Tag Archives: Canadian Design

The Brew | Farmery

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Oak and Oar

This past year Lawrence and Chris Warwaruk, two brothers from Neepawa and maybe more familiar to Winnipegger’s as the owners of Luxalune Gastropub on Osborne, launched their first beer under the moniker, Farmery. What makes Farmery unique and contrast other successful local traditional breweries, like Fort Gary Brewery and Half Pints, is Farmery is an estate brewery. Essentially, the barley and hops that go into the beer are grown on their estate in Neepawa, Manitoba. The story is great. There is something rewarding about supporting local and seeing people pursuing their true passions. With this though, comes skepticism. It always seems that people have this preconceived notion that because it is local it can’t be all that good. It can be local good, but not nationwide good. At times, I’ll admit, I can be guilty of this. But truth be told Farmery is more than just another bottle on the shelf. I, by no means, consider myself a beer aficionado but can at times be caught wandering aimlessly, the asiles of the MLCC deciding on what beer to put away in the cabin fridge. We had a few Farmery beers kicking around after the holidays so it seemed fitting to give the beer a taste. After I got the snow bank chilled beer, in it’s inviting packaging, to pose so nicely on this tree branch, I cracked it open around the wood stove. It was the first time I really decided to stop and analysis a beer. Farmery’s Premium Lager is good, like really good. The “prairie-style” lager is clean and smooth. I’d ramble on about the hops, the mouthfeel, aroma and appearance, but it would be just that, uneducated ramble. What I do know is Lawrence and Chris have done their homework and lag work to make this a memorable … Continue reading →

Fall/Winter 2012 | The Life After Midnight

Posted on December 13, 2012 by Oak and Oar

Oak + Oar Fall/Winter ’12 | The Life After Midnight from Nice! Productions on Vimeo. Oak + Oar Fall/Winter 2012 Lookbook Video The Life After Midnight Music: Madeon – Icarus (Keys N Krates Remix) keysnkrates.com Thanks to the homies Mike Garcia, Eric Sung, Kris St. Clair, Kevin Tipan, Jaime Pariseau and Sean Maxwell Director/Video: Cam Friesen niceproductions.ca

5 Minutes | Herschel Supply Co.

Posted on October 17, 2012 by Oak and Oar

When it comes to quality and timeless product you don’t have to look much further than Canadian brand Herschel Supply Co. Founded in November of 2009 by brothers Lyndon and Jamie Cormack the brand quickly filled a void in the marketplace. Drawing inspiration from vintage mountaineering, American heritage, world travel, fashion and Canadian heritage the team put a fresh take on simple essentials – duffels and backpacks. The brand reinterpreted the classics with a focus on the details and transformed the mundane into great utilitarian design. The concept caught on, and quite quickly, expanding the line from an intimate offering of  bags to an array of travel accessories. Today the brand has accounts in over 35 countries worldwide. The brand continues to grow and expand, offering up new options each season to store your essentials. I never leave for the lake without my Novel and Village in stow. Next purchase, the Desert Storm Outfitter. We caught up with one half of Herschel, Mr. Lyndon Cormack, for a little conversation about the brand, the rapid growth and a good spot to eat in Gastown. ________________________________________ Starting this off nonchalantly. What’s the most interesting thing that has happened to you in the last 24 hours? I’ve been on the road throughout Europe and Asia for the last four weeks. Many interesting things have happened to me and it is difficult to pinpoint a most interesting event in the past 24hrs. This being said, it’s always nice to see the appreciation that people have for our products is always interesting to me. So I scoured the Canadian map and arrived at 51.655 degrees N 108.423 degrees W where the 31 meets the 656, Herschel, Saskatchewan. Explain the role this town played in the formation of Herschel Supply Co. Herschel is not only the … Continue reading →

Winnipeg Free Press | Local designer found inspiration in that classic Canadian pastime — lounging at the cabin

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Oak and Oar

In case you missed it, this piece by Connie Tamoto popped up in the Detour section in the Weekend Edition of the Free Press this past week. Thanks Connie. _______________ Sometimes in fashion, there are concepts and designs with simple roots that nonetheless inspire artistry. This is the case with Oak and Oar, a new lifestyle concept brand born right here in Winnipeg. The brainchild of local designer Chris Watchorn, Oak and Oar is a marriage of cottage life, urban culture and classic Canadiana. “I was inspired to create the Oak and Oar brand while sitting on the deck at the cabin,” says Watchorn. “The cabin is a very Canadian thing — that is how we spend our summers, at the lake with friends — cabin life doesn’t discriminate against anyone.” After returning from an internship in New York City at 3sixteen — an urban contemporary men’s clothing brand — Watchorn knew he wanted to explore developing a brand of his own, a self-described “side project” that has had an overwhelming grassroots pickup. “I didn’t have any expectations when I launched the brand at the beginning of the month,” says Watchorn. “I didn’t really tell anyone I was creating the brand, but it spread from word of mouth. It is really positive and humbling.” The Oak and Oar collection of basic tees, simple accessories and limited-edition carved-wood pendants are designed with an urban graphic feel, but with slogans that exemplify the Canadiana feel Watchorn set out to capture. Simple and understated, the double-O link graphic is one of my favourites in the brand’s inaugural collection. I’m quite fond of the handkerchiefs, which look fantastic elegantly folded into a funky pocket square for the boys or as a fitted neck scarf, wristlet or attached to a purse for us gals. Of … Continue reading →

POP-UP SHOP AND LAUNCH PARTY | FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 2012

Posted on June 2, 2012 by Oak and Oar

We are excited to announce our first ever Pop-Up Shop and brand Launch Party Friday, June 15 at The Waters Edge Restaurant and Lounge at Adrenaline Adventures. Over the course of the evening you will be able to view and purchase all items that make up our Summer ’12 ‘Summer Loitering’ Collection including our very popular 10 oz. fleece Summer Loitering hood, our range of tees and our very limited GoodWood piece (Cash Only). Alongside some product giveaways and some friends and family pricing – our homie Saint Kris will take the stage ensuring an incredible evening. Oh and did I mention it’s free. Come through, track me down and let’s chop it up, check out the line and stay for some drinks and music. Doors open at 8:30pm. Unfortunately this is an 18+ event but if you do want to come down between 8:30-9:30 to check out the line we can definiltey accomodate you. $1 from every item sold will be donated to the Masigcine Children’s Home in South Africa. And don’t forget about our First Annual Cabin Life Photo Contest (Details). Come out, buy a shirt, snap a picture and you might just win the $250 store credit. The Waters Edge is on the second floor of Adrenaline Adventures located at Wilkes and the Perimeter (access can only be made from the Perimeter Highway South Bound). The second floor restaurant and deck over looks Canada’s largest cable wakeboarding system that consumes over 10 acres. The second best place to be if you can’t be out at the cottage. We look forward to seeing you. Like any event please ensure you have a designated chauffeur or a way to get home because you know Saint Kris likes to ‘Party, Party’. Shout out to Adrenaline Adventures, Refresh, Nice!Productions, Khammy Photography and … Continue reading →

ARTIST PROFILE | MIKE DEL MUNDO

Posted on June 1, 2012 by Oak and Oar

If you haven’t been formally introduced, this is the work of Mike Del Mundo. I feel like you should be prepped with the words “Behold”… Mike is one of those artists/designer with an abundance of talent. One of those individuals whose work causes your jaw to collect dust off the floor. Nothing has come easy to the 32 year old George Brown College graduate. During his days working for Toronto based retail design company, Zebra Studios, Mike would make the 20 minute commute from the suburbs. Everyday for a year Mike took out his pencil and paper and began to capture the personalities on the subway that eventually evolved into a an 84 page book of illustrations entitled Daily Commute. From this study and experimentation came a growth in understanding of anatomy, structure and viewing the subject form different angles. Many components that have lead to his success as a comic book cover artist. Deadly Del Mundo, as he has become known around the industry (and you will quickly see why), hails from the Philippines but resides in Toronto via Markham. He is currently a member of the Marvel team where his talents have consistently graced the covers of the New York based comic book companies publications capturing the likes of Spider Man, Captain America, Iron Man, Spider Girl and X-Men. Most recently the Marvel Comics cover artists teamed up with Ghostface Killah on his limited-edition skate brand GFK. This 7 Ply Hard Canadian Maple limited edition deck is currently available for pre-orders which will run from May 29th – June 5th EST. I highly doubt you would skate this board but it sure would look good safely displayed on the mantel. The deck is available here and will ship June 15th. Definitley check out Mike’s work and the crew … Continue reading →

WINGS + HORNS TALKING TO SERIES | JESAR GABINO

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Oak and Oar

This week Canadian brand Wings + Horns debuted an interview series entitled ‘Talking To’ over on their blog. The first in the series catches up with one of our favourite designers and former Winnipegger Jesar Gabino. Jesar has held all types of titles from Senior Designer at Goodfoot, Creative Director / Designer Ransom Holding Co and Owner/Creative Director and Buyer at Nomad. name: jesar gabino twitter: @jesargabino store: nomad role: buyer/creative director/ owner hometown: winnipeg, MB current city: toronto drink: pineapple juice vice: cigarettes what is your favorite thing about the city you live in…. best about toronto? variety. people always talk about how canada is multicultural but toronto is really the place where this is most evident. i’ve been & lived in a few canadian cities & for the most part toronto really holds true to that. food, people, neighborhoods, culture, city vibe… it’s all a mixture of cultures. toronto always gets the bad rap of being “the center of the universe” in terms of how other canadians look at toronto but it has stepped up in terms of being that place for canada. our little shop is a microcosm of that, we get all types of guys shopping at nomad… young &old, grimy & clean cut & guys of all shapes & sizes. when you’re not in the shop where can we find you… i’m usually roaming taking in this fine city of ours or seated at one of our fine restaurants in the city. more likely than not i’m roaming for food to eat or make at home. i also love being at home. i’m lucky where my better half & i have a great place with a fantastic piece of backyard in the city that is off a private lane. feels like the country back there … Continue reading →

ON & BEYOND | MANITOBAH MUKLUKS

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Oak and Oar

Vincent Tsang (On & Beyond) was in town a few weeks ago working alongside Ryerson University grad Miles Jay on a short documentary exploring the world of Aboriginal culture and design entitled “The Storyboot Project”. The documentary focuses it’s attention towards Winnipeg based moccasin and mukluk company Manitobah Mukluks. The video is an interesting commentary on the efforts maintain and preserve the art form while giving a glimpse into the day to day operations of the company. Armed with a camera, as usual, Vincent grabbed a couple candids from the Winnipeg based factory and journey up North. To see more photos and a break down of the visit check out his blog.