A new project called Fédération de la Mode Circulaire has recently been launched by a group of French executives, who are determined to combat the global climate change caused by the fashion and luxury industries. The project was unveiled at La Caserne, a former fire station in Paris that has been converted into a hub for young designers and start-up fashion technology companies.
Driving this initiative is Stanislas de Quercize, a board member of SAVIH and former president of Richemont France and Cartier North America. De Quercize strongly believes in the circular economy and the need to reduce carbon emissions from 20 tons per year to two tons per year. He remains optimistic about the potential of technological advancements, funding, and entrepreneurial talent to facilitate this transition.
At the launch event, major players in the fashion industry, including Kering, Printemps, Galeries Lafayette, Vestiaire Collective, and designers Marine Serre and Diane de Malherbe, signed up as founding members of the federation. This demonstrates the industry’s recognition of the importance of addressing sustainability and circularity.
De Quercize has also established a Circular Economy chair at Essec, a prestigious French business school, sponsored by Essilor, L’Oreal, and Bouygues. The chair is led by Pierre Emilie de Saint Esprit, the founder of Hello Zack, a start-up specializing in recycling, repairing, and reselling mobile phones and computers. Its purpose is to explore ways to decarbonize the environment and find innovative solutions for a circular economy.
The Fédération de la Mode Circulaire represents a new generation of fashion and luxury entrepreneurs who are part of France’s Start-Up Nation movement. Maxime Delavallée, the co-founder of CrushON, a platform connecting vintage professional e-commerce sites, has been appointed as the president of the federation. Delavallée sees this initiative as a chance to unite every aspect of the circular economy, from production to retail, and to promote the accessibility of recycling and new projects.
The federation’s goal is to bring together both small and large fashion businesses, acknowledging the importance of a collective effort in supporting the industry and advocating for regulatory changes that enhance transparency and circularity. As of now, 75 businesses have already paid their initial subscription fees to become founding members of the federation.
Delavallée and his colleagues at CrushON have developed an omni-channel marketplace for circular fashion, linking various vintage, thrift, and consignment stores, providing consumers with the opportunity to explore and purchase pre-owned fashion items. They have gained traction with 1,500 professional sellers, mainly in France, and have established physical points of sale at Galeries Lafayette and Westfield in Paris.
The Fédération de la Mode Circulaire aims to involve all major players in the fashion industry, including brands, groups, suppliers, and distributors, in order to find sustainable solutions. De Quercize emphasizes the importance of collaboration, urging the industry to shift from an ego-system to an eco-system. He cites examples of collaboration already seen in the industry, such as Kering’s investment in Vestiaire Collective and Richemont’s investment in Watchfinder, as evidence that unity and cooperation can bring about positive change.
Overall, the Fédération de la Mode Circulaire is a significant step forward in the industry’s efforts to address climate change and promote circularity. With its focus on collaboration, innovation, and transparency, this initiative has the potential to transform the fashion and luxury industries for the better.
Useful Links:
1. Galeries Lafayette
2. Vestiaire Collective
