All about the braderies

Usually, at this time of year, the "Braderie season" is in full gear! Indeed, La Grande Braderie de Mode Québécoise produced by Anne De Shalla is one of the most popular fashion events by fashionistas and bargain hunters.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the events have been postponed. We are pleased to announce that during the month of April our sales will be happening online. Watch our communications to be the first to know!

Braderies: your guide to know-how for this big sale

The Grande Braderie de mode Québécoise is held twice a year, in three regions of Quebec. (We will use the word "clearance sale" in this post, which always refers to the Grande Braderie de Mode Québécoise. )

Even if many of you know what we are talking about, when we talk about these events, we always have people who ask us what it is ... The word "clearance sale" in Petit Larousse is defined as " out-of-store event "by city traders." Well, it's not entirely fair, but not entirely wrong either!

First of all, it's a great sale. Each designer or fashion company prepares a kiosk or pop-up store at the location chosen for the event (for example, the Casino du Lac Leamy in Gatineau) in order to present and sell their collections at a reduced price. Note that the event is not strictly reserved for Quebec designers, it is also open to Quebec companies. At Message Factory and OÖM Ethiwear we design and manufacture our clothing in Quebec, but it is not an obligation to design or manufacture locally to participate in the event.

Depending on the location, between 60 and 100 designers and fashion companies participate in each edition, which means that you can really find everything: women's ready-to-wear, men's clothing, children's fashion, coats, sportswear, accessories (hats, jewelry, etc.). Another interesting point is that you will be able to discover new emerging talents and benefit from extraordinary sales on major Canadian brands.

Back to promotions ... The merchandise is normally reduced from 50% to 80% on all collections. But what exactly do we sell? Message Factory and Oôm Ethikwear present collections from past seasons, surplus inventory and also exclusive collections. Yes! We strive each season to develop an exclusive collection specially designed for clearance sales, which allows us to offer something new to our most loyal customers.

These events are demanding for Quebec designers and their entire team. We work very hard during the Big Fashion Sale in Quebec and even several months in advance. Among other things, we help facilitate access to our products and make ourselves known to our consumers. Flea markets are a great way to meet people, to listen to them, to explain who we are, to make them aware of the importance of buying local and ecological products.

The event allows us to tell them where they can get our products for the rest of the year and to communicate the names of the retailers who sell Message Factory and OÖM Ethikwear in their region.

The underlying idea is not to compete with our own retailers but to make sure that people know exactly where to go to find clothing designed and manufactured in Quebec or in Canada. So, if you want to include eco-friendly clothing in your wardrobe, find out more about the clothing you buy, encourage local purchases and save money, take the time to go to one of the Braderies.

To conclude, we thought we would give you 3 tips to benefit from your experience:

1) To get the first choice and the best deals, subscribe to our newsletter. We send invitations to VIP parties to those on our mailing list. Access to these parties is limited. You can also buy tickets on the Braderie website and support the Equilibre foundation.

2) Wear a camisole and / or leggings to try on the pieces faster. It will save you time; changing rooms can be occupied and limited depending on the space of each designer stand.

3) We accept cash, debit and credit cards and taxes are included in the prices, but you must validate them with each designer. Some people prefer money.

4) Bring your old Message Factory clothes in organic cotton to give them a second life.

5) Not available to visit one of the events? Visit our sale section on our website where you will find offers similar to clearance sales during the dates of the event.