Everybody's Got a Story: marQ

Welcome to Everybody’s Got A Story.

For this month’s edition, I got in a little Q&A with the wonderful team at marQ; a Toronto based children’s clothing company that is sparking some inspiring thoughts and ideas with the impacts their clothing can have on children. MarQ’s clothing offers gender-neutral and stereotype-free clothing, well made from durable fabrics, and designed and manufactured completely in Canada.

MarQ, short for Marquesa, daughter and inspiration of the co-founder Melissa Grelo, (Journalist /TV Personality/ Co-host of CTV’s The Social) was launched with co-founder Shayna Haddon (Owner of Haddon Strategy) this year.

I immediately loved the concept (and the clothes!!) and wanted to know more about their ideas behind this. I think we’ve all experienced or seen some of the impacts that our clothing choices can present, intentionally or not. Throughout history and certainly today, there is always great controversy over how we dress; I wondered what impact marQ thought there would be on children growing up without stereotyped, gender assigned clothing. And I was curious as to what some of the defining moments were that made them want to create this brand.

The notion became very clear when Melissa was pregnant, she was struck by how “fashion was so delineated along gender lines from literally the first days of a child's life. “ and she saw “a direct connection between the "Princess-in-Training" onesie and the lack of women in top jobs in the workplace. “

Both of the owners observed that “ boys were being groomed to be the rough and tumble "Ladies' Man" before they even took their first steps. “ And, “Rather than limit a child's imagination and potential through gendered clothes that predetermine what a boy must like (trucks, science and girls, for example) or what a girl must value (puppies, flowers and pink hearts), marQ offers fashion that allows a kid to just be a kid, playing, imagining and dreaming of ALL possibilities, not just those for his or her gender.”

Those few trips to the baby store before Melissa's daughter was born “proved to be the catalyst for wanting to create a new option for parents and loved ones who share the same ideals.”

“Kids make the clothes and not the other way around. The affirmation that we were on to something important happened when a onesie for little girls that said, "I HateMy Thighs" hit the market. When parents reacted so strongly against that absurd messaging, and similar gendered messaging, we knew we had to act. Parents want more for their children.”

I asked, why brand integrity like this important to them? And, What does success mean to MarQ?

“As a parent and parent-to-be, we want to raise a generation that's more enlightened and aware than the one before. A big part of that is being a smart consumer. Our brand is as much about fashion, environmental awareness and sustainability as it is about challenging and eliminating gender roles and expectations that are placed on very young children. When you buy marQ, you can trust that our pieces are high-quality, eco-friendly, comfortable and made to last and to share!”

"Success also means full transparency in the way marQ clothes aremanufactured. We are proudly Canadian! From sourcing sustainable fabrics to knowing that those making our clothes are working in good conditions and are able to make a living wage are vitally important to our story. We design in Canada, we are made in Canada and are proud to support jobs in the Canadian economy.” [if !supportLineBreakNewLine]

Embarking on a new venture such as this is ambitious and exciting, so I asked the ladies what would be some advice they would offer to others pursuing their dreams?

“Many people have big dreams, but trust someone close to give you a reality check before you begin your journey. Having a passion that is grounded in reality is vital. What do you stand to lose? What do you stand to gain? What CAN you lose and what can you NOT? Then, map out your path with as much research and education as you can. Find a mentor who can provide valuable guidance. Identify the big pieces of the puzzle that you'll need to sort out - finances, business plan, or other contingency plans. Team up with the right people who will share your dream and be honest with you when things maybe be going off-path. Many people have ambitions, but ensuring they're attainable and realistic is the first step in the journey.”

All of the clothes in their new collection are beautiful but I wondered if they had a favourite piece?

"Having said that, we're particularly proud of our Signature items like the Sovereign Pullover. It's a piece that's all at once fashion-forward, urban chic and comfortable. We also love our Luxembourg Harem Pants. We've designed them to be very comfortable, versatile and to grow with your little one. The roll-up waist and roll-down cuffs allow the clothes to expand as your child grows up. We're proud to say that Melissa's daughter has been wearing hers for 9 months, which is practically unheard of in children's clothing. These pieces capture who and what marQ is.”

The team wasn’t going to give up the details for the summer collection just yet but said to stay tuned for new items being launched soon!

I want to thank Shayna Haddon, Melissa Grelo and the marQ team for taking the time to answer my questions and for sharing such an impactful message, as well some really great advice. Be sure to use the links below to check out the whole collection!

marQ is available online at www.marqdesigns.com. You can get social with @marqdesigns on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

And, I’ll be back here again next month with another story from another soul. Thank you for reading all about it.

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