About
Since 2005, we have been proud to be Quebec designers and manufacturers of eco-responsible fashion for men and women.
Clothing ourselves, nourishing our souls and protecting our planet is our mission.
Through our ethical and committed clothing, we want to touch people in their daily lives and remind them that together, we can make a difference.
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY. FOR REAL.
Our product is Quebecois by conviction. Our commitment to sustainability, community and doing good inspires us to always want to improve and find innovative ways of doing things. By being transparent about our practices, our challenges, our choices of organic or recycled materials and the cost of our products, you are able to understand the identity of our products.
The spirit of our MESSAGE FACTORY and OÖM ÉTHIKWEAR collections is based on respect for the environment and our community. We believe in creating and locally manufacturing clothing that inspires kindness and respect in all aspects of life. Guiding all generations to adopt a socially and environmentally responsible lifestyle is our motivation.
MANUFACTURED UNDER FAIR AND EQUITABLE WORKING CONDITIONS,
WE OFFER QUALITY CLOTHING IN A CLIMATE OF TRANSPARENCY.
1% TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
At MESSAGE FACTORY and OÖM ETHIKWEAR we are not riding the wave of greenwashing, we are at the same time the wave, the sea, the ocean and we aspire to become the little drop that will break the camel's back. The planet is our home and wanting to protect it is part of our DNA. This is why we donate 1% of our sales to local organizations that make a difference for the planet and for our community.
We are not perfect, but we are always striving to do better. Not to seduce you, but simply because it’s really important to us. We hope to involve you in our quest. We want to make you want to make small gestures. Because our small gestures added to yours can make all the difference.
SMALL ACTIONS MULTIPLIED BY MILLIONS OF PEOPLE CAN TRANSFORM THE WORLD!
“BUY LESS, CHOOSE BETTER, MAKE IT LAST” - VIVIENNE WESTWOOD
FOUNDER
OUR HISTORY
It all started in 2005! At the time, Julie Rochefort, the founder of Message Factory, was already dreaming of changing the world. Clothe the body and nourish the soul appear to him to be his best talents to exploit to achieve this. She then draws her first inspiring messages which will be printed on organic cotton t-shirts. Message Factory was born!
Oöm Éthikwear was created during the same year. The company had equally modest, but no less promising, beginnings. Oöm made his debut in Montreal fashion by printing a first positive message on around fifty t-shirts: We all have a dream. It was enough to mark the start of a great adventure in Quebec fashion!
In the 10 years since their creation, Message Factory and Oöm Éthikwear have gone against the tide with their social conscience, local production and organic clothing. Each on their own, they accept no compromise to build authentic, ethical and inspiring fashion. Despite the imposing place that Fast Fashion takes, they want to demonstrate that it is possible to buy locally, at a competitive price, a quality product, made here.
This quest finally led them to join forces in 2015. Message Factory then acquired Oöm Éthikwear. This acquisition will allow Message Factory to make ethical fashion even more accessible.
Today, the two collections are designed in our workshops in Vieux St-Jean. They are produced locally and ethically throughout Quebec. Recognized for its timeless cuts, the Message Factory brand combines unique prints and relaxed femininity, while Oöm Éthikwear offers consumers urban and committed clothing.
Our most recent collections are available at more than a hundred retailers located in Canada and the United States as well as on our online store.
THOSE WHO ARE CRAZY ENOUGH TO BELIEVE THEY CAN CHANGE THE WORLD WILL BE THOSE WHO CHANGE IT!
Opting for organic cotton instead of regular cotton is a concrete gesture to preserve life. Of all crops, conventional cotton cultivation is the most polluting in the world, because it uses the most herbicides and pesticides. Organic cotton farming uses non-GMO seeds and leverages natural solutions to manage pests and build healthy soils. Our fiber is spun in Switzerland and the material is knitted and dyed here in Montreal. We blend cotton with spandex to maximize comfort and improve product durability. Around 75% of our production is GOTS certified while our yarn is SKAL certified.
Tencel® is Lenzing's registered name for Lyocell fiber, made from 100% ecological eucalyptus pulp. Unlike cotton cultivation, the eucalyptus tree grows on dry land and requires little water to grow. In addition, it has the effect of irrigating the soil. A fiber of unrivaled softness, Tencel® protects against bacteria, absorbs moisture and also plays an insulating role: just like pure virgin wool, it controls the temperature of the fabric on the skin. It is therefore warm in winter and cool in summer.