H.A.W.A au féminin at the heart of responsible and supportive fashion

The project stands out for its inclusive, participatory approach, offering not only training in sewing techniques, but also an awareness of sustainable fashion. The concept has quickly taken root in the French solidarity fashion landscape, with designs that reflect a subtle balance between emancipation, intergenerational transmission of artisan know-how and environmental issues.

A human initiative born of personal commitment

Hawa Sangaré, Founder of H.A.W.A. au Féminin">

The design for H.A.W.A au féminin has its origins in the personal story of Hawa Sangaré, who chose to put her experience and commitment at the service of vulnerable women. "I fell into insertion, which really appealed to me, when I discovered the diversity that exists in support", confides Hawa, a former clinical psychologist. Confronted with the growing precarity of women who were far from employment, she decided to leave her job to create a structure that would offer them not only training in sewing, but also real integration. "I wanted to create an activity that would empower women over the long term. Founding an upcycling workshop fighting against clothing waste thus combined all my convictions", she explains.

In her workshop located at Manufacture Berlier, Hawa and her team train these women in sewing techniques, while placing particular emphasis on adapting their designs to all morphologies. "We also develop a lot of made-to-measure for all morphologies, including people with disabilities", she stresses. This inclusive approach has resulted in collaborations with people with specific needs, such as a man in a wheelchair, a blind woman, and a woman who has had her breast removed. "What stood out the most was that these people feel invisible, so they want to be visible and express themselves through their clothing style", confides Hawa.

Upcycling: transforming and adding value to resources

One of the distinctive features of H.A.W.A au féminin lies in its commitment to circular fashion, focused on reusing end-of-stock textiles and transforming them into unique pieces. The principle of upcycling is at the heart of the association's approach, which collaborates with high-end and luxury brands to recover their end-of-stock and defective fabrics. "I will deconstruct the women's past and reconstruct their present, just as I deconstruct your products to create new ones. They loved the idea", says Hawa, referring to partnerships with major Houses such as Balmain.

Each design is a unique piece, meticulously crafted by seamstresses trained at the workshop. The association enjoys the support of Maisons de Couture and major players who, seduced by the project, supply fabrics and even provide training for the team. "Chantelle, who used to give us scraps, decided to go a step further by training my teams. It's a form of patronage that enables us to develop and pass on savoir-faire", enthuses Hawa. This collaborative process enables the association to remain at the cutting edge of fashion while promoting the circular economy.

Transmission and diversification of savoir-faire

In addition to its commitment to sustainable fashion, H.A.W.A au féminin also focuses on diversity and the transmission of savoir-faire. The association doesn't limit itself to garment making; it also works as a subcontractor for designers, making bespoke pieces as well as batches of garments. "We love all materials and we've learned to work them all, so there's no difficulty for us. We can respond to many requests", emphasizes Hawa.

The association also maintains collaborations with institutions such as the Paris Opera for costume garment making and repair. "We work on a variety of projects, from pants and shirts to balaclavas for shows like Don Quixote. They appreciate our respect for deadlines and our professionalism", she explains. This diversity keeps the team motivated and involved, as Hawa attests: "The employees arrive on time because they love what they do. They can train and take on new challenges all the time."

For Hawa, the association's future lies in two main areas: developing garment making for a variety of morphologies, and batches for designers or corporate wear. "We also want to position ourselves as a laboratory dedicated to upcycling, with pieces that endure in wardrobes", clarifies Hawa, referring in particular to her H.A.W.A. Paris brand. With a strong team and diversified projects, H.A.W.A au féminin continues to grow while remaining true to its values of solidarity, transmission and sustainability.

This project, driven by Hawa Sangaré and her team, shows that fashion can be innovative, inclusive and ethical all at the same time. By reinventing the past of materials as well as that of the women who work them, H.A.W.A au Féminin proves that social commitment and sustainable fashion are not only compatible, but also bearers of solutions for the future.

To find out more, discover the company fact sheet of H.A.W.A. au Féminin and its brand Hawa Paris.