I first met Julien Tougeron, president of Véloise, and his partner Ruiqun Li at Première Vision Montréal in April 2025 — a major industry event for textile and fashion professionals.
As I wandered among booths showcasing the finest knits and weaves from around the world, my eye caught a fabric that stopped me in my tracks: a luxuriously soft French terry with rich texture and just the right weight.
While Julien and Ruiqun were deep in conversation with other visitors, I slipped in for a closer look and was instantly smitten.
The real surprise? Véloise is local — based right here in Quebec, in Brossard, just across the river from Montreal. And that was only the beginning of my discovery of their truly groundbreaking work.
Véloise is the only company in the world producing textiles from corn stalks and leaves — not the grain — making their PLA (polylactic acid) fibres both sustainable and ethical.
Many PLA producers use corn grain, which raises concerns about food security. Véloise sidesteps this by using agricultural waste instead.
Julien is not only pushing technological boundaries — he’s also advocating for systemic change. He collaborates with the United Nations and leads the International Alliance for Biomass Textiles (IABT), a global network of innovators who believe in producing close to both the resource and the need.
PLA (polylactic acid) is a biopolymer made from plant-based material. At Véloise, the process starts with waste from local cornfields.
Farmers partner with Véloise to supply leftover stalks and leaves — reducing landfill costs and environmental impact.
At Véloise’s Quebec facility, the biomass is processed in large industrial bins into a liquid — somewhat like “plant milk.” This liquid is dried into cellulose pellets, which become the raw fibre.
After spinning the fibre into yarn, it’s dyed and knitted into a wide range of textiles — all right here in Quebec.
Véloise doesn’t just create fabric — they offer a fully vertical service that can take a client from fibre creation to finished garment.
This includes fabric production, pattern making, sample development, fittings, and final manufacturing. For brands looking to simplify and localize their supply chain, this is a game-changer.
Véloise produces a variety of knits — jersey, brushed cotton, French terry, interlock, rib, and more.
These fabrics can be blended with other responsible fibres like organic cotton, merino wool, and recycled spandex to reduce costs while enhancing durability, stretch, or softness.
The final fabrics are breathable, hypoallergenic, antibacterial, and dust mite resistant, making them ideal for activewear, loungewear, luxury apparel, and more.
Global brands have already taken notice — drawn to Véloise’s unique ability to combine luxury aesthetics with low environmental impact.
What impressed me most when I first met Julien was a video he shared: a Véloise-made T-shirt placed in a jar of solution, slowly dissolving back into the plant-based liquid it originated from.
Yes — it can be remade into new fibre again.
This is the true definition of circular fashion. Imagine a future where garments don’t generate waste but instead return to their origin — ready to become something new.
This opens exciting possibilities for clothing rental models, where items can be reused, remade, and reimagined instead of discarded.
It’s not just innovation — it’s a vision for the future of fashion.
In all my years as a designer, I’ve never seen an opportunity quite like this.
Local brands now have access to truly sustainable materials, produced right here in Quebec, with pricing and order minimums that make sense.
Yes, some might say PLA fabrics are still pricey. But here’s my response:
Véloise’s unmatched technology enables a new era of textile circularity.
Consumers are hungry for real alternatives — this is your chance to stand out.
Minimums are reasonable, and at Core Fabrics, our Wholesale Program helps group orders to support smaller brands.
Local production means faster turnaround and fewer headaches with customs and shipping delays.
To celebrate this exciting partnership, Core Fabrics is proud to represent Véloise and bring their technology to the North American market.
We’re also thrilled to invite the Quebec fashion community to a live panel discussion on circularity in textiles:
🗓️ Tuesday, September 23, 2025
🕦 Starting at 11:30 AM
📍 Core Fabrics & Closet Core Patterns — 8280 St-Laurent, Suite 301, Montreal
🎥 The panel will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel.
Panelists include Julien Tougeron, president of Véloise, and other innovators from the sustainable fashion space.
Whether you're a designer, educator, student, journalist, or simply passionate about better textiles — you’re welcome.
