AN IDEA LAUNCHED IN 2018
The “Polaire Mendès” project was launched in 2018 at the instigation of Igor Fosseux, manager of the Infinity group. Creator of technical knitted fabrics, 4F, a Nancy-based company affiliated with the group, found itself producing fleece on the arms, the colour of which was not suitable.
In accordance with the group’s CSR policy, and particularly in terms of training, 4F welcomed during this period two trainees from the Pierre Mendès France high school in Epinal wishing to specialise in the textile trades. Their mission went beyond the framework of an end-of-studies internship, it was a question of improving the living conditions of a hundred homeless people thanks to the creation of a fleece jacket entirely designed for their life on the street.
Discover the different stages of design HERE
conclusion of the FIRST EDITION
Result ? No less than 150 fleece jackets were made and distributed to homeless people in Nancy and Epinal. In the weeks following the distributions, feedback from beneficiaries was overwhelmingly positive, encouraging the entrepreneur to repeat the project.
A growing project…
… quantitatively
- Nancy – ARS (Accueil et Réinsertion Sociale)
- Epinal – ADALI (Association pour le Développement de l’habitat, l’Accompagnement, le Logement et l’Insertion.)
- Strasbourg – S.A.S (Strasbourg Action Solidarité)
- Metz – AIM (Association d’Information et d’Entraide Mosellane)
… qualitatively
All of the Infinity Group companies are forward-looking and advocate for environmentally responsible and sustainable product development. This project is no exception to the principles of 4F, the new fleece being made from recycled post-consumer bottles (rPET). For this new production, the specifications have not changed, the only notable and essential modification being the creation of a fleece for children.
The making of the 460 fleeces required nearly 500 hours of work and used 1,011 meters of material, i.e. nearly 9,000 recycled bottles.
… Societally
ABOUT Finance
It is important to remember that this project only has a social and societal purpose, and that no participating company generates a profit through it. The fleeces were financed by a foundation, an association and corporate sponsors.
THE MAJOR SPONSORS
THE SPONSORS
I want to help homeless people.
From a second choice fabric destined for destruction finally follows the beginning of a magnificent societal history…. To be continued.
THANKS
The students from Mendès France, year 2019, Agnese and Jorane for their investment in the early stages of this project.
- The Rotary Club Nancy Majorelle for having accepted to take over this ambitious project.
Bragard, for having coordinated the manufacturing of the fleeces.
“Des femmes en fil” association for the manufacturing of some fleeces.
The A.R.S. from Nancy, the ADALI from Epinal, the A.I.M from Metz and the S.A.S from Strasbourg for their for their welcome and support for the distribution.
All the actors who have participated directly or indirectly in this human project, for their time, their materials or their know-how.
The press who once again responded present to shed light on this project
TO DISCOVER MORE SOCIETAL ACTIONS FROM 4F – CLICK HERE
TO GO FURTHER
What are the technical specifications of this fleece ?
press REVIEW
(click to access the document)
