Discover LABL, the ethical shop launched by Marie (International Business 2017) and Anthony!

KEDGE, an important step to becoming an entrepreneur.

Marie de Faria (International Business 2017) has always had a passion for entrepreneurship and built her career path based on this leitmotiv. At age 21, in parallel to her studies in communications, she founded Agence Complice, an events and digital agency that enables companies, such as Cottage (Groupe Panther) to organize events in order to strengthen their communities on social media. This was her first step as an entrepreneur. 

"I joined KEDGE with a desire to learn on a greater scale, to embark on a bigger project, a project that also fit in better with my values. But for that, I was lacking a solid base in a number of areas: finance, accounting, purchasing, negotiations... After four years in a very specialised communications school, I needed a new dynamic and new teaching style" Marie explains. 

At the International Business Program (previously named MACI), Marie discovered all the keys to managing a business, but also a new business model that includes ethics at the heart of its strategy. After doing an end-of-studies internship at Michel et Augustin, which has a real entrepreneurial, and also "intrapreneurial" spirt, Marie learned all the best practices she needed to get started, along with Anthony Raymond, a KEDGE team member and cofounder of the project.

"KEDGE greatly facilitated the launching of the project, since we received extraordinary support from professors and speakers, such as Xavier Hollandts and Rayane Mouhib, but also the Director of the International Business Program, Stéphane Ouvrard. They were an incredible support, and provided us with the best advice to launch and develop LABL» she explains.

LABL: ethical fashion

The idea for LABL emerged progressively, after 2013 and the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh. For Marie and Anthony, it was a real wake-up-call. They couldn't continue to buy Fast Fashion clothing, without knowing who made the clothes and under what conditions. It was the beginning of a permanent quest to become a more thoughtful and responsible consumer. However, it was a real challenge because the fashion world is very opaque.

It was very difficult to sort the truth from the lies, to decipher tags, and to trust major brands with all the scandals coming out... The desire for a different kind of fashion therefore came about, and the LABL adventure was born.

Symbolically, the first collection "Cap sur la Provence" was launched in April 2017. It brings together five French designers, that all make their clothes in France and their shoes and bags in Portugal. Designers that produce their products in limited numbers for a more responsible and artisanal way, respecting all actors involved, and real traceability. 

Today, the new fall collection is available on the website. The number of designers has gone from five to eleven in just three months. They also expanded their offerings with more choices, accessories, and jewellery... 

"With LABL, we wanted to build a more human and friendly adventure. With our designers, we don't have a purely business relationship, we work hand in hand, and really want to contribute to their development and share the risks. It is a business model that has been re-thought, and we want to move toward a social business model" Marie explained. 

Online, and now a physical boutique!

Today, LABL is facing a new challenge: opening its first boutique. A boutique that has been imagined like a living space, cosy and insanely charming, which will open in the very heart of Bordeaux, au 39 rue de Cheverus, Thursday, October 19. All Kedgers are invited to stop by and will receive 10% off until November 30,  2017.

Their advice to Kedgers that want to start their own business: Go for it! 

To all Kedgers that want to start their own business, Marie has the following advice: "Entrepreneurship is like a marathon... some kilometres will be very difficult, let's be honest. But for others, we feel like we have wings, and it brings us so much joy. You have to hang on, live the adventure fully, not be afraid of throwing ideas out there, not be afraid of failure, and most of all bounce back quickly, change directions, or strategies. In short, dare to do what others won't, because it will, by far, be the most enriching experience of your life!"

Follow LABL

• LABL delivers in Bordeaux by bicycle
• For more information, you can contact Marie: marie@labl.eu
• labl.eu
• https://www.facebook.com/lablfr/
• https://www.instagram.com/labl.eu/

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