Welcome to ‘Behind the Brand’, a captivating blog series where we unveil the stories and faces behind the diverse brands nestled in our new, permanent location “the edit”, presented by Style Canada, in the picturesque town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Join us as we journey through the heart and soul of each brand, exploring the inspirations, challenges, and triumphs that shape their unique identities. From local artisans to international labels, get ready to discover the vibrant tapestry of creativity, craftsmanship, and passion that defines our curated collection of brands. Stay tuned as we take you behind the scenes and introduce you to the captivating narratives behind each brand, one story at a time.
Meet Helene, the Designer and Owner of Helene Clarkson Design
IG: @heleneclarksondesign
photo provided by: Helene Clarkson
Tell us a bit about yourself:
I’m Helene Clarkson, the designer and owner of Helene Clarkson Design and I live in Toronto. As a fashion designer, a mom of three and in my past life, a Genie-nominated actress, I understand the importance of versatility and style. Balancing a busy career and personal life inspired me to create a line of clothing that caters to women-on-the-go.
Tell us the story behind your brand:
My goal was to create a line of clothing specifically for the needs of a traveller and a busy woman like myself. Our collection celebrates women—empowering us to live our lives to the fullest without worrying about our wardrobe. My pieces are designed to be stylish, smart, and adaptable. Each garment is created with a sophisticated traveller in mind, offering wrinkle-free, packable, and reversible solutions that transition effortlessly from day to night.
We are thrilled that our clothes are now available at Style Canada’s The Edit in Niagara-on-the-Lake. We also sell worldwide through our website at heleneclarkson.com and our Toronto flagship store at 565 Mount Pleasant Rd.
photo provided by: Helene Clarkson
What inspires you?
The energy and vibrancy of the arts fuels my creativity. I love going to art galleries, the opera, ballet, symphony and theatre. I aim to design pieces that are not only stylish but also highly functional, ensuring they can adapt to different settings and occasions. I love Canada so I manufacture all of my clothes here. I love looking and feeling great so I produce clothes that make women look and feel great too!
Where’s your favourite summer vacation spot?
That is VERY hard to answer! I love vacationing in the summer! I have to say that my happy place is the Adirondack mountains. The American side of my family has a camp on a private lake. It’s a beautiful spot, is full of family history, and has tons of family traditions and gatherings. There’s something very special about it. We’ve been so lucky to spend countless summer vacations there with my late uncle and aunt, my cousins and all their children.
photo provided by: Helene Clarkson
What can we expect from your brand in 2024?
2024 is set to be an exciting year for Helene Clarkson Design. We are constantly expanding our collection with new designs (over 120 and counting) that continue to prioritise versatility and style. This year, we are also planning a series of pop-up events across Ontario, giving more women the opportunity to experience our brand firsthand.
To see previous Behind the Brand Features, Click Here!