Laine Rebelle (“Rebel wool” in English), a Riviera-based association, intends to weave together actors in the wool sector for the greater good. Sustainable, ethical and ecological connections to consolidate the fabric of the local economy. Let’s look at this 100% pure wool initiative…
Banking on local species
Some 25 tons of wool are produced each year in the Alpes-Maritimes department alone. Out of this production total, a large part is sold and exported abroad before being processed. Another part is simply destroyed. The Laine Rebelle association intends to revitalize the wool sector to better valorize production. To do so, they are focusing on the local sheep breeds of the Préalpes d’Azur: merino breeds, brigasque, and the Préalpes-du-Sud sheep.
Building links to the chain
Once the wool is purchased, Laine Rebelle involves various regional partners to wash the stock and spin the wool. The four founders of the association want to complete the cycle and reach the final stage of the production line too. They recently launched a crowdfunding campaign to buy a digital knitting machine. Their efforts appear to have sparked genuine interest too, as Laine Rebelle has raised more than 9,000 euros. Enough to also invest in a stitching machine.
Theirs is a great initiative worth following closely, especially for the region’s inhabitants seeking to bolster the local economy!
*Article originally published on the French edition of the Monaco Tribune.