Paris (AFP)

Boots and suits created from tea towels, forks transformed into jewels and the inevitable dress in scarves: the French Marine Serre pushes recycling even further in its new collection.

His new challenge: to reduce prices in order to be able to buy his own creations.

The collection is made "at 90%" from recycled materials, bought in unused or regenerated stocks, declares to AFP the 29-year-old designer who receives in her workshops in the north of Paris decorated with silk scarves.

These vintage pieces are transformed into unique dresses that have become the hallmark of Marine Serre, winner of the LVMH 2017 prize, at the head of her house for four years.

"We were able to withstand the crisis, we are a 100% independent brand. Distributors and customers continued to support us. If they did not share these values, we would not exist today".

The collection is presented in a film on the first day of Paris Fashion Week, when many houses are reviving the catwalks "in real life".

Adept at apocalyptic aesthetics for her parades, Marine Serre makes a very zen virtual presentation accessible to all, that guests who have been able to travel to watch together in Paris.

But "today we need hope and it is time to take action".

- Purchased by the kilo -

Even if you look closely at a multicolored check tweed-effect skirt or cardigan, it's hard to tell that they're made with thick kitchen towels.

Almost half of the collection is made from regenerated materials such as tea towels with Dutch embroidery, bed sheets that become dresses and shirts ...

"It's a lot of work, each piece is unique, you will never have the same embroidery", underlines the designer.

A dress of scarves by Marine Serre at the parade in Issy-les-Moulineaux, near Paris, February 26, 2019 FRANCOIS GUILLOT AFP / Archives

“Popcorns, those famous 90s T-shirts, we bought them by the kilo, by the ton. There are people who collect used clothes for us,” says Marine Serre.

They are "hybridized with jersey to keep elasticity" and become ... a couture dress.

Old jeans are cut and assembled in patchwork.

The jewelry is taken apart and reassembled or made from cutlery.

Another part of the collection is made from recycled fiber materials such as moiré.

"We worked with a manufacturer in Lyon, the last person to work with moire by hand".

- Not the means -

"We worked a lot during the Covid to improve our prices and be able to offer regenerated parts to people like me, like everyone else," says Marine Serre.

Should we understand that Marine Serre does not have the means to dress at Marine Serre?

"No, I can't afford my pieces, now it's starting to get better. At first, it was difficult, because it was very expensive. It's important for me so that these values ​​are shared in the streets. ", she emphasizes.

An embroidered blouse from the new collection costs 650 euros, before "it was at least 200 euros more", specifies the stylist.

Spearheading a manifesto for more ethical fashion at the start of the health crisis, she believes that things "are changing".

“It was important for me to sign this paper, it responded to my values ​​and to a lot of questions in the fashion world,” she says.

"There are more and more of those who are taking action, the Covid has served as an accelerator (...) In the younger generations, we are fairly united, it is not a fad, but a way of life, we don't want to destroy the planet ".

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