Longchamp, a French luxury brand, is committed to responsible practices in the fashion industry, focusing on reducing environmental impact throughout production. Director of Transformation Adrien Cassegrain emphasizes the brand’s focus on product longevity, demonstrating a commitment to quality. The brand’s leathers are sourced from tanneries certified by the Leather Working Group, with 79% of them achieving the “Gold” distinction in 2023, demonstrating stringent environmental and social standards. Longchamp’s leathers are considered exceptional.
Longchamp goes a step further by embracing more environmentally conscious materials. Since 2019, the brand has introduced various product ranges crafted from recycled materials. The iconic Le Pliage® bag, revamped with a canvas woven from recycled fibers, demonstrates this evolution. This transition has slashed the carbon footprint of each Le Pliage® bag by nearly 20%.
Illustrations of this eco-conscious strategy in the new FW24 collection are included in ready-to-wear, with the kimono jacket in recycled polyester and the line of sneakers crafted entirely from recycled materials.
The Maison produces durable items and repurposes end-of-roll materials to create new pieces. « This approach has long been part of our ethos,» comments Adrien Cassegrain. « We develop products using old materials; this anti-waste stance is common sense. » Bags from the Re-Play collection align with this logic, such as this season’s Cabas Longchamp from the Re-Play line. A new bag crafted from end-of-roll nylon from previous Le Pliage® collections. Some models from the Epure line also follow the logic of creating something new from old stocks by reusing cowhide leather of earlier seasons.
Our sustainable development efforts can benefit others. As part of the ANDAM Fashion Awards competition (Sophie Delafontaine, Creative Director of the Maison, has been a jury member for several years), Longchamp opens its doors to aspiring fashion designers to access dormant leather stocks for their creations.
Initiatives aimed at sustainability extend beyond Longchamp’s production. The brand is committed to ensuring each product can be repaired, extending its lifespan. Longchamp’s repair service, handling nearly 60,000 products annually, embodies this commitment to circular economy.
Longchamp’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact extends to its operations, such as the installation of solar panels at its workshops in Segré in France, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.
In essence, Longchamp truly embodies the fusion of timeless elegance and responsibility, proving that quality fashion can indeed coexist with environmentally conscious efforts.
