A goodbye... for now

We’ve been feeling a little nostalgic as we prepare to say goodbye and thought it might be fun to do a little recap of the journey we’ve been so honoured to have had.

2010

 

02.10 – Fortnight’s first mini collection launched with an Etsy shop in February 2010

Driven by the limited variety of sizes easily available in the lingerie market at the time and a passion to offer a meaningful alternative to what was offered by the dominating leaders in this space who had applied a throwaway mentality to such beautifully complex and high functioning garments.

Designed for (and from) a female perspective, we were inspired to disrupt the status quo.

Fusing careful seaming and a diverse range of sizes, our first collection included our signature longline silhouette in mesh and lace.

 

06.10 – The ‘Super Sexy Campaign’ Goes Viral

Fortnight launches an instructional CPR video with a seriously steamy twist. Like lingerie, the videos immediately caught the attention of anyone with a pulse. With no advertising or media budget, Super Sexy CPR quickly became an online phenomenon.

At a time when ‘going viral’ was unheard of, the instant exposure put us on a global platform. We began receiving calls from all over the world with leading fashion magazines, press, and retailers inquiring about our line.

 

07.10 – As our Following Begins to Grow, So Does Our HQ

The Fortnight HQ moves out of Christina's parents' basement into a 300 square-foot studio space at Spadina and Queen in downtown Toronto.

We found ourselves in the heart of Chinatown and Toronto’s fabric district. This special hub allowed us to carry our rolls of fabric from local shops directly to our studio cutting tables!

 

08.10 – Our First Canadian Publication in Elle Canada Magazine

Fortnight makes its editorial debut in the pages of Elle Canada Magazine.

 

10.10 – Fortnight is invited to Toronto Fashion Week

We were invited to showcase our Spring/Summer '11 Collection; a 30-piece capsule. Instead of traditional runway shows, we opted for a unique installation that allowed guests to be up close with the pieces to admire our close, intricate craftswomanship.

This capsule also included the launch of our first bodysuit that featured seamed cups and a cut-out back with an adjustable closure; 13 years later, this special piece has remained a signature favourite.

 

12.10 – Fashion Television

Christina, her brand, and the ‘Super Sexy Campaign’ that started it all are spotlighted on the iconic, Fashion Television - a show that sparked her love for fashion as a child.

2011

 

02.11 – Expanding Beyond the Lingerie Shop

We’ve always believed that Lingerie should be embraced as a meaningful part of your wardrobe and not a separate entity. We became interested in working with fashion/lifestyle boutiques and partnered with incredible shops such as the Toronto’s Drake General Store, Frances Watson and Vancouver’s Gravitypope instead of only lingerie shops.

 

08.11 – Fortnight moves to a lofty, light-filled studio space in the heart of Parkdale

A really big and scary jump at the time, but the brick walls, high ceilings, wood and metal beaming were truly so inspiring. We had to jump on this amazing opportunity to grow the brand. To make ends meet, Christina and her partner lived and worked in this intimate space. They packed up the pull out couch when the team arrived each morning… an interesting experience to say the least! We were so lucky to be a part of such a dynamic community of artists and independent businesses in Parkdale village.

 

11.11 – Fortnight hit the open road on a West-Coast sales trip

Travelling from Vancouver to LA, to grow our accounts. This trip allowed us to meet and connect with incredible boutiques and entrepreneurs that continues to this day.

2012

 

02.12 – Growing Wholesale in CA + US

Our 'Made In Canada' campaign launches, showcasing our intimate connection to each piece, attention to detail, craftsmanship, and the sense of value that is Fortnight.

Because the intricacies of lingerie construction requires a close eye on each stitch and detail, these pieces do not lend themselves to mass production. We continued to build our own little production studio, adding machines, seamstresses and resources in house.

 

05.12 – Closing Etsy & Expanding Wholesale

We expand our stockists and wholesalers to various boutiques across North America, including New York, Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Montreal, Portland, San Francisco, Toronto, Vancouver, Florida, Massachusetts, and Virginia.

 

08.12 – Market Week in NYC

Our first Lingerie Market! We debuted our 2013 at the Ace hotel in NYC to wholesalers and press across the US.

We continued to garner amazing press opportunities that highlighted Christina and the brand.

2013

 

11.13 – Fortnight hosts the first ever Studio Sale in Parkdale!

Despite long lines and shared fitting rooms, this incredible event brought women together to uplift one another. This display of empowerment inspired the Studio Sale to become a cherished annual event.

2014

 

02.14 – Lululemon Collaboration

Fortnight extended an olive branch to partner with Lululemon Lab after controversy surrounded this popular brand in 2014. The two brands partner to create a size-inclusive, body-positive capsule collection. Proceeds of this collaboration go to Vancouver-based charity Imagine1day.

05.14 – New Department Store, New Styles

Fortnight’s Ivy Longline Bra and Classic Wire Bra launch featuring the signature seaming, structure, and delicate aesthetic of lace cups and scalloped edging that we’ve become known for.

Fortnight becomes available at Saks Fifth Avenue – our first US department store.

2015

 

08.15 – Winnie Harlow bares Fortnight for Complex Magazine

Supermodel Winnie Harlow sports various Fortnight pieces in Complex Magazine, while Demi Lovato shows off Fortnight's Vega herringbone lace knickers in Cosmopolitan Magazine.

 

11.15 – Our First E-Comm Store Launches

After years of working with global stockists and growing our cherished customers, Fortnight launches its first e-commerce website to sell independently and develop its online presence. A place to showcase and have fun with all our imagery!

2016

 

06.16 – Burn The Padded Push-Up video campaign launches

A very special project with Filmmaker and artist Claire Edmondson. Claire pitched us an idea that perfectly paired the notion of a fun, creative and collaborative video project reclaiming the idea of wearing lingerie for personal pleasure and that beauty has a variety of interpretations.

The iconic set was created by our friends and Parkdale neighbours, Adam and Davis of Toronto’s Iconic Crown Flora. This campaign encourages women to #BUSTOUT of the mould – be it from society or bra cups.

 

07.16 – Fortnight launches ‘Women In Fortnight’

An intimate photo and interview series created by photographer Arden Wray.

Ahead of its time, Arden’s photo series featured Inspired by the women around us, this series features creatives at home in Fortnight, accompanied by a short interview about their personal connection to beauty and individuality. This series connected us with a community of independent artists, makers, storytellers, mothers and leading ladies who invited us into their wardrobe and spaces.

 

08.16 – Kylie Jenner layers the Fortnight Bodysuit for Allure Magazine.

2017

 

05.17 – Fortnight Swim Launches

The debut of our swim collection featured a five-piece capsule of matte black swim essentials that celebrates minimalism, elegance, and endurance. Inspired by lingerie, each piece is made for land and water, blurring the lines between swim and all-day wear.

 

06.17 – Fortnight on Bella Hadid for Vogue

Supermodel Bella Hadid wears Fortnight’s signature Luna Longline Bra in Champagne/Ivory on the cover of Vogue Italia, styled by Alex White for the legendary photographers Inez & Vinoodh.

This moment in time is one of our proudest moments with Fortnight, and will live forever in our magazine bookcases and framed photography.

 

08.17 – Candice Huffine x Fortnight Collab

CH x Fortnight launches in New York’s West Village, a lingerie collaboration between Fortnight and international model Candice Huffine.

The 12-piece capsule celebrates honesty and functionality while honouring the uniqueness of women in all shapes and personalities. This collection celebrates body positivity with all sizes and silhouettes, from our signature longline bras to body-hugging slips. This series is captured by photographer Lily Cummings.

Fortnight’s signature bra styles expand in sizes. The Luna and Ivy bras relaunched to include B/C/D 38 & 40, DD38, E36, F34, G30 & 32. This advancement boosted Fortnight within the lingerie market and allowed the brand to be a leader in this growing space.

2018

 

06.18 – Misfits Studio x Fortnight Collab

Fortnight launches a collaboration with Misfit Studios. Dabbling in athletics in a very Fortnight way. The unexpected pairing of crushed stretch velvet, high performance jersey, and power mesh was designed to be strong, supportive and flexible – to move with you and feel unique.

After the launch of this release, photographer Karolina Kruas captured our swimwear and lingerie on some of the incredible dancers of The National Ballet of Canada. We were so honored to be a part of these various shoots, showing a unique extension of the function of our garments in movement.

 

11.18 – Our first brick-and-mortar boutique opens

Fortnight opens its first brick-and-mortar boutique located on West Queen West facing the popular Trinity Bellwoods park in downtown Toronto.

Retail wasn’t really part of our plan, but when we saw this very special space for rent, we thought it was meant to be. We had one of the most beautiful street views in the city, in a neighbourhood proudly occupied by independent businesses. What a thrill to be able to fit people in person and develop more intimate friendships with our amazing community.

This location allowed us to finally showcase our entire collection under one roof, provide fit education, and to demonstrate the benefits of well fitting undergarments while connecting with our wonderful, growing community in Toronto.

2019

 

06.19 – Bloomer Shorts x Les Best

Fortnight launched bloomer shorts edged with a delicate French lace as a special collaboration with Toronto-based influencer, Amy Shio. Amy has always been an inspiration to the brand and we’ve forever admired her vision and honest voice. We had so much fun creating these bloomers as a way to blur the lines between activewear, loungewear and foundations.

08.19 – Our Studio Moves To Queen Street

Our intimate studio and the Fortnight craftswomen move from the beloved Parkdale neighbourhood, to Walnut Avenue at the heart of Queen West.

2020

 

07.20 – Rupi Kaur in Fortnight

Honoured to have the incredible poet, Rupi Kaur wears our signature Luna Longline Bra on the cover of The Kit.

 

08.20 – Covid Hits & We Close Our Queen Street Store

We officially closed our brick-and-mortar storefront due to the growing global pandemic. This bittersweet decision allowed us to open an intimate showroom next door to our Toronto production studio.

Like all small businesses, we were thrown by the uncertainty Covid presented to small business owners. We knew we had to pivot but weren't sure how. A spot opened up right next door to our Studio on Walnut Avenue. It was the perfect opportunity to try something new. Halting retail and wholesale was something totally different and intimidating for us, but we found a really beautiful way to connect with women virtually and begin a whole new way of helping each other with fit.

In these slow, unpredictable months, we experimented with remote campaigns where our photographers became the models. We were lucky enough to work with inspiring women that admire in close, intimate ways.

 

11.20 – Rupi Kaur Takes Fortnight On Tour

Rupi Kaur wears Fortnight for the launch of her new website and release of her latest book ‘Home Body’. Rupi also takes our Ivy Classic Bodysuit on tour to promote her ‘Corps Refuge’, The French Canadian edition of ‘Home Body’. We are so thankful for this beautiful, mutual admiration!

2021

 

03.21 – Golden Hour Video Launches

We had the opportunity to work with the incredible director, Mashie Alam and her team for a very special creative piece called Golden Hour. This creative short captures Fortnight's foundation essentials in movement under the warmth of golden hour glow.

05.21 – Loversland x Fortnight Collab

Although we stepped away from wholesale, we’re lucky to have had many of our stockists remain dear friends. After chatting for years about a creative project, we partnered with LoversLand, popular Toronto bridal and lifestyle brand, to create something a little different. Within this special collaboration, we launched a limited edition release that featured bold fuchsia and red colourway on a soft mesh just in time for Valentine’s Day.

2022

 

09.22 – Elle Canada Cover

'Schitt's Creek's' Annie Murphy layers our signature Luna Longline in Champagne/Ivory for the September Issue of Elle Canada.

 

11.22 – Maggie Gyllenhal in Fortnight

Maggie Gyllenhal is seen in Fortnight’s Ivy Classic Longline Bra for the Dior SS23 Fashion Show in Paris. It gives us all the feels when we get to see women we admire SO much in our pieces.

2023

 

We announce a bittersweet goodbye. Fortnight is officially on pause, indefinitely.

After 13 years, we’ve decided to take a real pause. Not just in production but in operations in their entirety. We don’t know where this will take us, but we are experimenting with the idea of taking time to reflect, change gears and re-calibrate. We hope it will connect us together again… but in the meantime we want to thank you for allowing us to be an honest voice and leader in the independent lingerie space.

We thank you for going on this incredible journey with Fortnight. The way you’ve supported us through this big change has been so moving. We truly feel your love and cannot put into words how much it’s meant to us. We can’t wait for our paths to cross again.