Anne-Lise Fotso Maillot
BBA Strategic Design and Management ’09
MAILLOT is a slow-fashion label rooted in the upcycling movement, employing a zero-
waste approach and an ethical value chain involving collaboration with artisans in Africa. The
brand embodies an inclusive philosophy of dressing that blends an effortless French
sensibility with unexpected African boldness. By taking army surplus and
high-end vintage finds and turning them into one-of-a-kind pieces, we
breathe new life into old. Free from seasonal collections, each capsule collection consists of 30 to 50 new pieces, brought directly from the studio.
In July 2019, I launched a project called ARTESAN through Kickstarter. The idea was
to support artisanal practices showing how modern African crafts can be. Drawing
inspiration from my French upbringing and Bamileke roots, the first collection
featured upcycled army surplus and vintage materials using traditional
beadwork made by female artisans from western Cameroon and
Maasai women in Kenya. In response to increasing demand, new pieces were added in which traditional techniques were mixed with urban style to create versatile fashion
collections produced in a responsible way. The collections include handwoven
textiles, recycled denim, and upcycled military clothing.
https://www.m-a-i-l-l-o-t.com/