We spoke with Nataly, co-founder of Cureus Label, to learn more about how she and her mother built a brand that empowers women through effortless, thoughtfully crafted designs.

What is your business called and what does it do?

Cureus Label is a lingerie brand redefining how women experience intimates. We focus on underwire-free pieces that feel natural, ethically handmade from unexpected yet essential fabrics like soft cotton and barely-there mesh. Our vintage-meets-modern designs bring together timeless simplicity and effortlessness, showing that lingerie can be both sensual and easy to wear.

What made you want to do this work?

Cureus started as a passion project between my mom and me, but it quickly grew into something much bigger—a way to challenge the idea that lingerie has to be rigid, uncomfortable or meant for someone else’s gaze. We wanted to create pieces that make you feel confident and comfortable, first and foremost. As a mother-daughter duo, we bring two perspectives—my mom’s business expertise and my creative vision—which allows us to design with a deep sense of care, intention, and balance. It’s the coming together of two generations, solving a shared problem that many women face.

What problem did you want to solve with the business?

The problem we noticed is that most lingerie either prioritizes aesthetics over comfort or comfort over aesthetics. We don’t want you to have to choose. With Cureus, we set out to create pieces that feel just as good as they look, using breathable fabrics that are often overlooked in lingerie, so you can feel confident without compromise.

Who are your clientele/demographics?

Our customers, mainly women, care about the little things: the feel of a fabric, the way a fit accentuates their shape, the small details that make a piece special. Cureus is for anyone who values intentional and modern design, ethical production, and the confidence that comes from true comfort. Our pieces are made to be embraced by the person wearing them, fitting seamlessly into an endless range of styles and lifestyles, so we really don’t cap that experience to a specific age.

How does your business make money? How does it work?

We release limited-edition collections through our online store, each designed in Toronto and ethically handcrafted in Colombia. Since we focus on slow fashion, our pieces are made in small, carefully considered batches, nothing mass-produced. It’s a direct-to-consumer model that allows us to maintain quality, avoid excess, and ensure that every piece aligns with our vision.

Where in the city can we find your profession?

Toronto is where we bring our ideas to life, but the beauty of what we do is that it’s not tied to one place. Right now, we primarily operate online, but we’re currently looking at ways to create in-person experiences, whether that’s through pop-ups, collaborations, or curated events where people can feel our fabrics and try our pieces firsthand.

What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.

Question: “What makes your lingerie different from everything else out there?”

Answer: It’s all in the details. Cureus isn’t just about how lingerie looks; it’s about how it feels and fits. We focus on sleek designs made with comfortable, breathable fabrics like cotton and mesh that move with you. Every stitch, every trim, every silhouette is thoughtfully crafted to elevate your underwear drawer with pieces that make you feel empowered and at ease.

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

The best part has been creating something meaningful with my mom. There’s a deep trust and understanding between us that makes the process feel natural and exciting, even when faced with challenges. Seeing our ideas come to life in pieces that not only women love but that help bring confidence into their lives makes it all worth it.

The hardest part has been balancing creativity with logistics in our first year. As a new business and brand starting out, it requires a lot of patience and grace as we find our rhythm and systems that work best for us. We’re constantly learning and growing but every milestone feels even more rewarding because of it.

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

It’s not a joke but the look on people’s faces when I say I design lingerie with my mom. I get it and it never gets old.

Where can we follow you?

You can find us on Instagram

PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?

I’ve been obsessed with Beaufille’s designs and overall vibe—love even more knowing they’re Toronto-based.

The post Homegrown Business: Nataly Cure of Cureus Label appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Carter is a survivor of breast cancer and through her journey of healing, she noticed many friends and family members succumbing to the disease. The experiences which resonated most with Carter were from other Black women who were often ignored by medical professionals despite their concerns. The Perfect Match for a Fight is a panel discussion of the breast cancer experiences of Carter, Patricia Russell (survivor) and esteemed surgical oncologist, Dr. Mojola Omole. Russell shutters while detailing her memory: “… after finding a lump in my breast and approaching my doctor to investigate further, the doctor refused to examine me”. This sentiment was echoed by the panelists as a prevalent problem when Black women, men and trans people determine their self examinations warrant medical intervention. Carter concurred offering, “…despite breast cancer being an aggressive killer of Black women, the face of the disease is one of White women. This is why these garments are so important; representation matters. How often do you hear that you should check for lumps? How many of us actually know what a cancerous lump feels like? This prototype shows us”.

Love & Nudes was established in 2017 as an ode to Black women. Carter saw the need for nude tones which reflect the spectrum of tones of women of colour. Her mission to foster equity evolved further into changing the systemic disparities present related to breast cancer and women of colour, “Love & Nudes was founded because we saw a glaring misrepresentation in everyday products for women of colour. But our bras mean nothing if Black women aren’t alive to wear them”. Research suggests Black women tend to present with breast cancer as early as age 40, yet screening in most provinces starts at age 50; this 10 year discrepancy is an aggravating factor to the high mortality rate among Black women aged 40-49 – this is one of many changes Carter and her team are advocating for. Beyond this, Carter highlights “…over 16 percent of breast cancer cases occur in women under 50 years of age, with Black women under the age of 50 with breast cancer having a mortality rate double that of white women of the same age group”.

Love & Nudes is campaigning for change on a systemic level. They are advocating for the Canadian government and Health Canada to lower the age of breast cancer screening to age 40. Early detection is the key to survival and Black women are disproportionately predisposed to early onset triple negative breast cancer before age 50. Mammogram screening age is set at age 50 and up, so many women are diagnosed with breast cancer at a later stage in life. Love & Nudes is petitioning for 2500 signatures and are nearing the 2000 mark. Check out their efforts and sign up if this cause resonates with you. The Stage Zero Collection is the only one of its kind and will change how Black women see, understand and assess self screening. Join the conversation using #StageZeroCollection.

The post Love & Nudes: Reframing Breast Cancer Screening for Black Women appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

I met Nadine Woods a couple years back during Fashion Week when she participated in the Toronto Fashion Incubator’s press & buyers luncheon. Her lingerie line Mayana Geneviere immediately caught my attention. The craftsmanship and quality of fabrics as well as designs could very much be up there with the likes of La Perla. But what surprised me the most was that it was maternity and post-maternity based. I only wished this line was around when I went through this baby stuff.

I met up with her again recently at a press event at the Windsor Arms Hotel and again, stood breathless at her attention to detail so we chatted once again to see how things have changed since the last time I had met with her.

What inspired you to create this line of lingerie?

My personal experience of becoming a mother. Nursing bras were ugly! I was shocked to be faced with frumpy or frilly nursing bras that did not work well for skin-to-skin and accommodate my wardrobe transition out of maternity.  I was also faced with wearing shapewear for the first time in my life.  It was very eye opening the experience of birthing and the body changes and psychological effects it has on women.  I became very focused on learning about the challenges women experience post birth and creating conversations around that.

Your line is designed and manufactured in Canada. What have you learned about the garment industry here? 

I’ve learned through production that labour cost is not the only deterrent for companies taking manufacturing off-shore.  Finding skilled workers or people with honest work ethic is equally as important.  The garment industry in Canada is limited as most of the apparel manufacturing have moved overseas, they have perfected the techniques and have the resources required for growth of a brand, an obstacle that is even more challenging in lingerie as it is a very specific skill set. At the same time. there is a hunger for bringing production back to local and we are seeing more brands that no only have the desire to keep things Canadian but have been successful in doing so depending on the industry.

Has anything surprised you while you’ve been working on this line?

I was surprised at how needed my line was, with more room for expansion in garment ideas.  People are always shocked when we tell them the bra is designed with nursing capability.  I get emails and people approaching to me telling me how much they enjoy the garment or thanking me for “getting it.”  It is very satisfying making women feel a little better during a time of need, and providing insight to a concept that is a simple solution to an everyday requirement, the process worth every minute.

Your inspiration?

My inspiration is fuelled by the determination to listen and advocate.  I spend an equal amount of time paying attention to maternal health industry advancements, and common challenges women experience as I do developing the garments.  Understanding women’s needs inspires me to keep going.  I am also inspired by the impact my actions have on my daughters experience of women. I am constantly reminding myself of my influence on her perception of following your dream, starting a business and running a family and am really her first role model for that.

You’re a Toronto based designer, tell us what you love about this city?

Toronto is full of life!  This city is wonderful for celebrating diversity and culture.  I really love the endless access to varieties of cuisine, music, performances and cultural events. There is always something to do at any given time of year regardless of the weather, and the best part it is everything can be easily accessed on foot. The city is also very community oriented with lots of active involvement of residents and supportive of small business owners. What’s not to love!

What are your favourite things to do in the city with kids/family?

There are lots of seasonal activities we enjoy doing in the summer such as stroll/ bikeride by the lake, ice cream at the local shop or hanging out on a local patio of course The Ex, Centre Island, street festivals or live music at Harbourfront are always a treat.  In the winter there is tobogganing at in the park at Trinity Bellwoods or off the DVP with lots of access to hot chocolate from a local bakery and Free skating at Harbourfront, I find the Science Centre to be incredible especially for children, it’s so interactive with endless opportunity for education definitely cannot cover the whole thing in one day and a great way to introduce new topics to little ones.

The post Mayana Geneviere Lingerie by Toronto Designer Nadine Woods appeared first on Toronto Guardian.