These made-in-Toronto brands are creating snazzy work attire that’s fit for the home or the office


Just because workers are returning to the office doesn’t mean they have to bid goodbye to that Covid-era comfort. These Toronto brands are offering outside-appropriate looks that are stretchy yet smart, comfy yet cool.
For her latest collection, Emefa Kuadey, the designer behind Israella Kobla, traded her signature structured style for relaxed-fit garments like asymmetrical shift dresses and split-hem pants. “There’s an element of, ‘Yeah, we want to go back to normal, but dabbling in the comfort was nice, too,’ ” she says. “If we can keep some of that, let’s do it.”
Local duo Kimberly Achim and Celeste Bouchard created La Leur in November of 2020 at the height of hygge sweatpant mania. Using sustainable, low-waste materials, like silky vegan ultrasuede, they offer soft, monochromatic basics: an on-trend asymmetrical knit top, an oxblood pencil skirt or roomy high-waisted pants with adjustable straps, ensuring the comfiest of fits.
Meanwhile, Hoi Bo’s latest collection of casual workwear brings an element of athleisure into the boardroom. Their mockneck sweater and linen top-and-slack combos, available in a variety of hues, are perfect for the back-to-work set, and their bestseller, an expandable 3-D knit bag with leather straps, is ideal for commutes—remember those?
After a three-year, $184-million restoration, it’s back and more beautiful than ever
The war was half a world away, but that didn’t stop Toronto from finding ways to help
And they’re gearing up to compete in Qatar in November
Bilal Baig’s boundary-busting new series captures the true heart of Toronto
How this 22-year-old international student gave a voice to exploited employees
The story behind a hand signal that’s preventing gender-based violence
Think of it as a wine tasting for sweet freaks
Three ’hoods that refuse to be outshone by downtown
This drone delivered a set of lungs in six minutes
The Rexdale-bred rookie is the team’s first Canadian draft pick
In this new vision for the waterfront land, surveillance is out and sustainable, affordable living is in
Two new restaurants are offering up world-class pho and banh mi
Toronto’s most eccentric troubadour is masked and marvellous
Activate, a high-tech funhouse in Scarborough, is levelling up the city’s adult gaming scene
Yellowjackets star Kevin Alves has graduated from figure-skating prodigy to streaming celeb
The design duo behind Jems is bringing sexy (and safe) back
More than 10,000 units are in the works across Toronto right now
The folk singer’s stunning debut album mourns lives lost in Regent Park
And the cocktails are as gorgeous as the rooms
The High Park-bred pitcher is now one of the highest-ranking female executives in the MLB
Lighthouse Immersive is making art enthusiasts out of all of us
The new generation of high rise residences have energy-generating walls and windows
Tourists? Yes please. Transmissible diseases? No thank you
His investments in Toronto tech, health care and Indigenous education make Ryan Reynolds a civic superhero