The story of a Made in France t-shirt made in a committed French workshop
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Time to read 6 min
We spoke with Camille, who runs the LAPSUSS sewing workshop, with whom we made our new 100% Made in France t-shirt. We tell you the story of the workshop and the steps involved in making our t-shirt.
The Made in France LAPSUSS workshop
The LAPSUSS workshop, based in Savoie, is one of the most important players in the production of our Made in France t-shirt, embodying our values of durability and social responsibility. Smaller but ambitious, this workshop has the means to shake up the textile industry.
A committed sewing workshop
The LAPSUSS workshop is a committed sewing workshop, partnering with brands in their quest to produce less but better, in France, while respecting people and minimizing the environmental impact of their production activities.
The workshop is also a social integration company, led by Camille who took over the workshop in December 2022, thus saving jobs and giving new momentum to local textile production.
LAPSUSS supports brands from design to the finished product. This includes pattern making, prototyping, and sewing, in collaboration with trusted subcontractors and Made in France for embroidery and screen printing.
The workshop is thus specialized in small series: LAPSUSS supplies established brands and small local businesses with quality accessories and textiles. The Mon Carré Doux project, a small padded cushion, Made in France, which relieves discomfort or pain caused by the pressure and friction of a seatbelt for people wearing a medical device implanted under the skin, is a great example, demonstrating their versatility and ability to collaborate with different partners for diverse productions.
The LAPSUSS workshop also stands out for its commitment to supporting the sister company Naige, which works to enhance local wool with projects like the fleece, made from 100% wool, and also Made in France!
When taking over the workshop, Camille had to overcome many challenges, including managing a massive flow of information and adjusting production costs. The workshop, which mainly worked for a single brand before the takeover, expanded its clientele to about ten companies, and today to around fifty clients, meeting a growing demand for thoughtful and committed fashion.
With a team of five seamstresses, including three on integration contracts, LAPSUSS is dedicated to professional integration by supporting its employees towards sustainable employment, with support lasting up to two years.
The name of the LAPSUSS garment workshop is the result of a collective decision, marking a new chapter in its history. Initially, the workshop bore a name closely linked to the personal history of its founder. However, when Camille and the team took over, it became necessary to choose a new name that better reflects the values and mission of the workshop. Thus, LAPSUSS, an acronym for "L’Atelier Petite Série Utile Sociale et Solidaire", was adopted. This new name highlights the workshop’s commitment to small-batch production, social utility, and solidarity, perfectly embodying the spirit of the company and its collective vision for the future.
A workshop from Savoie
The LAPSUSS workshop is located in Barberaz, a French commune in the Savoie department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Part of the Chambéry urban area and Grand Chambéry, Barberaz benefits from a strategic position that allows LAPSUSS to effectively reach the entire Chambéry basin. From there, the workshop can easily serve nearby cities like Aix-les-Bains, Chambéry, and Annecy, and is only a short distance from Lyon. This privileged location, although there are not many garment workshops in the region, offers LAPSUSS an excellent opportunity for local development while staying connected to the major urban and economic centers of the region.
Photo of Barberaz
The challenges of relocating the textile industry in France
We asked Camille to clarify the challenges of relocating the textile industry in France. According to her, this relocation is very important. Currently, only 3% of the textiles sold in France are made locally, which shows the huge challenge to boost national production.
Local expertise is crucial, not only for manufacturing but also for repairing clothing. Brands like Lafuma and Millet have even launched lifetime repair initiatives, highlighting the importance of this local skill. This not only gives products a second life but also strengthens the sustainability of the French textile industry.
However, for relocation to truly take off, tax policies need to be reviewed. More favorable taxation for made in France products could provide the essential boost for this transition. Currently, competition in Europe is fierce, and the high cost of labor in France means a locally produced t-shirt costs about €50 to the customer in the end.
In short, relocating the textile industry to France is not only an economic challenge but also an opportunity to give new meaning to production by valuing local know-how and creating sustainable and socially responsible products. To succeed, strong political support and collective commitment will be needed to support this essential transformation.
the making of the made in France t-shirt
The making of the Lagoped t-shirt with the LAPSUSS workshop is a meticulous process that begins well before final production. It all starts with creating a precise retroplanning, allowing work to proceed calmly and ahead of schedule. For a June delivery, the first steps begin as early as September. The Lagoped team arrives with an initial pattern and the required fabric yardage. A first prototype is then made, followed by a series of adjustments to refine the design. A new pattern is then created, taking into account modifications and color changes. A second prototype is produced to ensure perfect size fit.
Meanwhile, the embroidery partner based in Chambéry, La Fabrique du Textile, steps in to test and adjust the embroidery, increasing the size if necessary. Thanks to this close collaboration and these adjustments, the final t-shirt meets Lagoped's quality and design expectations.
The LOKAAL t-shirt from Lagoped, available in men's and women's versions, represents an evolution in Lagoped's wardrobe thanks to a slightly improved pattern. Exclusively sold online and in limited series, the TEEREC LOKAAL stands out with several unique features:
Comfort and Classic Fit: This t-shirt offers total comfort thanks to its classic fit that perfectly suits all body types.
Signature Embroidery: Featuring a Lagoped signature embroidery, this t-shirt invites mountain lovers to guess which summit it represents.
Innovative Composition: More virtuous than classic cotton, even organic, its composition blends recycled cotton and recycled polyester for a controlled environmental impact.
Careful Details: Featuring a round collar without topstitching, a Lagoped label in the side seam, and embroidery at the bottom left, this t-shirt weighs 150 grams, ensuring lightness and comfort.
Technical drawings of the Lokaal t-shirt, Made in France
Made in close collaboration with professionals and enthusiasts, each piece is designed to last and respect the environment. The t-shirt yarn is made in Spain from recycled cotton and polyester, while the jersey and ribbing are knitted in France, in Picardy, before final assembly in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. This local production reduces the carbon footprint and supports the French economy.
The recycled cotton used for this t-shirt avoids the negative impacts associated with conventional or organic cotton farming, such as fertilizer use, water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, 1 kg of recycled cotton allows the production of six t-shirts while avoiding:
The cultivation of 10 m² of arable land
The use of 15,000 liters of water, equivalent to four months of daily five-minute showers
The emission of 23 kg of greenhouse gases, which corresponds to about 200 km driven with a small petrol car
To extend the life of your LOKAAL t-shirt and respect the environment, wash it in the machine on a short cycle and at a low temperature (30°C or 40°C is enough) with a natural detergent. Prefer air drying over machine drying.
With the LOKAAL t-shirt, Lagoped continues to prove that fashion and sustainability can go hand in hand, offering high-quality clothing while minimizing the impact on our planet.
Lagoped expresses great gratitude to the LAPSUSS workshop for their trust. This partnership is essential for the production of our t-shirt, and we are proud to support such a committed and resilient company.