Message Factory

Message Factory is a brand of comfortable, casual, affordably priced ready-to-wear clothing aimed primarily at women, with several options for men. The company was founded in 2005 by designer Julie Rochefort, who wanted to use fashion as a vehicle for positive messages. As a result, its dresses, tunics and t-shirts feature inspiring messages and playful drawings, often created in brightly coloured fabrics.

Message Factory’s ethical commitment carries through into its practices.

The company uses only recycled and organic fibres for its fabrics, most of which are knit and dyed locally in accordance with certified environmental standards.

The clothing is also sewn in Quebec before being sent out from its head office in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. As of 2018, the company’s garments are sold in nearly 250 stores across North America.

To reduce the ecological footprint of its products to a minimum, the brand has an upcycling program to recycle and reuse its clothing. Consumers can therefore return garments they no longer use in exchange for gift certificates towards new items.

Julie Rochefort has also been the owner of the OÖM Ethikwear brand since 2015. Founded in 2005 by Pascal Benaksas-Couture and Pascale Clauzier, it is a brand of ready-to-wear clothing for men and women produced by Quebec organizations that employ marginalized people.