Granted Clothing is expanding into international markets with its modern spin on classic Canadiana. Sibling duo Minoru and Ai Hirano have updated the bulky wool Canadian sweater with a slimmer silhouette and hip, contemporary graphics. The only thing they havent modified is the production method.
We use a traditional knitting style called intarsia, says Minoru Hirano, co-founder of the Richmond-based company. All our sweaters are handmade by knitters throughout Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Thats one knitter and two knitting needles per sweater.
While the Cowichan sweater, hand-knit by the Salish people of the Cowichan Valley since 1890, is considered the champagne of Canadian wool knits, Granteds sweaters have strong following among young Canadians and, not surprisingly, the Japanese market.
Customers have always had an eye for handmade items in Japan, explains Hirano, whose parents launched the familys knitwear company Flyer Hooks in Vancouver in 1978, after seeing the appetite for handmade wool sweaters among tourists.
Hiranos parents immigrated from Japan to Manitoba, where his father managed a bicycle factory. On his lunch break, Hirano senior would meet First Nations people knitting and he picked up the skill. He also taught his wife, who has a background in the apparel industry. When the factory closed, the Hiranos moved to Vancouver to work as tour guides. Then, all the pieces came together.
My sister and I have been helping out since we were small. We grew up spinning, surrounded by balls of yarn, says Hirano.
In 2008, Minoru and his sister Ai revived the family company with their new brand vision.
We thought about what was right and what needed to be changed. We wanted to be unique. We wanted to cater to boutiques rather than gift shops.
Granteds design team relies on local inspiration. Their quirky graphics range from BC icons such as mountain ranges and slightly tweaked wildlife motifs think leaping deer, ducks and spouting whales to surprising themes including anchors, skull and crossbones and even Smokey the Bear.
Although we focus on natural tones, we always like to throw in a vivid pop of colour, says Hirano.
The siblings add salvaged yew zipper pulls from Lasqueti Island to their 100 per cent wool sweaters. The price points, $370-$410 per sweater, reflect the care that goes into handmade.
The distinctive Granted look is taking off. Granted is now carried by stockists in Europe as well as the US where Granted works with high-end indie retailer Anthropologie. Its also attracted designer collaborations, most recently with renowned British designer Nigel Cabourn.
The Granted team is soon off to the NYC Capsule trade show, January 22.
Were meeting up with some well-known menswear designers, says Hirano, who aims to expand the brands menswear line for Fall/Winter 2013.
Find them at:
Lynn Steven 225 Carrall St.; Lynnsteven.com
Kiss & Make Up H5-925 Main St., West Vancouver; The Village at Park Royal; Kissandmakeupstore.com
