Fashion with Heart and Impact—A Paradigm Shift in the Industry
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Since childhood, my obsession with fashion has been unwavering. I vividly recall a moment at the age of four when I confidently told my mom that I didn't need help anymore, and I could choose my own clothes. This deep-rooted passion has somewhat serendipitously led me to the subject of today's feature. I am thrilled to highlight Morgan Sezalory and her fashion brand, Sezane.
You may or may not be familiar with Sezane, but I personally discovered it through one of my favorite fashion bloggers, Gym Tan (aka @californiaistoocasual). Gym and her daughter embody a style that is both sophisticated and approachable, embracing modest yet chic outfits. During one of Gym's tours of the Sezane shop on Fillmore Street in San Francisco, she tried on a striped sweater with nautical button detailing that caught my attention. Intrigued, I decided to explore more of what Sezane had to offer.
Upon my first encounter with Sezane, I immediately recognized the essence of French fashion—the well-tailored garments, exquisite fabrics, and colors that effortlessly drape over the body with that certain “je ne sais quoi.” However, unlike other French fashion brands, Sezane's warm and inviting website exudes a more relaxed and approachable vibe. But what truly sets Sezane apart from not only French brands, but all others in the fashion industry, is its founder, Morgan Sezalory. Morgan has established a fashion brand that should serve as a role model for others. Sezane transcends mere numbers, profits, or even fashion itself; instead, it embodies love and focuses instead on its positive lasting impact.
Morgan's story is a remarkable one. From a young age, she oozed self-assurance and held an unwavering belief that things would work out for her. As a result, she followed her heart and left school at just sixteen. She started her entrepreneurial journey by selling repaired vintage designer pieces on eBay. In an interview with Forbes, she describes this experience as the "best school of design." Morgan had to teach herself the art of repair and, at times, even how to rebuild these pieces. It was a complex and meticulous process. Over time, her following grew, leading her to create her own platform called Les Composantes (it still remains part of Sezane today, boasting a collection of tableware, stationary, fabrics, and a collection featuring French artists). There, she released pieces in select "rendezvous" drops, and they would sell out within minutes. This model, which was not as popular in the early 2000s as it is today, showcased her ability to think ahead of the times. However, as demand continued to rise, the supply couldn't keep up.
In 2013, Morgan founded Sezane. She offered twelve drops per year, providing a wider selection that catered to women's actual needs. "I was just very honest about the season and the needs you have each month of the year at a time when most brands released only two big collections," she explains. This approach makes perfect sense to me. Personally, I detest the period between fashion "seasons." It's still chilly in February, yet brands are already unveiling their summer collections. Practicality is not typically associated with high fashion, but why shouldn't it be? Clothing can be both beautiful and functional, and Morgan's vision for Sezane embodies practicality from its inception.
"My work philosophy is akin to that of a skilled baker who aspires to bake the best bread, cherishes their customers, maintains an inviting shop, and warmly welcomes everyone with a smile. Sometimes, this baker even gifts you the leftover crust. This is precisely how I approach everything. It's a combination of common sense, good judgment, quality, love, and respect for others. I'm totally obsessed with improving upon yesterday, every single day. So, loyalty naturally follows, and that is the only secret. Because when you focus on these aspects rather than just the intention to grow and expand, growth happens organically."
Morgan possesses a unique resourcefulness known as "Dégourdi" in French—a cleverness and quick thinking that enables her to navigate challenges relatively unscathed. This quality couldn't be more fitting for her journey with Sezane, a business that has now earned its place among the esteemed ranks of Business of Fashion 500, the hall of fame for those shaping and revolutionizing the fashion industry. Morgan is also recognized as one of the most impactful fashion professionals.
Self-taught, self-financed, and self-aware, Morgan operates her business by relying on signals and intuition rather than being solely driven by numbers. This approach is rare in today's business landscape, but is likely to become the norm in the future. Younger generations place immense importance on a company's social impact when making choices. They value authenticity more than profitability and listen to their inner voices. Morgan Sezalory is at the forefront of this movement, demonstrating the outcomes of following one's intuition in business.
On the Sezane website, under the "About" section, Morgan shares a handwritten letter reflecting on the past decade of the company. She conveys that when she built this brand, she made a choice—a choice to do better, be humane, take action, and trust her instincts and beliefs. She aimed to challenge preconceived notions and craft a new narrative, one that extends beyond mere fashion and encompasses the broader story of life—for her, for you, and for every person who contributes to it.
She is absolutely right. Sezane surpasses the realm of a fashion company. It signifies a commitment to doing good and being good. Sezane has even obtained B Corp certification, which legally holds them to high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency across various aspects, from employee benefits, to charitable contributions, supply chain practices, and material sourcing. The Sezane website offers a wealth of information, including FAQs about their production, behind-the-scenes insights into their ateliers, and downloadable sustainability reports.
Typically, I would just touch upon the positive aspects of their initiatives, allowing you, the reader, to explore further. However, this time, I want to emphasize Morgan Sezalory's pioneering spirit. She resides in the future of business, a future I have always dreamt of and one I hope to create through this blog. I want you to witness firsthand that a business, not driven solely by profit, is not only possible, but can thrive.
Sezane is "guided by a desire to create timeless pieces that respect the planet and its people." Currently, three-fourths of the materials used in their collections are eco-friendly and certified by five of the industry's most reputable certifications: GOTS, Oeko-Tex, FSC, Ecovero, RWS, and RMS. Sezane is committed to transitioning from three-fourths eco-friendly materials to a complete reliance on eco-friendly materials.
Beyond their eco efforts, Sezane supports Demain, an endowment fund established in 2018 that facilitates children's access to education and equal opportunities. On the 21st of each month, Sezane donates 100% of their proceeds and 10% of their daily sales to organizations promoting fair access to education, culture, and opportunities. Since 2018, they have raised over 5 million Euros. Many businesses engage in donation practices, but few do so every month. This is another aspect of Sezane that I love. Once again, they demonstrate how the seemingly unthinkable can be achieved, all while exuding style and elegance.
Morgan is a tremendous source of inspiration to me. She leads her business with unwavering passion and authenticity, and it's remarkable to see how Sezane has flourished as a result.
“I never wanted anything, except to be an independent woman and be happy. I believe this has always been my only goal, to be honest.”
I hope that we can all perceive her as an inspiration for what is possible when we follow our hearts and remember that in life, all we need to do is pursue what makes us happy.
Check out Sezane on their website and follow Morgan on Instagram.
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