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Transparency: that's the word that lingers in our minds after our interview with Marilyne Baril, founder of the clothing brand  Marigold. "Everything has been locally produced from the beginning," shares the creator who will soon celebrate the tenth anniversary of her company's inception. At the time, it was the obvious (and financially realistic) choice for an emerging designer, but quickly, Marilyne understood the social and environmental importance of "made here."

This is what inspired her famous slogan, "Made in Montreal for real." Tired of seeing Quebec companies produce their clothes overseas and, through marketing as agile as it is nebulous, deceive consumers into thinking they are made here, she decided to rise above the fray by reiterating Marigold's values, loudly and proudly.

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From the same observation, transparent price tags were born. Pinned to each garment, they tell us who cut our dress (Luigi and Louise) and who stitched it (Prapatsorn), as well as the cost associated with each stage of production.

On the fabric front, Marilyne has established a hierarchical selection process. She first favors fabrics made here or nearby, such as her jacquards or organic cotton jersey signed by Montloup, both knitted in Montreal. Then, she turns to Europe, and if she can't find what she's looking for, to Asia, as long as the material comes with an OEKO-TEX certification.

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Another initiative greatly appreciated by her customers is her alterations and repair service at her Verdun workshop-boutique. "The goal is for the garment to be perfect so that the person wants to wear it as long as possible," explains Marilyne.

Socially, Marigold has been involved in several causes over the years, including Le Book Humanitaire and the CHU Sainte-Justine Foundation. This year, at Montreal Fashion Week, she will donate 100% of the profits from her runway show to the Foundation for Young People of the DPJ.

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The next challenge? Calculate its carbon footprint and detail the number of kilometers traveled for each garment, still with a commitment to total transparency.

Of course, Marilyne is well aware of the paradox of wanting to take care of the planet while leading a fashion business. "But people will always need to dress. Might as well do it ethically and sustainably," she says.

The distribution of this article is made possible by the contribution of Détail Québec, the retail sectoral workforce committee.