Our story
Entirely handmade, each Garneau sheepskin slipper is a work of foot art that brings together timeless style, comfort and quality.
We source only the finest material
Atelier Garneau designs and handcrafts high-quality sheepskin slippers and accessories for men, women and children. Our team of talented artisans, located in a design studio and workshop in the Eastern Townships, Québec, keeps traditional craftsmanship alive, all while creating stylish sheepskin slippers for today’s modern families. Since the very beginning Atelier Garneau has used only the finest sheepskin from New Zealand and Australia. Carefully selected from the most reputable suppliers in the world, our sheepskins have an unmatched feel and density, which enables us to craft refined products that strike a natural balance between lightness, comfort and durability. Because we source only the finest materials, our leathers and suedes are recognizable for their distinctive softness, suppleness and silky feel.
A passion transmitted from father to daughter
Atelier Garneau is, above all, a love for artisanal craftsmanship and a passion that was passed down from father to daughter. As today’s president, Noémi Garneau aptly puts it: “I have fun telling people that I was born with slippers on!”
Having grown up in craft shows and being involved in them at a very young age, Noémi always gave her father, François, her opinion regarding the materials, colours and slipper models he made. Growing up and building enriching relationships with all types of artisans, she discovered a wide array of talent, beautiful products, and inspiring people that dared to make a living with their art — and their passion.
Proud of her father’s career and talent, Noémi believes that you can always make a living by following your dreams, even if you start out with nothing. She also adheres to the company’s values and philosophy. What’s more, Atelier Garneau continues to create and distribute its products in throughout North America, despite pressure from third parties that claim that opting for Asian manufacturers would be beneficial to the company.
On the one hand, Noémi is deeply interested in art. On the other, she is a numbers woman. After several years working for major companies, she decided to take over the family business. According to her, “it’s possible to love art and have a strong business acumen.” Atelier Garneau gives her the opportunity to put into practice her strong management skills to serve her craft.
By following in her father’s footsteps and managing the family business, despite other opportunities that have come her way, Noémi always believed in Atelier Garneau’s amazing potential. A huge challenge awaited her! As soon as she took the reins, she wanted to ensure that the company remained agile, competitive, and continuously innovative. Her goal was that everyone in the business should be able to surpass themselves in their work. She implemented new technologies, including a computerized cutting table, that enabled craftspeople to efficiently create new models and a value-added production system, which would allow the company to take up new challenges.
Founded in 1977, Atelier Garneau recently celebrated its 45th anniversary. Under Noémi’s leadership, the company will continue to innovate—all while preserving her father’s artisanal know-how.