October 17, 2018
Simons, the 178-year-old, family-owned fashion retailer from Quebec City, has launched a new online market that features an all-Canadian line up of skilled artisans, including Montreal lighting design firms Lambert et Fils and AllStudio. (Shown in photo, L-R: luminaires from Lambert & Fils and AllStudio.)
“The motivation behind Fabrique1840 is to create a mutually beneficial ecosystem,” says Peter Simons, Co-owner and President of Simons. “Canadians must establish a destination that supports and celebrates our creativity and values; the road to Canadian economic success is rooted in cooperation and community.”
Sharing expertise to support Canadian design
Since launching its own custom e-commerce platform in 2010, Simons has become a leader in Canada’s e-commerce industry. Fabrique1840 shares that knowledge and infrastructure with artisanal entrepreneurs to help them prosper in a world dominated by a limited number of global platforms.
“The level of design and craftsmanship in this country is truly remarkable. We want to support these gifted creators to ensure they can make living from their craft and contribute to the local economy,” says Peter Simons. “Canadian design needs to be as celebrated as Scandinavian or Japanese design and we want to help tell that story.”
“Similar to our approach to finding the most interesting and relevant fashion designers for Simons, we are constantly looking for undiscovered Canadian makers to bring to Fabrique1840,” adds Peter Simons. “If we can tell stories, introduce the artisans, and especially show the passion, it will be a great thing.”
The name Fabrique1840 is a nod to the location of the original Simons store founded in 1840 on Côte de la Fabrique in Quebec City. The word fabrique comes from the Latin “fabrica,” which means a person’s trade, craft or workshop.
Simons was founded in 1840 by John Simons as a dry goods store in Québec City and has since built its reputation on being an accessible and inspired fashion brand. Simons is led by brothers Peter and Richard Simons who carry on the family legacy and the brand’s commitment to cultivating creativity, building meaningful relationships with staff, partners and customers, and being mindful of the environment and the communities where they do business.
Simons has 15 stores across Canada, located in Quebec City (3 stores), Montreal, Anjou, Laval, Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, Sherbrooke, Gatineau, Edmonton (2 stores); West Vancouver, Calgary, Mississauga and Ottawa.
Learn more about Lambert & Fils (www.simons.ca/en/fabrique-1840/lambert-fils--8837) and AllStudio (www.simons.ca/en/fabrique-1840/allstudio--8809) at Fabrique1840.
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