Left On Friday, a Vancouver-based swimwear brand, is making waves in Toronto this summer with the launch of its pop-up store. This expansion marks another milestone for the brand, which has quickly grown since its start six years ago.
The pop-up store, open until mid-September, offer a hands-on shopping experience where customers can try on the brand’s new swimwear collections and most popular styles. Along with the Toronto location, the swimwear brand is popping up in one of Ontario’s top cottage destinations — Muskoka. Located on Port Carling, it will be open until Labour Day weekend.
Founders Shannon Savage and Laura Low Ah Kee both came from an apparel background, including as designers and marketers at activewear powerhouse Lululemon. Left On Friday emerged from a desire to create swimwear that is both stylish and functional — according to the brand’s site, all suits are made out of a “smoothing” fabric from Italy that is compressive while both wet and dry.
The brand’s swimwear is made for both athletic and casual wear, with collections that include a variety of one-pieces, bikinis and mix-and-match separates that cater to different styles and body types, all made from fabrics that are resistant to fading and durable in every type of water condition.
Outside of their swimwear, the brand also sells lifestyle items like sweatsuits, beachwear, sport silk items and linens.
It’s clear the brand takes their commitment to athleticism seriously — for the third year in a row, Left on Friday is sponsoring the Canadian Beach Volleyball team at the Olympics.
“This [sponsorship] is a really big moment for us,” said Low Ah Kee in a statement. “It brings together form and function —beautiful designs that let you move in the most badass way.”
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Keeping with their mix of fashion and function, this partnership has brought about some innovative designs, like custom one-shoulder tops based on the players’ feedback.
The two Ontario pop-ups each cultivate different vibes, with the Toronto location focusing on wood elements and natural tones suited to the trendy Ossington strip, and the Muskoka location featuring an all-white interior with cottage vibes and even a small patio. According to Retail Insider, both the Muksoka and Toronto locations are also home to unique surfboards from a collaboration with Jimmy Lewis. The brand also hopes to run community activations in Muskoka like pilates, waterski clubs and other workouts.
As for future plans, the brand is eyeing new locations in Toronto, Vancouver and Alberta, as well as seasonal pop-ups in popular summer destinations. Internationally, they plan to open retail locations in Las Vegas and New York with long-term leases.
Their Toronto store is located on 46 Ossington Ave. and is open Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Muskoka store is open at 2 James Bartleman Way.
