Le Petit Faon: Small pleasures make a big impact

Text: Kate Harvey | Photos: Le Petit Faon

Helping the world to move a little more mindfully, Bordeaux-based brand Le Petit Faon is putting the brakes on fast fashion with a delightfully playful line of clothing for all ages and genders. Its garments are thoughtfully made in ethical workshops, and feel good to wear – both inside and out. We spoke to founders, Matteo and Fanny, to see exactly how their collection inspires joy for everyone involved.

Le Petit Faon, or ‘the little fawn’, is as the name suggests; its clothing advocates a much-needed return to nature and innocence. “We produce honest, purposeful clothing with a childlike style,” explains Matteo.

Feel-good clothing requires openness in assembly line standards. Its alpaca wool jumpers, hats and headbands are made in limited quantities by a small Bolivian social enterprise, and its shirts and sweatshirts produced with organic cotton in a Fair Wear workshop in Bangladesh. Each garment is made to last, and embroidered with its own motif in Toulouse.

“We believe in the pleasure of giving before receiving, as well as respecting the environment and the work of each person involved,” says Matteo. Keeping it as simple and clean as possible, Le Petit Faon selects GMO-free fibres that promote healthy crop rotation for healthier soil. Even its small amount of recycled polyester in some sweatshirts is made from recycled plastic bottles.

The brand leans into ethical production wherever possible. The 20-person Bolivian workshop, of which 80 per cent are women and some with reduced mobility, provides a positive working environment – and a higher-than-minimum wage. And for every garment sold, a euro is donated, helping promote better education for children without nurseries in Burkina Faso. The organisation is founded by their friend Mathilde. You can browse the brand’s unisex, men, women and children collections online.