Marie-Ève Richard couldn’t find a swimsuit with UV protection that suited her. So she launched Krabēo, a new brand of swimsuits with UV protection, Quebec and eco-responsible. “There were very few choices of long-sleeved jerseys, and very unfeminine models,” she explains in an interview.
“In November 2021, I learned that I had a recurrence of skin cancer, 16 years after my first cancer. During my treatments, I thought a lot about what I wanted to do, then I left for Costa Rica,” says the former photographer. “During a trip to a beach, I came across some black crabs; there was one that was pink in color, that had come out of its shell. I told myself that he had to protect himself, and that’s when I had the click. »
Marie-Ève Richard will launch on the first day of May, Skin Cancer Awareness Month, six models of women’s and children’s swimsuits made with eco-friendly fabric that protects against UV rays. “I did a lot of research, the fabric used is UPF 50 certified, it protects 98% of UVA and UVB rays. This Econyl fabric is eco-responsible, because it comes from recycled fishing nets fished from the seabed. I want to protect people from the sun and the planet with eco-responsible fabrics and local manufacturing, because everything is made in Quebec,” she specifies.
There are surf-style models, in beige, black and green, for women and children, starting at $195. “The cuts are bold, feminine, practical and comfortable for doing outdoor activities,” adds the brand’s founder. They will be available on the Krabēo website starting May 1.
With its new capsule collection of unisex and timeless pieces, Esser publishes a manifesto containing its founder’s thoughts on the future of fashion. “Standing on its grand promises, manufacturing progress has proven to be a staining gift of engineering; a synthetic success and heavy with impact. Always more, always faster, always cheaper. To be repeated without calm and without rest. The hungry find neither fulfillment nor remorse, frozen in ignorance,” writes Marie-Christine Fortier. Also, the ten pieces are made of natural or recovered materials, as is the case of the maxi dress made of lyocell scraps from old collections. The cuts are ample, the materials fluid, and black dominates. We can obviously say to ourselves that there is a paradox in criticizing consumption when we produce our own clothes, however local and environmentally friendly they may be. The designer saw it coming! “What’s the point of creating another design studio?” she asks. What else could he add that isn’t rhetorical to this already oversaturated market? David versus a thousand Goliaths… The obvious goes like this: if the fashion industry literally can’t last, we won’t be part of it. One thing is certain, Esser’s cargo pants are the perfect uniform to resist with style and comfort. (If, and only if, you actually need it!)
There are not many solutions for anyone who wants to recycle their used clothes. Here is one temporarily offered by the manufacturer of merino wool socks Smartwool. Through May 2, the company is partnering with outdoor gear retailers, primarily Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) and Sail, to collect old socks with the goal of turning them into new ones. (Clean) socks of all colours, brands and materials are accepted. The program has enabled Smartwool to collect more than 740,000 to date. The manufacturer will soon unveil The Second Cut Hike Sock, a circular version of its classic hiking sock model whose yarns are made in the United States from a mixture of equal parts of sock waste and merino wool.
Reluxe is back for a 7th edition, from April 27 to 29, for the benefit of the Le Chaînon Foundation. It’s the perfect evening to find second-hand designer pieces at low prices, all in a festive atmosphere for a good cause at Espace WIP, a cultural venue located at 3487 Saint-Laurent Boulevard. Geneviève Borne and Lolitta Dandoy are the godmothers of the event and will try to guide you in your purchases.
A VIP party is held on April 27 with cocktails and parades; the ticket price is $100. Admission will be free for the evenings of April 28 and 29. All profits will be donated to the Le Chaînon Foundation, a Montreal organization that has been helping women in difficulty since 1932.
