THE DESIGNERS

Meet the designers.

A considered collection of Canadian designers, each with something different to say.

Explore the people, ideas and pieces you’ll find at Wilkes & Bowens.

AMÉLIE LEGAULT

In her own words…As an artist, I started my adventure in 2013 with 6 flamingo greeting cards! Since then, I have created several collections: animals on bikes, flamingos doing yoga, sporty kiwis, birds wearing cool shoes and animals talking on the phone. These illustrations make everyone laugh! I have written and illustrated childrens books. À la recherche de Rosie with Alaska Publishers, Simon le saumon, Jeannette la crevette, Hector l’alligator and Thomas le chat et les émotions with Les Malins Publishers. These books are available in French in bookstores and on the websites of my publishers.

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BENNY BING

Benny Bing is a Canadian contemporary artist whose vibrant and evocative work examines themes of Black identity, gender, and humanity. Through bold compositions and striking palettes, he celebrates the beauty, resilience, and complexity of the Black experience, fostering conversations about self-acceptance, cultural pride, and the shared essence of humanity. Bing’s art has been featured in prominent exhibitions, including Enduring Ideals: Rockwell, Roosevelt & the Four Freedoms at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Massachusetts, where his work offered a contemporary lens on universal values. His creative vision has also led to notable collaborations with esteemed organizations such as IKEA, Roots Canada, Intuit, Old Navy, Toronto Football Club, The Daniels Corporation, and Giants of Africa, showcasing the intersection of his artistic mission and global influence. Currently, Bing works out of his studio in Toronto, Canada.

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BLANK & BLUE

A collaboration with Monoxide Jewelry; The Blank & Blue collection was created to take with you on your travels, and embody the memories you will make as you uncover new places. When you look down at your wrist, you’ll not just see a beautiful silver bracelet, you’ll see the sunshine peeking through the palm trees casting a shadow over your skin as you nap on the beach in Tulum. You’ll remember dancing under the moonlight with strangers; or that time you and your best friends decided to pack up and just go… You’ll see all those moments when you wear Blank & Blue because they are our moments too. Each piece was designed and inspired by the very memories they embody.

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B.LEW

B.LEW (B.Lew Brand) is a custom clothing brand based in Toronto known for streetwear such as graphic tees, crewnecks, hoodies, and cargo pants. The brand offers personalized, limited-availability items. It is often associated with local fashion events, including the Smile Fashion Show.

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BULLISH CUSTOMS

Bullish is a creative force with a unique perspective, influenced by a lifetime surrounded by artistry. From her mother's custom baby blankets to her Oma's handmade clothes and her sister's art school background. Bullish grew up immersed in creativity. Her passion for art led her to art school, and now, she channels that energy into designing custom streetwear. Her mission is to craft one-of-a-kind pieces that stand out, grab attention and encourage individuality. Bullish's designs push boundaries, combining style and touch of bling to make sure you're always noticed. She thrives on collaboration and is deeply connected to art communities. Explore her creations or connect with Bullish to design a custom piece you'll love to wear again and again.

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CLUTCHEEET

Driven by her entrepreneurial spirit and inspired by her rich cultural heritage, Gunjan, established her brand, "Clutcheeet" which would encapsulate her vision of blending elegance, tradition, and affordability into every meticulously crafted accessory. As Clutcheeet Bags continues to thrive, Gunjan remained steadfast in her commitment to social responsibility. She actively supports charitable initiatives that empower women and children to bring a positive change. Her brand story is one of resilience, passion, and the transformative power of entrepreneurship.

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DEMASCARÉ

An aspiring luxury brand that creates awe-inspiring women's and gender-neutral clothing. The brand's identity focuses on innovation, sustainability, and at it's core - people and community.

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DENISE DAVID

The Denise David Collection is a Toronto-based luxury fashion house founded by designer Denise David. Established in 2010, the brand specializes in custom apparel, including wedding gowns, evening wear, and everyday suiting, focusing on tailored silhouettes designed to empower women of all ages.

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HAUS by EVERTON

Among all our shoes, only slippers have the distinction of being singular: unlike sneakers, stilettos, or sandals, we often own only one pair. Slippers are our most worn piece of footwear because they are used in our most lived-in location: the home. The HAUS SLIPR is the first piece of at-home footwear that brings prestige to this essential shoe.

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HAYMAD & CO.

With all their designs done in house, HayMad & Co., is proud to be a local brand that is gender and size inclusive with maximum comfort in all their designs. Not only is their Be Kind lineup their bestselling collection, it supports an amazing cause. A portion of all proceeds from the entire Be Kind lineup is donated to the Canadian Mental Health Association in support of Mental Health Awareness.

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HILARY MACMILLIAN

Hilary MacMillan is a Canadian fashion brand empowering women through bold and inclusive sizing (XXS-4X). Since 2013 the brand has been known for its modern silhouettes and vibrant colors, the brand celebrates individuality and body positivity, offering high-quality clothing that redefines contemporary style. Each piece is crafted to inspire confidence and make a statement, championing fashion that is both ethical and empowering.

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IMATA STUDIOS

Rooted in the art of knowing oneself Imata is more than a fashion house! It is an invitation. Drawn from an Igbo expression imata onwe ya, our name is a declaration: to know oneself is the most radical act of beauty. We create for those who refuse to the contained. Each collection is a landscape of possibility -- a deliberate depature from convention, an embrace of texture, color, and form as instrument of personal truth. Here, dressing is not decoration. It is discovery Silhouettes engineered to honor every body, in fabrics that move with the wearer's life

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INTIMO CV

Caffery Vanhorne is a talented stylist with years of experience in fashion and conceptual design. Under his direction, his company, Caffery Vanhorne Designs Inc. has produced a unique and recognizable collection of men's underwear and loungewear. He is a multidisciplinary artist who excels in fashion, photography, and interior design. Caffery is known for his expertise in creating alluring settings and photographing them through his own lenses. He is currently hosting the latest season of the HGTV Canada show "STYLED" and was nominated for Best Host at the Canadian Screen Awards after completing his first season.

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KRISTINA KIRKWOOD

I paint, I sculpt, I play...

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KWESIYA

Kwesiya is a ready-to-wear and accessories brand based in Canada. The label specializes in Wax textiles, vibrant fabrics characteristic of West Africa. Our primary mission is to captivate audiences from all cultures, while promoting the use of African fabrics. From business attire, fresh and casual outfits to special event wear; we create pieces that can be worn for any occasion. Kwesiya [kwé-si-ya] which means “Mix It” in a Cameroonian dialect, defines the label and it essence of inclusion. Fanny Ngantcheu is the founder and creative director of Kwesiya. She dug deep into her culture and crafted a story that formed the basis her collections: mixture. Through her designs, she wants to bring uniqueness to your wardrobe. Kwesiya has been showcasing its collections on the runways of the African Fashion Week in Toronto since 2013 and won the 2017 Accessory Designer of the Year Award at the African Fashion Industry award.

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LA COUTTS

INNOVATION MEETS ELEGANCE La Coutts Designer Handbags are known for their meticulous attention to detail and use of high-quality materials, such as genuine leather. La Coutts sets itself apart by featuring a cutting-edge thermal component, designed specifically to preserve temperatures for temperature-sensitive medicines, fresh food, and beverages.

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MEG

Established in 1994 in New York’s East Village, Meg is a locally made, independent womenswear brand known for its unique, timeless, and versatile pieces that become your favorite go-to's for all occasions. Through our brand's creative approach to personal styling and tailoring, our goal is to make every customer feel their best, and have fun in the process! With a focus on dresses, jumpsuits, and comfortable workwear, it’s hard to find a New York woman who hasn’t cherished one of Meg’s pieces.

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MONOXIDE

Monoxide is about being who you want to be, not who you should be. Our goal is to create an environment where you feel free to express your authentic style. Take a deep breath with us and jump! We hope you enjoy your stay :) About Tyler: Designer and founder of MONOXIDE, Tyler Ferguson, aims to tell tales of authenticity, translating genuine stories through the creation of visual pieces. Inspired by writing and literature growing up, Tyler has always found storytelling captivating, and through her love of jewelry making, she is able to tell visual stories with her designs. Born in Toronto and raised in Canada and The Bahamas, Tyler is the product of Caribbean parents with global sensibilities; often jokingly refers to herself as a "Cabajayan"(Canadian/Bahamian/Jamaican). A creative from an early age her passion was originally writing, and it was initially the career path she intended to pursue. However, being involved in the wholesale jewelry business throughout her teens and later as part of the family retail business; she found she could not deny her love for fashion and especially her passion for jewelry. I’m always looking for quality stylish items that are unique and fun and most of all tell a story. If you are like me you will love Monoxide; here you can pick accessories that tell the story of you…your passions, your hopes, your dreams and above all your individual style. For more information on individual pieces check out the rest of the site and feel free to get in contact for custom orders.

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OLESIA LAZOVAIA

Handcrafted clothing and accessories for women and children designed and crafted in Toronto by Creative Director and Lead Designer Olesia Lazovaia.

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PORTIA J. ALIGHT

Portia J. Alight is a Canadian accessories designer who established her namesake brand in April 2023. She creates with a focus on quality, versatility, and timeless style. With a dash of quirkiness. Her work celebrates individuality and self-expression with inspirations ranging from travel and design movements to themes of empowerment and identity. A former ballerina in Toronto and Amsterdam, she brings an innate sense of movement, storytelling, and artistry into her work. With a deep love for illustration, Portia specializes in bringing vibrant silk scarf prints to life. Each scarf collection features a series of her original hand-painted artworks, with the final pieces made using Italian mulberry silk in Como, Italy. Her work has appeared in multiple runway shows and upscale fashion pop-ups, including at 1664 Toronto Fashion Week/Fashion Art Toronto, where she was selected as one of four runway designers sponsored by 1664 Kronenbourg. As her brand evolves, it continues to expand beyond silk scarves into new categories, including leather accessories and bags, with a line of statement leather pieces releasing soon. Each new piece is thoughtfully designed through Portia’s distinct visual language, with a focus on elegance, personality, and quality craftsmanship. Alongside her brand, Portia is working on bespoke silk scarf collaborations and opportunities within Toronto’s fashion and film scene. Beyond the world of design, you can catch Portia dancing, boxing, travelling, crafting cocktails, and stopping to smell the flowers, embodying her personal and brand ethos, “Life as Art.”

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PROVINCE APOTHECARY

Behind the Name Our brand name was inspired by some of our favourite ingredients, sourced from each province across Canada. When Julie, our founder, started sourcing ingredients for our products she started locally, focusing on Canadian grown and harvested ingredients. This practice has blossomed into a beautiful part of our product development. Not only do they support your skin’s health and well-being but they support our local producers and growers, in Canada and beyond. Some of Julie’s favourite Canadian ingredients are organic seaweed from Nova Scotia, maple syrup from Quebec, organic sunflower oil from Ontario, organic beeswax from Alberta, organic lentil flour from Manitoba, and organic raspberry oil and glacial clay from British Columbia. When you choose Province Apothecary, you’re investing in yourself while investing in products made with a sense of responsibility for your health and the health of the planet.

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SOAK BATH CO.

SOAK Bath Co is a handmade bath and body brand based in Niverville, Manitoba. We make fun and amazing things like fancy soap bars and bath bombs! Each of our products are made with all natural, vegan friendly ingredients. The best part, our gorgeous soap bars are completely zero waste. How? Each soap bar is wrapped with a biodegradable, plantable seed paper label so you can plant the soap label and it will grow into wildflowers! So if you're looking for a beautiful, thoughtful gift, you're in the right place.

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VILLA ABURI

Villa Aburi is a lifestyle brand that goes beyond luxury home goods, it’s a unique journey to discovering an expression of home from an Afro-Caribbean perspective. They aim to tell stories of their cultures through figurative language and colours to reflect the diasporic space and time in which they were raised. Villa Aburi designs intend to take ownership of their origins and bring a contextual dialogue that does not omit the creators of the culture that is readily enjoyed today.

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WARP+WEFT

WARP + WEFT's denim — from fiber to finished garment — is manufactured in their family-owned factory. By overseeing the entire process, they offer traceable and scalable solutions that minimize environmental impact without compromising on quality. They strive to constantly invest in innovative sustainable technologies and audit at each stage of the process.

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WILKES & BOWENS

Wilkes & Bowens is a lifestyle brand dedicated to the celebration of a life well lived. Founder Karen Ferguson is a self-confessed design gypsy and Renaissance woman who has always flirted with the world of art, fashion and design in one way or another. However, it was after living in The Caribbean and Paris that she was truly inspired to follow her passion and create Wilkes & Bowens. In creating her designs, Karen focuses on the common elements of quality, fine craftsmanship and a unique style. In her own words, “Wilkes & Bowens is a combination of all the things I love most: art, great design, the relaxed elegance of island and Parisian life, creative solutions, good community, and above all a good laugh. Our collections are selected to complement one another and are designed to encourage you to savour and enjoy every aspect of your life and your surroundings. I hope you enjoy shopping the collections as much as I've enjoyed curating them for you”

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ZOBA MARTIN

ZOBA MARTIN — A luxury fashion brand based in Toronto; that focuses on creating hyper-flattering garments for your wardrobe, special events, exclusive RTW & made-to-measure bridal collections. Zoba uses her skills to design elegant pieces for all body types. She is driven by the belief that whatever is worth doing, is worth doing well; making excellence a core principle in her work. Her skill in pattern making and garment construction, along with her experience with delicate and non-conventional materials; allow her to bring to life unique and high-level design concepts.

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EXPERIENCE CANADIAN DESIGN

Looking for something specific from one of our designers?

Visit the boutique in Bloor-Yorkville or request a personal styling appointment. Karen and the team can pull specific collections, order custom sizes, or curate options for your occasion.

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