I have a hard time getting on board with Tim Horton’s coffee, Labatt’s beer commercials and The Tragically Hip, but that doesn’t make me less of a Canadian. Instead, my sense of pride comes from breathing in crisp rocky mountain air, bulgogi and butter chicken on the same menu, patois riddled conversations, College St. bike lanes, Blue Jay's Baseball, John Candy and lumberjack fashion. As of late, Canadian brands and designers have given us even more to be proud of, with classic throwback styles for the Canadian climate.
This past year was momentous for the Hudson Bay Company as the official outfitter of the Vancouver Olympics and with the release of their Heritage Collection. Canadian labels Comrags, Smythe, Krane and Klaxton Howl paired up with The Bay to create one-of-a-kind coats inspired by the HBC point blanket. Additionally, they presented a line of t-shirts, accessories, totes and sweaters with heavy Hudson Bay branding and iconic coloured stripes. Roots followed suit with a throwback Beaver Canoe pullover and vintage t-shirt line with more on the way for spring ‘11.
Other favorites include; baseball jerseys reproductions by Ebbets Field Flannels, Montreal-made moccasins by Laurentian Chief, the Canada Goose Down Vest and Crown Cap’s classic beaver pelt hat. On the retail level, 2010 brought Red Canoe - National Heritage Brands to the Dundas West strip in Toronto, offering RCMP, CBC and Province branded items.
The Canadian landscape and climate are inspiring in terms of marketing and brand image. On an international level our garments are revered as tough and functional. Here at home, we wear Canadian with loyalty and nostalgia.
