Designers

Anastasia Lomonova:

Lomonova is a force to be reckoned with - nobody does dresses like this gal! Always fresh, always girly and the sex appeal in her pieces is just (and we mean just) under the surface. You gots to love that! Lomonova is based in Montreal, where she both designs and manufactures her collection.

Blackbird Couture:

Doesn’t it sometimes feel like a wicked graphic tee is both the simplest and best wardrobe option for most days? Working out of Midland, Ontario (and at times out of Toronto) the strength of this line rests in the designer’s ability to layer designs and position them perfectly on a tee (always American Apparel). No easy task, and one much appreciated in a quest to find perfect tees.

Blackmission:

There must be something in the air. Designing out of Montreal (where she also does her manufacturing), Blackmission has found the perfect proportions to making a high-waisted pant that fits like nobody’s business. This gal can cut clothing! But perhaps her secrets lie not in the air she’s breathing, and more to her spot-on choices in fabric.

Broundoor:

A long-time favorite at Victoire, due to the designers ability to blend all things important to a Victoire shopper: creative designs, amazing environmental practices and a super cute addition to an outfit. Using recycled leather, Broundoor goods are made in Montreal, and encompass a one-of-a–few quality that is irresistible.

Colcci:

Designed in Brazil, Colcci footwear pays special attention to detail and is known for its unique style and character making it discernible among “fashionistas” worldwide.

ComplexGeometries:

Montreal designer Clayton Evans’ superb line. His clothes are amazing on, beautifully cut, and elevate a simple t-shirt into an art form. Interesting fact: His background is in architecture, not clothing design! Here at Victoire, he’s the man that has conquered all of our hearts, through not only his amazing designs, but his charms as well!

Dace:

Vancouver-based line by designer Dace Moore. She began to sew as a money-saving trick when she became a young single mother. She started constructing garments from vintage patterns that she collected from thrift stores. She took the blocks from these patterns, manipulated them and created her own designs. Now, she’s grown into a wardrobe favourite in Canada and beyond. We like to think of it as clothes for smart girls, because the shapes and attention to small details can only be detected by all you smarty pants!

Dolce Vita:

Cool shoes for hip chicks made in NYC. You’ll quickly see how they’re the perfect last touch to an outfit.

Erica Weiner:

Stints as a costume designer for Broadway shows and as a seamstress and design assistant at various fashion houses in New York (including the uber-cool Imitation of Christ) gave her insights into design and production. During that time, she began gathering a collection of curiosities and found objects and used them to develop a small line of jewelry with an emphasis on affordability and craftsmanship.

Eve Gravel:

Now based out of Montreal, this designer is a graduate of Ottawa's very own Richard Robinson Academy of Fashion Design. Eve Gravel’s pieces work well into a wide range of women’s wardrobes because of the scope of her designs. Her skills lend themselves just as well to making clothes for the club, office or evening.

Foley & Corinna:

Not only is this designer local, she lives just up the street from Victoire! Her pieces are whimsical and perfect for layering.

Frash Femme:

Not only is this designer local, she lives just up the street from Victoire! Her pieces are whimsical and perfect for layering.

FSU:

Montreal artist Tyson Bodnarchuk paints his signature monsters on vintage bags & shoes. These little gremlins are more cute then scary. Ever wondered what FSU stands for? Here’s a hint: there is a swear word in it!

Hastings&Main:

Beloved designer Maryanne Mathias who’s originally from Vancouver, and works wherever she finds herself (Montreal, Ghana, Egypt, India, Vancouver, etc). Her ability to let herself be inspired by her surrounding environment (often using local textile creations) allows her pieces to look unlike anything else, while always remaining true to her core vision. Buying one of her pieces is like getting a souvenir from a place you haven’t been to yet!

House of Spy:

Designed out (and manufactured?) of T.O. by Wendy Wong. While studying biology at the University of Toronto, her search for a part-time job brought her to the International Academy of Design and Technology, where she accepted a gig as a receptionist. Discovering one of the perks of the job was free classes, Wendy wasted no time, taking pattern drafting and sewing, and as she added more classes to her roster, she uncovered a new calling. But when Wendy shared the exciting news with her parents, "they freaked," questioning who was going to buy her line and insisting that she finish her biology degree. Her amazing work ethic lives on in her strive for well cut pieces that are always on trend. And if you haven’t tried on a pair of her Rockette pants, you are missing out!

Imaginary Friend:

This is a Vancouver-based line. Although the company has a short history, it launched with a bang. Soon after the release of its Spring 2007 collection, Imaginary Friend received international attention. While visiting Vancouver, American actress Zooey Deschanel bought an Imaginary Friend dress, and loved it so much, that her Oscar-nominated costume designer ordered it for Deschanel's movie, The Happening.

Lily Jae:

The name was chosen to highlight designer Jude Feller’s principle source of inspiration, namely combining men’s and women’s clothing in a comfortable and fashion-forward way. Feller began her career as a costumer on film and TV sets after a disappointing internship at a major Canadian chain. Thankfully, it was while working on one such film set that she met one of her most famous supporters – Oscar nominated and super cool girl Sarah Polley – which motivated her to get back in the fashion game, this time with her very own line. In fact, it was Polley who came up with Lily + Jae’s slogan – “tomboy flirting with femininity”. Based in Vancouver, her pieces are sure to become staples.

Liv & Lucy:

Jewelry line out of Ottawa by Kim Rodger. She uses an eclectic mix of vintage beads and chains, brass charms, and nature-inspired fixings such as 24-kt gold-dipped leaves and branches. Her pieces go beyond whimsy, and will be a highlight of any outfit.

LnE:

It is a true honor to carry LnE because of the tremendous respect we have for Lola & Emily (the Montreal store for which this is a house brand) . Always elegant, their pieces are sure to become a favorite as they often provide the perfect pieces to wear to an event. We love the way their pieces come off as simple but once on you can see the piece’s little quirks that make the wearer stand out.

Majolie:

These amazing knits are manufactured in Montreal using the softest of wools that are just asking to be cuddled in.

Me et Moi:

Based in Ottawa, this trio of designers is taking the city on a whirlwind! Expect to see 60's inspired feminine clothes for work or play – high waists, polka dots and fun florals. Super girly yet super crisp, it's exactly what we're loving right now. Most memorable perhaps is how they put bows on almost everything, and you all know how much we love that!

MizDragonfly:

Jewelry line by the effervescent Ottawa designer Karine Eyamie.

Mociun:

Drawing inspiration from things as varied as the vegetables she buys from her local grocer to some of the rarest creatures to be found at the natural history museum, this Brooklyn-based line of clothing speaks as much to a sense of youthful discovery and creation as it does to traditional conceptions of aesthetics.

Mogil:

This leather goods company is one of our favorite international labels. Creative cuts and exciting colour options makes it perfect for us. Every Mogil piece was made custom for Victoire – Katie and Regine chose every colour combo!

Myrtle & Pearls:

These feathered earrings are made in Edmonton.

Nokomis:

Nokomis is an amazing line out of the Edmonton shop of the same name. And Nokomis means grand-mother in Ojibway! Classic clothing with a twist provide by the fabric choice or a special silkscreen, this is a line that we just never seem to be able to keep on the racks. We keep a little piggy bank where we put our pennies to one day be able to go meet these ladies in Edmonton, cause we just know we will love them as much as their line.

Nothing Fancy:

Nothing Fancy is designed by a GENIUS printing artist working out of Toronto (but from Ottawa, and our BFFFFFFFF). Her t-shirts, cards, pins, purses and rose pins are so cute and appeal to so many, I think it is because you can feel the designer’s kindness and smile in everything she creates. (This probably sounds totally hippy-dippy, but look at her pieces, isn’t it so true?)

Norwegian Wood:

The creative juices of this Montreal based designer have resulted in all sorts of wonderful creations: blouses, jewelry, pillows, stuffed animals, skirts - and the juices just keep flowing! You just never know what she has up her sleeve next. She is also the owner of a fave shop of ours (Headquarters, in Montreal) with her luver man, the designer behind FSU.

Paperbird:

Eco-line out of Vancouver which uses couture finishing techniques, such as bias finished seams. Super cute, they’re also built to last and have an eye on the environment. So much to love!

Paul Sharp:

Paul Sharp is an Ottawa-based visual artist who uses his t-shirt designs to make light-hearted creations that are sure to get a chuckle out of most people.

Petit Chapeau:

Petit Chapeaus creations are a coup de coeur item: if it isn’t love at first site, it’s obsession at first site. Made right here in Ottawa with a combination of new and vintage materials, they’re all one of a kind and are sure to set you apart. Like a little crown, you are sure to hold your head up high in a Petit Chapeau creation.

Pish Posh:

Composed of semi-precious stones with fine 24kt gold and sterling silver chain, this jewelry line is based in Ottawa.

Powerhaus:

PowerHaus was formed by Montreal based artists Melissa Matos and Lenny Pier Ramos. Straddling both the art and the fashion worlds, these two emerging designers decided to fuse their aesthetics and ideas to create a jewellery line.

Preloved:

Famous for its use of reconstructed fabrics and creative designs, Preloved is a Victoire staple. Based out of Toronto, you would never think you could make an old blazer into shorts, sweaters into dresses and all their other wild re-creations.

Princess Tina:

Out of Australia, Princess Tina’s designs are always a bit whimsical (although I kinda hate to use that word).

Regional Assembly of Text:

Regional Assembly of Text make cute clever paper goods out of the most adorable shop in Vancouver. We wish they lived in our town so we could stop in for a visit all the time!

Roadkill:

“Cute but evil” vinyl bags and sterling silver jewelry (which are her own casts/molds) designed by Elaine Ho out of Montreal. With a degree in Fashion Design from NYC’s Parson’s School of Design, her designs are sure to make you feel world class!

Steel Magnolias:

Recycled vintage clothing, accessories and reconstructed jewelry hand-picked by Regine and Katie.

Supayana:

Originally from Brooklyn, she has recently relocated to Montreal after falling in love! Famous on the Internet! Was in finalist in Fred Flare’s “Next Big Thing” contest.

Suzabelle:

We are one of only a handful of stores in Canada to carry this amazingly made & well-priced line designed in Portland, manufactured overseas.

Valerie Dumaine:

Valerie Dumaine has been active in the Montreal fashion scene for over ten years. Her line projects an image of confidence, with clean and elegant lines, embellished by a careful finished touch. Inspired by the past, the designer is a master when it comes to mix and match styles, creating refined and bold garments.

Wise & Proper:

Vancouver-designed line. Interesting fact: Designer Elizabeth Law is an actual Brazilian Jiu Jitsu master!

Worn:

Fashion journal out of Montreal which focuses mainly on local designers, vintage and articles on fashion history.