About Us
Who We Are
FREED is a luxury outerwear brand founded by Marissa Freed, dedicated to creating animal-free and cruelty-free garments with a focus on zero waste. Marissa's vision blends sustainability and style through each piece, reflecting FREED's commitment to compassionate fashion and setting a new standard for conscious luxury.
Marissa's visionary leadership upholds her family's century-long fashion legacy, dating back to the establishment of parent company Freed & Freed by her great grandfather, David Freed, in 1921. As the fourth-generation president, Marissa carries forward a heritage steeped in craftsmanship and innovation, injecting it with a fresh perspective focused on sustainability.
Within our beloved hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, skilled artisans meticulously bring each outerwear design to life, infusing every stitch with an unparalleled commitment to quality and attention to detail.
Origins
Over a century ago, parent company Freed & Freed embarked on its journey as a pioneering pants manufacturer, and through the years, transformed into a cornerstone of the Canadian garment industry. Our extensive and expansive history is rooted in a tradition of excellence, marked by highly sought-after expertise and technical prowess in the manufacturing sector.
As time progressed, these capabilities led us into the realm of outerwear design, development, and production. Our dedication to craftsmanship and quality caught the attention of numerous major domestic and international brands, many of which you proudly wear today, attesting to the lasting impact of our work.
For decades, the company operated as London Fog, a renowned and trusted brand like no other celebrated for its iconic trench coats, which stood as a symbol of timeless elegance and sophistication. However, as the world's needs evolved, so did the vision for the future of Freed & Freed.
Continuing the Legacy
Marissa inherited her father’s business sense, tenacity, and inability to be anything but honest (and somewhat stubborn). You should see them when they get in a room together. Which is what happened in 2009, when Stephen Freed was deciding where to take Freed & Freed.
A shrewd businessman, he refused to compromise quality, integrity, or an ethical workforce. This they could agree on. Marissa, equipped with her MBA, profound passion for fashion and design, and an unwavering commitment to sustainable production, surprised everyone when she made an unexpected decision. Rather than pursuing a fashion teaching position in California, she seized the reins of Freed & Freed.
Embracing the global shift towards sustainability and acknowledging the importance of catering to changing environmental demands, Marissa led Freed & Freed on a transformative journey. Recognizing the urgent necessity to create a positive impact on the planet, Marissa founded Freed & Freed's own in-house brand FREED.
Today, Freed & Freed is 85% female-led with approximately 100 unionized employees, continuing a legacy of high-quality, locally made apparel. We stand as a testament to our dedication to progress, innovation, and integrity, merging our legacy of craftsmanship with modern needs. Emerging as trailblazers in the pursuit of a more eco-conscious and ethically responsible fashion industry, our mission is to provide you with not only stylish and functional outerwear, but also a chance to be part of a collective effort to safeguard our planet's future.
A NOTE FROM OUR FOUNDER
"Growing up in the garment industry was something that shaped who I have become. Having children changed my priorities. Adopting a rescue dog taught me to be more conscious of animal welfare. I designed my first piece of clothing at the age of 13. I visited my first fabric market a decade later. I was hooked. Fast forward many years (more than I choose to share!) I have found what feeds my soul and paired it with my acquired lifetime of knowledge growing up in the shmata business. An outerwear line tuned to the needs of the changing world with a focus on zero waste. It has been 100 years in the making. Choose what speaks to you, what celebrates your individuality, what will elevate you and #beFREED."
XO Marissa