A swimsuit powerhouse built in Quebec
Shan, a swimwear brand founded by Chantal Levesque in Quebec, emphasizes high-quality, functional designs. The company has expanded its offerings to include ready-to-wear apparel while maintaining a focus on swimwear. With plans for further expansion, Levesque remains committed to quality and ethical production practices.
- ▪Shan was founded in 1985 by Chantal Levesque, who started the company in her basement.
- ▪Today, Shan employs 125 people and sells products in over 35 countries.
- ▪The brand has recently diversified its collection to include ready-to-wear apparel, although swimwear remains Levesque's passion.
- ▪Levesque is considering expanding production to the United States, where a significant portion of Shan's business originates.
- ▪Shan's swimsuits start at $300, which may limit the impact of the 'Buy Canadian' movement.
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| Original publisher | The Globe and Mail |
| Canonical URL | https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/style/style-magazine/article-a-swimsuit-powerhouse-built-in-quebec/ |
| Publication time | Mon, 25 May 2026 18:00:42 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-25T18:07:39.397Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-25T18:07:39.397Z |
| Headline source | Publisher (no WeSearch rewrite) |
| Excerpt source | publisher body |
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| Summary | WeSearch · cerebras-chat (WeSearch summarizer) |
| Summary source text | contentText |
| Citation coverage | Summary is a WeSearch-generated derivative; primary citation is the original publisher URL. |
| Cluster | M04GBRnM-044 |
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| Ranking reason | Story pages are not engagement-ranked. Hub feeds use recency, with optional source-diversified chronological ordering (cap consecutive stories per source). No personalized ranking. |
| Publisher visit | Yes — open original |
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| Commercial reuse | May the content be reused commercially? | Not permitted |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
ShareSave for laterPlease log in to bookmark this story.Log InCreate Free AccountOpen this photo in gallery:'Shan is always a product that’s both glamorous and functional,' Chantal Levesque says.Shelby Fenlon/The Globe and MailWhile you’re browsing Shan’s sleek flagship boutique in Laval, Quebec, you might not realize its swimsuits and summer vacation-ready apparel are being made just below your feet. Until you’re invited to take a peek. Shan’s literal vertical integration is a great point of pride for founder and head designer Chantal Levesque, who started the company in 1985 at the age of 27, naming it after her firstborn son. Her goal was to create a brand that offered high-quality swimwear, crafted by workers who were treated fairly.
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