Smythe has created essential wardrobe pieces that are both modern and emotional. The contemporary, flawlessly-tailored jackets and coats feature nostalgic colors, textures and prints that are distinct in their traditional menswear tailoring details.
Toronto fashion designers Christie Smythe and Andrea Lenczer met in high school math class, where they would draw what they wanted to wear to the school’s semiformal. Five years later, the friendship became a design partnership.
Christie spent five years in the fashion industry in New York and Europe after graduating from Parsons, most notably with fashion houses Celine and Prada. Andrea spent several years in investment banking before becoming a buyer for the boutique department store Holt Refrew.
Smythe launched in 2004. Its made-in-Canada collection of perfectly tailored outerwear made it an instant success story in the fashion world.
“We’re both working mothers, so we have our social lives, our work lives, we love to travel, and we have our home lives with our kids,” says Andrea. “We try to design a jacket or coat for all those different scenarios and moods — every collection feels like someone’s closet.”
Fall 2009 marks the label’s fifth anniversary. Their now-iconic line of jackets is worn by celebrities such as Blake Lively and Anne Hathaway, and has become a staple in the wardrobes of the fashion savvy everywhere. Smythe’s fall line lives up to its classic reputation, with heritage and nostalgic influences in their signature silhouettes.
Tags: Canadian fashion designers, fall 2009, fashion designer, jackets, smythe
smythe is my favorite jacket designer. the fits is amazing and its worth the higher price.
saw them on etalk, great canadian designers
I have to admit I was not aware of Smythe til now, I will definitely be on the look out for one of their jackets! Love the cut of the red plaid one
I bought a Smythe jacket three years ago and it is still my favorite.
great breakout brand
I’m sure u kno by now that Fefe Dobson gave u a shoutout on MTV at the VMA’s while wearing ur RED PLAID JACKET
and at Facebook, etc.