Journalist Catherine Quignon titled her article in Le Monde “The French textile industry is rising from its ashes” in April 2019. For several years now, the unique know-how of French clothing workshops has been highlighted. But this has not always been the case. About 50 years ago, the textile industries were booming in France. But, after this flourishing period, globalization and the relocation of companies have undermined the ancestral know-how of certain companies.
To overcome this major problem, preserve French employment and promote nationally and internationally the French manufacture of textile products, several innovative labels have emerged. Manufacturers who wish to create partnerships with French companies appreciate these precious labels.
At Le Vent à la Française , the high performance of the French territory is a key criterion of our products. They allow high-end local production. The rooster and the French labels become emblematic of this know-how of the French state and we are very proud to offer textile articles of such high quality.
To understand the challenges of manufacturing in France in these textile subsidiaries, Le Vent à la Française invites you to discover its love for French know-how through the history of these labels and French industrial heritage.
Good reading !
French knowledge and the textile industry develop the made in France
France is the icon of fashion in many ways. From haute couture fashion shows to perfumery and jewellery, the land of lights has nothing to envy to the rest of the world.
Thanks to the love of the managers of French companies, their employees, but also consumers who are ready to pay more for a quality French product, many companies made in France have been able to survive.
A know-how made in France
Our sweet France is renowned for its cuisine and its cultural richness throughout the world, it is well known. But this great lady is also appreciated for her absolutely unique craftsmanship.
Earthenware, crystal, porcelain, cutlery or even the famous lace...
In the four corners of France, the richness of a precious regional heritage is exercised through passionate men and women.
The textile industry is far from left out. French workers, fervent guardians of these craft traditions, work with love and passion in the textile industry. The unique style of the clothes she offers seduces.
“French fashion”: quality, original and durable products
Each product is designed and created with great taste, originality and great mastery of finishes. We find this quality in the transformation of raw materials, the manufacture of textiles or the design of parts. From working with wool, silk, lace and even leather, the French textile industry has many strings to its bow.
The shock of relocation
Despite a unique talent and a great mastery of certain crafts, France, like many European countries, suffered the full force of Asian competition. She has suffered a lot, especially in the last 20 years. Relocation to low-cost countries, dilapidated machinery, lack of qualified personnel... As jobs are not renewed and layoffs, it is the memory of an ancestral know-how that was for many of them them lost forever.
According to INSEE , between 1996 and 2015, barely 20 years, France lost more than half of its production, 40% of its turnover and 66% of its employees! In the early 1990s, business investment had to be made abroad. It was the vision of the future. Persevering in France was considered madness.
Fortunately, some believed in the possibility of creating in France, of preserving this know-how. Today, young companies are continuing this momentum to save French jobs and proudly offer unique national knowledge.
The strength of new companies made in France
Weaving, knitting, leather goods, clothing, spinning and marking are manufacturing processes in the textile industries. When they are carried out in France, each of these steps is a guarantee of quality. These are crafts. The know-how and knowledge of the material are transmitted from generation to generation, from master to apprentice.
For a few years, love of the wonderful French know-how obliges, many startups, we choose to invest and preserve this cultural heritage and this unique know-how.
This is indeed the one and only solution to save jobs and preserve the wealth of an entire region.
For these young innovative companies, the challenge is twofold. They are aware of the importance of such know-how, which is often a guarantee of quality, but they also see further. The mode of consumption and the current economic model are in danger. They inevitably lead to ecological malaise. If a major turnaround is not built quickly… An ecological disaster is irremediable. These new models of society wish to combine unique know-how and ethical production both on an environmental and ecological level and on a human level.
These companies, like ours, set aside an incalculable number of subcontractors whose cost price is as low as the quality sought in order to tend towards craft trades, towards the French textile industry, but also towards labeled companies, the only mark of recognition of a French manufacturer.
Always, a guarantee of quality for the consumer, it is also an ennoblement for the craftsman who sees in this label a recognition of his work, his know-how and demonstrates the importance of preserving such a heritage.
Made in France know-how enhanced by exceptional labels
The companies with which we work are committed to a process of preserving this talent made in France. Focus on these prestigious labels synonymous with excellence in their field.
The French consumer and the made in France
According to the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Recovery , 1 in 4 French people are ready to pay more for an item because they are French. If other countries of the world have been able to compete with France with their low prices, they cannot play in the same category as regards the quality of fabrics, raw materials and the quality of craftsmanship.
The French know it and are proud of it: made in France is synonymous with quality and quality has a cost.
95% of French people want to support national industry (92% appreciate being informed of the origin of the product, both in its design and in its production, through specific labels).
Other figures very representative of a new mode of consumption, 87% of French people want to participate in respecting the environment through their purchase. It is therefore a huge potential for the fashion industry and more broadly for textiles.
Patrimonialization of know-how
The French government wanted to emphasize design made in France and support companies in the development of their craftsmanship.
Different labels have emerged to provide consumers with more clarity on the origins of the products sold:
- The geographical indication approved by the INPI: Siege of Liffol, Granit de Bretagne or Porcelaine de Limoges.
- Guaranteed French origin : the essential manufacturing characteristics represent 50 to 100% of the cost price practiced in France
- France Terre Textile : the manufacturing stages are carried out at least 75% in France.
France Land Textile
In France, 7 regions are mainly concerned with textile crafts, this is particularly the case of Vosges, Alsace, Nord, Auvergne and Champagne-Ardenne.
From 2008, the eastern textile union has been thinking about a way to promote French manufacturing and the traceability of raw materials. To strengthen labeling and consumer knowledge of their products, France Terre Textile was created for the first time in 2011 under the name “Vosges Terre Textile”.
It is an independent organization that guarantees that more than 75% of production operations and manufacturing and confection stages are carried out in France. The specifications for obtaining the label are therefore very precise. It appeals to companies and consumers since 90% of companies in the region adhere to the label.
The Alsace region will follow in 2013 with “ Alsace Terre Textile ” then “Nord Terre Textile” and “ Rhône-Alpes Auvergne Terre Textile ” in 2014.
France Terre Textile brings together these different federations in order to support French know-how and promote made in France.
Creation of a new certified company label: Living Heritage Company.
The textile and clothing sector of French origin also benefits from a label which rewards rare and French skill. It wishes to highlight a remarkable and precious know-how. It rewards the mastery of techniques (traditional techniques) and the excellence of the know-how of these clothing workshops.
The labeling has been supervised since 2019 by the National Institute of Crafts (Inma). This French agency of Crafts and Living Heritage has the role of promoting these French know-how (in France, but also abroad) so rare and so precious in order to preserve and develop them. It is an additional communication tool that elevates a particular technique to the rank of prestige.
Living heritage companies reward trades in art and culture, gastronomy, industry, in particular the textile sector. The products produced have a history, a heritage and a precious wealth. Ready-to-wear is becoming a new form of French-made art.
The link between Le Vent à la Française and this unique made in France know-how
Le Vent à la française, a company that promotes made in France with love!
Our brand was born from a strong wish, that of respecting values that are essential to us in the circle of manufacture of clothing and fashion accessories.
It was built on a solid project of partnership with ethical, ecological artisanal companies whose know-how is exceptional, unequaled and absolutely remarkable.
We want a finished product of high quality, durable and of course local production.
The workshops of our partners work in compliance with French standards and their know-how honors a whole heritage of clothing.
We want to offer our customers products that meet specific ecological and economic criteria:
- Short circuits
- Promote employment in France
- Traceability of raw materials
- Preserve and promote French know-how
The clothing workshops in the regions where we work won us over with the values and technicality they demonstrate.
Each French manufacturer highlights this unique heritage in the manufacture of unique, original and durable products.
Our partner companies listed as living heritage
Our bracelets are emblematic of our brand. It is with them that the adventure began and we are happy to continue writing this beautiful story by your side every day.
To make our bracelets, we have chosen to collaborate with companies on a human scale. They offer and have structures and know-how that perfectly reflect our values.
Sylvie Reig and FIA
We work with a company located in Dardilly not far from Lyon listed as living heritage for the production of our medals. FIA (Fabrique d'Insignes Artistiques) is a company that dates back to 1928, but the first origins of this company are older and go back to 1832 to be precise!
Sylvie Reig, an exceptional woman who became an entrepreneur more than 20 years ago, took over the management of the company in 1998.
In his view, promoting unique know-how is as important and prestigious as preserving employment in France. She is very attached to the team she leads and we are very happy with the collaboration and the bond of trust that we have forged together.
Jean-Damien Gauthier manager of Gauthier Fils
One of our partners is located in Vertolaye in the 63. This company is also listed as a living heritage. It is a great pride for us to work with a company so rich in human and historical terms.
Jean-Damien Gauthier is the 5th generation to take up the torch of this French textile company established for more than 150 years (1872) in Vertolaye. It's almost worthy of a fairy tale story!
This weaving company offers know-how passed down from generation to generation since 1872. It all started with the spinning of silk. Today, Jean-Damien wishes to continue the path traced by his father and his grandfather before him. He would also like to invest in a weaving project and develop his company.
An exceptional finished product
Here is what such companies bring us. Unique jewelry work and exceptional jewelry. It is a bracelet rich in history, durable and which preserves the employment of our French regions. This jewel is in itself the guarantee of the preservation of a unique French knowledge.
We are very proud to have achieved our primary objective, to preserve French employment by producing locally.
We have many models to suit every personality, to discover them, it's right here !
