BODY OF WORK : A CONVERSATION WITH BRITTNEY MACKINNON & DWAYNE VATCHER
Drawing reference from vintage sportswear and the tranquility of nature, Toronto based Body of Work are just beginning to realise its potential. Focusing on a minimal aesthetic, pinnacle construction and the finest textiles, founders Brittney MacKinnon and Dwayne Vatcher are here for the long run.
A CONVERSATION WITH BRITTNEY MACKINNON & DWAYNE VATCHER
What is your background and what was the motivation to start Body of Work?
Brittney MacKinnon (B) : Body of Work is an artisanal sportswear brand informed by our personal relationships with activity and aesthetics. We want to bring a sense of ease and refinement to active living. Canada is known as a very active place with a casual way of dressing, centred around the outdoors. Growing up, Dwayne played every sport including highly competitive hockey at Junior A and university levels, so athletics were always a part of his life. I played house league sports as a child and stayed involved in adulthood.
Dwayne Vatcher (D) : Brittney and I were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to live between Toronto and Vancouver pursuing our creative ambitions in the apparel industry. Working with brands such as Reigning Champ, October’s Very Own, Canada Goose, Aritzia and HAVEN. During this time, we were able to regularly travel to cities like Paris, Tokyo, New York, and Los Angeles which helped broaden and refine our creative perspectives.
B : As we became busier with our careers, we found it harder to take part in things that brought balance to our lives. We founded Body of Work to be a source of inspiration for ourselves by marrying our aesthetic perspective with our active roots.
How have you turned the initial concept into what we see today?
B : The initial idea was to inspire people like us to lead more well-balanced lives by recontextualizing activity. Living an active lifestyle is traditionally perceived to be intense, prescriptive, and lacking in aesthetic quality, but we believe in the opposite.
D : We strive to ensure that everything we do, from our product design to our storytelling, has a sense of ease and refinement. There is a certain degree of discernment that extends through every aspect of our work, and this has held true since our inception.
Considering the minimal aesthetic of Body of Work, how do you make each item genuinely unique?
D : From a design perspective, the minimal aesthetic of our collection is a result of many things. When we started designing, we were very focused on ensuring each garment was iconic. Our focus on fit, fabric, construction and subtle details stems from our belief that a garment’s sustainability is tied to its timelessness and longevity in a person’s wardrobe. Choosing to use organic cotton, certain dyeing techniques, plant-based buttons or Riri zippers, is important to us and speaks to our values. It is an appreciation for the finer details that make each item unique.
Considering the minimal nature of Body of Work, how do you approach the balance between functional and conceptual design?
B : We always begin with the question of how a garment can support an active lifestyle. We think that the function of a garment is very important. Our approach to functionality is not highly technical but it is incredibly considered. We choose natural fibres for their breathability and sustainability. Garments are designed with generous cuts to encourage comfort and air flow, while hardware and trims are chosen for their durability and longevity. As we expand, we have an interest in exploring technical fabrics that support a more vigorous active performance. It is our vision to utilise natural and recycled materials that can support activity in a way that is beautiful and useful.
How important is the ‘made in Canada’ label to you? Would you ever consider manufacturing in other parts of the world?
D : We are very fortunate to have access to world-class manufacturing in Canada. Our partners are less than one hour’s drive from our design studio, which allows for frequent visits and a close relationship at all stages of design. However, we do not want to limit ourselves to only the expertise available to us at home. We intend to work with experts and artisans from all over the world to make the best product possible.
B : A great example of this is our first footwear collaboration with San Antonio Shoe Company, a made-in-USA walking shoe, which will be arriving near the end of 2023. When we discovered their products at a local, family-owned shoe store, we went home to research the company and came across a series of touching videos about their employees and practices. This led us to reach out. It became apparent after speaking with them that our shared reverence for quality craftsmanship and local manufacturing was a strong foundation for a partnership.
D : We are also exploring the use of Japanese, British and Italian-made fine fabrics across our collection. We have sourced beautiful Japanese-made woven fabric for use in new categories such as bags for Fall/Winter 2023, and shorts and trousers, which will arrive in spring of 2024.
What makes the Body of Work collection unique?
D : Our collections are understated yet have presence. We believe the uniqueness of what we do is in the details. Our products appeal to those who favour craftsmanship. Our clothes have an intangible quality about them.
B : Our latest collection showcases the most well-rounded product offering from us to date. We are introducing a range of new textiles including wool, mohair, and suede. There are new product categories such as footwear, bags, and women’s wear. We have also designed the proportions of our trims to provide a slightly exaggerated signature look and feel.
What have been the biggest challenges you have had to overcome?
B : We strive to execute everything we do at a world-class level, and it is a constant test of our resourcefulness. We are a self-funded, two-person team. We have had to develop quite slowly, which has been both a gift and a curse. It provides us time to thoughtfully consider every decision, but our mistakes have been costly. The challenge is not compromising our vision while still being able to move forward.
What is the vision for Body of Work going ahead? How far do you want to take the brand?
B : For the first couple of years, we have just been finding our feet. In the short term, we have plans to host a pop-up in Tokyo in the spring, and we are looking to open our first permanent location in Toronto by the end of 2024.
D : I think we know the potential of what we are doing but we favour being in the moment.
