Atelier Tulpe, a Vancouver-based fashion brand founded by Mackenzie Cameron in 2021, is making waves in the fashion industry by focusing on local manufacturing and sustainability. Unlike many well-known Canadian fashion labels, which outsource production internationally, Atelier Tulpe prides itself on crafting its garments locally in Vancouver.
Cameron, who started her brand during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasized the importance of local production for both ethical and practical reasons. After initially creating garments on her own, she sought out Fashion Studio No.5, a women-owned and operated pattern and sample studio just a few minutes’ walk from her office in Gastown. Cameron was drawn to the transparency, hands-on involvement, and better communication that local production offers. “It’s more of an ethics thing,” she explains, noting that working with the studio ensures fair wages for employees and provides insight into the conditions under which the garments are made.
Sustainability is a key pillar of Atelier Tulpe’s operations. Cameron sources materials from a fabric store located between her office and Fashion Studio No.5, and she prioritizes the use of natural fibers, opting for synthetic materials only if they are deadstock. Additionally, the brand’s production process is geared toward minimizing waste. Atelier Tulpe produces garments in small, made-to-order batches, which helps to avoid excess stock and reduce environmental impact. While the fashion industry often considers small batch production as 30 to 500 garments, Cameron produces even smaller quantities. Her bestselling Bowtie Vest, for instance, is initially produced in batches of just 30 to 70 pieces, and newer designs are made in even smaller numbers to test the market.
Once produced, the garments are transported a short distance to Cameron’s office, where they are packed and shipped to customers. A commitment to sustainability extends to the shipping process as well. The brand avoids using plastic in packaging, opting instead for recyclable mailers, and strives to minimize packaging materials, though Cameron acknowledges the difficulty of balancing customer expectations with her environmental values.
Cameron’s decision to work with Fashion Studio No.5 has also enhanced her confidence in the quality of her products. With the studio’s wealth of experience in garment construction, Cameron no longer feels as much imposter syndrome when it comes to producing high-quality pieces. “I know that they are being made by people who have been doing this for 20 plus years,” she reflects.
However, balancing the desire for growth with ethical considerations has been a challenge. Cameron has expressed hesitation about mass production, particularly after her Bowtie Vest went viral in March 2024, leading to an influx of orders. Despite the pressure to meet demand, Cameron remains cautious about overproduction and the environmental consequences of excess. She is firm in her stance against scaling endlessly, believing that it’s important to maintain her values rather than succumbing to the pressure for rapid expansion.
Financially, Cameron is transparent about her brand’s low profit margin. When she started Atelier Tulpe, her overhead costs were minimal, and she paid herself only what she could afford. As her orders increased, she was able to accept a smaller profit margin, but she is careful not to drastically raise prices, ensuring her products remain accessible to her customers. While some might argue that her garments, made locally, should be priced higher, Cameron has worked hard to strike a balance. The brand’s pieces range from $90 to $289, with the bestselling Bowtie Vest priced at $209, which is comparable to similar pieces from mass-market brands like Aritzia.
In light of the rising tariffs on American goods, Cameron sees a slight uptick in Canadian orders and hopes that more Canadians will consider shopping locally. She believes that the fashion scene in Vancouver, and Canada in general, is filled with innovation that often goes unnoticed outside of the country. “If you ask someone from New York, LA, or London, I don’t think Vancouver would be at the top of their list for a fashion brand,” she says. “It’s nice to show off what we have and take up a little bit of space.”
Atelier Tulpe continues to stand out as a leader in the movement toward more sustainable and ethically produced fashion, showing that it is possible to create beautiful, high-quality garments while prioritizing the health of the planet and the people involved in the production process.
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