Indigenous History Month may have come to an end, but our desire to celebrate B.C.’s most talented Indigenous designers, beauty experts and makers is still going strong. We’ve rounded up our top picks for local Indigenous businesses that we can’t get enough of. —Jeanine Gordon
totem design house. This fashion, jewelry and home-décor brand is the brainchild of siblings Erin and Jesse Brillon of Haida and Cree Nation ancestry. As if their stunning pieces aren’t enough reason to support Totem Design House, there’s also the fact that their products are eco-friendly and made from locally sourced materials, plus partial sales go to local charities. It’s hard to choose from the wide array of products, but we have a soft spot for the handmade Wool & Shell Button Cape ($345)—a versatile and luxurious piece that you’ll have in your closet forever.
sisters sage. Lynn-Marie and Melissa-Rae Angus—the New Westminster power-sibling duo behind Sisters Sage—have us clamouring to get our hands on their sumptuous self-care products. Their Gitxaala, Nisga’a and Metis Nations heritage is the inspiration behind their 100 per cent vegan and cruelty-free products, like their top-selling Smokeless Smudge Spray (from $17)—a way to cleanse your home’s aura in an eco-friendly reuseable glass spray bottle. We love the sweetgrass and tobacco leaf natural fragrance combo that leaves air smelling sweet and full of good vibes.
alicia’s designs. Did someone say New York Fashion Week? Vancouver-based designer Alicia Smith of Alicia’s Designs has shown her collection among fashion’s elite, all while staying true to her Nuu-Chah-Nulth/Swakwaka’wakw Nations roots with every piece she makes. We’re blown away by her hand-detailed boots and handbags, but it’s the Reversible Bikini ($65) that we’re lusting after now (before beach season disappears). Traditional prints are perfectly paired with modern design for pieces that you can easily incorporate into your wardrobe—whether you’re hitting the yoga mat in her workout wear or heading out in a pair of her killer heels.
sḵwálwen botanicals. If you’re anything like us, you love luxe skin-care products. Our latest obsession is just about everything in the Sḵwálwen Botanicals lineup, especially the Téýwilh (tie-wayth) Sweetgrass, Sage and Rose Geranium Cream and Toner ($24) that leaves skin feeling nourished and refreshed. If you’re not a fan of toxins you’re in luck, as all products are free from harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances. Using plants from the Skwxwú7mesh Nation and organic ingredients, this skin-care line is definitely one to love.
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