Canadian fashion brand Bronze Age is making hit after hit

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This article was published 22/04/2021 (1723 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Looking at Renée Power’s brand, Bronze Age, you’d think the lineup of breezy cotton dresses, twisty, satiny bags and joyful hair bows was years in the making. And it was, in a way. Power started with importing Moroccan babouche slippers more than five years ago, when the brand was still a side project. But after the pandemic put her day job on pause, she decided to make Bronze Age her full-time focus. That’s when the dresses, ruffle collars and bags entered the picture. Now, Power has a team of four, and her pieces are carried at more than 50 retailers all over the world, including Holt Renfrew in Vancouver.

“My 9-to-5 was in luxury retail,” says Power, who has worked for Canadian brands including Herschel Supply Co. and Oak and Fort, over the phone from Vancouver. “The pandemic really forced me to focus.” Power reached out to one of her aunts, “an amazing seamstress,” to tinker with some new design ideas. “We started small, with scrunchies and hair bows, things that were less expensive to produce.” Over the year, they’ve slowly expanded into dresses, vests, frilly collars and a hit slouchy trouser that’s the perfect sweatpants alternative. “Because we produce in-house, we’re able to listen to what our community wants,” says Power.

The brand runs on a made-to-order model, which cuts down on waste, as well as risk. “I started with a more traditional model, and bought huge amounts of fabric upfront and, because I didn’t have a big following, it took a while to sell. So I was like, ‘OK, that was expensive,’” says Power, adding that it’s all part of being entrepreneur. “You have to have the resilience to just throw stuff at the wall and pick up the pieces if it doesn’t stick.”

Now, Power will tweak her designs based on feedback, and her line is always evolving. “Instead of producing hundreds of pieces that maybe aren’t fitting so well or the fabric doesn’t feel good, we’re able to be way more resourceful as we go along.” Power adds things to the mix slowly and methodically, foregoing the seasonal model. “It’s very intuitive. It’s about being silent and taking in your surroundings,” she says.

The brand’s hit “Croissant” bag, made from cuts of colourful cloth, was inspired by Japanese fabric folding techniques. “It’s origami, but with fabric. Women would use it to wrap their husband’s lunches.”

Bronze Age bag, $198, abronzeage.com

Another bestseller is the House Dress. “I’ve had women buy three or four in different colours,” says Power, adding that her team still celebrates every single sale like it’s the first. “I’m so lucky, I can’t believe this is my job,” says Power.

The secret to Power’s success is designing with intention. “People want to support local, and we’re at a price point where you have to really consider the purchase.” Everything goes through a checklist “Comfort’s a big thing, versatility — can someone wear this to work? Could they just wear it on a zoom call? Out for dinner?”

Bronze Age blouse, $250, abronzeage.com

Though it started out as a passion project, Power says Bronze Age is here to stay. The designer has ambitions of growing the brand into a kind of Canadian version of Ganni, the hit Scandi brand that’s had a hand in nearly every major trend of the past few years. “I want to do lifestyle, more footwear, hats, outerwear. Successful brands hit multiple categories, but they do it mindfully.”

More than anything, Power just wants to keep bringing the joy. “We shouldn’t deny ourselves these material pleasures,” she says. “We’re physical beings, and we’re meant to create and experience things.” With that, I’m off to buy a little Croissant bag in sunny yellow to accompany me this summer. Like the rest of Power’s clientele, I don’t mind waiting a week or two for my very own one.

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Liz Guber writes about style and culture for The Kit. Reach her via email: lg@thekit.ca