Blackhare is a partnership between Monica and Nick (who also happen to be married). We're quite literally an online mom and pop shop. We take a lot of pride in our work and are very happy to be able to make products people love for a living every day. We do all of our design work and printing in our home studio in the small maritime town of Sackville, New Brunswick.

Nick is a self taught illustrator, photographer, and screen printer, as well as a decorated Canadian glass artist (check him out in this House and Home feature). His designs often play with different media, and are inspired by his love of natural textures or the nostalgia of growing up in a small town. 

Monica is an educational researcher with an entrepreneurial spirit who wears all the other hats. 

We're a very small business, and quite happy to stay that way! We're committed to super small-scale production and to working on a made-to-order system that minimizes textile waste as much as physically possible. We use water-based inks rather than chemical plastisols because they are much gentler on the environment and create a longer lasting, higher quality print. Water-based inks also never crack or peel off like plastisol prints, which helps greatly extend the life of a tee.

As a two person operation, we are a slow(er) fashion brand that prioritizes the quality and longevity of our shirts. Although we're not where we'd ultimately like to be, we are committed to continually improving our business practices and processes as our resources and capacity allow in order to be as sustainable and socially and environmentally responsible as we can.

Currently, our main wholesale provider is US-based brand Bella and Canvas. Based out of Los Angeles, Bella and Canvas uses more sustainable manufacturing processes with Blue Sign certified dyes and efficient dye houses that align with the state of California’s EPA regulations around waste water treatment and usage. Their cutting facilities run on partial solar power with comprehensive recycling programs for paper waste and fabric scraps. If they incorporated upcycled or organic fabrics into their garment manufacturing, we wouldn't be on the hunt for a different make. Let's hope they also continue making strides in the right direction! Read more about them here.

Due to increasing stock shortages and delays, we also use Next Level brand tees. Next Level operates in South America and holds manufacturers to a Workplace Code of Conduct as outlined here. Next Level has recently created new line of products created from 70% recycled materials and when possible we source from this collection.

Generally, alongside a much more restricted market, COVID-related delays and limitations has made finding a Canadian supplier challenging. We will keep looking and hope to eventually shift to a full lineup of products that are not only printed by manufactured in Canada every step of the way.