Inside Body of Work’s Thoughtful Approach to Fashion
We want to play a quiet role in your life,” says Brittney MacKinnon, one-half of the Toronto-based artisanal sportswear label Body of Work, which she co- founded with her husband, Dwayne Vatcher, in 2020. The brand, which genuinely lives up to the idea of “elevated basics,” was born when Vatcher and MacKinnon both found themselves at a professional crossroads after working at some of Canada’s most established retail companies. Vatcher built his career at Wings & Horns, Reigning Champ and OVO; MacKinnon, meanwhile, cut her design teeth at Aritzia and Canada Goose. Both were seeking creative liberation. Enter Body of Work.
“It took many years to develop this level of authentic expression,” says Vatcher. “It’s a marriage of our personal inspirations and interests—things that are important to us.” The name lends itself to creative interpretation, evolution and adaptation. “It’s like naming a child—it carries so much weight,” says MacKinnon.
Ultimately, that patience and persistence paid off earlier this year, when they opened their first flagship in Toronto’s Summerhill neighbourhood. Boxes from upcoming collections are scattered across the hardwood floors as the duo carves out a quiet moment to chat. “Someone once called us a Canadian staple, and it’s funny because it’s just Brittney and me,” says Vatcher. “The entire operation is run by two people. We’re even in the shop right now setting up for the launch.”
When Body of Work first launched, it was with a T-shirt, sweatpants and a sweatshirt—a modest capsule collection focused on guaranteeing quality over quantity. The line has since evolved to include linen chore jackets, relaxed cardigans and A-line skirts, all designed to look deceptively simple but containing dozens of heavily considered details—such as hand – woven seams and detailed finishes.
Courtesy of Body of Work
Vatcher and MacKinnon knew that with their vast knowledge of the apparel industry, they could prioritize producing locally without compromising on their overall vision. Canadian fabric mills, though pricier, offer a quality that’s unmatched by other competing markets—especially for the stretch jerseys that make up many of Body of Work’s designs. Many of the local manufacturers work exclusively with natural fibres and operate under a sustainable business model. “It’s all a delicate ecosystem,” says MacKinnon. “We want to nurture Canadian manufacturers, and we know we’re one of many that are doing so.”
With the unrelenting pace of fast fashion, their goal is to ensure that the next generation of founders has the resources needed to continue protecting this fragile network of businesses.
We want to play a quiet role in your life.
While producing abroad isn’t part of Vatcher and MacKinnon’s ethos, their ambitions for Body of Work aren’t limited to Canada’s borders. The duo share a natural affinity for partnering with like-minded founders. Take their partnership with French footwear brand Mephisto, which allows them to branch out into media that go beyond apparel. Their hyperfocus on quality in handmade materials effortlessly aligns with Mephisto’s capacity to produce top-tier footwear. Each element of the shoe is made with practicality in mind—without losing the earthbound aesthetic that makes Body of Work so recognizable. Premium leather, suede and custom injection mouldings are just a few of the elements that go into the shoe’s 160- step production process.
Each decision—from which brands to collaborate with to which retailers to supply to—is completely intentional. The brand can be found at if-you-know-you-know outposts like Gray’s and Lost & Found, along with pop-ups in Japan and New York. Just this year, Body of Work was confirmed to have a residency in a private showroom in Paris to showcase its upcoming Spring 2027 collection.
“The positive feedback from customers is very validating— we pour ourselves into the smaller details, and it’s not lost on people that we’re always going the extra mile,” says MacKinnon. Body of Work is a reflection of the duo’s shared history and aspirations—something that is often lost on brands missing that “human element.” Needless to say, they are excited for the future—letting their shared ambitions shape whatever comes next.
This article first appeared in FASHION’s October 2026 issue. Read more stories from FASHION’s October 2026 issue and subscribe to the print issue here.
