Discovering Milkweed
It was during a snowshoeing excursion in Lanaudière, Québec, in the winter of 2014 that Martin first discovered the distinctive beauty of milkweed. Its silky fibres, released from their pods and carried by the wind, caught his attention.
A few days later, a news report exploring the potential uses of this plant sparked his curiosity.
He soon began cultivating milkweed on family farmland in Québec, driven by a desire to explore the possibilities of a material still largely unknown in the textile world.
Learning, Inventing, Persevering
The early years were marked by considerable enthusiasm surrounding milkweed. However, beginning in 2018, several initiatives slowed down or disappeared altogether.
Martin nevertheless continued his work, largely independently.
Faced with the unique challenges of harvesting and processing milkweed, he set out to design and build his own equipment, developing mechanical solutions tailored to the plant's particular characteristics.
Over the years, he developed a patented harvester, drying facilities, and specialized equipment for extracting and conditioning the fibre.
These developments allowed him to acquire extensive practical knowledge of milkweed, from cultivation to preparing the fibre for a variety of applications.
Season after season, this experience revealed both the remarkable qualities of the fibre and the challenges involved in producing it.
A Different Approach to the Material
Milkweed is an unusual plant. Its cultivation, harvesting, and processing require specialized equipment, agronomic knowledge, and considerable care.
Over the years, Martin developed a deep understanding of this fibre, both its qualities and the challenges involved in bringing out its potential.
This experience gradually led him to see milkweed differently: rather than seeking to compare it with conventional fibres, he chose to celebrate what makes it unique.
From this perspective, Maison Asclépia was born — a Canadian luxury bedding brand founded on an intimate knowledge of the material, the quality of its creations, and respect for its natural characteristics.
From the Harvester to Chrysalide®
Long before Maison Asclépia was founded, Martin had painted his harvester in the colours of the monarch butterfly, a species closely connected to milkweed in the North American landscape.
That connection lives on today in Chrysalide®, the Maison's first creation, whose name evokes the transformation of the monarch butterfly.
This sense of continuity extends to every detail of each creation, from the selection of materials to their presentation and packaging. Every element is thoughtfully considered, with its own purpose and a role in shaping a coherent identity that remains true to the Maison's origins.
By combining Canadian Botanical Silk with carefully selected goose down and fine cotton shells, Maison Asclépia offers meticulously crafted bedding through a personalized approach.
Each creation carries forward a journey that began in the fields, long before the brand itself came into existence.
A Maison True to Its Origins
Maison Asclépia was born from the desire to give milkweed a place worthy of its beauty and distinctive qualities.
The Maison embraces an approach in which the selection of materials, mastery of their transformation, and attention devoted to every creation remain central.
Alongside this work, Martin continues his research and development into natural fibres, particularly their combination with wool, as well as the technologies used to process them and unlock their potential.
After twelve years spent cultivating, harvesting, and understanding milkweed, Maison Asclépia represents a new chapter in this journey: transforming knowledge and craftsmanship acquired over time into creations made to last.
