Of Mercer, the go-to fashion brand for modern professional women in Manhattan, is now available in Canada. Whether working from home or presenting in the boardroom, the company offers a variety of elegant clothing and accessories.

Dorie Smith is the company’s founder. She is a former financial consultant, who understands the demands of balancing work and life. Styles range in sizes from 00 to 22W, and cater to a variety of body shapes – from petite to athletic to maternity. Of Mercer uses luxe performance fabrics, including machine-washable, wrinkle-free and stretch wool suiting.

All items are designed and produced in New York City. They retail from CAD$135 to CAD$350 and ship across Canada.

We caught up with Smith to chat a bit further about the brand’s arrival in Canada.

Dorie Smith.

Why did you start your business?

I was working in a conservative office environment and couldn’t find a brand catering to my needs. I wanted high-end chic, yet practical clothes – read: pockets, wrinkle-free – with a price tag under $300. When I wore clothes that I loved, I was more confident and performed better in the office.

Of Mercer was born to empower more professional women. We design pieces with functionality and professionalism in mind, being mindful of necklines and hemlines.

What makes your brand stand out from others?

Our dedication to working women. So often brands follow trends. We are a reliable source for always office-appropriate apparel. We don’t release products as seasons, everything is evergreen, so if you buy and love a sheath dress, it will probably be available in multiple colours for years to come.

What changes have you noticed in your customer needs lately?

During this difficult year, we found our customer base going back to basics. While many women were working from home, they focused their shopping on timeless pieces that are comfortable enough to wear all day, but polished enough to look professional on virtual meetings.

As a digitally native, direct-to-consumer brand, we saw a spike in traffic across Canada with searches for our versatile and classic tops, blazers, dresses and pants. We quickly shifted our e-commerce site to cater to our Canadian customers to give them a seamless online shopping experience.

What are the key releases this season?

For obvious reasons, we’re all about work-from-home comfort this season. My favourite new style is the Locust Top – it is buttery soft and machine washable. I’ve been wearing our new Park Place Dress and the Willow Cardigan on repeat. Of course, face masks are always part of my daily uniform.