French fashion and beauty companies have long been known for their elegance, sophistication, and classic style. A new generation of French firms, however, is starting to appear, combining their stylish aesthetics with a strong dedication to sustainability and social responsibility. In this post, we’ll look at four sustainable French brands that prioritize creating exquisite products and high-end goods while simultaneously making an effort to better the world.
Rouje
Jeanne Damas established Rouje in 2016, a company that places the needs of the woman wearing its clothing first. They value women’s uniqueness and strive to create classic, enduring designs by drawing influence from both the past and the present.
Sustainable production is one of Rouje’s main goals. A remarkable 96% of the items in the Fall/Winter 2021 Collection were made in Europe or the region of the Mediterranean. Rouje lessens the environmental damage caused by long-distance transportation by keeping their production local. The majority (96%) of Rouje’s products are shipped by ground in order to reduce their carbon footprint.
The brand strongly promotes and stands for the equality of women. For 30 women, they have funded an entrepreneurial mentoring program that offers advice and support to prospective female business owners. Rouje wants to encourage the success of women in business by providing resources and mentorship.
In 2020 Rouje gave ‘The Maison des Femmes in Saint-Denis,’ a group that offers aid and assistance to women who are the victims of violence, the entire revenues from a capsule collection. Through this program, Rouje exhibits its dedication to upholding social responsibility and utilizing the power of fashion to have a positive social impact.
Rouje also launched a beauty brand in 2018, expanding its product lineup. The complete cosmetics range is 100% free of animals, demonstrating their dedication to cruelty-free practices.
In 2021, Rouje joined forces with ReCréateurs, a neighborhood initiative that employs sewing to help women who are having housing issues get back on their feet. With the help of their partnership, women will have the chance to rebuild their lives, develop new skills, and become financially independent.
Sezane
Sezane is a sustainable french brand, famous for its dedication to producing high-quality, classic items that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. It was founded by Morgane Sézalory in 2013. The company’s tagline, “Je ne sais quoi for all,” captures its desire to make easy style and sophistication widely available.
Sezane’s formal B Corp Certification is one of the company’s noteworthy accomplishments. B Corps are companies that uphold strict social and environmental criteria, proving their dedication to sustainability and moral corporate conduct. This certification demonstrates Sezane’s commitment to acting as a trustworthy and ethical brand.
In 2017, Sezane founded DEMAIN, a philanthropic program dedicated to supporting initiatives that promote fair access to education, culture, and equal opportunity. DEMAIN has raised roughly 4 million euros over the years, helping thousands of children, teenagers, and adults in need. The program allows people in France to contribute by donating 5 euros through SMS, making it accessible for individuals to contribute to meaningful causes.
Sezane also places a high value on transparency and gives priority to disclosing details about the components, processes, and locations used to make their products. By being transparent, Sezane allows customers to make informed choices and promotes awareness of the brand’s sustainability efforts. Approximately three-quarters of their materials are eco-friendly, underlining their commitment to lowering the environmental impact of their products. Sezane has also recycled almost 13,000 pieces, adding to their efforts to promote the circular economy.
Regarding production, approximately two-thirds of Sezane’s products are produced in Europe, demonstrating their dedication to supporting local manufacturing and reducing the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation. While some things may be created outside of Europe, Sezane’s transparency guarantees buyers are aware of the provenance of their purchases.
Officine Universelle Buly 1803
Jean-Vincent Bully established Officine Universelle Buly 1803, which is well-known for its Parisian apothecary style, in 1803. The French couple Ramdane Touhami and Victoire de Taillac infused new life to the company in 2014 and revitalized its distinctive offers.
Officine Universelle Buly 1803, which has more than 25 locations worldwide (2021), is renowned for its large selection of cosmetics. They sell accessories as well as colognes, scented candles, soaps, plant oils, beauty items for the body, face, and hair.
Officine Universelle Buly 1803 is distinguished by its dedication to maintaining classic French beauty formulas while embracing cutting-edge cosmetic treatments. They reflect their commitment to upholding the legacy of ancient beauty recipes by giving many of their items classic French names. However, these time-tested formulas are blended with cutting-edge methods to produce goods that are both lasting and effective.
The eau triple, a water-based perfume by Officine Universelle Buly 1803, is one noteworthy development. It includes no alcohol. For those with sensitive skin or those who prefer alcohol-free fragrances, this innovative composition provides an alternative to conventional alcohol-based perfumes.
The Louvre Museum and Officine Universelle Buly 1803 collaborated in 2019. Eight perfumers were given the responsibility of choosing one piece of art to serve as the inspiration for each of the eight new smells they were to create as part of this cooperation. By fusing the worlds of fine art and fragrance, this artistic collaboration enables the company to produce perfumes that perfectly capture the essence of the selected pieces of art.
Huygens
Huygens, which was established in 2013 by Daan Sins and Sébastien Guerra, has a distinctive history. In order to develop the brand, an abandoned alchemist’s home from the 17th century was given new life and a purpose. Currently, Huygens only does business through its Parisian store, providing customers with a singular experience.
One noteworthy feature of Huygens is that it is LGBT+ owned, demonstrating the inclusivity and diversity of the company. This possession demonstrates Huygens’ dedication to advancing equality and accepting the ideals of the LGBT+ community.
The Elysee Palace, the president of France’s official residence, sent Huygens a special request in 2015. A sign of the caliber and artistry of Huygens’ goods is that the company was invited to make an exclusive candle for the Republic’s Presidency.
Huygens recently expanded in 2021, and through a collaboration with the Detox Market, it made its debut in the US and Canada. The Detox Market is a well-known innovator in the field of clean beauty, making it the perfect venue for Huygens to spread awareness of its bio-organic goods.
Huygens as a sustainable French brand continues to have a strong commitment to ethics and sustainability. Their goods are produced in France utilizing bio-organic materials, which guarantees that they uphold the highest standards of quality. It also employs recyclable packaging, follows vegan ethics, and abstains from animal testing. The brand demonstrates its commitment to reducing its environmental effects and fostering social responsibility by placing such a high emphasis on these principles. Their philosophy is based on the notion that “nature is our essence.”
Final Thoughts
Rouje, Sezane, Officine Universelle Buly 1803, and Huygens are four sustainable French brands that perfectly combine fashion, sustainability, and social responsibility. They have won the hearts of fashion and beauty fans all over the world with their dedication to creating high-quality, timeless pieces and products. These companies show that fashion and beauty can coexist with having a positive influence on society and the environment by prioritizing ethical methods, backing charity causes, and encouraging eco-friendly manufacturing.
GrowthGirls understands the value of sustainability as an agency, which is why it is committed to reducing its environmental impact and encouraging sustainable practices. We actively support reforestation efforts and demonstrate our dedication to environmental care by planting a tree for each Zoom call via Sustainably Run Meetings.
If you’re seeking guidance on implementing sustainable initiatives within your brand, look no further than our founder, Effie Bersoux. Effie is committed to offering priceless insights and skills that can enable your business to implement sustainable practices and make a significant and beneficial influence on the environment.
Get in touch with our founder, Effie Bersoux, at [email protected]
