Marie Routhier
Encyclopedia
Marie Routhier is the owner and designer of IQ Sportswear Inc., a Newfoundland
. She has been nicknamed “Queen of Spandex” and “Designer of Champions”.
A descent of Adolphe-Basile Routhier
, who wrote the original French lyrics to "O Canada
", she grew up in a poor, single mom family. At eleven years old, she learned to sew her own skating costumes. Then she moved onto formal and bridal fashion design, until she lost interest and after she suffered an accident.
She returned to her original love of spandex
costumes and moved to Newfoundland. At 24 years old, her firm IQ Sportswear Inc. had clients including pro wrestlers, champion bodybuilders, and some Olympic athletes and medalists. It became the official costumer of Synchro Swim Ontario. One year later, the national synchronized swimming
team sported Routhiers’ designs at Pan Am Games, where they captured the silver medal.
Routhier created the new "Unbashedly Canadian" line of maple leaf / Canadian Flag theme swimwear. She cited the scarcity of Canadian-themed fashion as her inspiration, contrasting it with the ease of availability of clothing featuring the Union Jack or Stars and Stripes
. Despite its popularity, the "Unbashedly Canadian" line was discontinued on December 31, 2004, to support Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams
's fight against Prime Minister Paul Martin
over the issue of resource royalties. Williams had removed the Canadian flag from all Newfoundland government buildings.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
. She has been nicknamed “Queen of Spandex” and “Designer of Champions”.
A descent of Adolphe-Basile Routhier
Adolphe-Basile Routhier
Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier was a Canadian judge, author, and lyricist. He wrote the lyrics of the original French version of the Canadian national anthem O Canada. He was born in Saint-Placide, Quebec to Charles Routhier and Angélique Lafleur.Routhier studied law at Université Laval and graduated...
, who wrote the original French lyrics to "O Canada
O Canada
It has been noted that the opening theme of "O Canada" bears a strong resemblance to the "Marsch der Priester" , from the opera Die Zauberflöte , composed in 1791 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and that Lavallée's melody was inspired by Mozart's tune...
", she grew up in a poor, single mom family. At eleven years old, she learned to sew her own skating costumes. Then she moved onto formal and bridal fashion design, until she lost interest and after she suffered an accident.
She returned to her original love of spandex
Spandex
Spandex or elastane is a synthetic fibre known for its exceptional elasticity. It is strong, but less durable than natural Latex, its major non-synthetic competitor. It is a polyurethane-polyurea copolymer that was co-invented in 1959 by chemists C. L. Sandquist and Joseph Shivers at DuPont's...
costumes and moved to Newfoundland. At 24 years old, her firm IQ Sportswear Inc. had clients including pro wrestlers, champion bodybuilders, and some Olympic athletes and medalists. It became the official costumer of Synchro Swim Ontario. One year later, the national synchronized swimming
Synchronized swimming
Synchronized swImming is a hybrid form of swimming, dance and gymnastics, consisting of swimmers performing a synchronized routine of elaborate moves in the water, accompanied by music....
team sported Routhiers’ designs at Pan Am Games, where they captured the silver medal.
Routhier created the new "Unbashedly Canadian" line of maple leaf / Canadian Flag theme swimwear. She cited the scarcity of Canadian-themed fashion as her inspiration, contrasting it with the ease of availability of clothing featuring the Union Jack or Stars and Stripes
Flag of the United States
The national flag of the United States of America consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton bearing fifty small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows of six stars alternating with rows...
. Despite its popularity, the "Unbashedly Canadian" line was discontinued on December 31, 2004, to support Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams
Danny Williams (politician)
Daniel E. "Danny" Williams, QC, MHA is a Canadian politician, businessman and lawyer who served as the ninth Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador between November 6, 2003, and December 3, 2010. Williams was born and raised in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador...
's fight against Prime Minister Paul Martin
Paul Martin
Paul Edgar Philippe Martin, PC , also known as Paul Martin, Jr. is a Canadian politician who was the 21st Prime Minister of Canada, as well as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada....
over the issue of resource royalties. Williams had removed the Canadian flag from all Newfoundland government buildings.
