The No Fast Fashion event, to be held in Reims next weekend, combines fashion and ecology for the whole family. This giant second-hand clothing sale with free access will spread over 600 square meters in the Exhibition Centre.
A Ralph Lauren shirt, an Adidas sweatshirt and Levis jeans for only 25 euros? To: No Fast Fashion, Possible. This huge second-hand clothes sale is held with free access at the Reims Exhibition Center on Saturday, October 14th and Sunday, October 15th. An opportunity to find new jewelry for your wardrobe and get yourself a new tattoo, while enjoying a festive atmosphere.
Aurélien Masurel and Robin Sabban, childhood friends and young entrepreneurs from Normandy, have been traveling around France since January 2023 to offer second-hand clothes, consisting of 80 percent to 95 percent branded clothing, for just 25 euros per kilo. After passing through Rouen, Rennes, Caen, Nantes and Poitiers, Rouennais stopped at Reims with 40,000 pieces of clothing in stock. These come directly from French sorting factories, and the duo then select them to avoid the sale of products with holes, stains or badly damaged items.
An “economy store” that stands out with its unrivaled price and constant renewal of its shelves. “With our team of four people, we bring a new shelf every 10-15 minutes.”, proudly underlines Aurélien Masurel. Therefore, first come is not necessarily best served. “We initially display 600 to 700 kilos of product, but we actually have six tonnes in stock: the equivalent of 40,000 pieces of clothing.” A huge discount where everyone, young or old, vintage or modern, can find what they are looking for.
Aim? “Stop the fast fashion industry”
This “test case” arose from the analysis of two Normans. “When Robin returned from Erasmus in Asia, she told me about the damage fast fashion was doing there.The 29-year-old young entrepreneur says: “Based on this, we wanted to find an idea that would stop this industry.” For this reason, everything from A to Z, starting from shopping bags, is calculated with an ecological approach. “At the entrance of our 600 square meter fair, we give our customers a 100% recycled, 100% recyclable bag that resembles a garbage bag.”
The shelves are also recycled because they are made from recycled wood and scrap metal. Without forgetting the main partner of the event: Maison Macha – Upcycling’s new brand.upcycling (upcycling in French) is a method of breaking down the raw material of old clothes to create new ones.
“We have received a lot of positive feedback since our launch and have always had good attendance with between 6,000 and 15,000 visitors. Norman manager explains. “We even had a peak of 60,000 people in Caen, which was truly extraordinary.” Figures that can be explained by the festive atmosphere of this temporary event, which includes a food truck, a kiosk and even a barbershop.
These facilities vary depending on municipal permits: “There will be three tattoo artists from the city in Reims this weekend”, promises the duo of ecological entrepreneurs. Namely, private studios Groseille Tatoo, Hologram Tatoo and Paiikaan Tattooher.
A DJ will assist patrons as they wait to enter two dressing rooms. Aurélien and Robin are hoping for a large turnout despite the current crisis linked to bedbugs. But the organizers are already reassuring visitors: “The clothes we receive are always treated to prevent bacteria, fungus and bedbugs and then packaged in compressed bags, so you don’t have to worry.” Access to the 600 square meter area offered by the exhibition center will be possible from 10 in the morning until 7 in the evening on Saturday and until 18.30 on Sunday.
