The initiative is through a partnership with Inland, which launched in 2014 as a biannual pop-up for fashion and accessory labels from across Canada, and this year, expanded into an online marketplace, madeinland.ca.
An Inland shop on thebay.com will debut Friday and run through Dec. 31.
Wayne Drummond, chief merchant of Hudson’s Bay, said the partnership represented a commitment by his company to have an assortment “representing all Canadians and ensuring a diverse representation of brands in our matrix.”
The partnership, he added, puts a spotlight on Canadian brands not previously sold by Hudson’s Bay, and that that complement the store’s existing Canadian brand offering.”
“Inland is a community where customers, designers and makers come together to celebrate the fabric of Canada through incredible design,” said Sarah Power, founder and creative director of Inland. “We are committed to putting locally created pieces into every wardrobe.…By promoting sustainable collections, advocating for diverse representation and empowering local voices, we make it easy for Canadians to feel good about everyday wardrobe choices.”
Hudson’s Bay indicated that 17 of the 44 brands are BIPOC designers. Among them:
Anne Mulaire, ethically manufactured designer apparel made sustainably with organically sourced fabric, founded by Winnipeg-based Ojibwe/French designer Andréanne Mulaire Dandeneau.
Omi Woods, a Toronto brand founded by Ashley Alexis McFarlane, which represents her Afro-Canadian heritage with everyday jewelry handmade with fair trade African gold and globally sourced conflict-free fine metals.
Pretty Denim, a premium women’s denim brand producing in-season small batch quantities, founded by Toronto-based stylist Tahnee Lloyd-Smith.
Other labels being offered include Allison Wonderland, Amanda Moss, Devlyn van Loon, Dorian Who, Eliza Faulkner, Frère Du Nord, Hilary MacMillan, Jennifer Glasgow, Laura Siegel, Lesley Hampton, Mas Montréal, Odeyalo, Okayok, Priory, Soft Focus, Valérie Dumaine and Zoran Dobric.
Accessories and jewelry brands being offered are ai Toronto Seoul, Adora Watson, Anne-Marie Chagnon, Biko, Captve, Cat Janiga, dconstruct, Eleven Thirty Shop, Enarmoured, Le Lou Ula, Llim Bain, Lo’bat Accessories, Louve, Maguire, Maria Trimble, Niio Perkins, ooobaby, Partoem, Rara, Slush, Sunday Feel, This Ilk and Yuun.