Mechelen women: Patricia

We are back in Les Femmes Maline, the newspaper that tells the real stories of wonderful women. 🌞 In the previous episode , I was with Marthe, she gave herself to us and you particularly appreciated it! Today, I present to you Patricia. Since the very beginning of the adventure, Patricia has been there! She was one of the first to support Maline and to be a total fan of my creations. With her I discussed the changes that we naturally welcome during our life, the women who have deeply inspired her, the freedom to consume differently and her next sunny getaway. I wish you all a very good reading... Patricia is wearing the triangle bra without underwire & the Ulyssia panties . My exchanges with Patricia: - "Can you introduce yourself quickly?" - Pauline - "I am Patricia. I am now an image consultant with an eco-responsible fashion aim. Otherwise, I am a former executive in the pharmaceutical industry and I have converted. I think that at some point, you have to do what you really want. It was something that had been in my mind for a very long time, but I didn't dare for economic reasons. But sometimes there's a little twist of fate that makes you go!" - Patricia - "What is your motto / your mantra?" - Pauline - "I never lose. Either I win or I learn" - Patricia - " What are you most proud of?" - Paulina - "I think it's my reconversion, because I really listened to myself. I had that in me for years and years. And besides, I'm having fun!" -Patricia - "A woman who inspires you?" - Paulina - "So I have 2: Marie Curie: that's my scientific side. She imposed herself in a men's environment, where women were not present. She's a great scientist. And Simone Veil: in relation to her resilience. She is truly an extraordinary woman who has experienced the unthinkable, who suddenly knew how to accompany women and who is still at the origin of an essential path for us. I didn't see the movie about her, but I read a report that shocked me." - Patricia - "How did you know Maline?" -Patricia - "I met Maline on social networks. On Instagram, I saw a little post appear in my feed one day. In fact, it was really the very beginning of Maline. Your project really interested me. It's also the first time that I was interested in eco-responsible fashion outside of materials, let's say, organic cotton and the like. The fact that you also make your creations in France, near Lyon, where we have a certain know-how in lingerie, that really appealed to me." -Patricia - "What inspires Maline in you?" - Pauline - "Freedom: the freedom to consume differently but also the freedom to wear pieces that I had never actually bought. I always had swimsuits with whalebones and there... more whalebones and then high-waisted panties! So completely different." Patricia - "What do you like about Maline?" - Pauline - "I like the colors, the shapes, the slightly retro side. I love it!" -Patricia - "How would you describe your relationship with your body?" - Paulina - "I will describe it now appeased. I have now learned to know it. I have also learned to know my strengths. And indeed, I will say what I call "my little areas of discomfort", and well they significantly less annoying. I don't necessarily wear push-ups anymore. I admitted that I have a little androgynous side and I play on it. I even find it rather amusing to play with the masculine/feminine." - Patricia - "Is sustainable fashion important to you?" - Paulina - "It is very important to me. It is even almost essential. I've been on Instagram for 2 years now with my @nouveaus_regards_ account. In fact, I really try to highlight eco-responsible brands on this account, whether French or foreign. In any case, what matters to me is that it is done ethically and with respect for the environment." - Patricia - "Your recommendations for more sustainable fashion?" - Paulina - "For me, eco-responsible fashion is not just about buying eco-responsible fashion pieces. It is above all what I call "shopping in your dressing room". Moreover, our dressing rooms are often very full. We would only use about 30% of our wardrobe regularly. For the 70% not used, we must learn to use it, know how to tune it. It's already one thing: exploit what we have The second hand is also a very good solution which also allows you to find very pretty vintage pieces, or in consignment stores. " -Patricia - "Have you always paid attention to the way you consume?" - Pauline - "No... it's really been 4 years since I started to consume better by eliminating polyester in clothes especially. Because I didn't find it comfortable and I didn't understand that they could sell us plastic at the price where it is sold to us. Then I got interested in sales. I did not understand why we could have a garment at a lambda price in month X, then at -60% 3 or 4 months later. I thought there was really a dichotomy about that. Then I started looking for brands that were consuming and looking for a fair price instead. That's what I've noticed is that within eco-responsible fashion, we do try as much as possible to make fair prices, whether for consumers but also for all the people involved. in the chain. I never would have thought 5 years ago that we could dress entirely in Made in France!" - Patricia - "Do you have a hidden talent?" - Pauline - "No... I think that I will express my hidden talent in my job. I know how to combine colors, shapes... In fact, I think that's my strong point." -Patricia - "Your favorite place to swim?" - Pauline - "I really like the Giens peninsula. We have been going there regularly for 5 years. I love this place, I find it out of time where it feels like the 50s have stopped here. It's really a place that I really like." -Patricia - "What's your next destination / sunny getaway?" - Paulina - "The one I dream of or the real one? Haha both! I would love to go to Costa Rica. It is a country that attracts me precisely for its very, very strong environmental side. Then I know that there are really very beautiful seabeds. Otherwise, I'd like to go back and do a dive in the Mediterranean... with my Maline swimsuit!" - Patricia Another beautiful and deep conversation... I loved chatting with Patricia and I hope you enjoyed it. See you soon ♥️

Mechelen women: Marthe

The benevolence of the women I met throughout the Maline adventure brought me a lot and it is one of the most beautiful things I have to say, among all the others who accompany me. From the beginning, I have always had at heart to be close to my clients. It brings me peace and the creation of a special bond with them is something unique. This bond that is created is like a small seed of positivity that we plant, which grows and offers us a lot of joy when it hatches. Each new encounter is a stage in life, if it's a chance I take it, if it's a lesson I learn it. It is a real pleasure for me to introduce you to the Maline women. Those who love the story of my brand and my creations from the bottom of their hearts. Women full of life, projects, love and spontaneous humor. Welcome to Les Femmes Maline, the newspaper that tells the real stories of wonderful women. 🌞 Today, I welcomed Marthe. She has known Maline for a while now and I discussed with her the things that inspire her, the relationship she has with her body, sustainable fashion, her favorite place to swim and her hidden talent. . I wish you all a very good reading... Marthe is wearing the powder pink Piha Beach high-waisted briefs My exchanges with Marthe "Can you introduce yourself quickly?" - Pauline "I'm Marthe Duval. I'm 30 years old, I live in Lyon. I like ricorée, bobs and my guy! I'm a fashion designer." - Martha "What's your mantra?" - Paulina "Nothing is lost, everything is transformed" - Martha "What are you most proud of?" - Pauline "To be self-employed." - Martha "A woman who inspires you?" - Paulina "My grandmother. My grandmother is a botanist and she was able to pass on to me her taste for beauty and plants and I know that it is something that still transports me today as much in my creations as at home where it is it's a jungle!" - Martha "How did you know Maline?" - Paulina "I met Maline on social networks." - Martha "What inspires you Maline?" - Paulina “It inspires me with gentleness and respect for people” - Martha "What do you like about Maline?" - Pauline "What do I love about Maline? Responsible design from fabric to production to delivery." - Martha "How would you describe your relationship with your body?" - Pauline "Question that kills what. My relationship with my body? At 30 I love my body. Oh, it's depressing, isn't it? I'm more caring with my body." - Martha "A few words on sustainable fashion?" - Pauline "A few words about sustainable fashion... For me sustainable fashion is the future. It is what any company around this industry should create and continue to develop." - Martha "Have you always paid attention to the way you consume?" - Pauline "Yes! Until I remembered yes. My parents were already very into the second hand, going antiquing to the Emmaüs. So yes, I always had this fiber there, it never left me. " - Martha "Your favorite place to swim?" - Paulina "The Gorges of the Ardèche." - Martha "Your next destination (to swim)?" - Pauline "In connection with the swimsuit? Big party in the Drôme Provençale haha. No wait, suddenly Brittany." - Martha "And finally, do you have a hidden talent ahah?" - Pauline A tongue in the shape of a flower, we love Marthe, suuuuper talent! ;) Thank you for following the adventures of the Maline women! I hope you liked it ! See you soon ♥️ Stay calmly in contact with us (you decide the frequency) and receive -10% on your first order by subscribing to our newsletter by clicking here .

The lowest carbon impact e-commerce packaging on the market

What is a good package? Since our launch in 2020, we have never stopped limiting the waste in your parcels as much as possible, while keeping small attentions that are important to us (AKA a sheet of biodegradable tissue paper to wrap your pretty pieces, a vegan sticker and a little note full of love). All slipped into a recycled paper package or a letter followed. Today, we decided to offer you even better with a zero-waste delivery alternative: the Boomerang! A few months ago, Pauline was in contact with Clément Filère, the founder of Ecopack Solutions and he explained everything to us about this clever packaging he created. It was faultless for Maline! What better than to offer a Made in France package, responsible and reusable a hundred times? Honestly, we couldn't find better! It is for this reason that since the beginning of February, we have put it in place among our delivery choices. And it seems that he already likes it a lot! A RESPONSIBLE AND REUSABLE PACKAGE Made in France, in Auvergne from recycled advertising tarpaulins*, the Boomerang parcel is ultra-resistant, waterproof and UNIQUE (yes, no two are the same since the tarpaulins used to make them are all different!). Thus, it was designed to last and to be reused many times! A hundred told us Clement. ;) * Old communication media, collected from a corporate network. What we really like about this concept is upcycling! Since in France these advertising tarpaulins have no recycling channel and are generally incinerated, Ecopack Solutions reuses them to give them a second life. This approach is at the heart of the design of the Boomerang package and at Maline we support this commitment. HOW THE BOOMERANG PACKAGE WORKS IN BRIEF Have you decided to take the plunge and choose the Boomerang as a means of delivery? Yaay! We explain everything to you and believe us, it's very simple! When you confirm your order, check the Boomerang delivery. On our side, we are working to prepare it! We deposit your articles, previously perfumed with our Maline fragrance, in a pretty biodegradable tissue paper, which we close with a vegan sticker. Then we take a good dose of inspiration on a music that we put in the background, a few dance steps and hop we start to write a little note full of sweetness. We slip everything into the Boomerang package, a piece of adhesive tape to secure the shipment and it's ready! Once your order has been received, send it back: • R ecover your products and the packing slip inside the package. • Fold the Boomerang and check that the prepaid return label (“T” label) is visible. • Drop the empty Boomerang in a yellow mailbox. That's all ! Of course, if the product ordered is not suitable, simply stick on the classic Maline return label to send it back to us. :) Stay calmly in contact with us (you decide the frequency) and receive -10% on your first order by subscribing to our newsletter by clicking here .

Mechelen & the importance of the circular economy in our approach

Today, I decided to tell you about the economic model, of which many ethical companies talk about the benefits, and which I chose to launch Maline. It's me, Pauline, at the origin of Maline, who tells you about our global approach, based on the model of the circular economy. 1- THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY, WHAT IS IT? The circular economy is an economic model of production of goods and services in a virtuous circle like the most widespread economic model currently: the linear economy, that is to say: extract, manufacture, consume, throw away . This circular model consists of producing while minimizing the creation of new materials, the use of limited natural resources, waste and the creation of waste. The circular economy adapts very well to the fashion sector, although it has been far from being the predominant model since the advent of fast fashion, which cares little about its ecological impact. So let's talk about the circular economy applied to the textile sector. 2- "MALINE, ECO-THOUGHT-OUT/ECO-DESIGNED MODEL FROM THE CREATION OF THE YARN TO THE END OF PRODUCT LIFE" This is the credo of our brand. Is this a circular economy approach? Yes, but on the other hand, can we speak of an innovative model? Not quite. The recipe for raw material eco-design. According to the study by Ocean Clean Up foundation in 2018 (put the link https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-22939-w) half of the floating waste found in the oceans are fishing nets. And fishing nets are made of Nylon, just like most swimsuits, tights, underwear and sportswear.   Since 2011, the company Aquafil, from the same group as our fabric manufacturer, has been working on the development of an innovative technology to create the fabric fiber Econyl Ⓡ . In addition, with the ECONYLⓇ fiber , fabric manufacturers make carpets, rugs, sportswear and the fabrics used in the manufacture of Maline swimwear. The manufacture of this recycled yarn is less energy-intensive, and represents a 55% reduction in C02 emissions compared to conventional production. This Italian supplier promotes zero-waste and a circular life cycle. Our bias, at Maline, and why we choose this recycled material for the moment is that in our opinion, it is a good alternative to clean up the oceans, re-valorize this waste, and not create virgin materials. We are very hopeful that new, even more environmentally friendly technologies will arrive. 3- CONSCIOUS PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT PHASES. Once the sketches have been drawn internally at Maline, we meet Emilie, a model maker specializing in lingerie and swimwear, who works on the patterns. The second phase of working with Emilie consists of two prototypes because we work most of the time on sizes 36 and 44, which are our sizes for Rachel and me. After the round trips and modifications, which can go up to 4 prototyping phases, which we try and modify, Emilie produces the technical sheets. This allows the products to be budgeted and will then be used by the seamstresses in the workshop to work calmly with the technical information, and on the cut of the fabrics in each size. The patterns are designed to create as little waste as possible thanks to the placements on the laser cutting machine and the optimization software. (add photo development phase) The circular economy means producing with a lot of common sense The two strong commitments of the circular economy are respect for people and working conditions. Everything we use to make our products comes from France, Italy or Spain. This must guarantee jobs with a salary respecting social minima and social coverage. We work on the recommendation of our French workshop, which we have been going to every month for almost 2 years. Unfortunately, some workshops, even French, illegally employ illegal workers in a workshop in the south of France, and even in Paris! These are practices that we condemn, and we regularly go on site, and attend production thanks to our controls, ensuring that our work is rigorous and legal. Local production is also ecological. How? The product does not go around the world 3 times before arriving at your home for a unique challenge of maximum profitability, thanks to relocation at a lower cost. Manufacturing in the Rhône-Alpes region represents the majority budget in the cost price of the products, that is to say that it alone represents more or less 80% of our prices, depending on the models. French salaries are higher than the majority of European countries, but I made this choice for several reasons: Originally from the Rhône-Alpes region, since my adolescence I have seen these workshops abandoned for very cheap labor in distant countries. Promote the know-how of the Rhône-Alpes region, specialized in textiles to our customers Have a privileged close relationship with the people in the workshops, Agathe, Emilie, Isabel. We test prototypes at every stage of development. Visit the workshop during productions, come by if necessary for an emergency, be transparent and show behind the scenes, sometimes as invigorating as exhausting, of this sector! Zero waste and end-of-life objective for Maline products: Reuse scraps to make accessories, the rest is carefully kept for reuse. At Maline, nothing is lost, everything is transformed. The scraps from the 2020 collection were used to stuff the sofa cushions at the Showroom! We do not use single-use packaging, our packaging is recycled and/or biodegradable and as minimalist as possible! Our yarn and fabric manufacturing partner is doing tests to break down the material again to regenerate it either for the same use or for another use. This would allow you to recover your sets at the end of their life and give them a new life! 4- WHICH ECONOMIC MODEL FOR MALINE?   The circular economy goes through our company's business model. One of the problems and causes of pollution linked to the textile sector since its industrialization, the second most polluting sector in the world, is the massive production of stock and therefore dormant and unsold stocks. Estimating demand as well as possible is what is very difficult, especially in this Covid period. The pre-order allows us to offer customers to reserve their purchase, and allows us to produce quantities by size precisely. Production on demand is possible, from 10 pieces, per model ordered by our customers when there is a shortage of stock, we can launch a mini-production and customers are alerted. I wanted to write this article to explain to you all our approach in detail, the one that seems to us the most optimal according to our values, our constraints and especially our financial means. We are always on the lookout for new technologies and new ways to improve our project, and open to discussions with you. Paulina Stay calmly in contact with us (you decide the frequency) and receive -10% on your first order by subscribing to our newsletter by clicking here .