Exceptional jeans at Bleu Océane

Since its takeover, Bleu Océane has seen its sales double, while strengthening its technical innovation and environmental commitments. Formerly employing 350 people for an activity aimed at mass retailers, Bleu Océane has specialized, now counting 70 employees and focusing on the production of high-end jeans. "Bleu Océane is a jeans manufacturer, but at group level we can garment other products, such as shirts at AD Confection, a workshop we bought at the end of 2022", Rodolphe Bled points out.

Technical mastery and treatments of denim

At Bleu Océane, denim savoir-faire is based on technical mastery and attention to detail at every stage of production. From the reception of raw materials, to cutting and garment making, through to treatments, every phase of the process is optimized thanks to specialized machinery and the expertise of craftsmen.

The treatment of denim is an art in its own right, where tradition and innovation give rise to exceptional pieces. The company uses a variety of treatment techniques such as stone-wash, snow and bleach. Each of these methods requires not only technical savoir-faire, but also a thorough understanding of the chemical reactions involved. As a result, each pair of jeans is custom-treated to meet the exacting requirements of the major luxury brands, as Rodolphe Bled explains:"customers often send us several pieces with different tone heights and we have to develop a treatment process specific to each product".

This painstaking work is the fruit of rigorous testing and constant adjustments. For example, the "aging" process for jeans is particularly delicate, incorporating steps such as laser, stone-wash, drying and ironing. This approach guarantees natural, aesthetic wear, while preserving the integrity of the fabric.

Innovation and ecology, state-of-the-art processes

In a move to reduce its environmental impact, Bleu Océane is innovating with greener manufacturing processes. The company is GOTS certified, guaranteeing environmentally-friendly practices. Rodolphe Bled also highlights the implementation of the GOTS V7 standard in the laundry, optimizing the management of chemical waste.

One of the major advances is the use of lasers to treat denim, a technology that considerably reduces water consumption: "the laser machine enables controlled wear, targeted aging and personalized markings, all with a considerable reduction in water used", he points out. This method also offers unrivalled precision for complex patterns, while reducing the resources required.

Bleu Océane has also adopted Jeanologia db420 eco-patented technology, revolutionizing its water consumption : "we've gone from 170 liters to just 20 liters of water per pant", explains the executive. This system enables chemicals to be finely dosed via nozzles, guaranteeing more precise management of resources while maintaining treatment quality.

The workshop also uses technologies such as ozone to replace certain chemical treatments with cleaner processes. These innovations are complemented by recycling initiatives in collaboration with partners such as Le Cèdre, Papyrus, Weturn and Nona Source, reinforcing Bleu Océane's commitment to circular and sustainable fashion.

French Savoir-faire to pass on

Bleu Océane embodies a unique savoir-faire and rigor that make it a key player in high-end denim garment making. Rodolphe Bled is convinced that French quality and expertise remain major assets: "we must continue to bring quality and savoir-faire to the table and maintain this superiority", he stresses. For him, the future of Made in France is promising: "I wish Made in France a clear future, that it explodes... I'd like schools to place even greater emphasis on machine learning". Passing on this savoir-faire is crucial: "our apprentices are monitored by the line managers", explains Rodolphe Bled. The young recruits learn not only artisanal gestures, but also how to use modern technologies such as lasers:"these are ancestral gestures, there's no question of inventing or interpreting these savoir-faire, we preserve them", he insists.

This French savoir-faire is also a mark of confidence for the major luxury Home brands, who find in Bleu Océane a partner that is both reliable and innovative. "We need to maintain our aura with the great luxury Houses... "the jeanner in France, it's Bleu Océane", Rodolphe Bled proudly declares. Bleu Océane works closely with its customers, offering both impeccable quality and a capacity for continuous innovation: "it's a real partnership with the big brands, we invest as soon as there's a comment, a suggestion", he points out. The workshop also offers a vast database of 1,500 qualities of materials, with a hundred added each year, where designers can come to work and get inspired on site to finalize their collections directly, with access to workshop resources including the laundry.

Bleu Océane today embodies a model of success combining craftsmanship and technological innovation. Through an eco-responsible approach and a strong commitment, the company continues to stand out in the world of luxury. With a particular focus on the transmission of savoir-faire, Bleu Océane is building a sustainable future for French denim workmanship!

To find out more, discover the fiche de Bleu Océane.