Our Story

My name is Deon James and  I’m the founder of Opolaire.  Over 30 years ago my mom and I immigrated to Canada from Guyana, one of the poorest countries in South America. My mom was fortunate enough to work in garment manufacturing for many years.  This is what helped her to put food on the table and it was what gave us an opportunity to build a better future.  My mom remains interested in sewing and has worked with me during the development and design of our first backpack.  

I believe in Canadian manufacturing and the quality we build into each item we produce.  I believe we are all able to make a positive impact on the future we create with the choices we make every day. This is why I choose to manufacture using sustainable materials that are grown responsibly. One of my main goals for this company is to ensure we limit the environmental impact of the products we manufacture on the planet.

The past has led me to where I am now, and today, I look to the future, as I proudly present our products to you.  I want to contribute to a better future for all of us, for generations to come. That is why Opolaire will always use organic, sustainable materials and manufacture in Canada.  That is why we give $5 from every backpack sold to the Amazon Conservation Team This is a fantastic non profit organization dedicated to protecting indigenous people and their cultures in order to protect the Amazon rainforest.

This is why I started Opolaire.