We wanted to co-create a pretty, practical tote bag, 100% made in France, (spotted @ île Saint Denis), and above all made with the heart! We have supported Mode Estime for several years and it was therefore quite natural that we thought of them to create this bag.
But who is Mode Estime? It's an association that helps people in precarious situations, as well as people with disabilities. These men and women are trained on-site in textile manufacturing. The idea is to provide people with the skills they need to become independent and leave the association to find employment. And it's right next door, in Saint Denis!
We met Mathilde and Misbahou who helped us find the right color, the right fabric, the right size of the bag and handles, and the right placement of the logo to make it perfect! On their advice, we chose a durable, indestructible black cotton canvas for our tote bags!
About thirty people work for this association, and we were delighted to meet them. See the sewing machines, the rolls of fabric, the kindness and good vibes emanating from the workspace! We took our camera to immortalize the process of making our little bags. Obviously, we didn't want to miss a thing, and we loved every minute...
Wait, we haven't told you about the label yet! (The one that usually itches under your sweater). You won't believe it, but we put a lot of thought into this darn little label... In total, 14 people put their hearts into the work and their hands to the machines: Mina, Yaya, Naïma, Limin, Mohamed, Latifa, Yayaouiha, Ramandeep, Jusna, Alondra, Mahbouba, Ouiza, Adelina, Souaad. We wanted to pay tribute to their work and so we decided to include their names on our labels. Mathilde told us they were all very proud, but it's really us who are very humbled to have participated in such a rewarding collaboration.
As you can imagine, the team left with stars in their eyes. Bon Parfumeur financially supports this association every year, but this is the first time we've carried out a project together! And it certainly won't be the last. If you'd like to learn more about Mode Estime, visit their website for more details on their partnerships and various missions.
Would you also like to support Mode Estime's mission? You can make a direct donation to the association on our website and rest assured that the entire amount will be donated to them. Join us in celebrating the spirit of Christmas, where thinking of others is at the heart of the season!
