Sitti is a Canadian small business committed to the self-reliance of refugee and displaced communities through long-term employment opportunities and skill development training, empowered by an inclusive global economy. Women-owned, minority owned and refugee-led producing premium quality, luxury based olive oil soap handcrafted and other artisanal products. [Si’-TEE], which means my grandma in Arabic, is a social enterprise that aims to empower and restore hope to refugee women through the making of olive oil soap and other timeless products. “Sitti was inspired by how our grandmothers used to make soap. Nothing but premium, local olive oil, and lots and lots of love.”
WOMAN OWNED – REFUGEE MADE – ARTISANAL
Roshni: Light or Brightness
“We create premium scented candles that inspire moments of connection and bring love, light and joy to your space. We both care deeply about our Punjabi + Afgan culture and so much of that shows up in our work here. We are guided by our values of community and connection. $1 from every candle sold goes to grassroots organizations that are working to build stronger communities through fostering connection, belonging and wellbeing. This year, we’ve partnered with South Okanagan Similkameen Pride Society.” Candles are hand-poured in the Okanagan, with clean ingredients and focus on creating minimal environmental impact.
LOCAL MANUFACTURING – GIVE BACK
Small batch manufacturing in Los Angeles, with living wages and providing safe and healthy working environments. They exclusively design with sustainable fabrics, and source most within 10 miles of their warehouse. Considering environmental impact at every stage of the process, they work with BlueSign™ certified dye houses (who recycle water and solvents, and dispose of any waste in ways that won’t harm local communities or groundwater).
LOCAL MANUFACTURING – WOMEN OWNED – SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS
Sustainable eyewear handmade to order in Hawaii. Made from recycled plastics and bio-acetate (a renewable, and natural material that is free from fossil fuels and chemicals). “We design our shades out of our Hawaii office right next to the ocean – sun protection is the most important thing to us. Our sunglasses are handcrafted in small batches with premium, earth-friendly materials to ensure durability, comfort & 100% protection from UV rays.”
Proudly handmade in Canada with local small-scale co-production, ethical and socially responsible labour, and a sustainable production cycle. In 2011, founder Emilie Rioux launched Meemoza, with the mission of creating designs with a lower impact on the environment, while making them accessible to a community of women, looking for value behind the clothes they wear. “Since the beginning, we believe in a local, conscious and ethical approach to fashion, which originates from our desire to limit our impact on the environment as well as our passion for high-quality natural materials.” By choosing Meemoza, you are supporting a community of workers with socially responsible wages, as well as the use of sustainable materials.
Creates in a safe place for marginalized, exploited women in the Okanagan to gather and make jewellery, with funds to Okanagan based charity Hope Outreach, who directly helps these women through various services. “Jewels of HOPE is a dream born out of a passion to help our women find hope in the darkest of places. It is the vision of a safe, low barrier and practical context for marginalized and exploited women to be valued, to learn artisanal skills, to transition to further employment and educational opportunities. Additional courses and skills that can build a resume will be available in partnership with other partners and service agencies.”
GIVE BACK – EMPOWERING WOMEN
Handmade by artisans in Nepal. “As one of the least developed countries in the world, Nepal is in need of safe and sustainable employment. We keep as much of our supply chain in Nepal as possible to benefit their local economy. That is why we spin and dye our wool in Nepal instead of importing finished yarn and felt from other countries. The more employment opportunities we can provide means a greater benefit for the economy as a whole. We believe that small businesses can make a big impact through the choices we make in how and where we produce our products. We believe that our history of producing in Nepal is a testament to that.”
FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED – HANDCRAFTED
Exists to create better opportunities for women. Women make up 80% of the workers in the fashion industry. In an industry that has become (in)famous for poor working conditions and pay, ABLE provides high-quality jobs, living wages and safe working conditions for the people making their pieces. They work to create safe, dignified jobs both in Nashville, where their home office, jewelry studio and fulfillment center are, and also around the world, through partnerships with value-aligned manufacturers. “We know that together with our customers, we can Move Fashion Forward and show the positive change possible when brands and customers value both the customer and the worker.”
QUALITY – TIMELESS – EMPOWERING WOMEN
A social enterprise that supports women’s freedom from human trafficking, slavery, and poverty through a self-sustaining job. Every purchase gives hope and opportunity for a life made free. “We are doing all that we can to help end the injustice of slavery and extreme poverty through well paying ethical jobs, while at the same time using eco-friendly, organic and recycled materials where we can. We use 100% organic cotton canvas and the finest eco-friendly, vegetable tanned, biodegradable leather that is a waste byproduct that would otherwise be discarded into a landfill.”
FAIR TRADE – LOW PROFIT – HANDCRAFTED
A brand deeply rooted in environmental and social justice. They’re right from the ground (soil) up, helping farmers to regenerate their fields to organic practices. “Our mission is to innovate more sustainable products. Ethical. Eco. Carbon positive. Circular. To inspire and enable others to drive sustainable change. For a planet we are proud to pass on to future generations. We won‘t settle for less, but for more. We are not here to make fashion. We are here to make change.”
RESPONSIBLE ACTION – FROM RECYCLED OR ORGANIC MATERIALS
Every decision is made with the highest regard for People and Planet. Purposeful design, responsible sourcing and Fair Trade practices are why Outerknown exists. “We’re pioneering real change through our ethically crafted clothing, designing out waste and building garments for the long haul not the landfill.” Since 2016, OuterKnown has been committed to protecting the environment and supporting fair labor, with a practice ‘Fairtrade Premium’, where workers chose programs such as extended healthcare insurance, scholarships for their children, housing support, financial relief for extended illness, and more.
RESPONSIBLE ACTION – COURAGEOUS CHANGE – TIMELESS QUALITY
Designed and manufactured in Toronto, their products support the local economy and high quality craftsmanship. The recycled polyester used in their swimwear is made from a proprietary process including collection and processing of ocean plastic waste and post-consumer PET bottles.
INNOVATION – LOCAL MANUFACTURING – FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS
(ku – ‘tü \ kich)
Inspired by a personal desire for pieces that are accessible and easy to wear. The Coutukitsh collection is conceptualized, curated, and pieced together by hand by a small team in Calgary, led by founder and creative director Dorian Kitsch and her partner Kofi Oteng. High quality, long wearing plated metals and delicate details come together in a way that is effortless and chic.’Coutu’ is a family name representing Dorian’s Métis heritage and ‘Kitsch’ is her surname.
TIMELESS – LOCALLY MADE – INDIGENOUS & WOMEN OWNED
All-natural, plant-based, vegan, eco-friendly beauty and skin care products made in Quebec. Founded in 2014 in Montreal by Marilyne Bouchard, recipient of a bachelor’s and master’s degree in microbiology. “Our mission is to provide high quality products that are not tested on animals and are completely safe for the environment. Our products are plant-based and made from natural ingredients.”
ALL NATURAL – LOCALLY MADE – 2% of SALES FOR ANIMAL WELFARE
“Dedicated to the pioneering women who first braved the waves, and to every woman who has ever searched for a suit that is feminine, comfortable, and fun.” Small batch, locally produced swim suits designed for female surfers, by female surfers. Made from recycled materials whenever possible, including discarded ocean fishing nets and post-consumer plastic waste.
MADE IN CALIFORNIA – WOMAN OWNED – FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS
“We believe the planet, and the people on it, should always come first in fashion.” Made in Fair Trade Certified factories, Pact provides safe working conditions, community support, and additional development funds to those working on-site. Which means every stitch empowers employees, and every purchase contributes to the community. All pieces use organic cotton, resulting in cleaner air, better soil, safer farming, and fewer toxins, 81% less water and 62% less energy to be produced.
ORGANIC – CARBON NEUTRAL – FAIR TRADE
“We’re on a mission to make the best sunglasses on earth for outdoor adventure, inspire our community to live in balance with nature, and raise the bar for sustainable sunglasses.” SunSki invented ‘SuperLight’ a revolutionary recycled polymer that transforms scrap plastic into a material they use for all their frames.
QUALITY – FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS – SMALL BUSINESS
Reimagining apparel production in a way that honours and celebrates the people behind the clothing. “We work with underserved populations to provide meaningful work, and to show the powerful impact our clothing purchases can have if made thoughtfully. We introduce you to the woman who made your apparel in an effort to bring people back to the forefront. Each Known Supply product is accompanied by the signature of the person who made it.”
TIMELESS QUALITY – CELEBRATING MAKERS – COLLABORATIVE APPROACH
“We believe in considering the impact of the choices we make every day, and view those choices as an opportunity to better ourselves. Our purpose is to Inspire a Better way of Living by creating conscious products that last through time.” 100% of products are produced with sustainable processes and eco-friendly materials. To ensure accountability in manufacturing, 100% of their supply chain partners have signed a Supplier Code of Conduct (SCOC), and undergo third-party audits.
CERTIFIED B CORP – BASED IN MONTREAL – FOREVER STYLES
Sustainable apparel and accessories made with purpose. “We create for the people. We stand for the people. We are the people.” Made in Toronto, with many styles created with up-cycled fabrics. Timeless, comfortable and fashionable, Made for the People makes casual wear you will want to live in.
LOCAL MANUFACTURING – QUALITY – FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS
Montreal based company creating beautiful swimwear and home goods in small batches. Their swimwear is made from recycled post-consumer plastic waste materials whenever possible, and ethically made in Peru. The line is “made for & modelled by women like you”. (Note: We are a small store, with limited space, so we carry a portion of their inclusive line, but are happy to order any requested sizing in, or direct you to purchase straight from Mimi & August). Their home goods are intentionally zero waste with containers of beautiful ceramic cups of various sizes, that can be reused endlessly.
INCLUSIVE – QUALITY – FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS
“Driven by our passion for natural living and creative expression. It’s an outlet for us to share our story and innovate on our favourite daily use products.” Active Humans creates beautifully scented and innovative natural spray on deodorant only 85 km from here. Thoughtfully pH balanced for improved underarm health, all formulations are free from aluminium, baking soda, sulfates and parabens, easy-to-use and 100% shirt friendly. ‘Farm-to-bottle’ they source a custom essential oil for their Okanagan Lavender scent from nearby Hayton Creek Lavender Farm.
NATURAL – INNOVATIVE – LOCAL
“When it comes to people, the planet, transparency, accountability and collaboration, the fashion industry must do better, and, thankfully each and every one of us can help make that happen.” Nisolo stands for 100% living wages that cover the needs of all people within supply chains, 0% Net Carbon through the reduction and offsetting of carbon emissions, tracking and publicly sharing sustainability facts in a consumer-facing label, validating practices through public-facing self assessment 3rd party certification, and advocating for a more sustainable industry through interdisciplinary collaboration. All with shoes are of an impeccable quality and timeless style.
CERTIFIED B CORP – TRANSPARENT – TIMELESS QUALITY
A beautiful small Canadian-African family business, based 17 km away in Summerland. “Choosing to support The Woven Hope Collective means you are supporting a living wage that goes beyond fair trade. It also means our hard-working weavers don’t need to walk the four hours, in the blistering sun, to market every three days to sell their baskets. Many of our weavers are wives and mothers who depend on weaving for their livelihood. Your support provides HOPE and the funds necessary to send their children to school, support their families and empower their financial independence.”
FAIR TRADE – CELEBRATING MAKERS – TIMELESS
A second generation family-owned small business based in Los Angeles. “Our clothes are ethically made-to-order in small batches and designed, cut, sewn, and produced all under one roof in our factory. We source fabrics locally and try to keep things as close to home as much as possible. We believe in conscious manufacturing. Workers are paid fair wages and garments are made-to-order to avoid overproduction and waste.”
WOMAN OWNED – MADE IN LA – INCLUSIVE
Designs are made of 100% recyclable and renewable resources: Merino wool and Linen. The collection is ethically crafted by their small team in Lithuania, Europe. “As a group of passionate comfort loving enthusiasts, we discovered that something has been missing from our lives, clothes for people like us. For this reason, we set out to create sophisticated form-fitting garments for everyday.”
WOMAN OWNED – TIMELESS – SMALL BATCH
“We believe in nature and its ability to soothe, heal, and revitalize, and we want to share it. Our mission is to bring the power of natural wellness to your everyday through affordable, consciously crafted, and plant-powered skincare products.” They are committed to responsible sourcing from producers that use sustainable, and ethical farming practices and are certified cruelty-free through the internationally recognized Leaping Bunny program. A 1% for the Planet partner, who with their 2022 pledge, donated to Water First, Canada’s leading charitable organization dedicated to working with Indigenous communities to address local water challenges.
100% NATURAL – SMALL BATCH – INDIGENOUS & WOMAN OWNED
“We’re proud to be a sustainable & ethical company as well as entirely women-owned and women-led. We believe fashion can be ethical, affordable, trendy and comfortable all at once. We are transparent about the way we make clothes. We care about the planet, the people and animals. We keep both our prices and our wages fair. We’re women-led and we support other women. We give back to our community.” As much as possible, their clothes are also made locally in their own manufacturing facilities in Victoriaville, Québec.
WOMAN OWNED – MADE IN CANADA – SMALL BATCH
“Everything we create is made with one goal in mind, never putting our interests before what’s good for the planet. From our sustainability and social initiatives to being transparent in how we do business, we’re working towards a brighter future, one pair of jeans at a time. Based in Southern California, we’re committed to ethical denim, minimal footprint for maximum comfort. We go to great lengths to ensure our entire supply chain is as responsible and clean as possible, from growing and harvesting organic cotton to sewing and finishing, plus all the processes in between.”
SUSTAINABLE DENIM – TIMELESS DESIGNS – WATER CONSERVATION
“Every formula and every tiny detail of the formulation is done in-house by team of women that care. Women that want the safest and cleanest products possible for their family and for the environment. We do not, and will not, ever use anything synthetic, toxic, artificial or GMO. Our products are always gluten-free, nut-free, cruelty-free. We don’t use fillers or emulsifiers. When we make a product, the quality is so concentrate and pure that even just one drop of our serum or oil will bring you instant hydration. Why? Because you deserve the best.”
100% NATURAL – WOMAN OWNED – SMALL BATCH
“Your purchase of Freewaters helps us fund our water projects. We believe clean water is something everyone on the planet should have access to! Each pair of Freewaters purchased provides clean drinking water to people in need through our grassroots projects.” So far 22,636 people and counting. Free Waters shoes are also responsibly sourced, with select manufacturing partners who meet the highest standards of quality and labor practices. “We do everything we can to create the best products on the planet, while preserving our precious resources. Our goals match the highest standards in social conscious and environmentally sound innovation.”
QUALITY COMFORT – FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS – GIVE BACK
“Born of the love we have for building confidence in people through clothes. We focus on crafting timeless essentials in natural fabrics and easy silhouettes, easy wear you’ll want to live in. We aim to design pieces that wear beautifully season after season.” They are committed to using natural sustainable fabrics, and ensuring working conditions are great and workers are given a fair, competitive wage. “We believe that our manufacturing partners are a crucial part of our business— we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without them!”
NATURAL MATERIALS – BIPOC WOMAN OWNED – TIMELESS DESIGNS
“We believe in ethical manufacturing and recycled materials. Because old water bottles and fishing nets look better on you than they do clogging landfills and polluting oceans. We believe health and wellness come in many shapes and sizes, and that representation matters. We believe in being transparent, taking care of the people who make your clothes, and never putting our bottom line before what’s best for the planet.” SA8000 certified, a social accountability standard and certificate developed by Social Accountability International (SAI), protecting workers worldwide by providing a standardized guideline to protect the integrity of workers’ conditions and wages.
INCLUSIVE – FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS – GIVE BACK
Sustainably designed and handcrafted in Winnipeg, Manitoba, they work with high quality linens and non-toxic inks. “For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples in Manitoba, including my Anishinaabe ancestors, created beautiful patterns to adorn their pottery collections and host of bone tools. Most of the surviving pieces are held by museums now, but I think the world needs more than exhibition, we need these patterns in our homes provoking thought; we need them bridging gaps; and we need them inspiring our loved ones. The Indigo Arrows line picks up where my ancestors left off.”
MADE IN CANADA – SMALL BATCH – INDIGENOUS & WOMAN OWNED
22,961 plastic bottles saved from landfills to-date. One bar replaces upwards of two 250mL plastic bottles of shampoo, and significantly less water is needed to manufacture than traditional solutions. They use only ingredients that are either organically farmed, sustainable, COSMOS-standard/ECOCERT, or readily biodegradable. They also give back, with every two bars purchased one tree is planted (3,841 trees planted so far). Female owned company, operating and residing on the Sylix Territory of the Okanagan, Lake Country.
MADE IN THE OKANAGAN – SMALL BATCH – WOMAN OWNED
100% hand-loomed organic turkish cotton towels. “We work with women’s cooperatives, family run businesses and individual artisans. Our focus is on bringing beautiful handmade and fair trade products to the global marketplace, and helping to preserve the ancient traditions behind these art forms.” Stray & Wander buys directly from the artisans who make their products, who are paid fairly for their work. “We believe in supporting women and helping to create sustainable livelihoods for people living in rural communities. We believe in giving back to the communities where our partners work and live. We believe that there are ethical ways of doing business.”
WOMAN OWNED – TIMELESS DESIGN – CELEBRATING ARTISANS
Barber & Co was established in 2011 with a barbershop in Vancouver’s Gastown neighbourhood. “Our purpose has always been to supply men with comfort, culture, and confidence.” A team of chemical scientists and master barbers work hand-in-hand to build utilitarian products in response to genuine needs expressed by their staff and clients. “As locals to the Pacific Northwest, we feel obliged both in keeping the modern man well groomed and our earth well kept, so as such, whenever possible we use natural ingredients, partner with suppliers employing sustainable practices, and keep our processes environmentally friendly.”
MADE IN VANCOUVER – SMALL BATCH – NATURAL
“We believe that no matter how small, your actions make a difference. The things you do inspire those around you and create a ripple effect of change.” All of Conscious Step’s socks give back to various causes, with a portion of profits donated. Their manufacturing is ethical, with fair and transparent working conditions and there committed to sustainability, using organic cotton in all their socks.
GIVE BACK – FAIR TRADE – ORGANIC
“Handmade in our garage, with ideas formed around our kitchen table, we are excited to bring to you, Concretely.” All of their products are handmade and unique, with no two pieces exactly the same – and made right here in beautiful Penticton.
LOCALLY MADE – SMALL BATCH – WOMAN OWNED
“We’re on a mission to help you feel good. We are motivated to make moments special and make days fun. We believe that body-care should feel special. Luxury without being ‘luxury’. Never any fillers, parabens, and pthalates and never tested on animals.” All made super local, only 30 km away.
MADE IN THE OKANAGAN – SMALL BATCH – WOMAN OWNED
“Coast Mountain Essential Oils is the result of a lifetime spent in forests of British Columbia, exploring and learning about the incredible wild ingredients that can be found throughout. We are proud to produce only 100% pure essential oils, made from local wild-harvested conifer boughs, needles, and leaves.” Sustainably harvested, with a natural steam distillation process.
LOCALLY SOURCED – 100% PURE – NATURAL
Family-owned & run business in Ventura. “Our products serve as a daily reminder to be present & encourage a slower pace of life.” Designed in California and ethically made by artisans in Mexico with up-cycled reclaimed fibers derived from 100% post-consumer materials.
CELEBRATING ARTISANS – FROM RECYCLED MATERIALS
“In 2015 I lost my stepfather. As a family, we were lost. I was lost. And I found myself needing a way to keep him close. I made four necklaces for the family – one for me, my mom and my step-sisters. It was the feeling our necklaces gave us – the feeling of having something tangible to hold on to that really got me through the hardest times. It’s with the same love and intention I put into creating those first four necklaces, that I put into every piece I create, knowing I’m helping you express, connect to and wear your story.”
MADE BY HAND – CRAFTED IN PENTICTON
Created by a group of creatives based out of Vancouver, Canada. “Taikan was conceived from the desire for inspired, purpose driven product, with an emphasis on aspirational silhouettes. Bringing the sensibility of timeless design, we outfit our consumer in classic rooted styles, with the aesthetic of tomorrow.” Transparently made in their own factory overseas, ensuring good working conditions and fair wages.
VANCOUVER BASED – TIMELESS QUALITY
Started with a single bag, a shared dream, and a Kickstarter campaign- and now evolving to a thriving small business. Ethically Made in Asia, and made to last. “As a company founded by two Native Hawaiian women, giving back is important to us.” Aloha donates 5% of profits to Hawaiian based conservation organizations annually as a way of giving back to the community and to help preserve the cultural heritage and natural beauty of their home.
MADE TO LAST – GIVE BACK – WOMAN OWNED
Ethnically sourced 100% organic Turkish cotton towels, made in a Fair Trade manufacturing facility. “Our mission is to help save marine life.” 10% of profits go toward marine conservation, supporting 20 non-profit partners who are on the front-lines of marine life conservation. “When you purchase a beach towel from Sand Cloud, not only do you get a premium, sand-resistant, ultra-absorbent Turkish cotton towel, but you also help us in our mission to #savethefishies.”
ORGANIC – GIVE BACK – FAIR TRADE
Made-In-Canada lifestyle brand, inspired by the icy-water, storm-chasing lake surfers at Antlers Beach. “Every winter when the south winds blow just right, a group of local surfers brave the icy water to catch some 3-4 foot rollers that build for a clean 30km line from Penticton and break on the shores at Antlers Beach. Our brand is based on this beach, and the lake surfers that call it home.” 1% of profits to various water organizations and initiatives, to help give all access to clean water to drink and surf and swim in.
MADE IN CANADA – SMALL BATCH – GIVE BACK
An effort to move towards 