Upcycling-Design from France: Marron Rouge

Marron Rouge: Upcycling-Design from France

When design, recycling/upcycling and social projects from India meet and are joined together, then something truly wonderful happens. So in the case of the French label Marron Rouge.

The man who stands behind this label is called Jean-Marc Attia. We met on the Ecostyle fair in Frankfurt, his warm and friendly nature have inspired me immediately.

Jean-Marc has known India for many years by activities in social projects and its various trips there. At some point of time this was no longer enough. In 2009, he finally got the idea to combine the environmental and social thought with style and design. He founded the label Marron Rouge.

In his atelier in Lyon in France, also his place of residence, Jean-Marc creates the designs for a variety of decorative objects and fashion accessories. So he is the designer, the creative mind. The products are manufactured in India. For reasons of environmental protection disposed materials are used as raw materials. The intelligent management of waste is the motto here.

Very different materials are used: Tires and tubes, which are collected by poor people from Dehli and then sold to an NGO-recycling plant. Parachute bag fabric, which is acquired from the Indian Army. Jeans labels and safety belts as a remnant of expiring collections. In addition, plastic bottles, so recycled PET bottles, newsprint, which is artfully folded and interwoven, disused tailor measuring tapes, braided bamboo stalks and used fire hoses.

This results in a variety of collections of bags, small furniture, decorative objects and home accessories. They have already found their way into various ethical boutiques and design stores in various European countries.

It’s the mix

What makes the products of Marron Rouge, in addition to contemporary design is the mixture of different materials. So parachute silk and bicycle tubes are combined and processed to attractive fashionable shoulder bags and classic messenger bags. Jean labels are mixed with bicycle tires.
From air hoses and braided bamboo are created small furnishings such as poufs, ottoman, lamps and other lighting fixtures. And from recycled seatbelts seat cushions and rugs are conjured up.

Cuddly toys made of organic cotton

Another branch of his label is a series of stuffed animals. The stuffed animals are designed by the Parisian designer Marie-Noëlle Bayard. They are made from organic cotton and manufactured by formerly unemployed women in a studio in Calcutta.

For his commitment Jean-Marc Attia has already received several awards. Marron Rouge is labeled with LYON EQUITABLE VILLE ET DURABLE (Lyon an environmentally friendly and sustainable city).

To the shop of Marron Rouge