This is the kind of story that makes you want to burn romantic blouses in Bellecour Square. Pauline Moisson, a passionate creator and founder of Ambitieuse Upcycling in Lyon, was shocked to discover that the Chinese giant Shein was offering a nearly perfect copy of her signature shirt on its site. A piece crafted from men's shirts, transformed into a feminine icon with a lovely bow in the back, full of style, ethics, and made in Lyon. Sold for 65 euros in her workshop, this blouse, which has become a bestseller with over 1,000 sold, now shamelessly sits at Shein… for less than 14 euros.
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Completely Opposing Values to the Lyon Brand
It's fair to say that the blow is harsh. Not just for the ego, but for everything that Ambitieuse Upcycling stands for: high-end upcycling, one-of-a-kind pieces, crafted with love and consciousness. Not clones produced on a conveyor belt thousands of kilometers away. Pauline admits she hesitated to take legal action, but facing the bulldozer that is Shein, the fight seems lost from the start. So she chooses a different weapon: transparency. Her goal? To raise awareness, awaken consciences, and remind everyone that every purchase is a vote. "Buying from Ambitieuse is making a choice", she emphasizes in comments shared by Actu Lyon. A choice for local, the...and sustainable, ethics. Everything that's the opposite of what ultra fast fashion represents.
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On social media, her outcry resonates with many independent creators facing the same silent plundering. While Shein continues to flood the market, Pauline keeps sewing, head held high and blouse proud.
Source: Actu Lyon
