Photography courtesy of Nordstrom SPACE x Dover Street Market Paris

Including a slew of sustainably-focused drops, from brands like ai Toronto Seoul and French Sole, plus the next Knix warehouse sale.

Nordstrom SPACE and Dover Street Market Paris partner to highlight emerging global designers

Nordstrom SPACE x Dover Street Market Paris
ERL, designed by Eli Russel Linnetz.
Photography courtesy of Nordstrom SPACE x Dover Street Market Paris.

This week marked the launch of Nordstrom SPACE and Dover Street Market Paris’s exclusive partnership. With a goal of discovering nascent creatives and independent labels all over the world, Nordstrom SPACE will house all seven indie brands under Dover Street Market Paris — Vaquera, Rassvet, Weinsanto, ERL, Liberal Youth Ministry, HFD and Youths in Balaclava — in an exclusive retail experience. Youths in Balaclava, a Singapore-based creative collective, serves as a platform to rebel against political inequality through unisex streetwear, while Rassvet, meaning sunrise in Russian, aims to mirror a new dawn in Russian youth culture. These special pop-ups will last for six weeks starting April 5, and can be shopped online at nordstrom.ca and in-store at Nordstrom Vancouver, New York and Los Angeles.

ai Toronto Seoul collaborates with Canadian media personality Tanya Kim

ai Toronto Seoul x Tanya Kim collab
Photography courtesy of Jared Leckie

Fashion and dog lovers alike, rejoice! Canadian contemporary fashion brand ai Toronto Seoul has joined forces with TV personality Tanya Kim on the launch of a vegan leather belt bag and matching, hands-free dog leash. The limited edition set is named after Kim’s rescue dog, Mabel, and becomes available for purchase on National Pet Day (April 11).

“As a brand founded by Korean-Canadian women, we felt an instant connection to Tanya and it quickly became apparent that we shared a core set of values; including a commitment to cruelty-free fashion, animal welfare and advocacy,” said Hannah Kim, co-founder of ai Toronto Seoul. On top of being crafted from a creamy caramel vegan leather, The Mabel leash is waterproof and durable for up to 1000 lbs of tug, while the bag’s interior is lined with fabric made from 100 percent recycled plastic water bottles.

Nicky Hilton and French Sole launch eco-friendly shoe designs

Nicky Hilton
Photography courtesy of French Sole

Nicky Hilton has teamed up with footwear brand French Sole for a fourth seasonal collection, this time including sustainable designs. The nine-piece spring roster will include classics like chic loafers, espadrilles and ballet flats, four of which are crafted from recycled, organic and animal-free materials. Hilton notes that it is “a small — yet big — step in the right direction.”

A more sustainable approach is a first for Hilton in her fashion design escapades, noting that her “awareness around the importance of sustainability in fashion has grown a lot over the years,” and that it is something she is very passionate about. “All shoes wear out eventually, so creating footwear with materials that aren’t harmful to the planet and can eventually be recycled is extremely beneficial.” The Spring 2021 collection is available to shop now, via luxury ethical fashion platform Maison De Mode, nickyhilton.com, frenchsoleshoes.com, zappos.com and select specialty stores.

2nd Coming releases new capsule “Against All Odds”

2nd Coming Against All Odds
Photography courtesy of 2nd Coming

Concept brand 2nd Coming has just launched a new capsule called Against All Odds. Helmed by Edmonton-based creative Josué Ngimbi, this latest drop draws deep and personal inspiration from his background between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Canada. The intention-driven designs are born from Ngimbi’s own life story, including the unique trials and tribulations that have shaped his character. With Against All Odds, 2nd Coming aims to inspire self-empowerment, and the limitless feeling to stop at nothing.

Knix leaks the news of a virtual spring warehouse sale

Knix Virtual Spring Warehouse Sale
Photography courtesy of Knix

The Knix team is bringing accessible retail to yet another stay-at-home period. Their spring 2021 virtual warehouse sale is kicking off on April 13 at 12:00PM PST (3:00pm EST), and will see its most popular products marked down by as much as 50 percent off. This sale’s offering of intimates is larger than any warehouse sale they’ve hosted in the past, meaning customers can snap up a three-pack of leakproof undies at 40 percent off, the LuxeLift Bodysuit at half-off and the LuxeLift Pullover Bra at 35 percent off, to name a few favourite styles. Visit the sale via knixwarehouse.ca and move quickly — the Canadian brand anticipates a quick sellout.

Looking for more fashion news?

The upcoming Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards will be vitural – and this year, we’re all invited to watch the festivities.

Sustainably-minded Canadian brands Poppy Barley and Lezé have collaborated on a limited-run promotion.

Here’s what the stars are wearing to get their COVID-19 vaccinations.

By: Sarah Mariotti