Great Pretenders

Feeling disconnected from an industry that lacked imaginative, open-ended play, Founder & CEO Joyce Keelan set out on an ambitious journey to launch a brand that would deliver on her vision of innovative high value lifestyle toys. 35 years later, with a team comprised of over 75% women, Great Pretenders is proud to have shipped products to boutiques, concept stores, gift shops and some of the best toy stores across the globe, all while introducing innovative new designs and trend setting categories from our hometown of Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.

In a sea of inexpensive Asian imports, never has it been more important to invest in our local economy. Great Pretenders is proud to manufacture a selection of our dress-up range in Canada (and make sure that any import partners we develop follow our tried and true standards). Never has being a local manufacturer been more important!

A talented team of in-house artists and pattern makers dream up original art, patterns and textile design and the creativity doesn't stop there!