PUEBCO Canada

A sustainable Japanese homeware brand makes its North American debut on Dufferin Street

Known for repurposing discarded industrial fabrics and materials, PUEBCO Canada’s portfolio of sustainable designs are at once utilitarian and elevated. From waxed canvas totes in bright colours, steel storage bins and aluminium tissue boxes to bags made from repurposed parachutes and recycled tents, sustainable sourcing is at the heart of PUEBCO’s brand.

For PUEBCO’s founder, Tokyo designer Hirotaka Tanaka, the material comes first and the design comes second. Personally sourcing all of the brand’s materials from textile waste and material surplus in Asia and elsewhere, these collections are small-batch and one-of-a-kind. The same design might be made with an army tent, a French postal sack, vintage tarps or jute pulled from shipping yards. According to the brand, “It’s a model that not only reduces waste, but also celebrates impermanence and individuality in a world of mass production.”

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Today, PUEBCO Canada sets down its roots at 640 Dufferin Street, launching its North American flagship in the heart of Toronto’s west end. Previously shoppable at the Drake General Store, the brand now stocks its full product range at their brick-and-mortar location. From homewares to travel essentials and personal accessories, every product is intentionally designed to age gracefully over time, maintaining the brand’s philosophy that beauty can be found in imperfection and utility. At Designlines, our favourites are the brightly-coloured, striped picnic bags that are perfect for a day at the park, aluminium lunch boxes for a retro dining experience, and the series of recycled cotton beach rugs in rich hues.