Canadian luxury swimwear label Lauren Bentley Swimwear is gaining momentum as one of the country’s most promising emerging fashion brands. Known for its refined aesthetic and strong focus on craftsmanship and sustainability, the brand has officially opened a new pop-up retail experience at Yorkville Village in Toronto, July 9-25. The boutique-style location brings founder and CEO Lauren Bentley’s vision of elevated, timeless swimwear directly to consumers in a bright, resort-inspired setting.
Located in the high-traffic Oval space under a dramatic skylight, the new store is described by Bentley as a “poolside escape minus the pool”, a retail experience that goes beyond product and into lifestyle. “We’re bringing in all the fixtures, our vision coming to life,” said Bentley in an exclusive interview. “This one is all us. It’s been a lot of planning, but that makes it exciting. I’ve always loved creating experiences, and I see this as an extension of that.”
Creating a Swimwear Moment in Canada
Now open for the summer, the Yorkville Village pop-up has been designed to reflect the brand’s sophisticated yet approachable identity. Inspired by warm-weather leisure, the space includes loungers, social seating, and elegant product displays that nod to Mediterranean luxury.
“We felt like having that sunlight coming in through the skylight is going to be really helpful,” Bentley said. “Selling bathing suits in Canada, especially outside of summer, can be tricky. Our customers often need to see the sun, or have a trip booked, before they even consider buying swimwear.”
The brand is also collaborating with other Yorkville Village tenants for cross-promotional initiatives and product integrations. “There’s a strong community feel here,” Bentley added. “Everyone’s been incredibly supportive. It’s the right place for us to engage customers directly.”
From Nova Scotia to Toronto Luxury
Bentley’s journey to founding her namesake brand began in Nova Scotia, where a childhood by the ocean inspired her passion for swimwear. After studying Fashion Business Management at Seneca College, she entered the fashion wholesale industry, eventually becoming swimwear brand director at Jaytex Group.
“One day I got a call that I was flying to Miami Swim Week the next day,” she recalled. “It was my dream come true. I had to learn fast and sell swimwear to North American buyers in a weekend.”
Bentley spent several years refining her concept before launching Lauren Bentley Swimwear in October 2023 under the parent company LSEB Creative Corp. “This brand was years in the making,” she said. “And now it feels like it’s unfolding exactly the way it was meant to.”
A Brand Rooted in Craftsmanship and Intention
At the core of Lauren Bentley Swimwear is a design philosophy that favours timelessness over trends. Each piece is carefully created to be both elegant and enduring.
“Our trims and fabrics are sourced individually, and with great care,” Bentley explained. “We consider every detail to ensure each component meets our high standards and ultimately, our customer’s expectations.”
Most trims and materials are sourced from Europe, while all production is done in Portugal, a country with a storied tradition of textile excellence. “Portugal is one of the strongest textile regions in Europe,” she said. “Their level of craftsmanship aligns beautifully with our values.”
This dedication is visible in the brand’s elevated silhouettes, which are inspired by Mediterranean swimwear and designed to flatter and last. “We want our pieces to feel refined, effortless, and above all, made to endure,” she said.
Responsibility at the Core
From day one, environmental and social responsibility has been embedded into every facet of the brand. “We view sustainability as a necessity when building a brand in today’s world,” said Bentley. “We still have a long way to go, but our commitment is serious and ongoing.”
The company has aligned with manufacturers who carry respected certifications, including the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Global Recycled Standard (GRS), and Recycled Claim Standard (RCS). Bentley emphasized that ethical partnerships are non-negotiable. “We only work with those who share our values,” she said.
This ethos also drives the brand’s design direction: creating garments that last both in quality and style. “We don’t want to contribute to throwaway fashion,” she explained. “Every product is meant to be timeless and durable.”
Climate Commitment Built In
In addition to responsible manufacturing, Lauren Bentley Swimwear also takes direct action to address its shipping footprint. “For every order we ship, we calculate estimated emissions and allocate a portion of our revenue to verified carbon removal projects,” Bentley noted.
Those projects are selected based on scientific vetting by experts at Carbon Direct. “We believe in supporting climate innovation while offsetting our own impact,” she said. “It’s not perfect, but it’s purposeful.”
This transparency and forward-thinking approach are part of what sets the brand apart in a competitive luxury space. “Fashion isn’t always clean,” Bentley added. “But we can hold ourselves accountable and always strive to do better.”
A Strong Start in Luxury Hospitality
Despite being under two years old, Lauren Bentley Swimwear has already secured premium partnerships that reflect its upscale positioning. The brand is stocked at Four Seasons Hotels in Toronto, Nashville, and New Orleans.
“I love the luxury hospitality world,” said Bentley. “It’s where our clients are already comfortable, relaxed, and open to discovering something beautiful. These partnerships are such a natural fit.”
The brand also completed a successful trunk show with Holt Renfrew’s Bloor Street flagship, giving it a strong introduction to Toronto’s luxury retail audience.
“That event gave us credibility and visibility,” she said. “Holt Renfrew has a phenomenal team—we’re hoping to work with them again in the future.”
Building a Beachwear Lifestyle Brand
While swimwear remains the foundation, the long-term vision for Lauren Bentley Swimwear includes product expansion into beachwear, accessories, and even resort-inspired lifestyle categories.
“We’re starting with men’s and women’s swimwear, but the next step is beachwear cover-ups, then daywear, then accessories,” Bentley explained. “Eventually, I’d love to get into homewares and even lingerie.”
Permanent flagship stores could also be in the future, ideally in destinations where swimwear shopping is relevant year-round. “It has to be intentional,” she said. “We’re not interested in quick wins — only thoughtful, long-term growth.”
She’s also open to shop-in-shop concepts and further wholesale partnerships, provided they align with the brand’s ethos. “Every relationship we pursue has to reflect our core values,” she added.
A Brand With Purpose
Ultimately, Bentley sees her namesake brand not just as a business, but a long-term platform to build something meaningful, both creatively and ethically.
“This is my baby and my name is on it for a reason,” she said. “I want to be around for decades, not just a few seasons. I’m building something with integrity.”
The new Yorkville Village pop-up marks an important step in that journey: a chance to meet customers face-to-face, share the brand’s story, and build community.
“We’ve built something beautiful,” Bentley said. “Now we get to invite people into the experience.”
