Company reaches finalist stage

Guillaume Sagot, co-founder of Ateliers de Nîmes, said being selected among the finalists of the 2026 European Circular Fashion Awards is a small victory for the Nîmes-based company, which has spent twelve years trying to revive denim weaving in its historical home.

Reviving a lost craft

The company, founded in 2014, aimed to reestablish denim weaving in Nîmes, which had previously lost this industrial skill. After years of research, investments, and development, Ateliers de Nîmes restored weaving looms and began producing its own fabrics in its Nîmes workshop.

Recognition for environmental efforts

The company was selected among 12 finalists out of nearly 300 applications, based on its environmental commitment, industrial know-how, and efforts to bring denim weaving back to Nîmes. According to Sagot, despite their work, the company has often felt overlooked by major players in the responsible fashion industry and institutions.

Water-saving weaving method

Ateliers de Nîmes has developed a unique denim weaving method that eliminates the need for gluing warp threads before weaving, a common practice in the textile industry that requires significant water and can generate effluents. This method saves approximately 20,000 liters of water for 1,000 meters of woven fabric, or about 40 liters per pair of jeans.

Future goals and public support

Ateliers de Nîmes aims to continue its investments and advance textile relocation, with the goal of producing jeans directly in Nîmes, in addition to the weaving already carried out locally. The company hopes the European recognition will raise awareness among local communities and institutions of their work, though they note that public support remains modest compared to that granted to certain comparable companies in their sector.

Public voting opportunity

The European Circular Fashion Awards include public voting, which represents a third of the final score, with the remaining two-thirds awarded by the jury. Ateliers de Nîmes is calling on residents of Nîmes, the Gard, and supporters of the French textile industry to vote for their candidacy, which they describe as representing not just the company but also the territory, its textile history, and a rediscovered industrial ambition. Voting is open until November 28 on the official competition website.