From the sea to the mountaintops touching the blue skies, Vancouver’s outdoors calls to everyone. It’s unimaginable to live in this city without taking advantage of all the outdoor adventures available to us, and local design company Up Knörth is prepared to outfit its fellow Vancouverites for their next explorations. Portobello West got the chance to interview Up Knörth about its products, inspiration, and everything in between.
In a brief description, “Up Knörth is a lifestyle brand dedicated to the ever adventurous, style-minded outdoor enthusiast.” In a single sentence, nature appreciative individuals who enjoy supporting local designers will already be flocking to the Up Knörth website. “Our products and partnerships are geared towards the same goal; to showcase unique, small-batch, well designed products that are practical, durable, and sustainable.” The environmental awareness that Up Knörth places on its designing and manufacturing process is something that just comes, well, natural; “We hold true to the environment and pride ourselves in using only natural materials without ever sacrificing design and quality.” By combining the importance of sustainable products and remaining fashionably competent, Up Knörth has mastered the art of motivating people to get outside.
Aside from the obvious source of inspiration for Up Knörth products – the great outdoors – it also comes from “Scandinavian simplicity blended carefully with true Canadiana.” As designers who “spend as much time as possible outdoors while living and working in the city…we aim to create products that allow one to go from the city to the forest or vice versa.” This goal has clearly been achieved based on the impressive men and women’s designs, not to mention the home products that will instantly have you feeling in the outback. From accessories to outerwear to merino wool throws, the products have been created impeccably by arguably some of the most stylish adventurers in the game.
For now Up Knörth products can be purchased on the online store, however, when asked about future plans for this up and coming business we were told that “a brick and mortar is in the plans…We also have some outdoor-related projects that will start to pop-up.” With these exciting things to look forward to, we can also expect to see a “men’s and women’s apparel line made right here in Vancouver,” in the near future!
From a business perspective, Up Knörth appreciates its Vancouver setting for the consciousness its consumers have towards the products they purchase, fabrics they use, and supporting local businesses. “We are proud to be part of such a beautiful and sustainable city. The demand for Made-In-Vancouver is ever growing, and this is where we hope to step in.”
Written by: Kelli Klassen
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