, a pendant necklace and more — each one crafted from solid gold.
From $69 | Truecurateddesigns.com Aharris@postmedia.com