READY TO WEAR: ARTIST DOES NOT REGRET HIS CHOICES

So what’s happening in ready-to-wear?

 A series of closures is shaking the entire sector with emblematic brands going through an unprecedented crisis. A real massacre, the series of bad news continues to lengthen every week. For us, the cessation of many creative brands like “Cop. Copine” or the difficulties of great companies like “Côtélac” shake us and affect us.

 These are brands that we have always admired and which have always put innovation forward.

 Distribution in physical stores only has become very complicated with the cost of rent, inflation, rising energy costs... But not only that.

 These are mainly changes in purchasing behavior. As for a whole other part of mid-range brands: a standardized and not very original offer, unfortunately.

 Multi-brand stores offering a variety of models under different labels have almost disappeared and general brands are often too generic, devoid of soul.

 The history and birth of ARTIST was an awareness of these elements, already 3 years ago!

 We wanted a limited, original offer. Beyond the product, we absolutely wanted to produce the right quantities to no longer fall into the trap of stocks and overstocks, which are so harmful to the proper functioning of our businesses and especially our planet.

 Today,ARTISTdoes not regret its choices.

 Still a young company, the brand which still needs to grow, wishes to remain a niche and continue to differentiate itself from the general market through its strong identity.

 For the moment, the two founders are observing completely contradictory phenomena. The least they can say is that the profession inevitably changes, their job changes. Strengthened by their experience and tirelessly carried by their adventure, they hang on, adapt, evolve. Against all odds, they want to continue to believe in it even if it is definitely not easy to reinvent themselves every morning!

For example, after these Covid years, the ambient discourse was to favor European, local companies, respectful of human rules and working for a better ecological result. 



 Unfortunately, we can cite the most blatant example of the success of "Shein", a Chinese ultra fast fashion company created in 2008, in a rise like never before to the point of becoming one of the largest global turnover.

This is completely paradoxical because at a public health level, it has been sinisterly proven that a large part of these clothes contain chemicals at very high concentration levels. Environmental standards seem terribly distant from any concerns in the entrepreneurial policy of leaders.

From a human point of view, the workers concerned, in China or with subcontractors in the poorest countries, work at nightmarish rates, on average 75 hours per week for poverty wages.

 “The most annoying thing, specifies ARTIST, is that the entire textile industry is impacted by these elements with serious consequences, partly responsible for the disappearance of beautiful brands. It is deplorable to see the same malaise, the same setbacks and even the cessation of activity of a number of fabric and accessories producers in France as in Italy. »

ARTIST believes in its model.

 Of course, it's not perfect. The small team tries to constantly improve it and does its part for the environment. The Art-à-Porter brand is careful not to give lessons.

 « We work in all areas thoroughly, first and foremost our creations which we try to make as high quality as possible. Our goal is to design beautiful clothes, at least in our opinion.

In addition, we rely on proximity to our aficionados as we call them, regardless of the level of orders. We maintain extensive contact with our clients. We remain close through our online collection presentations or in our exchanges by telephone, chat or emails.

We don't force ourselves very much to be kind, pleasant, respectful, attentive. It's in our genes. Our state of mind is totally focused on the most judicious advice. Our requirement is towards serious, almost impeccable after-sales service. It’s an obsession.” Brigitte, co-founder.

 Basically, even if they use all the new technologies and the economic model of ARTIST can only exist online, they are convinced, all without exception, that everything requires sharing, dialogue as close as possible to customers. It’s a true, fiercely defended character trait that evokes the entire personality of the clothing brand.

 “In view of the magnificent feedback from our community of co-producers, we feel a lot of goodwill and commitment at our side. This particularly touches us and encourages us to continue in this direction. Here are our recipes and our goal for continuing. We are working to maintain our position for a long time in this very complicated, overly battered but so exciting sector. » François, co-founder.