Hello Colleagues, Friends, Network,
I'm excited to share with you one of the many projects that have kept me busy over the past three years. Most of you know me as an IT marketing consultant, but today I'm putting on my entrepreneur and investor hat.
My playground? Supporting my sisters in developing a small business in the fashion industry. We had an idea that was both simple and ambitious: to bring quality back into our everyday wardrobes while reducing our environmental impact.
My sister, Myriam Chikh-Mentfakh , is also a true source of inspiration. With over 25 years of experience in the fashion industry , she convinced me to join her in co-founding LeLabplus . After 12 years of entrepreneurial experiences together (this is our third company!), we still share the same ambition: to rebuild a more ethical, inclusive and eco-responsible future for fashion .
In summary, we created LeLabplus , an innovative design laboratory with an integrated factory .
What is LeLabplus?
💫 LeLabplus is a pioneer in the B2B fashion industry : we offer services ranging from local sourcing to production , from design to distribution , from consulting to training . All this in compliance with the AGEC (anti-waste) law in France and Europe, and probably beyond with COP28.
💫 LeLabplus is a sister-run company that we launched just after the pandemic . From 2 co-founders , we now have 14 employees . We have mainly recruited women and senior workers with an immigrant background (like our parents ❤️), highlighting their valuable craft skills and expertise.
💫 After three years of activity , our design laboratory and its integrated factory are now recognized as an essential reference in the French fashion industry . We support brands and designers in their transition to a circular economy , by finding solutions to revalue old collections and dormant stocks through repair and upcycling .
💫 Since day one, LeLabplus has been self-funded . Our growth has been exponential , and I will share in a future post the financing challenges for women entrepreneurs.
Our vision
🌍 We believe in meeting the real needs of society without compromising future generations . We achieve this by promoting short supply chains and local production with high quality standards, while improving working conditions for employees . In short, we have turned the page on fast fashion and its damage, and we hope everyone will do the same .
🤝 In this adventure, we aim to create synergies with all the stakeholders shaping the fashion of tomorrow, while perpetuating local expertise. We hope to inspire and support many players in the textile industry towards change and sustainability.
💫 LeLabplus has also set up a training program for young designers and brands wishing to develop in the eco-responsible fashion industry. We have obtained the Qualiopi certifications (French national label guaranteeing the quality of training) and France Terre Textile (certifying that at least ¾ of the manufacturing process is carried out in France ). These labels confirm the impact and credibility of LeLabplus and push us to continually improve our practices and standards.
Our ultimate goal? To offer these training courses internationally with the same quality standards.
💫 LeLabplus recently obtained the Refashion label , certifying our repair workshop. This means that end customers can now contact us to repair their precious garments while benefiting from the “repair bonus”.
Our successes
🙌 Today, I am extremely proud of my sisters, Myriam Chikh-Mentfakh , co-founder, and Nazima Chikh , communications and ESG manager, as well as the entire LeLabplus team in Paris . Their hard work made it possible to produce the new Nike x Starcow collection as part of the Nike Re-Creation program. This program is currently rolling out in Los Angeles, London, and Paris .
If you are in Paris and love streetwear, come discover this unique limited edition collection at the Nike Re-Creation x Starcow pop-up store , until December 22, 2023 , at 2/4 rue Vauvilliers, 75001 Paris .
Alongside this exceptional collaboration, we also work for other brands, including: Le Slip Français, Biocoop, Le Bon Marché, Esteban, Raidlight, Atelier Maniette, Le Paul Sud , and many more.
Join our community!
If you would like to follow our news, support us, repair your favorite clothes or recommend our workshop to a designer who wants to produce locally , visit the LeLabplus page! We would love to build an engaged community that shares our values.
As we close out 2023 and prepare for 2024 , I'll be sharing more with you in the coming weeks. As you can see, we're rebuilding the future of fashion, one seam at a time! 🧵✨