Puffin Gear

General information

Heather de Man is the exclusive designer for Puffin Gear®. She started her business 15 years ago with children’s hat designs. Originally an engineer, Heather left the industry to start her design business when she noticed a void in the market for children's hats. It was the desire to dress her young children in contemporary styles without sacrificing function that established the principles behind Puffin Gear®.

Having parents with backgrounds in textiles and design, Heather developed a passion for both at a very young age. Constantly making and wearing her own clothes, she developed a flare for designing original pieces. Heather's engineering background provided her with strong design principles; she understood the importance of functionality and performance, and above all, knew that not only could there be a balance between quality and contemporary style, but that both could be achieved simultaneously.

This lifetime of experience in design, her strong appreciation for the art of textiles, and the dedicated employment of high production standards has helped evolve the company from a children’s hat stand in Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market, to the successful, innovative, and contemporary Puffin Gear® of today. Just as it was 15 years ago, Heather continues to infuse her passion for smart and stylish design, by overseeing all areas of production in her Leslieville studio in downtown Toronto.

Why Puffins?

The name Puffin Gear® was not solely chosen for the loveable nature of the Atlantic Puffin. This Canadian bird can withstand exposure to various, and often harsh, conditions. Yet with their vividly coloured beaks, red eye markings, and bright orange legs, they exude flair amidst these elements that other cold-climate Canadian birds do not.
Form and function; this is what Puffin Gear® borrows from the Atlantic Puffin, adding an innovative approach to both.