Over 400 years of Canadian craftsmanship and pioneering fabric innovation goes into every Milo & Dexter garment. Here is how it all began.
1671
A new dawn
In the early days of Canada, as harsh winters set in, knitting and wool became essential for survival. Brought over in the 1600s, sheep farming grew alongside settlements, providing the raw wool needed for hand-spun yarn. French and later British newcomers knit warm garments. Indigenous communities blended their own traditions with European knitting.
More than a skill, knitting and woolwork became a symbol of resilience, binding generations together in warmth and tradition—laying the foundation for Canadian craftsmanship today.
Paintings by Cornelius Krieghoff
1826
Wool becomes an industry
In 1826, Canada saw the birth of its first complete factory system for woollen cloth manufacturing when Mahlon Willett established a mill in L’Acadie, Lower Canada (now Quebec). Before this, wool processing was a labor-intensive, home-based craft. This mill revolutionized the industry by integrating every stage of production—carding, spinning, weaving, and finishing—under one roof. By the turn of the century over 170,000 Canadian were employed in the textile industry.
1951 publishing of The Wool Textile Industries by the Ministry of Trade and Commerce
1900
The rise and fall of local wool
By the early 20th century, Canada’s sheep population surged, with farms producing both wool and meat. The industry peaked during the World Wars, when wool was essential for military uniforms and blankets. However, by the mid-century, synthetic fabrics and cheaper imports led to a decline in wool demand, forcing many farms to shift focus toward lamb production rather than wool.
Archives / Collections and Fonds, 1948
1950
Montréal become a garment hub
In the mid-20th century, Montréal stood as the largest manufacturer of wool suits in North America, with its garment industry centered in the bustling Chabanel District and along Saint-Laurent Boulevard. The city’s factories and workshops employed tens of thousands of skilled workers, producing high-quality tailored menswear that was exported across the continent.
Montreal’s dominance in wool suit manufacturing surpassed even New York and Chicago, driven by efficient production, expert craftsmanship, and a thriving textile supply chain. By the 1950s and 1960s, the city was home to some of the world's most renowned suit manufacturers, cementing its legacy as a leader in fine tailoring—a tradition that continues to inspire Montréal’s fashion industry today.
Montréal factory floor, early 1950s
2020
Milo & Dexter opens first factory in Chabanel
In 2020, we opened our first factory in Canada's garment district, Chabanel. The district
Still from the Canadian Wool Council's documentary titled "Fabric of Canada"
2021
Homage to hand knitting
Over three dozen hand knitters are brought into the team to support the preservation of these age-old methods of garment making. Each of these garment have been equally made with materials that have similarly withstood the test of time.
Milo & Dexter classic wool sweater made of 100% Canadian Wool.
2022
Rebirth of Canadian Wool
After years of testing, Milo & Dexter releases the first set of garment made entirely from 100% Canadian Wool. Creating garments that can each officially be labeled as a "product of Canada".
2025
The farm supply chain grows
Over ten farms from coast to coast have been brought on board into the supply chain, reaffirming our commitment to working directly with the source.
Our partnered sheep farm located in Northumberland County, Ontario.