Melanie Ellezam’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Melanie Ellezam. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Melanie, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
@tracyanderson. She’s fueling me with so much energy. To me, she is about building your core in every sense of the word: boundaries, stability, self-confidence, awareness, inner peace… and fun. She’s my daily dose of burn, meditation, breath work, and ecstatic dance all at once. I love Tracy Anderson.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I founded Atelier Olmsted, now a B Corp luxury brand built around the rarest and kindest down on Earth: Canadian eiderdown.

The harvest itself funds conservation and protects the shared nesting grounds of many bird species. But there is more to it. Migratory birds keep ecosystems balanced by controlling insects, spreading seeds, pollinating plants and moving nutrients between land and water. They keep biodiversity alive across continents.

Our harvest of eiderdown from wild nests supports Inuit communities and the work of Société Duvetnor, the non-profit protecting habitats in the St. Lawrence Estuary.

My goal is to create worldwide demand for eiderdown through Atelier Olmsted — a brand that evokes deep care for the wild and for the living world, in the kindest way.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
Sailing across the Atlantic on a 46ft catamaran in my early twenties. We were three on board, and I spent nights alone on deck for weeks. No sound, no phone, no one to talk to, just the ocean and the stars. I didn’t know it then, but that silence was a form of meditation.

It was the first time I ever really felt powerful, even while feeling so tiny. Facing that immensity tuned down feelings of unworthiness and fear of judgment. It transformed my inner voice and changed the narrative in a positive way. What was left was just me. Capable. Enough.

It’s still the feeling I return to when I need to ground myself, find courage, and quiet fear and doubt.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Ha! This morning? Yesterday? All the time.

Last week was a big one. The world’s only Canadian eiderdown outerwear? Really? Until when? A harvest that has a positive impact, that promotes biodiversity — is this even real? Can building a luxury brand that truly helps the planet work in the real world?

When I start to spiral, I go back to the source and to the people who’ve been doing this for decades. I called Jean Bédard, founder of Société Duvetnor. Jean is a marine biologist who’s dedicated his life to protecting seabirds and their nesting habitats in the St. Lawrence Estuary. He founded @duvetnor over forty years ago with scientists who wanted conservation to come from action, not just research.

I asked him, “Jean, does the eiderdown harvest really make a difference? If demand grows, is that good or bad for the ecosystem?”

He said, “Mélanie, Société Duvetnor wouldn’t have lasted more than ten years without the harvest. It funds the boats, the systems, the daily work of protecting the islands. When it’s done right, it supports biodiversity and empowers the Inuit harvesters in the North.”

Then I spoke with Bryan Pryde, President and CEO of Feather Industries and @downmarkcanada, a founder with strong ethics who has built his businesses on honesty, integrity, and humane sourcing.

Bryan told me it takes time, and it’s difficult. It’s the hard way, but it’s the only way. “You’re doing it right, and we’re backing you,” he said. “Olmsted is the brand that aligns with this precious natural fiber, selling it at the right price and contributing to the harvest done the sustainable way. We align in our values and vision. We’ll always protect your brand and secure Canadian eiderdown for Olmsted.”

These conversations bring me back to the present.
They remind me that what I’m building isn’t a fantasy. It’s real. It’s fragile, yes, but it’s alive. And it’s worth it.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
I’m not sure there is a public version of me yet. The brand, the product, the team, the partnerships — it’s all aligning and true to who I am. It’s worth the time to build it well. I believe Olmsted is ready to bloom.

I grew up in the fashion industry. It’s part of me, but I hardly relate to the world of fashion. I’m self-taught, or a dropout, as we say! I always learned by doing things: time at sea, travel, and the challenge of building my first business in my early twenties.

We’ve hardly done any press, and the story of Atelier Olmsted, Mélanie Ellezam, and Canadian eiderdown is still to be shared.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
When I see growth in sales and brand awareness. That’s such a great feeling. It makes me feel at peace and gives me confidence that what we’re building is working — and that, at scale, we’re having a positive impact with Atelier Olmsted.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Atelier Olmsted original pictures by Yuzuha Nakamura

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