In Conversation: HAVEN

Founded in Vancouver by brothers Arthur and Daniel Chmielewski, HAVEN has grown from a local destination into one of Canada's most respected names in menswear and technical apparel. Known for their meticulous approach to fabrication and design, the brand has developed a global following while staying rooted in Canadian culture and climate. For this interview Daniel spoke with us offering insight into the philosophy that drives HAVEN and and the craft behind their latest collection. 

UT: How do a couple of brothers from Edmonton find themselves establishing a retail business nearing 20 years in the game?

DC: We grew up in the smaller city Edmonton, Canada at a time when a lot of the brands we were interested in weren’t accessible locally. HAVEN started in 2006 as a way to solve that problem. We wanted to introduce world-class products into our own city, also selfishly so we could have access to it. We were young and full of ambition, we didn’t think too much about it — we just opened it up and figured it out as we went along. It was small at first, but one decision led to another, and almost two decades later, we’ve built something we never could’ve imagined when we started.

UT: Throughout that time how have you seen HAVEN evolve?

DC: The biggest shift has been from purely curating brands, to building a point of view. At the start HAVEN was about access, but over time we’ve grown into a platform with its own identity, first through how we mix brands and present brands. There’s always been a “HAVEN” aesthetic for lack of a better definition. Now as we grow our in-house collection, we’ve developed a strong worldview that’s been informed by everything we’ve done over the last two decades. It’s been an evolution from retailer to brand, but always with the same focus: functional design, craftsmanship, and longevity.

UT: Running a retail operation is quite different to establishing a brand, was there something that drew you to the concept of starting a label?

DC: After years of buying, you start to see where gaps exist. We wanted pieces that could live alongside the best technical and artisanal brands in the world but still express our own perspective. That’s what led to HAVEN the label: creating purposeful garments that reflect how we actually live in Canada. On the business side, we wanted something different for the future of the company and ourselves. We weren’t interested in becoming a large ecommerce department store, we wanted to do something creative that was a true expression of our values and lifestyle.

UT: Manufacturing is rife with complexities, how hands-on are you in the process and how important is that involvement to you?

DC: I personally am not as hands-on with the product as my brother, Arthur. We play different roles in the company. Where I excel at operations, and company culture, he excels at creative direction and product design, so he's very much involved in the design and product process.

As a design team however, we are very hands-on. We spend time in mills, factories, and workshops to understand not just the end product, but also how it’s made. Our main factories are in Canada just a short distance from our head office here in Vancouver. That involvement is critical. It keeps us close to the materials and the craftspeople, and it ensures we’re not just putting a name on something, but building it from the ground up. We also have a design studio in our head office where we will produce prototypes which we then bring to our factories to work from. Nothing is white-labelled. Everything comes from us and our creative process.

UT: How would you describe the HAVEN customer — what are they looking for beyond just clothing?

DC: Our customer values function and refinement, equally. They’re not chasing hype, they want pieces that hold up in daily life, whether in the city or outdoors. They tend to have an innate sense of style and aren’t easily swayed by outside forces or trends. Often early adopters, they recognize quality and innovation before the wider market does but it’s never about being first, it’s about substance. Longevity matters: garments need to endure, both in construction and in relevance. And there’s a genuine interest in how and why things are made, from the material choices to the craftsmanship and the story behind them.

UT: Which pieces from the current collection are you personally drawn to, and is there any reason why?

DC: For me, it’s the Station Jacket and Station pants in Washed Suvin Cotton Denim. What can I say, I’m a Canadian Tuxedo kind of guy. Apart from that I love all of our Excel French Terry Pieces for their comfort. I don’t have to think too hard about these pieces and they all work well together. I like pieces that are versatile, that I can wear in different settings, and that hold up over time.

UT: Your custom-milled Suvin cotton denim is a favourite of ours. Denim is obviously an artform in of itself, what drew you to developing your own?

DC: Denim has always been a foundation piece in menswear, but we wanted to elevate it with a fabric that felt uniquely ours. When we decided to create our own, we knew it had to be extremely high quality. Working with mills in Okayama to create a Suvin-blend gave us the softness and character we wanted, while still respecting the durability denim is known for. It’s a balance of tradition and refinement.

UT: Is there a particular well of inspiration you find yourself constantly going back to?

DC: Travel is a constant source of inspiration. Seeing how people live, dress, and adapt in different environments always informs how we design and buy. At the same time, we keep coming back to the Canadian context. The climate, the landscapes, the lifestyle here, it really does shape everything we do.

UT: They say never get into business with family, what’s it like working together as siblings?

DC: It’s not always easy, but it works because we balance each other. We’ve shared the same foundation but have different strengths, and that creates a healthy push and pull. At the end of the day, the trust is there and that’s something you can’t replicate.

As we got older, we began to understand each other more but also understand ourselves more. With age comes maturity and wisdom where you let the other excel in their field while realising you need them just as much as they need you. There’s a humbleness that comes with getting older. There’s certainly nobody else I’d rather be in business with.

The HAVEN collection is available now at UP THERE, in-store and online.