In the world of fashion, France is a dominant force, with the majority of high fashion houses nestled in its capital, Paris. With sustainability gaining momentum as a key concern within the industry, it is important to explore the innovative approaches French fashion brands take.
Therefore, in this week’s edition of “Sustainable Fashion Around the World,” we’ll look at fashion brands from France.
*Some of these brands have websites in French. To make things clear, I used a translation tool. There might be a slight chance of mistakes in the translation, but I did my best to provide accurate information.
Olistic the Label
Sustainability: Low Carbon Footprint | Eco-friendly Material | Cruelty-Free
Price Range: €290,00 – €1.695,00
Size Range: XS-XL
Founded in 2019, Olistic the Label is a luxury brand that aims to create durable, elegant fashion.
Committed to protecting the planet, Olistic prioritizes sustainability in its material selection. The brand utilizes natural fibers such as peace silk, wood fibers, virgin wool, and GOTS-certified organic cotton, and it also incorporates upcycled and deadstock leather into its collections.
Emphasizing low-impact consumption, Olistic exclusively collaborates with suppliers who minimize water usage. Moreover, the brand actively reduces its water and energy consumption throughout production.
Beyond environmental concerns, Olistic values ethical practices. It cherishes craftsmanship and strives to uphold traditional embroidery techniques. Additionally, the brand’s silk is crafted by Indian artisans, fostering financial independence and providing a safe working environment for them.
Olistic garments are produced in Portugal, and the brand tracks the entire supply chain to ensure transparency and accountability. All partner factories adhere to stringent environmental and ethical standards, which the brand verifies through regular inspections.
Interested in Olistic the Label? Please take a look at their website or Instagram (@olisticthelabel).
Veja
Sustainability: Eco-Friendly Materials | Natural Materials | Transparency | Responsible Production
Price Range: €15,00 – €270,00
Size Range: 35–48
Veja is a renowned sneaker brand founded by childhood friends Sebastien Kopp and François-Ghislain Morillion, who ventured from the finance world to launch their eco-friendly footwear line in 2005.
Veja stands out for its dedication to sustainability, evident in its choice of materials. From organic cotton to wild rubber and vegetable-tanned leather, Veja crafts its sneakers with care. They also incorporate B-mesh, a 100% recycled polyester fabric from plastic bottles.
Veja has a unique approach to producing most of its goods in Brazil. It sets predetermined prices for cotton and wild rubber through agreements with producer associations, shielding producers from market fluctuations and ensuring their financial stability.
Veja values transparency. Its website offers detailed insights into its practices, including contracts with farmers and a comprehensive list of suppliers.
As a certified B Corp, Veja is dedicated to constant improvement, striving to make a positive impact every day.
Marcia
Sustainability: Eco-friendly Materials | Natural Materials | Recycled Materials | Responsible Production
Price Range: €61,00 – €3550,00
Size Range: 32–44
Founded by Emma Reynaud, Marcia is a Parisian brand focused on creating sustainable clothes that are both comfortable and sexy.
At the heart of Marcia’s dedication to sustainability is the belief in recycling fabrics to prevent excess material waste. Therefore, the brand embraces upcycled materials and uses Aquafil-ECONYL® Regenerated Nylon—a fiber from waste rescued from landfills and oceans. In addition, for knitwear, Marcia uses 100% Italian Merino wool, renowned for its durability, biodegradability, and renewable sourcing from sheep fleece.
In line with its commitment to sustainability, Marcia implements reasonable production methods, avoiding overproduction by listening to customer feedback and demand. The brand also prioritizes eco-friendly packaging, utilizing recycled materials and compostable mailers to minimize waste.
All production locations are carefully selected based on sustainable practices. 100% of jersey and upcycled garments are made in France, and knitwear is produced in Bulgaria. By partnering with suppliers that share its values, Marcia reduces its environmental footprint while maintaining high-quality standards.
Interested in Marcia? Please take a look at their website or Instagram (@wearmarcia).
Amour Vert
Sustainability: Eco-friendly Materials | Natural Materials | Deadstock Material | Ethically Sourced
Price Range: ＄10, 00–＄440,00
Size Range: 34–44
In 2009, Linda Balti founded Amour Vert—Green Love in English—intending to create a sustainable fashion brand infused with her Parisian taste. Linda was later joined by her husband, Christoph Frehsee, who took on the role of CEO.
Linda is unwilling to sacrifice sustainability, she told Treehugger, and the brand reflects this sentiment.
This commitment shines through in every aspect of Amour Vert’s choices. The brand embraces a range of eco-friendly materials in its collections, including Tencel, repurposed cotton, Merino wool, and FSC-certified beechwood fibers. Partnering directly with mills, Amour Vert ensures that its fabrics are sustainable, traceable, and ethically sourced. Moreover, embracing circularity, the brand incorporates deadstock fabrics to minimize waste.
While Amour Vert meticulously traces much of its supply chain, a significant portion of the production occurs at its headquarters in San Francisco. However, details regarding working conditions in factories remain scarce.
Amour Vert has teamed up with American Forests®, pledging to plant a tree for every purchase, contributing to reforestation efforts.
Interested in Amour Vert? Please take a look at their website or Instagram (@amourvert).
Les Sublimes
Sustainability: Eco-friendly Materials | Natural Materials | Biodegradable | Ethical Production
Price Range: €50,00– €290,00
Size Range: XS–XL
Inspired by their holiday to Nepal, friends Kachen Hong and Alexis Assoignon founded Les Sublimes.
Witnessing the harsh realities of the fashion industry during their trip, where women worked endlessly for meager wages, Kachen and Alexis resolved to create change by leveraging their skills to establish an ethical and sustainable fashion label.
At the heart of Les Sublimes’ sustainability lies a selection process for materials guided by three core principles. First, the brand prioritizes comfort, favoring soft and breathable fabrics such as cotton, linen, and cashmere. Second, materials must have a low environmental impact, leading Les Sublimes to steer clear of pesticides and heavy materials. Lastly, sustainability is paramount, with the brand opting for high-quality materials to ensure durability. Les Sublimes proudly holds various certifications, attesting to the impeccable standards of their materials.
Beyond sustainability, Les Sublimes places a strong emphasis on ethics. Collaborating with factories and ateliers in France, Portugal, and Nepal—depending on the product—ensures safe and healthy working conditions for all involved.
Interested in Les Sublimes? Please take a look at their website or Instagram (@lessublimes).
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