It all began in Rimouski, Quebec, when a seven-year-old girl meticulously chose her best crayons to draw all kinds of clothes.
Little Cynthia Savard, inspired by the omnipresence of nature in Bas-Saint-Laurent town, had no idea that several years later, she would give back to the nature she loved so much by creating her own brand of eco-responsible clothing, ORAKI.
Cynthia has never stopped believing in this dream. For 15 years, she worked for some of the biggest names in the fashion industry as head designer. Determined to climb the ladder, she landed a position in charge of a design team and traveled the world.
Exposed to ephemeral fashion and clothes made from animal by-products, she set herself a goal that would determine the rest of her career: to create a sustainable solution to transform this industry.
.It was in 2014 that Cynthia was first exposed to recycled fiber from plastic bottles. At the time, this fiber was still very little used in the fashion industry.
Pregnant with her first child, it suddenly clicked: she decided to use her passion to preserve the planet for future generations.
In 2016, after two years of research and in-factory trials, Cynthia took the plunge: she quit her job, threw herself into the unknown, and one thing led to another, creating ORAKI.
In 2017, ORAKI took shape and joined the eco-responsible brands in the sustainable fashion market. In 2018, Cynthia unveiled her very first product: ECOPLAY. A legging made from a unique material, perfect for yoga and high-intensity sports. A product that sees the light of day after years of research and development to nab the best-recycled material technologies.
By 2020, ORAKI had become the market leader and won the hearts of thousands of women. The brand's signature legging, ECOMOVE, made from recycled polyester, is an instant success. This revolutionary fabric, exclusive to the brand and made from a stretchy, ultra-comfortable material, is the result of 18 months of work in close collaboration with manufacturing plants and the creation of over 29 samples.
A work that has paid off handsomely. A real hit with customers, the ECOMOVE leggings feel like a second skin and charm with their waist-enhancing fabric. Its lightly brushed interior produces a peach-skin-like softness, and its unbreakable V-seams hug the shape of the buttocks. Pet owners also benefit, as hair doesn't stick to the fabric. The ECOMOVE legging is, unsurprisingly, ORAKI's best-seller.
In the same year, ORAKI supported causes close to its heart, notably with the launch of the VIVA legging, in partnership with SOS violence conjugale, then with the Rêves d'enfants Foundation.
In 2021, Cynthia reached a new plateau: she hired her first three employees to support the company's phenomenal growth. By then, they're working right from her kitchen table!
On May 17 of the same year, Cynthia presented the brand on the Quebec TV show "Dans l'œil du dragon". At the same time, a new fiber is added to the ORAKI range: SORONA, made from dented corn.
A few months later, in October, the team moved into its very first premises in Montreal. A great moment for the whole team.
In 2022, ORAKI collaborates with the "One Tree Planted" organization, planting two trees for every order placed on Cynthia's birthday.
The year 2022 also coincides with the launch of another revolutionary fabric: ECOFLEX, a lightweight material made from recycled nylon. The same year also saw the launch of the first men's mini-collection.
In the spring of 2023, ORAKI tasted international recognition. After a notable presence at Vancouver Fashion Week, the Quebec brand was featured in the prestigious Forbes and Vogue magazines.
In April, under the spotlight, ORAKI launched two new fibers: ECOVEROTM and Naia, both created from wood pulp.
The following month, the expansion continued, this time with the unveiling of ORAKI's largest swimwear collection to date, arousing the enthusiasm of loyal customers as well as the arrival of many new fans.
Many other projects are in the pipeline for the coming months and years. The constant quest for innovation and the desire to make a positive difference in the world of fashion have shaped, and continue to shape, the history and face of ORAKI.
