Cool Canadiana

By The Inside Source
February 18, 2010

With all eyes on the Olympics this week, Canada is definitely having its moment on the world stage. While the stereotype of the country may be that it suffers a little bit of an inferiority complex, in truth, Canada has been cool for a very long time. Yes, it has a whole lot more going on than a better health care system, awesome skiing, amazing nature, maple syrup and great athletes. In fact, you may be surprised at the brands you didn't even realize were Canadian. Yoga brand Lululemon and clothing brand Hudson's Bay Company are based in Canada, as are lesser known companies including Paderno (stainless cookware), Red Flag Design (sailcloth bags), Roots (retailer), Cold FX (best cold remedy ever), and shoe company Bata. If you are feeling a little Canadiana fever, we’ve got some fuel to add to your fire. Check out these very cool—and very Canadian—objets; you might want to make your next major purchase a flight to visit your new favorite neighbor.

Getting Hip to Canadian Heritage

HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY

Hbc got its start in the 1600s and is one of the oldest commercial corporations in the world. While the company is best known for its signature "point blankets," thick wool blankets in solids and stripes that have been popular since the company's trading days (and have also been manufactured into coats), it has also been the exclusive provider of non-competition clothing to Canadian athletes for three Olympics in a row, including this one. Hbc has also recently enlisted Partners and Spade, a storefront, studio and consulting company based in downtown Manhattan, as a collaborator. Partner Anthony Sperdutti talked about their venture with us: “We were asked to collaborate this season, designing product that spoke to HBc's heritage, and we couldn’t be happier helping bring this great brand back into culture. [The company has] such a rich history, but we tried to really understand the product as it related to the origin of the company—the Hudson Bay axes that were used as trading, the back packs that the 'voyageurs' would use canoeing, etc. This early time period in the company excited us the most.”

Hudson Bay 4 Point Blanket (buy it now price, $259.95); Hudson Vintage Red Coat (buy it now price, $115.); Hudson Bay Wool Blanket Pea Coat: (buy it now: $24.99)

CANADIAN PACIFIC HOTELS

A division of Canadian Pacific Railway, Candian Pacific Hotels were developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries near train stations and rural resorts—in locations that capitalized on epic natural settings that you could only get to by train. These grand hotels are currently operated by the Fairmont Hotel group and remain some of Canada's most beautiful places to stay. Souvenirs from their early days remain popular and charming collectibles.

Vintage Banff Springs Hotel Sterling Charm (buy it now price $19.95); Chateau Frontenac Ashtray (buy it now price $4.95); Vintage Chateau Lake Louise Sterling Charm (buy it now price, $19.95)

Vintage Photograph of Empress Hotel: (buy it now price $19.95); Chateau Frontenac Drink Coaster: (buy it now price, $28)

BIRKS

Founded in 1879, Birks (now called Birks & Mayors) is Canada's largest luxury jewelry brand. Often referred to as "the Tiffany of Canada," its antique silver serving pieces, engagement rings and more are as highly coveted as its new pieces.

Birks Ellis Hand Engraved Sterling Fruit Bowl (buy it now price, $470); Four Vintage Coasters(buy it now price, $35)

Sterling Silver Tipping Kettle (buy it now price, $1500) Vintage Sterling Ring: (buy it now price, $59.99)

EXPO 67

The World's Fair of 1967, held in Montreal, was one of the most highly attended in the 20th century. If you’re into groovy design elements for your bulletin board, the postcards from the event are worth scooping up. Most of them highlight the modern, futuristic buildings that were constructed for the Expo itself.

Expo 67 postcard: (buy it now price, $3.99)

PETER PUCK

If you’re a hockey lover, or are becoming one during these Olympics, you should get into Peter Puck, if you aren’t already. An animated hockey puck who explained the intricacies of hockey, Peter Puck was created in the 1970s to get non-hockey fans and kids into the game. Although there were only nine episodes produced (it was a Hanna Barbera production), fans loved the character, and it made a comeback in 2007, with the NHL playoffs. Retailers have started selling retro clothing with the character of Peter Puck on front, and a DVD was released with all the episodes on it. You can still find originals from the era, though, like this cool patch: