La Caserne: first incubator dedicated to sustainable fashion in Paris

FashionUnited takes a look behind this mammoth project, La Caserne,
currently being created on 4000 square meters right in the heart of Paris.
The force behind it is the enterprise L’Exception whose managing director
Maeva Bessis talked in an interview with FashionUnited about the
sustainable fashion incubator, which wants to be the largest of its kind in
Europe.

How did this project come about?

Firstly, responsible fashion is very dear to L’Exception (EN: Maeva
Bessis is the managing director, together with Régis Pennel). We have been
looking into this topic for several years. When City Hall Paris announced
an invitation of tenders for this unique location, the former
Château-Landon barracks (12, rue Philippe-de-Girard, tenth arrondissement),
we positioned ourselves with our project and won the tender in November
2018. La Caserne is in line with our thinking, as well as the Smart Choice
programme, introduced at the beginning of 2019, that is aimed at promoting
brands that are committed to responsible fashion – be it with regard to the
choice of raw materials, the production process or the social impact of
their production.

What is La Caserne’s mission?

The venue is the largest accelerator for fashion and sustainable
creations in Europe. We are convinced that it is Paris’ duty as a fashion
capital to set a good example and to exert a positive influence. The aim is
also to show that it is possible to work ecologically in business and to be
a responsible brand. We need to change the image of responsible fashion,
and the incubator strives to change the business model of a brand in three
years. Why three years? Because that is exactly the time it takes to
restore a chemically polluted cotton field and to regenerate the land. It
is a beautiful picture that proves that you can change your working methods
profoundly.

What all will take place at La Caserne?

Two thousand square meters will be reserved for the talent Incubator. On
20 to 300 square meters, brands will be able to work on their ecological
impact and the transformation of their business model; one wing will be
dedicated to high-end brands that take part in fashion weeks, the other to
other ready-to-wear brands. On an open space of 100 square meters,
start-ups can rent offices on a monthly basis. The whole space will be a
complete eco fashion system. This will include a showroom for responsibly
sourced raw materials (whether natural – with little water or pesticides –
or technical), which has been set up together with partners; a photo
studio, a team of coaches who deal with brand issues, a 100 square meter
FabLab with innovative tools with Lectra and Tekyn, a press agency, a
commercial showroom….. But La Caserne will also be a place for meetings,
exchanges and parties!

How exactly?

The services will be offered both for in-house creatives as well as for
the general public (on a subscription basis) as a series of “Fashion for
Future” conferences. The idea is to talk about progress and developments,
as well as to create online courses and video content and to document them.
All on-site discussions will be made available. We have asked restaurateur
Lionel Bensemoun (co-founder of the Club Le Baron, the Calvi on the Rocks
Festival and the Consulats) to come up with a program and to inform the
public about the venue and these topics through the festival. Part of the
program: The multi-purpose room that will be used for concerts, workshops
and yoga courses, and there is also a restaurant and a rooftop bar…..
There will also be the L’Exception boutique (on 250 square meters) selling
brands with our Smart Choice label and an atrium (800 square meters) where
programs will take place, and most importantly, we provide a voluntary
contribution to the recycling of textiles in collaboration with Eco TLC, in
order to close the loop!