TSHU is an elegant and committed handkerchief. Ethically made in Montreal (Canada), the TSHU handkerchiefs boast unique, bold, colourful designs and a distinctive shape, to make a gesture for the environment – in style!
Each hanky is handprinted with silkscreen and hand sown by our skilled seamstresses before being embroidered with our brand – a seal of elegance and commitment – and having its corner neatly folded and sown into place.
Inspiration for our different patterns and style comes from various sources. We mostly work on brainstorming new styles as a group: Thomas, our co-founder, Olivier, our Artistic Director and I. The pattern is developed from an idea, a colour, a theme or a story. For instance, we created Enzo after someone called to know if we had any handkerchiefs to alleviate her sorrow from losing her italian Greyhound “Preciosa Enzo de la Roche Hue”. We were touched by her story and decided to create a special handkerchief for her. Moshe, on the other hand, was inspired from Moshe Safdie’s unusual lodging complex located in Montreal (Canada).
My personal favourite is the Vanessa handkerchief. It allies cotton sateen – which is thick and absorbent, and cotton lawn – which is light and supple. Combined, it is the perfect thickness and absorbency for every day use. To me, it is the most cheerful handkerchief with it’s bright colours and joyful pattern. We co-created this handkerchief with the lovely Vanessa Pilon – a Quebec TV personality – who adores pinneaples, japanese culture, bright colours and sweets. I think it came through beautifully in this girly handkerchief! Thomas’ handkerchief of choice is Leonard. He even carries one that is personalized with his name! Fan of colourful underwear and bold socks, his first vision when we decided to create TSHU was of a pink handkerchief with skulls. We just had to make that happen!
For us, the most rewarding thing is finding out that we are making a difference in people’s lives. For instance, clients write us to tell us that we have changed their life forever, as they now have the perfect solution to address their chronic teary eye, or rhinitis when they’re running a marathon. How inspiring that is!
Thomas and I love to build, create, imagine and make things happen! If we weren’t the founders of TSHU, we most likely would be thinking up another project or company… We took the leap into the world of eco-friendly fashion when the idea come to us, without having any previous experience in this universe. We both have quite versatile backgrounds and qualifications so as long as we find motivation in a cause and feel that we’re doing something that has an impact or makes a difference, sky’s the limit!
Good question! There are so many… Morning coffee in bed is one of them, afternoon leisure outdoors with the children is another… Going for a run and releiving tension in the middle of the workday is also a great moment… And Martini time is right there along with those!