Canada Luxury: The Story

My name is Stéphanie Blanchard, and since 2020, I have been realizing my dream: Canada Luxury.

Canada Luxury isn't a multinational owned by a few wealthy foreigners. It's simply the project of a Quebecer, perhaps a little crazy, who wants to break the mold and promote a circular and sustainable economy in the fashion and luxury industry in Canada. :)

There was a time when I knew nothing about fashion or the luxury industry. A native of Sherbrooke, Quebec, I met my husband at the age of 19 during a tennis tournament where he was playing. Vincent Millot, who would become my husband and the father of my children, was a professional tennis player on the ATP circuit. (He's the Frenchman you hear commenting on tennis matches on RDS!)

During my studies at the University of Montreal and when we lived in France, I accompanied him to his tournaments whenever I could. Paris, Barcelona, London, Monte Carlo, New York, Miami, etc.; I was fortunate to follow him to many beautiful cities, where I also discovered... Chanel, Dior, and Louis Vuitton.

The tennis players' wives were true fashion icons. European fashion was at its peak, I assure you!

I was amazed, captivated... completely charmed.

The girl from Sherbrooke found herself plunged into a luxurious world, surrounded by tennis stars. Can you imagine the shock? I loved analyzing the women's outfits, their handbags, their shoes, and their jewelry as well!

Meeting Nadal, Murray, and all the others was impressive, but the diamond-encrusted Rolexes and the Chanel, Dior, and Hermès bags of the players' wives surrounding me were just as fascinating. "What a materialist she is!" some will say.

Yes, maybe. But I own it.

I own it as Americans and Europeans do, wearing their favorite luxury accessories.

I own it like a Montreal businessman driving a Ferrari because I, too, am proud of my work.

I own it because I am proud of Gabrielle Chanel, that extraordinarily visionary and daring woman who defied the norms dictated by the men of her time. Yes, I am proud to wear and perpetuate her legacy today!

I own it when I wear my luxury bag or watch, because behind a Chanel bag or a Cartier watch, there are hundreds of hours of work. It's an art.

I digress, forgive me... It's just that this subject is close to my heart, you understand?

All this to say that during my eight years spent with my husband in France, I observed women from all walks of life proud to wear their Louis Vuitton bags and their Prada shoes. I also discovered numerous sites for buying and selling pre-owned luxury goods (second-hand, vintage, used, they are all synonyms). But what are the options in Canada for buying second-hand goods?

When I came back to live in Quebec in 2018 with my family and placed my first order on Vestiaire Collective (a beautiful Louis Vuitton scarf), I was shocked by the customs fees.

It was staggering.

So, I started looking for sites where I could buy pre-owned luxury goods in Canada (to avoid customs fees, as you have understood!).

Rebag, Fashionphile, TheRealReal, TheLuxuryCloset, etc. All foreign companies.

LXRandCo is a Canadian company, but 90% of their business is in the United States, offering little choice here in Canada. Honestly, go visit their sites, you will be transported into a dream. But prepare your wallet!

Oh yes, I forgot. It is also difficult, if not impossible, to consign your goods with these companies. Too complex with customs and shipping fees...

Not understanding why the purchase of pre-owned luxury goods in Canada, especially in Quebec, was not as democratized as in other parts of the world, I decided to take on the challenge of creating a Canadian platform that would guarantee the quality and authenticity of pre-owned luxury goods. The man who allowed me to take the big leap.

I was lucky to have an extraordinary father in my life. A successful businessman, respected by all. But after honorably fighting cancer for many years, he left us for a better world on March 26, 2017. It was the worst moment of my life. He was my mentor, my pillar. He was my father, and I loved him deeply.

I thank him every day for teaching me perseverance and for giving me the wings I needed to start my business. It's important to me that you know this because it's with the money he left me that I made my first investments to build the inventory of Canada Luxury.

The items for sale on my site, I bought them from individuals, at reputable auctions all over the world, and over time, I built a reputation, which allowed me to access private sales in Europe (which are only open to companies like mine).

Now, I won't lie to you. For the moment, 95% of my sales go abroad... But maybe one day, I will be able to convince you that pre-owned luxury accessories deserve to be worn and that one should be proud of it!

Affectionately,

Stéphanie B.