When I was a little girl, my favourite book was Cinderella. I loved her beauty on the inside combined with the transformation made by her beautiful clothes, makeup and shoes which showcased her beauty on the outside. It was a pop-up book, so every time I opened it, Cinderella and her mice, birds and other furry friends would appear, seeming lifelike and making me giggle with excitement every time. So, it only makes sense that I would love pop-up shops (a new trend that offers many benefits), especially when they feature fashion!
When Do The Daniel learned that Hudson’s Bay was opening pop-up shops showcasing eco-friendly fashion and beauty brands, I immediately added them to my to-do list. Two of my favourite things: pop-ups and clothes! I personally like to think that the pop-up shop concept has revolutionized shopping, by featuring a wider range of shopping experiences while supporting designers and entrepreneurs who may not be able to, or be best served by, opening a brick and mortar business. It’s a win-win for sellers and consumers, regardless of the industry, be it fashion, skin care or even food.
Introduced this month, Discover This pop-up shop concept features eights new fashion and beauty brands, not previously available at Hudson’s Bay. Of course, one of my favourite things about shopping at Hudson’s Bay is the range of designers they offer, and the way they exhibit their fashion by showcasing each designer. Separate displays in the stores are devoted to designers and beauty suppliers such as Georgio Armani, Geox, Clinique or Madison Park – to name a few the hundreds of incredible brands carried by Hudson’s Bay. So the pop-up shop is just another creative way for Hudson’s Bay to highlight their suppliers. The eight featured brands for Discover This include: Naadam – Menwear and Womenswear, Kotn- Menswear and Womenswar, Kent – Lingerie and Loungewear, Humming Kraft – Backpacks and Totebags, Coola – Skincare, Uma Oils – Skincare, Knesko – Skincare and Soapply – Soaps.
Discover This is the second iteration of the pop-up concept for Hudson’s Bay, the first focussing on Japanese designers. What is truly special about Discover This (available at Hudson’s Bay Yorkville, Queen Street and Sherway Gardens in Toronto, Chinook Centre in Calgary, Downtown Vancouver and, of course, online at thebay.com) is the eco-conscious focus of these brands that allows customers “to feel good about buying and using” them. These unique finds contribute to why Hudson’s Bay is a leader in the industry when it comes to design, marketing and preserving the environment. They are a world-class company that began its 350-year history right here in Canada and they continue to be a symbol of pride for Canadians.
Here’s a little bit more info on the eight new Discover This featured brands:
This company, founded by Matthew Scanlan and Hadas Saar in 2013, introduces sustainable luxury to the fashion world through their ethically-sourced cashmere menswear and womenswear. Naadam’s beautifully crafted knitwear links the fashionista directly with Mongolia and its sheep herders who make the cashmere and sell it to Naadam. Naadam uses 100% clean energy powered production facilities, and pays nomadic herders 50% more than traditional traders. Need I remind, there is nothing quite like the feel of cashmere next to your skin.
As you can tell by the name, KOTN uses ethically sourced authentic Egyptian cotton to create beautiful tees and tanks and polos and undies, and many more womens and menswear items. This Canadian company founded in 2015 by Mackenzie Yeates, Ben Sehi and Rami Helahi, make high quality, sustainable cotton basics, with a farm to factory supply chain in the Nile Delta. Using the natural climate and water, the cotton produced is unlike any other cotton grown anywhere and provides the softest layer next to the wearer’s skin. Btw, they have singlehandedly improved the lives of 30 million people living in Egypt by supporting Egyptian cotton farming & production.
These eco-friendly, high grade wood pulp backpacks and totebags are created using kraft material and cruelty-free vegan leather to produce stylish, durable, washable and recyclable products. Inspired by the fierce, beautiful and protective hummingbird, this Toronto company is committed to giving back to the environment. For every bag sold, they have partnered with One Tree Planted to ensure one tree is planted.
This award winning skincare company offers luxury, high performing products based on their Farm to Face™ philosophy to use the freshest and most natural ingredients. Known for their amazing sun care products, COOLA promises age-defiant antioxidant-rich formulas using Plant Protection™. These skincare products will leave your skin glowing and healthy.
Lejla Cas, internationally renowned skincare specialist, esthetician and makeup artist, believes that beautiful skins starts from within, and has created her high performance KNESKO masks and skincare products using the infusion of gemstones. Cas believes women should treat the skin, the mind, the body and the spirit as a whole. How can you not love a product that aims to enhance your inner beauty by using the healing power of Reiki and balancing your Chakras? That’s a mantra I can get down with!
Started by founder Mera McGraw after living and working in Africa, SOAPPLY produces toxin-free soap that makes a measurable global impact . This all natural, essential product is packaged in recycled glass and is free of fragrances and colour additives. As a bonus, every purchase funds up to $10 worth of impact through water, sanitation and hygiene initiatives.
On their 100-acre estate in India, this company blends essential oils from the finest seeds in the Ayurvedic tradition to create their secret formulas. Creator Shrankhla Holecek harnessed her family’s heritage to recreate dramatic results derived from the beauty regiments long used by princesses and queens. UMA celebrates true beauty by supplying their oils to some of the most world-renowned beauty brands such Tom Ford and Estee Lauder. From hair and body oils to wellness oils and much more, UMA promises to make you feel like a princess too.
We can only imagine the lingerie that our fairy tale princess wears and this organic silk product line, created by Canadian Stacy Anderson and produced in Los Angeles, promotes self love and indulgence for every woman. Their design philosophy is to create “certified organic silks, [using] organic and low impact dyes [via a] transparent supply chain”. Their Female Future Project partners with social and non-profit enterprises to fund programs in critical areas to empower “female futures”.
Where to go first? It doesn’t matter ’cause this princess will visit each of these pop-ups with excitement! Discover This with me at Hudson’s Bay.
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In health,
Catherine Sugrue, CNP
Holistic Nutritionist
Photos by HBC & Respective Brands