With Atlantic Fashion Week kicking off tomorrow night, we thought we’d put together a list of some extremely talented clothing designers working hard in Nova Scotia to create really unique, high quality handcrafted clothes.
Some of these designers have received international acclaim, while others are just starting out in the business! All the creators listed below have a really interesting story behind their work, so be sure to take a browse through the fashion lines they’ve put tons of effort into.
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1. Veronica MacIsaac
Growing up in an artistic Cape Breton family, MacIsaac was inspired by the prevalence of Celtic culture within her community. That inspiration is clearly communicated today in her unique, modern tartan garments, which have been featured across the globe in fashion publications such as British Vogue, Vogue Italia and Flare Magazine.
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2. Orphanage Clothing
Designer Kim Munson studied at the International Academy of Design and Technology in Toronto before moving to Halifax and starting her brand Orphanage Clothing. Having come from a family of sewers, Munson’s mission with Orphanage is to repurpose old garments into new modern pieces, moving “away from fashion as a disposable commodity.”
3. Xander Rory Designs
Rory has been creation fashion collections since 2009, when he debuted “A Touch Of Whimsy,” and since then has continually sought to create high quality work that puts a modern twist on classic style. In 2012 he launched his namesake design company, which aims to create innovative and futuristic women’s wear that combines both function and art.
4. Dee Silkie
Not only does Halifax based designer Dee Silkie produce some incredible silk pieces, but she also runs a multifaceted creative empire, with a beauty blog that features collaborative work with other fashion professionals in the province. Silkie successfully merges all her creative interests together through her social media platforms to create articles, photoshoots, and art that projects Canadian designers in an awesome light.
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5. ELLAments Jewellery
Artist Tanya Milne is well known locally for her beautiful hand crafted jewelry work, for which she uses special metals and stones to create incredible necklaces, earrings and bracelets inspired by the natural world.
6. Twigg & Feather
Jenn LeBlanc travelled the world learning about fashion and design before returning to Nova Scotia and starting her line of laidback knitwear under the label Twigg & Feather. Inspired by motherhood, LeBlanc evoked nesting imagery when selecting the name for her brand, which includes high quality, easy to wear pieces that are cozy and comfortable.
7. Citadel Clothing Company
This Halifax based streetwear collective has been collaborating with local models, artists, photographers and musicians on a series of easy to wear collections for the past couple years, creating a brand that uniquely represents Halifax while also remaining simple and sleek.
8. Court House Apparel
Sasha Court created her namesake line of apparel with the belief that “getting dressed isn't just about clothes, it's about showing the world who you are.” Her growing line of relaxed t-shirts and apparel for women emphasize the importance of self expression and feeling good in the clothes you wear.
9. Lisa Drader Murphy
Canadian fashion giant Lisa Drader Murphy has opened stores all across the country, selling high quality, handmade women’s wear under her label Turbine since 1997. Her work has been featured in fashion publications all over the world, and is often spotted on celebrities around the globe.
10. Sueno Swimwear
Joanna Tranter’s love of travel inspired her to craft this Halifax based swimwear line using soft fabric, bright colours and bold prints. Sueno is a “fuse between functional surf wear and sexy, eye catching, unique designs,” perfect for world travelers who love spending time at the beach.
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11. BZLY Clothing Company
This Dartmouth based streetwear brand is influenced by all things creative within Nova Scotia. Each piece is inspired by original local artwork, “and every one has a story.” All BZLY clothes are handmade here in the HRM, using embroidery and patchwork to effectively communicate visual art via fashion.
12. Anneke Jans
Jans is an extremely experienced Nova Scotian artist and designer, who has worked in tailoring, textile, sculpture and the study of cloth-to-body relationships. She has shared her extensive knowledge of fashion as a professor at NSCAD, and uses her experience to create some incredible conceptual and wearable designs.
13. Behuman
This brand new Halifax based easy to wear clothing label aims to remind us “to embrace our differences, because as fellow humans, we are all in this together.” Behuman reflects the beauty associated with living in a diverse and metropolitan city such as Halifax, promoting an important message of acceptance that never grows old!
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14. Art Pays Me
Duane Jones started his streetwear brand Art Pays Me in 2011 under the name Be Gliteratti. Since then Jones has continued to produce high quality, wearable products that “comment on society and culture while being a voice for the creative professional.”
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15. Anthony El-Cid
Halifax’s go-to gown designer Anthony El-Cid aims to incorporate elements of nature and metamorphoses within the elements of his ornate couture. A NSCAD alumni, El-Cid continues to produce evening and ready to wear clothing lines that play with form and luxury.
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16. Vivacious Vixen
Local Dartmouth designer Brittany Dawn Connors runs this HRM boutique which sells unique original pieces hand made by Connors herself and other articles of clothing from Canadian designers that visitors might enjoy.
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