About

In late 2014, Alex Fell was looking through her baby daughter's closet, and realized many of her daughter's outfits had pictures of endangered animals on them. Shortly thereafter, by pure coincidence, Alex's good friend Rachelle Douillard-Proulx wrote a post on Facebook about African elephants, the toll illegal poaching has taken on these majestic animals, and what people can do to help. The post discussed how, due to these threats, elephants could be extinct within our lifetime. Alex imagined what it would be like to have her daughter grow up in a world where elephants no longer existed anywhere but on her clothes.

Light bulb by Pixelkit

Alex then had an idea

What if she, along with three friends, could start a socially responsible business selling children’s clothes with proceeds going directly to organizations working to save the critically endangered animals they featured? Alex reached out to Rachelle, as well as Diana Ye and Nicola Platzer about her idea. All responded with enthusiasm and The Great Auk was born. 

The Founders

Alexandra Fell - Alex is an early childhood educator and new mom currently living in Corvallis, Oregon. Her other loves include her family, animals, writing, traveling, cooking, and eating delicious food.

Rachelle Douillard-Proulx - Rachelle is wandering the world getting her Master's degree in International Relations. She loves elephants, travel, peanut butter cups, photography and good-natured sass. (Photo taken while volunteering with EHRA in Namibia). 

Diana Ye - Diana is a graphic designer and illustrator based in Boston, MA. Her favorite thing to do is explore new places with her camera, sketchbook, and stomach, given that she never met a baked good she didn't like. (Photo taken at an elephant park in Bali). 

Nicola Platzer - Nicola is a nomad yogi who occasionally practices physical therapy to pay for her travel habits. (Photo taken at the only elephant hospital in Laos).