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ABOUT
"I cannot explain why I have always regarded artistic beauties as deities tasked with improving mankind, civilizing the world." - Panait Istrati, Romanian writer.
THE CONCEPT
Founded in 2015 in Montreal, the brand LE CARTEL specializes in the design and production of streetwear clothing created in collaboration with artists of diverse styles and genres.
Organized as an artistic collective, LE CARTEL stands out for its originality, boldness, and its ability to bring together a wide variety of talented and creative individuals.
LE CARTEL features over 50 international artists specialized in various disciplines such as drawing, painting, street art, photography, graphic design, and tattooing. These artists are united under the banner of LE CARTEL to create unique collections, making their art accessible to a broad audience.
THE ORIGIN AND PHILOSOPHY
"Let clothing be a canvas of expression for the artist who creates it and for the person who wears it."
From its Latin origin "Cartello," which referred to the earliest papyrus posters, to its contemporary version denoting the explanatory placard placed under a work of art, the term "c-art-el" has always been associated with artistic production and creation.
The goal is to democratize art, making it tangible and accessible by transforming our clothing into living canvases, enabling everyone to express their creativity and individuality through their fashion style.
OUR COMMITMENTS
For Artists:
Share added value equitably with artists through a unique dual compensation system (purchasing the rights to broadcast the works and royalties on each sale).
For Consumers:
Offer the best quality at the fairest price, while supporting the local ecosystem by favoring short supply chains.
For the Collective:
To build an independent collective that celebrates diversity and creativity as core values. A vision of art and fashion that transcends boundaries to reach a wider audience.
HISTORY
2015
The origins of LE CARTEL trace back to Pierre Sauvage, a French expatriate in Montreal, who aimed to combine his passion for art with his love for fashion within a textile brand.
To achieve this, he partnered with various artists to create a debut collection that merged these two worlds. Thus, LE CARTEL was born.
Since then, the brand has continued to release collections with renowned artists and undertake significant projects, building a strong and committed community around the brand.
2019
LE CARTEL collaborated with Canadian artist Ola Volo to create the largest mural ever made by a woman in Canada—a monumental 15,000-square-foot artwork in the Mile End neighborhood, demonstrating the brand’s commitment to urban art and its desire to push the boundaries of creativity.
2020
After five years, LE CARTEL took a major step by getting its first ever shop in the Mile-End: a 3,000-square-foot venue that includes an immersive art gallery at the crossroads of fashion, art, and events.
2021
In June 2021, LE CARTEL moved from its original Mile End location to 3680 Boulevard St Laurent, also known as "The Main," which is the epicenter of the city’s cultural, artistic, and nightlife scenes.
2022
The brand opened a second store in the Old Port in July 2022, spanning 1,000 square feet inside the William Gray Hotel, close to Place Jacques Cartier.
2023
After eight years, LE CARTEL became the fashion partner of the internationally renowned OSHEAGA festival.
2024
In April 2024, LE CARTEL marked another milestone by opening its first international store in the prestigious Marais district of Paris.
To celebrate the event, a new collaborative collection titled "PARIS EST UNE FÊTE" (Paris is a party) was launched, featuring 24 artists from Paris to Montreal.
Simultaneously, the brand embarked on creating its most ambitious collection to date: CHATCON.
Available from May, this collection will highlight an iconic artist from the French streetwear scene and will be notable for introducing new materials and pieces—perfectly embodying the brand’s motto: "Art & Clothes."
