Creators

Often bold (but sometimes subtle), Kat’s work in collage, signage and painting is informed by her design sensitivity and training, her love of contrasts, and her penchant for text, wit and wordplay. Kat is both artist and art instructor.

An illustrator and printmaker from Karachi, now based in Toronto. Maliha draws people, food, and things from everyday life, plus “the stuff swimming around in (her) head.” She likes how drawing is a way to play with ideas that are silly or serious (or both). It’s how she slows down, daydreams, and learns more about things. “For Union Hotel, I created three hand-drawn, monochrome pieces that reflect the hotel’s deep connection to Toronto’s history and community. One captures the movement of the morning commute at Union Station, with flowing fabrics and overlapping shoes. Another depicts a joyful meeting just outside the hotel, with its facade in the background. The third pays tribute to Uniform Measure/Stack, a 1997 sculpture by Stephen Cruise, honoring the neighbourhood’s textile heritage. Through these works, I wanted to celebrate the stories, movement, and craft that shape this part of the city.”

An artist-educator based in Toronto. Wang holds a BFA in printmaking (OCAD) and Master’s in Arts management (SDA Bocconi, Milan) and is currently pursuing an MFA in Visual Arts at York University. She has shown works in the Ontario Legislative Assembly, Métis Space (HK), Art Bank Canada, and Richmond Hill Public Library.

Gino believes the customer deserves to feel empowered by their purchases, knowing they can trust the brand to operate ethically while supporting a community they belong to or wish to support. He describes connection as his north star and collaboration is the space craft.

Emily May Rose who paints mischievous cartoon raccoons is said to have taken over Toronto with these murals of our city’s unofficial mascot (CBC, 2023). Her artwork is heavily inspired by her life in the city. Her work appears in a variety of formats, including murals, editorial illustrations, apparel design, installations, and gallery settings.

Cyrc is a Montreal-based design studio founded in 2021 by Daniel and Guy, driven by a commitment to sustainability and circular design. Focused on reducing waste, they create furniture and objects that can be returned and repurposed at the end of their lifecycle. By rethinking traditional production models, Cyrc ensures materials never become landfill waste, setting a new standard for responsible design.

Sam James Coffee Bar was founded with a simple mission: to provide high-quality, consistent, and easy-to-drink coffee for Toronto. After a career-defining moment with coffee expert Scott Rao, Sam set out to perfect the craft—focusing on smooth, chocolatey, medium roast coffee that people actually want. Since opening the first café in 2009, the brand has expanded across Toronto, supplying both locals and partner cafés with expertly roasted beans. At its core, Sam James Coffee Bar believes coffee should be a reliable, everyday essential—not an exclusive luxury.

Hello Kirsten is a Canadian artist recognized for her vibrant, large-scale patterned murals and immersive installations. Now based in Berlin, she began her career in Montreal’s dynamic street art scene before spending a decade in Toronto working in art publishing and public art. Her work transforms unexpected spaces—rooftops, parking lots, and abandoned buildings—into engaging environments that spark curiosity and conversation. Through bold patterns and radical creativity, she brings joy and new perspectives to non-traditional spaces.

Victoria Day is a Toronto-based interdisciplinary artist exploring themes of belonging, duality, and mixed-race identity. Her work, rooted in detail-oriented, analog processes, reflects a deep connection to traditional Korean arts. Through painting, printmaking, hand papermaking, public art, and ceramics, she celebrates her Korean heritage while broadening cultural representation in public and print spaces. Her practice is both a personal exploration and a contribution to a more diverse artistic landscape.

Sassa Fras is a fragrance house dedicated to creating fragrance systems that are indistinguishable from magic. Founded in Toronto, Sassa Fras creates custom high-performance, phthalate-free scent formulations and turns them into coveted bulk amenities, candles, mists, and retail items. With a focus on hospitality, they develop the creative direction and brand for each fragrance they create, always focusing on unique characters and creating worlds within hospitality. For the Union Hotel, Sassa Fras created a unique fragrance and named it the ‘Night Audit’, an ode to the infamous night auditor role in hotels whose main role is to ensure there is a smooth transition from day to night. Focusing in on the Union’s entrepreneurial nature and independence, they crafted a fragrance which was familiar but evokes curiosity and includes Eucalyptus, Cedar, Muguet and Patchouli. They will be following up with a short production in collaboration with the hotel later this year, in the meantime you can smell the Night Audit fragrance through the Union lobby’s and purchase a Night Audit candle to take home.

Routine is a Canadian beauty brand founded by sisters Neige and Pippa, built on the belief that scent is as unique as a fingerprint. Rooted in the Canadian Rockies, Routine creates high-performance, natural personal care products designed to complement your pheromones without compromise. With a commitment to sustainability, their formulations feature ethically sourced ingredients and mindful packaging that’s kinder to the earth. From deodorants to skincare and home essentials, Routine transforms everyday rituals into moments of joy, self-expression, and adventure.