User:Vincent Ouellette

Vincent Ouellette (born April 27, 1968 in Windsor, Ontario). Father Denis, award winning chef worked for Birmingham Country Club (Michigan) Mother Josette. Vincent is the founder and owner of the Montreal, Quebec based company Arthur Epicerie Fine, Arthur being his second name. He graduated from Sandwich Secondary School in 1985 and moved to Oakville, Ontario where he studied Fine Arts. In 1987 he was accepted to Ontario College of Art & Design in Toronto, Ontario where he continued his studies in Graphic Design. He worked up until 1997 in the fashion industry for such companies as Mexx, Esprit Holdings and Holt Renfrew. Vincent has one daughter born in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1996. They presently live in Montreal, Quebec.

Fashion Industry

While studying at the Ontario College of Art & Design Vincent found himself leaning towards the fashion industry freelancing for several up and coming fashion designers in Toronto, Ontario. While working with Mexx he moved to Montreal, Quebec where the Copenhagen founded company's Canadian Headquarters were based. He worked with the at the time rising young Montreal designer Marie Saint Pierre before Esprit Holdings picked him up to head up store planning and visual&merchandise presentation of their Canadian stores situated within retail department stores such as The Hudson Bay Company, Eaton's and Woodwards. In 1994 the upscale department store Holt Renfrew brought him aboard as Visual Presentation Manager where he moved back to Toronto and then over to the west coast Vancouver, British Columbia where his first and only child was born, Emmanuelle. Not one for the wet, damp weather he moved back to Toronto in 1996 as Creative Director for Robin Kay, a then successful women's knitwear designer with 10 stores across the Nation. Robin Kay was one of the first designers that introduced home accessories and design into her stores. Here Vincent discovered the new exciting field of home decor and decided to change gears on the struggling fashion industry.

Home Decor

Switching gears in 1998 Vincent brought his talent and creative eye into the growing new industry of Home Decor. After a few stints with Toronto based retailers including launching of the contemporary home store Hollace Cluny, Vincent was advised by close friends to take the plunge and launch his own line of goods. As a home based company Vincent started designing a small collection of goods including small furniture and framed artwork. With struggling sales and poor representation, he decided to take back his line from sales reps. Refocused and revamped Vincent Inc. was born and launched at the International Gift Fair in Toronto. Sales exceeded expectations. In 1999 offices and production was moved to Montreal. With over 300 clients Vincent Inc. was available throughout Canada including Indigo Books and Music and the Club Monaco former lifestyle stores Caban. 2006 Vincent opened his first store and showroom in Saint-Lambert, Quebec. In 2007 Vincent sold his shares of Vincent Incorporated and all involvement with the company because of differences with participating business partners. Vincent removed his name entirely from the association.

Fine Food

In 2008 Vincent decided to return to his French family heritage and establish Arthur epicerie fine, Arthur being his second name. Bringing together his sense of style and experience with the fashion industry-married together with his love for fine, luxury food items and eating. Arthur epicerie fine officially launched January 2010 at the New York International Gift Fair with great success.