Behind the Scenes: The Outsiders
“The Outsiders” campaign is not only about getting outdoors and embracing what the world has to offer, but about going off the beaten path and swimming against the shoal, and that’s exactly what we did on our latest shoot! We have had Canada on our radar for a long time as a place we would love to test our clothing, and when the opportunity to work with Destination British Columbia arose, we were excited to say the least!
In June this year we packed our new autumn/winter range and headed off on an adventure. Flying from London to Vancouver, we then took the beautiful Sea-to-Sky Highway Route | Super, Natural BC (hellobc.com) through Squamish to our first base in Whistler, where we met up with Kieran, our fantastic fixer. While there we visited the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre to learn more about the First Nations, their traditions and values. It was fascinating to hear traditional songs from the Lil’wat and Squamish people, and learn about how they use the plants and nature they strive to preserve.
In search of snow Destination British Columbia put us in touch with Chris who works at Whistler-Blackcomb ski resort, and toured us around the two peaks. We braved the heights in the lifts going up the mountain and across on the Peak to Peak gondola. We saw stunning wildlife, from bears to birds (one which actually landed on the hand of our model).
The following day we played Christmas in a traditional secluded cabin deep in the woods, then took a hike along the famous “Train Wreck Trail” ending in an amazing suspension bridge over a glacial river, which was a sight to behold.
After a post shoot dip in the river at the end of our street, we said farewell to our gorgeous local models and headed onto the second leg of our journey.
Travelling from Whistler to Horseshoe Bay, we jumped on the BC ferry to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. We then drove the beautiful and rugged Pacific Marine Circle Route: Pacific Marine Circle Route – Tourism Vancouver Island all the way through Jordan River to Port Renfrew, stopping off at many of the stunning beaches before returning to Sooke, where we based ourselves. Sooke and surrounding areas are located on traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Kwakwaka’wakw, Nuu-chah-nulth, and Coast Salish peoples..
On Vancouver Island we enjoyed hiking through the beautiful rainforest of the Juan de Fuca trail to Mystic Beach, with a rail of clothes on our backs. We cooled off in the waterfalls and added to the stacked pebbles people have created over the years. We also visited Sheringham point lighthouse in the afternoon, we always love a lighthouse!
To return we drove from Sooke to Swartz Bay, and got the ferry to Tsawwassen, passing through the stunning Gulf Islands, and back to Vancouver to fly to London.
We are thankful to the First Nations, and would like to promote the “Leave No Trace” responsible tourism message. It is important to respect all areas you visit when you are travelling or on holiday, take your rubbish away, don’t disturb the wildlife or vegetation, and leave everywhere as you found it.
We also want to say a huge thank you to Destination British Columbia for all their help and support in making this amazing adventure happen. If you have been inspired by our travels, please visit: www.hellobc.com to find out more about this wild and beautiful part of the world.
