To say that the past few years have been a whirlwind for Emeric Tchatchoua would be an understatement. Along with navigating the pandemic, the founder and creative director of Montreal-based 3.Paradis has also been juggling a new role: fatherhood. Introspection is at the core of his brand (the numeral stands for mind, body and soul), and his spring/summer 2022 collection is all about the personal growth and transformation that take place when one becomes a parent.

“[The collection] explores this idea of a renaissance,” says Tchatchoua. “I almost became another person through the birth of a child.” Signature motifs—such as doves, teddy bears (based on the one he had as a child) and violins—recur throughout and express themes of freedom, purity and learning.

Since launching 3.Paradis in 2013, Tchatchoua has been widely acclaimed both at home and internationally for his exploration of storytelling. In 2019, he was shortlisted for the coveted LVMH Prize, which recognizes the industry’s brightest emerging stars, and he won Menswear Designer of the Year at the 2021 Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards. Now, Tchatchoua is taking his philosophy beyond the studio through philanthropic projects like The Little Paradis, a drawing book benefiting the Montreal Children’s Hospital, and a T-shirt designed in partnership with The Shoebox Project to help women who have been impacted by homelessness.

Greater Purpose

“The brand has always been about making a better world and sharing our values. To make clothes is not enough because there’s so much already. What we want to do is send a message and use fashion as a platform to bring about change. As the brand evolves, the clothes are becoming almost a by-product; the product is the message that we want to translate through the collection. It’s really about the idea and the stories, which are what I love because, to me, they have more meaning than a piece of clothing.”

Visual Dictionary

“We’re trying to evolve with every collection. To be human [means] constant evolution. I’m not the same person I was last year, and I need to show that [with my designs]. Nothing stays the same. But through this language, if you [were to go] back to this body of work 10 years from now, you’d be able to understand everything. I’d be able to talk to you through the symbolism. It’s just like painting, but you’re telling the story with fabrics and forms.”

Trust the Process

“I want to be able to keep enjoying this journey. The rest will just fall into place. I know where we’re heading, but I need to keep walking to see what’s ahead. There’s really nothing more [to do than to] keep going, have fun and [try] to provide opportunities. It’s so important to help people out when you can—to exchange and to give. How can I help other people’s lives shine through my own?”

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