TUKUAN: The Story Behind the Versatile Accessory

Fashion is often born from necessity, and TUKUAN is no exception. This versatile accessory—designed to bring elegance, comfort, and practicality to everyday life—comes from the inspiring story of two Quebec women whose friendship and creativity turned an idea into a timeless piece.

A Meeting Rooted in Purpose

TUKUAN’s founders, Lisa and Félicité, met in 2010 during a fundraiser to support exploited children in India. Both were new mothers at the time, introduced by a mutual friend deeply involved in the charitable sector. Their shared love for the arts, children, and community instantly created a bond. That first fundraiser was a success, and it marked the beginning of a lasting partnership built on creativity, compassion, and a desire to make a difference.

From Café Drafts to Fashion Innovation

The seed of TUKUAN was planted one winter’s day in Montreal’s Mile-End neighborhood. Lisa, sipping coffee on St-Viateur street, found herself constantly wrapping scarves around her waist to protect her lower back and hips from the icy drafts of a café door swinging open. It was a small but persistent problem, one familiar to anyone living through Canadian winters.

That simple moment of discomfort sparked an idea: a wrap-style garment that would combine warmth, style, and versatility for modern life. Lisa immediately thought of her friend Félicité—a talented fashion designer—who could bring this concept to life. Together, they began designing an accessory that could be worn as a skirt, shawl, or cozy layer, adaptable to outdoor adventures, cozy evenings, and elegant everyday wear.

Lisa: Artist, Entrepreneur, Outdoor Enthusiast

One half of TUKUAN’s founding duo, Lisa, is an Italian-Quebecer, artist, and mother of two boys. Her journey blends creativity, resilience, and a love of the outdoors.

• Immersed in performance art since childhood, she began a modeling career at eighteen that lasted two decades.

• A lifelong sports and outdoor enthusiast, she co-founded her high school’s AKI outdoor club in 1992, which grew into a permanent program.

• In 2013, she launched a natural cosmetics company committed to eco-conscious beauty and holistic well-being.

Her entrepreneurial vision and commitment to sustainability naturally flowed into the creation of TUKUAN—a brand that reflects both elegance and practicality, designed for women who love to move freely, explore outdoors, and embrace versatile fashion.

Félicité: Designer, Innovator, Textile Expert

Born in Togo and a Quebecer by adoption since 1994, Félicité Donyo brings global inspiration and deep expertise to TUKUAN. After studying fashion and design in France, she launched her first entrepreneurial venture in 2008 and became a mother in 2010.

Her brand, Fili Boutique, offered exclusive collections of children’s clothing blending European design, African batik, and Indonesian influences. Made in Quebec, her unique pieces quickly stood out—worn by the children of Quebec celebrity Mitsou and even Julia Roberts.

Félicité went on to refine her craft, collaborating with designer Ariane Carle and later developing expertise in textiles and winter fashion while working with major Montreal companies Do-Gree and Kombi. As a freelance designer, she has contributed to product development for several Canadian fashion houses.

Her deep knowledge of fabrics, durability, and cold-weather design became the perfect complement to Lisa’s vision. In 2015, the two co-founded TUKUAN, combining practicality, elegance, and eco-responsibility.

A Brand Born from Friendship and Vision

What makes TUKUAN special is not only the design but the story woven into it. It’s the story of two women from different backgrounds, united by shared values, who created an elegant, multi-functional accessory that adapts to every lifestyle.

In a changing fashion industry where local production and eco-responsibility matter more than ever, TUKUAN represents a fresh approach to style: versatile, sustainable, and proudly made in Quebec.

From cozy evenings at home to brisk walks outdoors, from layering during meditation to adding style on city streets, TUKUAN embodies versatility, elegance, and practicality—values rooted in its founders’ friendship, passion, and vision.