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Empowering Sustainability Through Style: The Journey of R3 CONCEPT

Inspired by his mother, a gifted seamstress, Etienne  Pre childhood was a tapestry woven with threads of native culture, personal experiences, and an enduring love for the great outdoors. As he grew, these threads began to intertwine, forming a canvas upon which he would paint a story of creativity, sustainability, and enduring craftsmanship.

Etienne’s passion for fashion was undeniable, but it was rooted in something deeper—a profound respect for the environment and a commitment to cruelty-free practices. He believed that fashion could be a force for good, and with meticulous attention to detail, he set out to create products that not only captivated with their elegance but also stood the test of time.

In a world that seemed increasingly driven by fast fashion and transient trends, Etienne envisioned something different. He saw a future where fashion was not just about what you wear; it was about the values you wear proudly. This was the beginning of R3 CONCEPT—a brand that didn’t just reflect a vision; it embodied it.

At its core, R3 CONCEPT was a manifestation of a heartfelt mission: to craft products that would endure season after season. Etienne’s journey commenced with a simple yet powerful goal—to create items exclusively from recycled, vegan, and recyclable materials. The name R3 Concept was chosen thoughtfully; it encapsulated their core values: Reduce, Reuse, and Re-waste. Through this name, they aimed to illuminate the profound impact of irresponsible practices rampant in the fashion industry.

The essence of R3 CONCEPT transcended mere materials; it was an aesthetic born from the fusion of distinctive concepts and innovative materials. R3 CONCEPT’s mission extended beyond just crafting beautiful designs. Etienne and his team aspired to create pieces that would transcend fleeting trends and endure the test of time. Their creations were a testament to their unwavering dedication—dedication to making a lasting impact on the world and your emotions. Each piece they offered wasn’t just a garment; it was a statement, one that resonated with your sense of style while nurturing the planet we all call home.

Etienne’s journey was a tapestry woven with diverse passions. Armed with a degree in law and a profound interest in art history, he embarked on a quest to merge creativity and communication. His path led him to the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, where he immersed himself in the art of social communications.

A brief but enlightening stint at Aldo in Montreal opened Etienne’s eyes to a glaring gap in the world of fashion. Brands often failed to align with the evolving values and expectations of consumers. It was a moment of clarity, a call to action. The journey to create something unique, something that would satiate the hunger for fresh designs and sustainable, elegant silhouettes, began in earnest.

R3 CONCEPT is more than a brand; it was a manifestation of a vision—a vision that celebrated diverse passions, embraced entrepreneurial spirit, and upheld an unwavering commitment to sustainability. Through every stitch, every design, and every elegant silhouette, R3 CONCEPT empowered individuals to embrace a lifestyle that was not just stylish but also environmentally conscious.

Etienne’s journey is a testament to the idea that sustainable elegance was not just a dream; it was a reality created with purpose and passion.

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Rob G.C. Sobey

Board Member

Rob G.C. Sobey is a corporate director. Mr. Sobey was the President & Chief Executive Officer of Lawton’s Drug Stores Limited from 2006 until his retirement in 2014 after 25 years with Sobeys. He serves as a director of SeaFort Capital and the Institute of Corporate Directors. Mr. Sobey is Chair of the Sobey Art Foundation, a member of the Queen’s Smith School of Business Advisory Board and serves on several foundation and not-for-profit boards. For his work as an Honorary Colonel of the Canadian Army, Mr. Sobey received a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. He holds an undergraduate from Queen’s University, a Master of Business Administration from Babson College, and the ICD.D designation.

Denburk Reid

Board Member

Denburk Reid is the founder of Montreal Community Care Foundation (MCCF). Its mission is to empower youth by developing their leadership skills by using programs, workshops, and events, and by building bridges between communities. As the founder of MCCF, he beliefs that the youth hold the key to Montreal’s future and over the past eight (8) years, its programs have helped hundreds of Montreal youth stay on track, perform community services as well as set and achieve academic and life goals. The organization seeks to empower youth to become engaged citizens and leaders in their homes, schools, and communities. For the past five (5) years, MCCF celebrates and promotes community engagement across Montreal through the Montreal Community Cares Awards.

Along with his role as the founder of MCCF, Mr. Reid is the Founder of Red Rush Basketball & Red Rush Basketball Leadership. He has a passion for empowering youth and meeting them where they are lends to a successful outcome.

Abdikhier Ahmed​

Board Member

Mr. Ahmed is a recognized community leader in the non-profit sector with specializations in immigration and refugee resettlement, poverty reduction, and community empowerment. A dynamic, highly motivated individual with extensive experience in program development and delivery, providing strategic visioning and leadership. Over 10 years’ experience managing programs for non-profit organizations and working with communities and people from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds both locally as well as internationally. Fluently multi-lingual: speaks and writes English, Swahili, Somali and basic Arabic. This experience help guide Mr. Ahmed when he was in the role of Director of Policy at the Office of Canada’s Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.

Mr. Ahmed is currently the Executive Director of Aurora Family Therapy Centre. Aurora is a progressive, non-profit family therapy centre that offers family therapy on a sliding scale; sees clients through services funded by Manitoba Department of Families and Department of Justice; provides community building groups for Newcomers to Canada; hosts a Psycho-Social Settlement Needs Assessment program for incoming refugees; provides summer youth programming for many newcomer communities; supports its own staff and other agencies through vicarious trauma and resilience programming; develops supportive relationships with community partners, and engages in advocacy for accessible community-based therapy services for all. Aurora is in the process of becoming a Centre of Excellence in providing cross cultural therapy from a systemic lens with a special focus on psychological trauma & recovery and community development.