In this week’s blog post, we’re highlighting one of the amazing companies involved in our MENTAL WELLNESS BOX project. With the theme of Mother’s Day in mind, we curated products from across North America, specifically reaching out to companies with a mental wellness/mental health component to their company.
Similar to their marriage origins, there was a time in Canadian history when two colonies - Upper Canada (Ontario) and Lower Canada (Québec) - merged to form the United Province of Canada. There was something about this name that originated in 1841 that made sense for this all Canadian lifestyle brand; it was both province and country, and paid homage to a time when everyday items were made locally and the citizens valued quality above all else.
In 2014, PROVINCE OF CANADA launched as a tight collection of made in Canada pieces and has since grown into a line of adult, kid, and home textiles all reflecting their vision of what a Canadian brand can look like (or what it doesn't have to look like). The inspiration and concept behind PROVINCE OF CANADA is simple. They've taken what they appreciate most about Canada and presented it through our casual lifestyle lens.
BRAND SPOTLIGHT: PROVINCE OF CANADA
JENNIFER: Hi PROVINCE OF CANADA! Thanks so much for speaking with us today. To get started, tell us a bit about the company and how PROVINCE OF CANADA came to be.
PROVINCE OF CANADA: Hi Jennifer. Thanks so much for chatting with us today. PROVINCE OF CANADA was founded in 2014. We are a clothing and home goods brand based in Toronto and we’re one of the only brands in the world that manufactures every one of their products in Canada. From comfy basics to home decor, we design through the lens: “it doesn’t have to look Canadian to be Canadian.” We strive to make timeless high-quality products for every person. To many, local manufacturing is synonymous with quality and equality, which is why ‘made in Canada’ is the pillar of our company. Keeping everything made in Canada makes our design studio a second home and our manufacturers our neighbours, and that’s really the most Canadian thing we can think of.
JENNIFER: I LOVE this! We agree and do the same thing with our leather bags and accessories. Share with us: what kind of an impact do you strive for, or what are your goals regarding the mental wellness/mental health component to PROVINCE OF CANADA?
PROVINCE OF CANADA: We started our 1 FOR 1 SOCK DONATION PROGRAM in 2018. For each pair of socks purchased, we donate one pair to a Canadian homeless shelter. It’s our way of helping with a simple solution. The socks are donated across the country, and we’re proud to have donated over 5,500 socks to Canadians.
JENNIFER: Absolutely incredible. I was so impressed when I came across this program – I knew I had to have your socks included in our MENTAL WELLNESS BOX. What are the other top projects/exciting news/collaborations PROVINCE OF CANADA would like to tell us about?
PROVINCE OF CANADA: Happy to share! We’re about to launch our Spring Collaboration with BONJOUR BRIOCHE. Bonjour Brioche is a bakery just down the street from our retail store in Leslieville, Toronto. It’s important to us to support local businesses - this is one of the ways we’re celebrating the neighbourhood this year.
JENNIFER: What a great community project! That’s amazing! What made PROVINCE OF CANADA say YES to being a part of the MARNIE & MICHAEL MENTAL WELLNESS BOX project?
PROVINCE OF CANADA: We agree that mental health should be a priority during these times. We love your mission and what you’re accomplished so far, and we’re glad to be involved!
JENNIFER: Awe, thanks. And I’m so glad you were able to be a part of the project. Anything we can do to put mental health/mental wellness into our daily conversation, the better. Especially this past year with the global pandemic. What are the tools or coping strategies that have helped your team this past year?
PROVINCE OF CANADA: Our team at PROVINCE OF CANADA has made all the difference this past year. We’ve been lucky to continue to work alongside each other and support one another. There have obviously been a lot of hurdles to overcome. We’ve done our best to keep each other motivated, and to continue to design and develop products that'll bring a smile to our customers’ faces.
JENNIFER: Well sounds like you have an amazing team at PROVINCE OF CANADA. Your workplace ‘family’ is so important and makes up a big part of your daily life. Having one that is so supportive is such an asset in life. I look forward to seeing all the new products and watching the 1 FOR 1 SOCK DONATION PROGRAM continue to grow. Thank you again for collaborating together and I can’t wait for the next project!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PROVINCE OF CANADA CLICK HERE.
ORDER THE MAY 2021 MENTAL WELLNESS BOX BY CLICKING HERE.
