Despite the massive manufacturing relocation following NAFTA and the subsequent decline in import quotas, SHAN, founded in 1985, has never deviated from its initial plan: producing everything here, in Quebec.

For Chantal Levesque, the founder of the ready-to-wear and swimwear company, this was a way to ensure good working conditions for her employees. Today, the company has 165 employees — 95% of whom are women — at its headquarters in Laval, where offices, factory, and boutique share the massive building.

In addition to this flexibility, the impressive number of boutiques reflects SHAN's undeniable popularity, even nearly 40 years after its creation. How can such success be explained? Among other factors, the quality of its products plays a significant role. In addition to impeccable craftsmanship, the fabrics contribute significantly, with the majority being carefully selected from ISO14001 - certified (an environmental standard) Italian suppliers.

To ensure that its customers can also participate in the longevity of their pieces, SHAN offers adjustment and repair services in its seven eponymous stores in Quebec, Ontario, Palm Beach, Miami, and East Hampton.

Regarding packaging, the brand adheres to the strict minimum with a reduced number of labels, all made from recycled and recyclable cardboard, and a lovely reusable shipping pouch, which is particularly appreciated by customers who use it as a travel case.

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Regarding the integration of future green initiatives, from certifications to waste management, SHAN believes that a platform where the industry could come together and information could be centralized would be extremely beneficial. Unless having a dedicated sustainability expert internally, which is not the case for SHAN or many other players, resources, knowledge, and time often remain limited.

Nevertheless, through SHAN's philosophy of producing sustainable and fair products and its current structure, it is evident, after our exchanges with the company, that employees already feel a great sense of pride; a pride in being part of the solution.

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