‍

At atelier b,, sustainability encompasses much more than a series of conscientious actions—it is the very essence of this company founded in 2009 by Anne-Marie Laflamme and Catherine Métivier.

From the very beginning, the two friends knew that the company would revolve around two key pillars. On one hand, there would be local and ethical manufacturing. On the other hand, there would be a sourcing of fibers with reduced environmental footprint, exclusively natural and socially responsible.

‍

"We purchase our fabrics from countries where workers' rights resemble those in Canada," Anne-Marie shares. The other factor they never compromise on? Quality. "The longevity of a garment has the greatest impact, long before certifications come into play."

Eventually, eco-design also became part of the equation—considering the complete lifecycle of a product from the design stage. That's why, among other reasons, the creators have been using the same buttons and finishing bias for eight years. Not only does this allow them to repair a customer's garment regardless of the time that has passed since the purchase, but it also helps them avoid excess trimmings at the end of each collection, as these can be used indefinitely.

‍

In their ongoing efforts to maximize the longevity of their garments, the pair also takes back worn-out atelier b pieces from their customers and gives them a second life. If they can't find takers, the pieces are donated to an organization or repurposed through their famous scrap project.

Launched in 2021, the zero waste initiative involves transforming their fabric scraps into pulp, which is then shaped into beautiful household objects. The entrepreneurs are currently working on industrializing the process to handle a larger volume of scraps and potentially recover those from other designers.

"We see ourselves as a research studio that is funded by a ready-to-wear line," Anne-Marie reveals. And that's precisely what's refreshing about atelier b: economic growth is never at the expense of their beliefs, even if it means making less profit. "We never say we don't have the budget for eco-friendly actions because, after all, that's the essence of atelier b."

The distribution of this article is made possible by the contribution of Détail Québec, the retail sectoral workforce committee.

‍