Year of the Horse: A Lunar New Year Celebration

Bowl Cut Paper Goods is a stationery brand focusing on celebrating traditions and memories from an Asian childhood. I had a bowl cut lovingly styled by my grandmother, and as I grew up, I realized many others sported a bowl cut too! After working as a professional graphic designer for several years, I suddenly had a desire to create something more personal and meaningful. In 2018, I designed a set of lucky red envelopes for Lunar New Year. Since then, I have expanded my collection to include punny greeting cards, fun stickers and gift items full of love, happiness and nostalgia. I realize I find joy in creating art that connects me with people who share the same stories of surviving bowl cuts and eating haw flakes (just to name a few)!

COVEN by Sonia Kang’s work bridges tradition and innovation, infusing handmade jewelery with the power of storytelling, cultural heritage, and personal expression. She draws inspiration from a deep reverence for ancestral craftsmanship partnered with a modern aesthetic that is very East-meets-West. Her work explores the duality of being part of the Asian diaspora and growing up in Canada translating those experiences into the creation of modern heirlooms that connect wearers to their own narratives.

Duludulu Design is a Toronto-based small creative business founded in 2019, creating whimsical, pastel-inspired accessories and lifestyle goods. The brand focuses on playful yet thoughtfully designed pieces that bring a sense of softness, nostalgia, and joy to everyday life.

House of Tytan is a Toronto-based accessories company known for its handcrafted, slow-fashion approach to design and style. Founded in 2014, we are a family and Asian-owned brand that specializes in bespoke and made-to-order ties and bow ties.

Having been in the wedding industry for the past 20 years, I ventured into accessories initially with Groom’s in mind because there was a lack of options at the time other than stripes and plaids. I’ve always said, Groom’s should wear an accessory and not be the accessory on their big day.

Over the years we have expanded our range to include women’s accessories reflecting a broader creative vision beyond traditional menswear staples.

Joeydolls is a mission-driven children’s brand creating culturally representative plush dolls, books, and accessories that help children feel seen, celebrated, and proud of who they are. Founded by an Asian mom, Joeydolls began while searching for a meaningful gift for her daughter: one that reflected their culture and felt joyful, familiar, and affirming.

When those options were hard to find, the idea for Joeydolls was born. What started as a search for a single gift grew into a deeper calling to create dolls that celebrate diverse cultures, families, and stories. Each Joeydoll is thoughtfully designed with cultural care, from names and outfits to the stories they carry, encouraging pride, curiosity, and connection through everyday play.

Today, Joeydolls is trusted by parents, educators, and retailers who value inclusive storytelling and representative play. With a growing collection, including future boy dolls,  additional cultures, books and accessories, Joeydolls remains rooted in its mission: helping every child feel seen and proud of who they are.

Plumleaf Press was created by Maggie Goh. It is a passion project to create “books to linger over” — thoughtful, beautifully designed literary books for readers, young and old, that offer enchantment and inspiration and stir the imagination and reflection.

She came up with the name Plumleaf Press by combining her father’s surname, Lee (李), which means plum, and her mother’s surname, Ye ( 葉), which means leaf. In Chinese tradition, the plum, which blossoms even in the deepest winter, is a symbol of integrity, fortitude, tenacity, and blessing. A green leaf is a symbol of renewal and hope.

Siān Tê is a premium Taiwanese wellness tea brand based in Toronto, founded out of Sandy’s deeply personal connection to home. For Sandy, tea has always been a language of comfort and care. After moving to Canada a decade ago, tea became her way of staying close to her roots and grounding her through the familiar warmth and daily rituals she grew up with.

Inspired by this experience, Sandy founded Siān Tê to share Taiwanese wellness and herbal teas that honour tradition while feeling accessible and modern. Sourced directly from farms across Taiwan and made with organic, pesticide-free ingredients, each blend is thoughtfully crafted to celebrate both flavour and well-being.

The name Siān Tê comes from the  Taiwanese pronunciation. Siān represents goodness, kindness, and beneficial nourishment, while Tê means tea. Together, the name reflects the brand’s philosophy by offering nurturing, meaningful teas rooted in Taiwanese culture and shared with tea lovers across North America.

After 20 years working in the food and hospitality industry, it was my dream to finally open my own brick and mortar and have a business of my own to create and share my craft with Toronto.