Over the past thirty years, the French textile industry has outsourced almost all of its production. Thousands of jobs have been lost, particularly in the Hauts-de-France region. Those laid off have never found new employment in the garment sector. Today, for some fashion designers, "Made in France" is a matter of quality and reputation, and we are witnessing the beginnings of "relocation" for certain product lines. Capitalizing on this trend, a sewing workshop opened in Ham, Picardy, in May 2017. The plan is to employ 30 people by 2020. Supported by local authorities, this initiative is spearheaded by Jean-Luc François, a couturier committed to training in fashion-related professions. For a year, from the initial application review to the delivery of the first orders, Maurice Ferlet shares with us the hopes and doubts of the first twelve people to join this workshop.
