Evidently, there’s no shortage of female-founded businesses to support this International Women’s Day. Across fashion, jewelry and wellness, we’re showcasing just a few inspiring females in the lifestyle brand space, helping their communities thrive with their visionary business and phenomenal products. —Julia Dumbrell
Fashion
Morgane Sézalory’s sustainably-focused fashion brand was born from an idea to sell vintage clothes online. Over a decade later, her brand Sézane designs pieces with an empowering vintage edge, like the Fiona Jacket in Camel ($675).
Just two years ago, twin sisters Michèle and Véronik Bastien partnered with their team to launch Quebec-based Parmi Lifewear. Products like the Women’s Merino Mock Neck illustrate the brand’s objective to simplify closets with mindfully considered and long-lasting outdoor essentials ($220).
Mikayla and Naomi founded alder apparel to inspire inclusion, enforcing a policy that all retail partners carry the outdoor apparel line’s entire size range and prioritising partnerships with models and creators from all walks of life. Sets like the adventure performance cropped tank and biker short illustrate these commitments, available for the season in a sustainably and seasonally-inspired floral print ($60, $98).
A Canadian intimates brand uplifting women since the ‘60s, WonderBra founder Louise Poirier celebrates individuality and confidence by championing beauty in all shapes and sizes. With the launch of their Share the Wonder program, and products like the WonderBra EcoPure Full Support Minimizer, WonderBra continues to further its mission of making a meaningful impact that transcends appearances ($57).
Jewelry
Amber Hsu fused her passion for fashion with a background in art direction to create Barebone, a jewelry collection which mirrors the confidence and strength of the modern woman. Pieces like the Squiggle Open Ring are made to help women stand out and shine, like Hsu was inspired to do when emerging from a depression to create this authentic brand ($89).
Since its inception, Lover’s Tempo founders Elaine Kim Smith and Leslie Hoolaeff have proudly upheld the values of equity and inclusion, championing female empowerment at every turn. The Vancouver-based, B Corp certified jewelry brand not only ensures fair wages for all employees but prioritises the recruitment and development of female talent. The love is evident in the rebellious glint of its pieces, like the Alanis Chain Necklace ($75).
Wellness
Actress Paula Kent developed Redken in 1960, as the first-ever hair brand to lead with the power of science by infusing its hair care products with protein, moisture and acidic pH. It’s still going strong today, leading the industry with products like the Redken All Soft Argan-6 Hair Oil ($53).
Jane Wurwand’s story started with the five most important words she would ever hear, from her mother: “Learn how to do something.” So Jane learned how to disrupt the skin care industry: training hundreds of thousands of professional skin therapists when she founded the International Dermal Institute (IDI), then building the number one brand in the professional skincare industry, Dermalogica. A product she continues to use daily is the Biolumin-C Vitamin C Serum, enhancing the skin’s natural defense system to brighten, firm and help dramatically reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
A female-founded family business, Laurence Gaudreau-Pépin had a clear goal in mind for SOJA&CO.: to become the go-to destination for candles and wellness products in Canada. Products like the Eucalyptus + Grapefruit Candle achieve this dream, setting the brand apart as a leader in the wellness space with its intoxicating scent ($32).
As Canada’s first Nike Master Trainer and a founding trainer for Barry’s Bootcamp Canada, trailblazing wellness leader Eva Redpath inspires with her unwavering dedication to empowering individuals worldwide. Through her coaching and dynamic presence on platforms such as HatchPath – an online marketplace that connects clients with highly qualified and vetted health coaches- Eva champions self-discovery, resilience, and the pursuit of one’s fullest potential.
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