Manifesto

photo-moi
dessin-2
sedex-2

The designer 

Françoise has an atypical background for the environment. Self made designer without academic background but a strong appetite for design, arts and hand craft. She likes to undertake and build, first as a graphic designer at Studio Romancie, then in Africa with African Riddim and finally with the creation of her brand Les Belles Vagabondes. It was in September 2018 that she decided to start this new adventure. 

Our know-how

Les Belles Vagabondes is a craft brand, advocating slow fashion. We are a brand that takes time: time to be inspired and to draw, time to colour and to manufacture to obtain high quality products. Lovers of beautiful things, we seek inspiration in the arts, nature and travel. Our designs are authentic and hand-drawn. Les Belles Vagabondes advocates the love of materials: we refuse synthetics and prefer wool, silk or organic cotton which are 100 % natural. We refuse digital printing and prefer the traditional Indian printing which gives better nuances and authentics colours. 

Our involvement

All our scarves are printed in India in a Socially Responsible Workshop. We use AZO Free dyes, free of heavy metals and hazardous chemicals. We therefore limit environmental risks in the country of production and wearing the items on the skin is safe for your health. We make every effort to produce an anti-waste fashion. We take the time to think about each detail, each material and colour. In order to offer a fair price, we control all stages of development from design to launch. By buying our products, you participate in the movement of a sustainable and artisanal fashion.

Ethical Production with SEDEX Certification

At Les Belles Vagabondes, we care deeply about how our products are made. That’s why our supplier is a member of SEDEX (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange), one of the world’s leading platforms for ethical supply chain management. SEDEX certification ensures recognised standards in key areas such as Labour rights, Health & safety, Environmental practices and Business ethics.

Our supplier’s participation in SEDEX guarantees transparency and accountability, and supports responsible sourcing. Their audits are conducted under the SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) framework, designed to assess ethical compliance across the supply chain. This commitment aligns with our values and allows us to offer you beautiful, handcrafted products that also respect people and the planet.

Traditional silk screen printing, an artisanal Indian technique

img_1581-1
img_1787

✨ Les Belles Vagabondes: artisanal craftsmanship for unique scarves

Les Belles Vagabondes has chosen the path of traditional silk screen printing, an artisanal technique that requires time, precision, and rare expertise. “We work with a flat frame and a stencil on a mesh screen ,” explains Françoise, the designer.

It all always begins with an original drawing. Twice a year, five new models are created: mini scarves, headbands, silk squares, cotton or wool scarves. The cotton scarves are available in two sizes, and the wool scarves come in three different sizes. Françoise draws her inspiration from her travels, exhibitions, artists, landscapes… The drawing is the first step in every Les Belles Vagabondes creation.

First sketched in pencil, the design is then refined in ink or marker, before being scanned and separated by colour. Silk Screen printing requires one frame per colour, with each layer carefully superimposed to recreate the final image.

Each design comes in six to eight colour variations. The artisans work with an incredible library of over 500 references, using precise blends of powdered dyes and natural gums, allowing for an infinite palette of shades: grenadine, turquoise blue, crimson red, and many more.

Once the colours are selected, the fabrics are prepared in the long printing hall, on tables 24 to 36 meters long and 1.800 meters wide — enough space to lay out up to 450 minis or headbands per session. After printing and processing , the scarves go through hand cutting and then the French-style hand-rolled hem, giving each piece its delicate and refined finish.

At every stage, the spirit of Les Belles Vagabondes shines through: pieces drawn with passion and printed with care, resulting in unique accessories that carry stories of craftsmanship and travel.

Inspirations

0