Fashion designer Marielle Fleury, a pioneer of Quebec fashion, died on June 19 at the age of 93.
Born in 1929, she studied at the École des beaux-arts de Montréal. After training in sewing at the School of Commercial Trades in Montreal, she opened her sewing workshop in 1953 with her parents, then rue Saint-Denis, and then rue Crescent. From the beginning of her career, she dressed many personalities of the time such as Michèle Tisseyre, Yvette Brind’Amour, Gisèle Schmidt, Marcelle Ferron and Madeleine Arbour.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY SERGE BEAUCHEMIN, UQAM ESG DOCUMENTATION CENTER
Inspired by traditional Aboriginal patterns, Marielle Fleury designed this cape for Sport Togs’ 1974 fall-winter collection.
Marielle Fleury works closely with artisans and uses local materials to make her clothes. “She was interested in the Quebec identity and was able to highlight the heritage, which was rare at the time. She made collections with wool woven here, and even paid homage to Aboriginal culture, with the creation of coats. There was something in his work that was very close to craftsmanship,” recalls Jean-Claude Poitras, in a telephone interview.
Democratize fashion
In the 1960s, Marielle Fleury presented her collections at the Ritz-Carlton hotel and became one of Montreal’s most prominent designers. She joined manufacturers and was named, in 1966, the best fashion designer in the country by the International Union of Ladies’ Garment Workers. “She was one of the first to understand that in addition to having a sewing workshop, you also had to democratize fashion, and for that you had to partner with manufacturers, which she did,” explains the creator.
GIFT OF SHEILA DE LORY, MCCORD STEWART MUSEUM, PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE MUSEUM
Hostess uniform, Atlantic provinces pavilion, Expo 67, Marielle Fleury, 1967
She took part in the 1967 World’s Fair in Montreal and created a uniform for the hostesses of the Atlantic provinces pavilion. “It was a fabulous showcase for designers and she was one of the four great figures of Quebec fashion. There was Michel Robichaud, Léo Chevalier, John Warden and Marielle Fleury,” said Jean-Claude Poitras.
She made it a point to promote Quebec know-how by bringing modernity to her creations.
Jean Claude Poitras
In 1968, she was hired by the manufacturer Sport Togs and for 13 years, she created collections of coats. She finished her teaching career at LaSalle College, where she was responsible for projects and technical quality in the fashion design program from 1990 to 2000. many students whom she guided wonderfully well at LaSalle College,” said Jean-Claude Poitras. Marielle Fleury was decorated with the Order of Canada in 2001.