La Brigade: A Journey into Craftsmanship, Quality & Discovery

Leatherworking wasn’t something I set out to do—it was something I stumbled into. And when I did, it became one of the most therapeutic outlets for my hyper-driven mind. The focus, the process, the transformation of raw materials into something tangible—it just clicked. But my love for quality craftsmanship started long before I ever picked up a leatherworking tool.

The Moment That Opened Pandora’s Box

I can trace it back to third grade, when a teacher pointed out a small but powerful detail—the copper rivets on a classmate’s Levi’s jeans. She explained how they reinforced the denim, making them more durable than the ones most of us were wearing. I looked down at my own jeans, and they lacked those details. That moment changed everything for me. Suddenly, I started noticing the difference between well-made and mass-produced.

That curiosity followed me through life, but it was in university where it evolved into something more. I met a friend in computer science who shared my fascination for cars, craftsmanship, and design. He worked at a men’s suiting store, one I had always known about but had never walked into—I had never needed a suit, or as we say in French, a costume.

He helped me land a job in the owner’s other store, one tailored to a younger, more fashion-forward clientele. Instead of Brioni, Zegna, Armani, and Prada, we sold brands like Diesel, Brave Leather, Schott Jackets, and Fluevog Shoes.

That’s where I really learned about style, quality, and product heritage.

Every week, as we unpacked massive brown boxes—treasure chests filled with the latest fashion icons—I was hooked. I wanted to own these pieces, understand them, live with them. I bought more clothing in those years than I spent on my entire university degree.

From Consumer to Creator

Like a crow drawn to shiny objects, I still have that instinct to hunt for the best, the rarest, the most unique materials. But now, instead of simply consuming, I can use my mind and hands to create.

Fast forward to today, and I’ve discovered something even more profound: I can source the same world-class materials used by the biggest Parisian fashion houses since the 1830s—and I can craft my own creations with them. That realization was mind-blowing.

But once I started making wallets, bags, and gifts for friends and family, I ran into a frustrating reality—the supply chain. The materials I wanted were hard to source in Canada, and the costs from our neighbors down south kept climbing. I didn’t want to compromise on quality, but I also didn’t want to fight through unreliable sourcing channels.

So, I took matters into my own hands.

Through a series of broken French emails, I reached out directly to tanneries and suppliers in France, determined to secure these materials myself. I built relationships with some of the most respected leather suppliers in the world—the same ones providing hides to legendary luxury brands.

Then, something bigger hit me. With political tensions disrupting trade, I realized: I’m not the only one facing this problem. There are Canadian artisans, leatherworkers, and designers who deserve access to these premium leathers—without borders, without inflated costs, and without restrictions.

And that’s how La Brigade was born.

A true Canadian startup built on the belief that quality craftsmanship should be within reach—not locked away behind luxury labels or inaccessible supply chains. Whether you’re an experienced maker or just starting out, my goal is to provide the best leather available, sourced directly from the same tanneries that supply the world’s most prestigious brands.

This is just the beginning.

Join me on this journey. Let’s craft something extraordinary—together.