"École de Pensée's lifestyle revolves around family, close friendships, and a laid-back approach to life, emphasizing the joy of cooking good food and enjoying good music. The brand values craftsmanship and comfort, encouraging an enjoyable way of wearing clothes that reflect personal expression. Inspired by a creative spirit who embodies simplicity and authenticity, École de Pensée invites others to embrace a slow and mindful pace."
Visit École de Pensée at Tempo Design Store
How did ÉCOLE DE PENSÉE come about, and how many people are behind the brand?
ÉCOLE DE PENSÉE was founded in 2014 by three childhood friends Marc-André Garand, William Lessard, and Julien Gauthier in Montreal. We started with the idea of revisiting traditional menswear with a laid-back, nonchalant approach that reflects our philosophy. Our goal is to make formal wear more approachable by mixing up the rules—like wearing a suit to the grocery store or combining tailored pieces with military or casual styles. It’s all about blending different worlds in a way that feels effortless and true to who we are.
Has the original concept of the brand stayed the same or evolved?
The brand's essence has remained consistent: creating menswear with thoughtful details, top fabrics from top weavers, craftsmanship, and longevity in mind. However, we’ve definitely evolved in terms of how we approach design and volume. We've embraced a more holistic approach to fashion, thinking about how we can improve not only the clothes but the entire experience of wearing them.
How does the culture of Montreal and Québec shape ÉCOLE DE PENSÉE’s identity?
Montreal’s unique blend of European influence and North American energy creates a fertile ground for creativity. It’s a bit of everything we love, much like Montreal’s cuisine. Quebec’s rich cultural heritage is deep, but we also enjoy exploring and incorporating other cultures. This mix defines us and may explain why we have such a strong reputation for music and food. It’s all about balancing tradition with innovation, much like our dual identity.
Visually and spiritually, we draw inspiration from artistic movements of the 1950s, which were pioneers of cultural innovation—such as Les Automatistes, Les Plasticiens, and the Association des Sculpteurs, along with Librairie Tranquille. We try to approach our work with a similar mindset. We respect traditional techniques, like making the perfect suit, just as they mastered the technical aspects of portraiture. But once you have that foundation, it’s time to experiment—deconstructing the rules, not by rejecting them but by working within them, much like an abstract painting or sculpture ot publishing something new.
Why is Montreal a fertile ground for young entrepreneurs, independent businesses, and breakthrough designers?
Montreal is a city that encourages experimentation. The cost of living, compared to other major cities, gives young entrepreneurs and designers the flexibility to take risks.
Is there a particular sense of freedom and independent lifestyle coming from Montreal?
Definitely. There’s a certain laissez-faire attitude here that encourages independence and self-expression. A lot of independent business, bio farming, crafmanship artist musicians etc. But there’s also a significant influence from the U.S., so it’s a mix of independant and, if I’m being a bit critical, a lot of mainstreamstuff as well. It’s not necessarily bad for the economy, but culturally, it does raise some questions…
What is the concept of new-wave tailoring?
New-wave tailoring for us is about merging traditional techniques with a free mindset. It’s about embracing the artistry and precision of classic tailoring but making it accessible and relevant for today’s wardrobe. We’re not bound by the conventions of formality; instead, we prioritize comfort, versatility, and timelessness. The simple fact that you can wear nice clothes for any type of lifestyle.
What is it like to visit the factory of ÉCOLE DE PENSÉE? Any unique characteristics?
Visiting our atelier is always a great experience. It’s essential for us to maintain a close relationship with the people who craft our garments. This is a crucial aspect of the collaborative nature of running a clothing brand. We work with multiple specialized factories, each focusing on a specific category. For example, our shirt factory exclusively produces shirts, our tailoring factory specializes in canvas construction, our knitwear is crafted in Scotland, and our leather goods are made in Italy.
We find the best makers for each category and develop strong, lasting relationships with them. That’s the beauty of it—collaborating with skilled artisans who share our dedication to craftsmanship. You can feel the care and attention to detail in every piece, which adds a personal touch to each garment. The intimacy of the process is what makes it unique.
What were some of your most exciting moments so far and most memorable collaborations?
Some of the most exciting moments so far have been those when we see a collaboration come to life. Honestly, every partnership we've had has been memorable in its own way. We learn so much each time, and every experience is an opportunity to grow and create something special together. With each collaboration, we aim to build something meaningful and lasting, always bringing out the best in each other.
Many of our collaborations are not driven by monetary goals. Instead, they focus on the experience and the message we want to communicate or explore. Each partnership allows us to delve into new ideas, share our vision, and connect with others who inspire us. This approach enriches our work and helps us build deeper connections with our collaborators and audiences.
When did you began working with FRAMA Copenhagen and how has that experience impacted you?
We began working with FRAMA because we initially wanted accessories like soap, candles, and small items for our flagship store, which was designed to resemble an apartment. As we explored their offerings, we discovered their furniture line, and it immediately resonated with us. While I don't want to speak for them, we found that they share a similar approach to deconstructing classic codes, much like what we do with clothing (the perfect imperfect balance). This led us to decide to furnish our store with their collection.
Plus, we're big fans of the designers they collaborate with to create such unique furniture.
Three years ago we put together an exhibition in collaboration with Frama to showcase their collection in Montreal. We set up the exhibition in an old house that had previously been abandoned. The rich contrast between the architecture and the clothing, along with the farm pieces, created an intriguing atmosphere. We aimed to present Frama's pieces alongside our clothing in a different environment, offering our clients a new perspective. The exhibition plays with the contrast between modern design and a sense of restoration, creating a space that sparks conversations about style and the passage of time. By blending our styles and using natural materials, we created an ambiance that feels both timeless and contemporary.
When did you begin working with Alexandre Bavard “Mosa” and what was the collaborative creative process like?
We began collaborating with Alexandre, who is a good friend and with whom it's always a pleasure to work, in early 2021. The creative process centered around merging his art with our clothes. We shipped some virgin cotton canvas twill to his family winery, where he custom dyed the rolls for us.
The bleaching enhancement work, carried out on the artist's family vineyard in Puligny-Montrachet, Burgundy, incorporates some stencil techniques and freehand strokes used in his latest series and installations. This process involves several washing and bleaching stages, suggesting organic shapes of aerosol sprays that manifest the silhouette of wild plants and flowers picked from the estate.
After that, the cutting and arrangement of fabric rolls at our factory were carried out to create a set of pieces (pants, blazers, coats) with different compositions. Each piece is unique. The collaboration included 25 numbered shirts and limited quantities of pants, coats, and jackets, which are also numbered.
Alexandre is a very creative individual and a bon vivant. Whenever he visits Montreal, we enjoy dinners together and spend time in nature.
Describe to us the lifestyle of ÉCOLE DE PENSÉE, is there a particular character that well represents or inspires the brand?
École de Pensée's lifestyle revolves around family, close friendships, and a laid-back approach to life, emphasizing the joy of cooking good food and enjoying good music. The brand values craftsmanship and comfort, encouraging an enjoyable way of wearing clothes that reflect personal expression. Inspired by a creative spirit who embodies simplicity and authenticity, École de Pensée invites others to embrace a slow and mindful pace.
The character that inspires École de Pensée, I would say the clothing style and non chance of Guido Molinari, combined with the free-spirited approach of Robert Roussil. Both embodies a creative and carefree attitude, Together, they represent a lifestyle that values authenticity, craftsmanship, and the joy of living life to the fullest.
Are you more influenced by the past or the future?
I would say past because they were not too much technology involved.
Is the concept of patina and wabi-sabi relevant to your products?
Absolutely, the concepts of patina and wabi-sabi are very relevant to our products. We appreciate the beauty of aging and the stories that wear and tear tell, whether it's in garments, objects, or furniture. This natural process adds character and depth, reflecting the journey of each piece.
What music have inspired you to create your collections?
Our collections are inspired by a mix of music styles. We love listening to reggae for its strong lyrics and vibrations, punk for its edge, avant-garde for its creativity, and jazz for its improvisation. Whether it's a particular artist, song, or album, the music we enjoy influences our designs each season.
What are some of your favourite mills and textiles currently?
Loro Piana, Reda, Ponto Gilio, Holland & Sherry, and Stylem. Each of these mills offers unique qualities and align perfectly with our vision for quality and style.
What are some things to be expected for the near future, will there any special events and perhaps more collaborations?
In the near future, we’re excited about potentially opening another flagship location. We also have a collaboration in the works with a Finnish shoe brand called Tarvas. We will be developing a denim category and expanding into more leather goods. There are some exciting things ahead..
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