This text is part of the special book Plaisirs
Are there still 100% Quebec shoes, from the leather to the finished product? Here is the result of the small survey we conducted in the province.
The Canadian, Kamik, Aldo, Maguire, Boulet. These few brands, which evoke Quebec know-how, are known beyond our borders. Others, like Jérôme C. Rousseau and Anastasia-Radevich, even wear stars. However, not all of these shoes are systematically made here; the many production plants that existed even 50 years ago have mostly closed, unable to face international competition. The situation is similar for leather, now most often imported, even though tanning was once a flourishing industry in Quebec.
An almost anecdotal industry
Some Quebec leather is still being made, however, on a small scale, especially among taxidermists. At a higher level, there is a tannery in Quebec (and another in Canada), more precisely in Saint-Pascal-de-Kamouraska. La Tannerie des Ruisseaux employs around twenty people and processes an average of 1,000 deer, moose and beef hides per week.
“Contrary to popular belief, we contribute in a healthy way to the circular economy, since we buy our untreated skins in slaughterhouses, rather than seeing them go to landfills”, explains Éric Pelletier, owner for four years. of this small company founded in 1969.
This leather is for everything from moccasins and dog leashes to clothing and logos on jeans. From an average thickness of 1.2mm for shoes to 2.2mm for construction boots, shoe leather, custom made in your desired color and texture — soft or stiff, faux croc or with embossed flowers, etc. — mainly finds buyers in Quebec, for example manufacturers of boots, moccasins and slippers.
However, the smallest shoe artisans that you come across in arts and crafts fairs tend to get their supplies abroad or from the wholesaler Cuirs Desrochers, established in Plessisville. “We supply a handful of professionals who make custom-made products, as well as orthotists-prosthetists in the medical field,” says its co-owner Dominique Chagnon.
Quebec’s summer shoe
If finding Quebec leather can be a challenge, the hunt for locally made shoes is just as challenging, especially when it comes to summer collections. Most houses design their models here, but have them made in Asia, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, or even Turkey.
This is not the case of Ana Maria Arroyave, owner for six years of the Ana Maria Dessin shop, in Sainte-Thérèse. Daughter of an orthopedic shoemaker of Colombian origin, she grew up surrounded by leather and soles. “I designed and made my first pair of patent leather shoes when I was 12 years old. So it’s second nature to me! ” she says.
Attracted by fashion, Ana Maria studied bag and shoe design at university. Then she got a visa for Canada, where she was strongly advised against getting into shoes. “But my husband encouraged me to do it anyway, so I started offering pairs on the online Etsy store and at craft shows, until I could open my own shop. », explains the entrepreneur.
Now at the head of a team of eight employees and working from home, the designer can boast of selling some 400 pairs a month from her range, which includes sneakers, sandals, ankle boots and mid-height boots. legs. But how does it manage to distinguish itself from the fierce foreign competition?
“I rely on accessibility, a neat design, small series and a lot of comfort,” she replies. By having its leathers and textiles produced by hand in Colombia from scraps and recycled plastic bottles, Mme Arroyave can offer attractive prices to its clientele, which is growing year after year thanks to word of mouth.
“I also think people like my designs in unusual colors, like lilac and powder blue this season, my very colorful prints and the mixed leather/textile designs that I design. But the strong point of my shoes remains comfort,” continues the entrepreneur, who looks to the future with optimism. “I can live from my passion,” she says. And that is priceless. »