Brand Spotlight: The Rebelles
In a city synonymous with luxury and legacy fashion houses, some of the most meaningful changes happen quietly in small ateliers. The innovators of the Parisian fashion scene, specifically sustainable brands, deserve a stage where they can highlight their craftsmanship. The Armée Du Salut has been changing the fashion world piece by piece, and I have had the pleasure of getting to know their brand more closely in my time at AUP. Through Sophie Kurkdijan's class, Fashion For Social Transformation, two other students and I had the honor to host them for a pop-up shop in the Amex Café. As the trend cycle moves more quickly each day, and brands put out more cheaply made designs, brands like Armée du Salut Rebelles are worth spotlighting for their slow fashion practices.
Born from the global NGO, Salvation Army, the Rebelles boutique at 21 rue de Chemin Vert sells and showcases the work of 12 highly talented seamstresses. Cité du Refuge employs each of these seamstresses in an integration workshop. The seamstresses create seasonal collections for the Rebelles boutique, up-cycling all their accessories, clothing, and children's clothing. From sourcing sustainable textiles, creating patterns, and designing the garments to getting them on the shelves, they are involved in every stage of the production process. After warmly welcoming us into their atelier last fall, they generously shared each step their pieces take in the production journey. In a world full of mass-produced products, inaccessible fashion brands, and clothing that is not made to last, it is both refreshing and rare to find a brand that makes each piece truly one of a kind. The Rebelles prioritize ethics and sustainability in all their productions, evident in every piece they create. The Rebelles are a group expressing love through fashion.
They generously allowed us their time to host a pop-up on campus on a Friday before the Christmas break. Traveling across town with garment bags and clothing racks, the Rebelles set up in the Amex cafe with their beautiful creations set before the students. Each piece was different from the one next to it, and the Amex turned into a mini boutique and changing room. Students were throwing jackets, shirts, and vests over their thick winter layers, appreciating the pure craftsmanship in these pieces of art. Being a part of sharing the Rebelles’ art with the AUP community was a privilege, highlighting how they are revolutionizing the fashion industry through crafted up-cycling.
As conversations around sustainable fashion and ethical production grow louder, the Rebelles are an organization worth keeping on your radar. While my peers and I first interacted with the brand in professor Kurkdijan's class, their business model becomes more relevant each day and needs to be shared on a larger scale. I encourage readers to explore the growing market of up-cycled fashion through their work, where each piece is designed to enhance the individual beauty we all inherently possess.
Find more and follow their journey on Instagram @rebelles_citerefuge
