Raplapla's story...

Erica trained in fashion design in Montreal, then worked for a few years as a seamstress for the theatre, then as a sewing teacher. Looking for a good reason to launch a line of fabric toys, she also has two children. Lili, the eldest of her daughters, teaches her the hard way of how to survive with a child completely dependent on a stuffed animal (a mammoth, in this case). This lesson was decisive for what followed.

And in 2005, finally, and thanks to the loss of her job, all the favourable conditions were met for the birth of Eglantine, the very first Raplapla.

The big sister of all Raplaplas is actually tiny.

Fé, Erica's other daughter, immediately grabs Eglantine and refuses to let go for several years, growling and biting anyone who wants to approach the doll. Because of her little daughter's ferocity, Erica is forced to reproduce the doll for other children who also fell in love with it: this is how the Raplapla company was born!

In 2009, the dolls found their home: in the heart of the Mile-End, they moved into a magnificent boutique full of character. There is even a stove for heating in winter, that's all there is to tell you... The team has set up their workshop there and opened a shop space, where Raplaplas sit alongside a whole bunch of essential items such as fabric guns or fox tattoos.

Over the years, with more Raplapla births, Erica decides to find a way to start sleeping at night again. She is now assisted by Dominique, Lili and Marie-Hélène in the workshop to bring the dolls into the world. As a backup, Natalia (and her family) work from Boucherville during the high season. Thanks to our fabulous team, without which, Erica couldn't live in Honolulu in a straw hut and drink cocktails all day, and Erica would never have time to come up with new ideas!

Since 2014, the Toy Hospital, of which Dominique is the chief surgeon, has offered 9 beds for sick, damaged or very old soft toys.