Toronto based Brand Mayer Has Launched a Local Business Focused Collection

In an effort to shine a light on supporting the local businesses that have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, Toronto-based designer Ross Mayer was inspired to create a capsule collection called Local Lover, which features an assortment of message-emblazoned athleisure garments and a tote bag.

“I feel like 2020 is a watershed moment from a cultural standpoint,” Mayer said in a release about the offering, which launched online today. “COVID-19 has caused an economic crisis and at the same time there are massive, exciting cultural changes afoot. I thought it would be great to kick it off with a small capsule that would give people a way to spread the ‘shop local’ message. It’s a way to support the larger community of independent businesses and entrepreneurs who are struggling right now.”

As well as highlighting the fact that our neighbourhood haunts need ongoing attention, a portion of proceeds from sales of Local Lover pieces will go to Uplift Kitchen, an initiative focused on delivering meals to Black-identifying people in the Greater Toronto Area–a group that’s been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 in addition to continually facing the effects of systemic racism in all aspects of life.

“I first discovered Uplift Kitchen after watching a CTV segment that spotlighted what founders Antonia [Lawrence] and Emily [Carson] were doing, and it immediately struck a chord,” Mayer tells FASHION. “What I love about their mission is that they are a grassroots-form of charity, and it was the perfect pairing of local small business where we truly felt we could see a difference being made. Watching Uplift Kitchen start as a simple neighbourhood outreach and grow so quickly was nothing short of a call to action for the Mayer brand.”

To further amplify the message of locally-focused love, Mayer encourages those who’ve purchased an item from the new capsule to post with the hashtag #mylogoislocal.