What Origami Customs does

Origami Customs is a Montreal-based, privately held direct-to-consumer apparel company founded in 2010 by Rae Hill (they/them) that designs, manufactures, and sells custom-fit, handmade gender-affirming garments. Its product portfolio is built around four core categories — compression gaffs (tucking underwear), chest binders, bamboo underwear and bras, and gender-affirming swimwear — with all products backed by free custom sizing and a proprietary gusset system that allows a single garment to fit any body type regardless of genitalia. The company differentiates technically through its all-over power mesh construction, which permits rib expansion during breathing and addresses the well-documented safety failures of competing non-stretch compression garments.

The company operates a hybrid go-to-market model. The primary channel is a Shopify-based e-commerce storefront with international shipping and tariff-free US fulfillment, supplemented by Ready-to-Ship standard-sized inventory for faster delivery alongside 4-6 week custom orders. Wholesale partnerships with approximately 50 retailers across Canada, the US, the UK, and Australia extend physical distribution, while a community program distributes roughly 4,000 free gender-affirming garments annually through 100+ NGO partners across five continents. Pricing is unit-based, ranging from $35 for gaffs to $68-$85 for binders and $62-$139 for swimwear, with digital gift cards sold in CAD denominations up to $500. All production is performed by an 8-person team of queer and trans individuals in the company's Plateau (Montreal) studio, with profits reinvested in employee wages and gender-affirming healthcare benefits.

The customer base is composed primarily of individual transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse consumers seeking safer and better-fitting alternatives to mass-market compression products, with a secondary body-diverse consumer segment. The company has earned broad third-party validation, including 1,800+ verified reviews averaging 4.9/5, regular features in major publications (NYT, Teen Vogue, CNN, The Guardian), and industry awards including the 2024 CGLCC 2SLGBTQI+ Business of the Year and the 2024 SXWA Sexual Wellness Award for Gender Diversity.

Name

Origami Customs

Legal name

Origami Customs

Website

https://origamicustoms.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Origami Customs is a Montreal-based DTC apparel company designing and handmaking custom-fit gender-affirming garments — gaffs, binders, lingerie, and swimwear — for transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse consumers worldwide, with free custom sizing on all products.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Direct Product Sales: Direct-to-consumer e-commerce sales of custom and ready-to-ship gender-affirming garments including gaffs, binders, lingerie, and swimwear
2. Wholesale/B2B: Wholesale partnerships with retail stores carrying Origami Customs products at regular price
3. Gift Cards: Digital gift cards sold in CAD denominations from $30 to $500

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Origami Customs designs and hand-makes custom-fit gender-affirming undergarments, swimwear, and binders for transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals. Every product is offered with free custom sizing, and the company also sells Ready-to-Ship standard sizes and digital gift cards. Products are handmade in a Montreal studio by a team of 8 trans and queer craftspeople, with orders taking 4-6 weeks for custom production.

Product overview

Origami Customs is a direct-to-consumer fashion brand offering custom, handmade gender-affirming lingerie and swimwear. Their product portfolio centers on four core categories: Compression Gaffs (tucking underwear in thong, cheeky, hipster, and boyshort styles), Chest Binders (racerback, tank, and bra-style options with varying compression), Bamboo Underwear and Bras (sustainable bamboo-based lingerie), and Swimwear (including swim binders and gender-affirming swimsuits). All products feature proprietary Custom Gusset Technology allowing any garment to fit any body type, and Free Custom Sizing on every product. They also offer Ready-to-Ship standard sizes for faster delivery, Digital Gift Cards, and feature third-party brand La Maison Komando. The company operates on a made-to-order model with 4-6 week production times, with manufacturing entirely in Montreal by a team of 8 queer and trans individuals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Compression Gaffs Gender-affirming compression underwear designed for tucking, available in multiple styles including thong, cheeky, hipster, boyshort, and high-waist options. Features all-over power mesh for comfortable all-day wear with various compression levels. Targeted at transfeminine and gender-diverse individuals seeking safe tucking solutions.
• Chest Binders Custom-fit compression garments that flatten chest tissue for a masculine silhouette. Available in multiple styles including racerback, tank, bra binder, and side-open options with varying compression levels. Designed for transmasculine and gender-diverse individuals needing safe chest compression.
• Bamboo Underwear and Bras Sustainable bamboo-based lingerie and underwear in various styles including hipster, boyshort, thong, and longline bras. Made from OEKO-Tex certified bamboo fabric with spandex. Marketed to body-diverse consumers seeking comfortable, sustainable intimate apparel.
• Swimwear Collection Gender-affirming swimwear including swim binders, swim crop tops, one-piece swimsuits, and bikini bottoms designed for all body types with the same custom-fit technology as their underwear products. Designed for transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals who need affirming swimwear that handles tucking or chest compression in water.
• Ready-to-Ship Collection Pre-made standard-sized versions of the brand's core products (gaffs, binders, underwear) that ship immediately without the 4-6 week custom production wait time. Includes Core Collection basics and sale items. Targets customers who want immediate delivery rather than waiting for custom production.
• Digital Gift Cards Digital gift cards sold in CAD denominations from $30 to $500, allowing recipients to redeem them for custom or ready-to-ship gender-affirming garments from the Origami Customs storefront.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4000 free garments distributed annually to those with limited access
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Point of PridecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Point of Pride to offer free gaffs to trans people facing access barriers worldwide through their Free Transfemme Shapewear Program. Point of Pride is the world's largest free gender-affirming gear and grant program.
• The Foxhole FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner offering free binders, femmewear, surgery care packages and more to trans individuals internationally.
• 100+ Community Partner OrganizationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of over 100 NGOs on 5 continents distributing free and subsidized gender-affirming products to those with limited access. Includes organizations across Canada, USA, UK, Australia, and Switzerland.
• La Maison KomandominorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured seller partnership showcasing Montreal-made bamboo boxer briefs from another queer-owned brand. Both companies share ethics around ethical production, sustainable bamboo fabrics, and size-inclusivity.
• Wholesale Retail PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale partnerships with retail stores worldwide including Good Vibrations (US), Venus Envy (Canada), UnderDARE (US), and 50+ other retailers selling Origami Customs products at regular price.
• CGLCC (Canada's 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRae Hill serves as Keynote Speaker for OUT Business Mentorship Program and Judge for Business Leadership Awards. CGLCC named Origami Customs 2SLGBTQI+ Business of the Year 2024.

Scale indicators7 records

Broad incumbents

• ThirdLove: Well-funded intimate apparel brand focused on size-inclusive bras and undergarments with half-cup sizing. Operates in adjacent intimate apparel space with broader mainstream positioning but overlapping commitment to fit and inclusivity.
• Savage X Fenty: Major lingerie brand from Rihanna's Fenty label, offering size-inclusive intimate apparel with broad retail presence and substantial marketing budget. Represents the mainstream segment Origami could compete with if it expanded beyond the gender-affirming niche.
• MeUndies: Subscription-based comfort underwear brand with strong direct-to-consumer e-commerce presence. Operates in adjacent underwear category with similar DTC and subscription business model, but no specific gender-affirming product focus.
• CUUP: Modern direct-to-consumer intimates brand offering bras and underwear with size-inclusive philosophy. Operates in overlapping intimate apparel category with similar DTC-first strategy and brand-forward positioning.
• Negative Underwear: Minimalist intimates brand with DTC focus and emphasis on comfortable, well-fitting basics. Competes in adjacent intimate apparel category with similar emphasis on fit and quality over fast fashion.

Direct peers

• Underworks: Long-established compression garment manufacturer producing binders and tucking underwear. Competes in the same gender-affirming compression category with broader product range but less customization than Origami Customs.
• TomboyX: Gender-inclusive underwear and apparel brand with a similar value proposition of comfortable, well-fitting undergarments for all body types. Overlaps significantly on size-inclusive, gender-affirming intimate apparel positioning, though with broader mainstream retail distribution.
• gc2b: Direct competitor making chest binders for transmasculine individuals, operating in the same product category (compression binders) and serving overlapping customer segments. Both companies position on safety and fit, with gc2b being one of the most recognized binder brands globally.
• Rounderbum: Specialty shapewear brand offering gaffs and tucking underwear for transfeminine individuals. Direct product overlap on gaffs and tucking solutions, competing in the same niche with a focus on shaping rather than Origami's custom gusset system.

Others

• Point of Pride: Non-profit organization that distributes free gender-affirming products and provides grants; a key Origami Customs community partner rather than a competitor. Connected to Origami through the Free Transfemme Shapewear Program and represents the community distribution ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@origamicustoms
• Facebookfacebook.com/origamicustoms
• Instagraminstagram.com/origamicustoms
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/origami-customs

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Origami Customs