2 of the top 3
largest Canadian apparel companies by revenue, Lululemon and Artizia, are headquartered in the region
#1
in Canada for textiles companies per capita
#2
in Canada for total number of textiles companies
#3
in Canada for textiles employment
The Metro Vancouver region has carved out a strong identity in the global apparel industry, driven by its deep-rooted culture of active living and environmental responsibility. Home to more than 45 activewear brands — including industry pioneer Lululemon — the region is at the birthplace of athleisure, a trend that seamlessly blends performance wear with everyday fashion. Beyond activewear, the region also boasts a thriving fashion ecosystem, from trend-setting brands like Aritzia to sustainable innovators such as tentree and Debrand Services.
| Activewear | Fashion | Green Apparel | Footwear | Specialty & Custom |
|---|
Lululemon
Arc’teryx
Equipment MEC
Reigning Champ
Mustang Survival | Aritzia
Oak and Fort
Kit and Ace
Kensie
Gentle Fawn | tentree International
Debrand Services
Frankie Collective
Inner Fire Apparel
Paper Label | Vessi Footwear
Fluevog Shoes
Native Shoes
Wohlford & Co | Indochino
EdwardsX
Unisync Group
SureWerx
One Team |
| Services | Accessories | Children | Underwear | Eyewear |
|---|
Stitch MES
Delta Textiles Exporters
Stitches
Creation
Solesavy
Shop This City | Herschel Supply Company
Tristar Headwear
Watson Gloves
Pudus Lifestyle Co. | Blara Organic House
Jan & Jul
Active Baby
Beba Bean Designs | Saxx Underwear
Aisle
NK IMODE
Revol Cares | Clearly
KITS Eyecare
Ollie Quinn
Shady Lady Eyewear |
The birthplace of athleisure
The strong demand for functional outdoor clothing in the Metro Vancouver region is driven by a widespread enthusiasm for active living and a love for the region’s exquisite and extensive parks, beaches, and mountains. The region’s apparel industry is centered around activewear, with over 45 firms operating in this market. Lululemon pioneered the athleisure trend, which blends activewear with everyday fashion. The pandemic sparked a surge in demand for athleisure wear that blends comfort and functionality, and the trend remains strong as customers mix tailored pieces with activewear. The region’s activewear brands are well-positioned to thrive in this environment, with the global activewear and athleisure markets each projected to exceed $600 billion annually by 2032.
Green apparel hub
The Metro Vancouver region is a global leader in sustainability initiatives, and apparel firms are adopting innovative practices in circularity. tentree uses recycled and sustainable materials and plants ten trees for every item sold. Debrand, a reverse logistics company, reduces landfill contributions by repurposing nearly 1,000 tonnes of apparel waste globally each year.
