Designer Monique Le Ray was born in Josselin, France, where her father, a talented woodcarver, had created a leading edge, high-tech furniture company, Tradition France.

After earning a math degree from université catholique (Angers) and a business degree from l’école superieure de commerce, Monique studied interior design at l’école superieure d’art moderne (Paris), where she received the Design Achievement Award.

For the next two years, she was a furniture designer in the family business operation in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Monique continued to work in the furniture industry after her move to Toronto in 1981, then founded her own interior design practice in 1984.

In 1989 Monique was nominated for the Woman on the Move Award.