"The best waste is the one we don't create."
This maxim perfectly captures the contemporary challenges facing the fashion industry.
Although Paris shines as the global fashion capital, it’s crucial to decentralize discussions on sustainability and the circular economy. While major brands are often Parisian, the heart of artisanal expertise and production lies in the regions.
The success of other brands also demonstrates that a strong and prosperous brand can thrive outside the capital. Innovation, responsibility, and international reach can be harmonized from regional bases without relying on the Parisian ecosystem.
At Adapta, we believe that transitioning to a more responsible fashion industry requires the emergence and development of local solutions tailored to global challenges.
I- Why is circular economy essential in fashion?
The circular economy aims to maximize resource use by limiting waste production and extending product lifespan. This includes reusing, repairing, recycling, and transforming materials, thereby reducing our reliance on extracting new resources.
The fashion industry, among the most polluting globally, is marked by excessive raw material consumption and growing waste production.
According to ADEME, fashion generates 4% of global waste annually.
Furthermore, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that the sector is responsible for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions—more than the combined emissions of aviation and maritime shipping.
In this context, the circular economy emerges as an essential solution. Regions, where much of the artisanal expertise and research hubs (CTC, CETIA, etc.) are concentrated, have a critical role to play in leading this ecological transition within the fashion industry.
Adapta’s commitment to the circular economy
Since its creation in 2018, Adapta has established itself as a leading player in the reuse of deadstocks leather.
Our mission: to fight waste by giving a second life to materials otherwise destined for destruction. The impact of our efforts is tangible: 30 tons of leather saved, 1 million liters of water conserved, and 90 tons of CO2 emissions avoided (figures as of the end of 2023).
We believe in fashion that combines reuse with aesthetic innovation to address environmental challenges.
Our podcast, "Points de Bascule", delves into this vision by exploring how we optimize resources and reduce waste within the industry. Through the voices of our clients who have embraced material reuse, we highlight the positive shift towards sustainable practices in fashion.
II - Decentralization: The key to a sustainable and inclusive circular Fashion
The circular economy must extend beyond Parisian discussions.
At the Sustainable Leather Forum, Christophe Dehard, president of the Alliance France Cuir, emphasized the importance of collaboration across the entire production chain, from upstream to downstream.
To achieve this, the integration of regions, where expertise is firmly rooted, is crucial.
According to Marc Brunel, the Alliance’s General Director, transferring these skills is essential to preserve craftsmanship while making it more sustainable.
At Adapta, we are convinced that decentralization is necessary. By participating in events like Toulouse Nouvelle Mode, we actively highlight and engage with local stakeholders beyond the capital.
This type of initiative, which showcases local fashion in Occitania, exemplifies the importance of strengthening regional networks to foster a collective movement toward sustainable fashion.
Local initiatives : The core of circular transformation
Decentralizing the discussion around circular fashion in France involves supporting local initiatives.
In Occitania, Resocc’ aligns public procurement with sustainable goals, while Nantes, through Fashion Green Hub, establishes itself as a key player in promoting more ethical fashion.
Collaborative platforms, such as RoseLab in Toulouse and Atelier Luma in Arles, enable creators and artisans to develop innovative solutions for sustainable fashion.
Moreover, schools like Casa93 and Studio Lausié in Toulouse and Marseille are training the new generation of designers to incorporate eco-responsible practices into their creations. These initiatives demonstrate that only a collaborative approach, considering local specifics, can sustainably transform the industry.
Unifying territories for a sustainable transition in fashion
Change cannot happen without the commitment of all.
It is essential to continue broadening discussions beyond Paris and to recognize the crucial contribution of regions to this transformation.
Each territory, with its unique skills and history, can play a decisive role in the transition to a more circular fashion.
At Adapta, we are pursuing this commitment in France and beyond, with concrete actions to highlight regional craftsmanship and facilitate access to reused materials.
Our recent expansion into Belgium illustrates this ambition, and we continue to expand our network to contribute to a more sustainable model at the European level.
If you also wish to be part of this discussion for a more sustainable fashion, contact us at: contact@adapta-paris.com
To be continued…
Sources :
L'industrie textile dans le monde, ADEME - 01/02/2022
Un rapport co-construit par l’UNEP (Le Programme des Nations Unies sur l’Environnement) et la Fondation Ellen MacArthur publié en 2017.
Chiffres Adapta
Comments