MISSION
To offer ecological, luxurious and functional fashion products that are soft for the consumer and the environment.
Bring the heritage of open spaces and Canadian traditions to our consumers.
Vision
Being known as the first brand with the will to clean up the mess of fast fashion while offering a range of beautiful, desirable and eco-luxurious products.
Values
Ethical, protection of nature, respect for the Canadian cultural heritage
Respect for the environment
Our production methods are environmentally friendly. We do not use any chemical processes in the manufacture of our accessories. Not only do we recycle fur, we also revalue jeans, silk, tweed and wool and have recently introduced
recycled ties to our Canadian Hat line. The use of noble materials and
the reduction of waste in the textile industry are therefore at the
heart of our concerns and we are proving that fashion can also be sustainable.
Respect for animals
By recycling old furs, we have saved the lives of more than 1 million animals over the past two decades.
PURPOSE
At Harricana, our mission is to preserve the Canadian fur heritage. Vintage fur coats, with their incomparable insulating properties,
deserve all our respect and we must ensure that it transcends
generations. To preserve this cultural richness, we create recycled
accessories and coats that will appeal to young people while allowing them to preserve a piece of memory.
By taking good care of their fur items, they, in turn, will be able to
pass on this noble material to the next generation so that we can pursue our quest to divert fur from landfill sites and save even more animals.
By giving a second wind to more than 100,000 old-fashioned coats so
far, we calculate that Harricana has saved the lives of more than a million animals.
Come get your hands on a symbolic item or have your heritage fur transformed into a timeless treasure.
OUR STORY
Since 1993, our expertise has allowed for us to communicate emotions from generation to generation by recycling high-quality fashion apparel. By recycling old furs, we have saved the lives of more than 1 million animals over the past 23 years. It has also enabled us breath new life into more than 100 000 coats, silk scarves, cashmere scarves and wedding growns, which would never have been worn again if they had not been remodeled. We give gorgeous materials a second life and transform them into unique pieces, proving that fashion can also be sustainable.
As concern for the environment is a core value of ours, all our creations are made under ethical manufacturing conditions.
THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME « HARRICANA »
The Harricana River in Canada stretches over 500 km long. The first fur exchanges took place on its shors. The original name of the river was Nanikana, meaning « main road » in Algonquin, however this was changed by missionaries of the time into which we have today.
LOCAL POWER
Almost 90% of the fur used by Harricana comes from Quebec. It’s a well know fact that raccoon, otter and beaver fur is so solid and durable that It can last for up to 100 years.
A combination of fur and other materials can breathe new life into your clothing and turn them into modern treasures.
1994
At Japan’s international Gifu Fashion Contest, the young designer Mariouche Gagné represents Milan’s Domus Academy and makes into the final. At that moment, Harricana has been created.
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1997
At the age of 25, Mariouche creates a sizable collection of clothing from recycled fur. She single handedly founds her company with funds that she acquires as the first-time recipient of the Fondation du Maire de Montréal grant.
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2000
Exports to Europe begin. During that time, International sales makes up half of Harricana’s revenue and include 18 countries such as Switzerland, France, Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Greece, Japan, Russia, Australia.
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2007
Since 1994, Mariouche has recyled over 50 000 coats and turned them into new branded creations, adding up to nearly 400 metric tons of refurbished fur. It’s estimated that close to half a million animals’ lives were saved.
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2013
Harricana starts to produce and create knitted clothes.Collection in the collaboration with Monsieur de Castelbajac from Rossignol.
Harricana Pop-up store on the famous street Les Champs Élysées in Paris.
Harricana has developped a collection for Mobilia and collaborate with Monsillage to create the smell of Harricana in Perfume.
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2014
Harricana created an entire collection for Rossignol.
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2015
Pop-up stores at Bilboquet and Birks boutiques
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2016
Opening of the Harricana boutique in Old Montreal, 416 McGill Street, Montreal.
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2017
M&A by Canadian Hat whom Diane Lanctôt is the owner.
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Since its beginnings in 1994, Harricana has collaborated with many prestigious brands :
Rossignol
Mobilia
Chlorophylle
Citroën
Lise Watier
Dermaterm
Aviation Nolinor
Hôtel Germain
Hôtel Saint-Paul
Restaurant Laurie-Raphaël
Ström Spa
Rino Rossi
Natural Furs
Spa Balnéa
Bota Bota
Monsillage
La face cachée de la pomme
DESIGN TEAM
Mariouche Gagné
VP Executive Sales and Development
Her responsibilities:
• Artistic designer and Head of Sales at Harricana and Canadian Hat 1918
• VP Executive Development
• Co-Owner of Canadian Hat
Her background:
•Founder and designer of Harricana since 1994
• Masters degree in Design Management from Domus Academy specialized in recycling furs
• Attended the Instituto Europeo di Design
• Winner of multiple business achievements and design awards
• Stylist in Paris for Printemps
Amanda Sandoval
Retail Manager and Product Developer
Her responsibilities:
• Head of retail and web
• Design and product development
• Marketing coordinator
Her background:
• Graduated from EESAB - Design (École des Beaux-Arts de Bretagne)
• Works at Harricana and Canadian hat 1918 since 2017
• Interior design projects experience
Cécile Pereira
Production and Operations Manager
Her responsibilities:
• Head of production
• Manages the workshop and international business and orders
Her background:
• Studied at the École des métiers de la mode et de la décoration
• Graduated from EDHEC Business School
• Assistant Product Manager at OKAIDI
• Assistant product development and production at Paul & Joe
• industrialization and quality coordinator at Chloé
• Product Macroplanner - precious leathers HERMES
Creator of fur recycling brand Harricana, Mariouche Gagné, got on board with Canadian Hat with her two decades of expertise in hat-making and fashion design. Her deep understanding of fabric, colours and materials and her commitment to designing unique and flattering pieces allow her to masterly handle both brands with a mission to transform fashion responsibly.
