Celebrating Our 100th Article and What We Learned Along the Way
SLOW FASHION BRANDS LIKE ARAKS, ASKET, AND GRAMMAR, TO NAME JUST A FEW, EACH TELL A UNIQUE STORY AND ARE DEDICATED TO SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND EDUCATING THEIR CONSUMERS. INSPIRED BY THE LATIN WORD LUMEN, MEANING “LIGHT,” LUMÉRA SET OUT TO SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON THESE BRANDS. NOW, 100 ARTICLES IN, WE LOOK BACK WITH APPRECIATION ON THE BRANDS WE HAVE EXPLORED–FOND OF THE STORIES, PEOPLE, AND PRODUCTS WE’VE COME TO KNOW SO WELL.
words by HAVEN HATHAWAY
photographs by COURTESY OF BRANDS
The Luméra team met a few weeks ago to plan the 100th article. A list of ideas was put forward, but looking back at the founder interviews that have shaped the magazine’s journey quickly emerged as the favorite. These founder interviews, filled with personal reflections and professional insights, are a testament to the journey that has brought Luméra to this significant milestone. Revisiting them felt like the natural way to celebrate how far the magazine has come, with these brands alongside it.
FOUNDERS’ WORDS ON SLOW FASHION
ALFIE
“In the end, only your vision is important. You will have a lot of people advising you on what they think you should do. Don’t be afraid to say no and follow your own vision. It can be an indicator that you’re building a brand that is different and that is going to make a difference. There is no point in launching a fashion brand today to be like everyone else. There are so many people in the market. When people are trying to put you back in the same line as everyone else, I think that is when you know you’re doing something right.”
— Alice Fresnel, Founder Alfie Paris
Read Founder InterviewARAKS
“As a lingerie designer, I don’t have to answer to too many people looking for newness. I have to push myself sometimes because I can’t go too long without newness, but I don’t make it so rigid that I’m developing things that don’t feel good to me.”
— Araks Yeramyan, Founder Araks
Read Founder InterviewASKET
“With every garment we made, it became clearer that we weren’t just making better items but actually changing people’s perspective on clothing. They started considering garments an investment rather than something disposable.”
— Siri Teurneau-Forslid, Marketing Coordinator Asket
Read Founder InterviewATHARI JEWELRY
“Starting your own business means it’s on your mind 24/7. Every outing feels like business development; every social interaction becomes a chance to tell people about your brand and spread the word, but sometimes maybe you have to step out of that role and resist seeing every moment as an opportunity to keep a balance.”
— Victoria Boninger, Founder Athari Jewellery
Read Founder InterviewFACETTES STUDIO
“I want to show that it’s possible to dress sustainably while still being elegant and effortless. I use only deadstock fabrics for my designs; everything is made locally in Paris. The idea is to help women dress more intentionally and sustainably, making them feel empowered through the clothes they are wearing. It's not about producing and selling more clothes, as so many brands are already out there. This thought made it difficult for me to start. But I think the fashion industry needs more sustainable, ethical, stylish, and empowering brands.”
— Marie-Laure Dumon, Founder Facettes Studio
Read Founder InterviewGRAMMAR
“I have a relationship with the people who make the clothes, and that just makes it so much more special and real to me.”
— Althea Simons, Founder Grammar
Read Founder InterviewHAVRE STUDIO
“As corny as it may sound, don’t do something that someone else is doing. Rather, focus on standing out. I don’t think you should look at other brands for inspiration; rather, look outside at what really inspires you. Also, stay true to yourself, but remember to pivot. That can be quite challenging, but it’s necessary.”
— Madeleine Frandsen, Founder Havre Studio
Read Brand InterviewMarsou
“Always look at the label. Brands are legally obliged to inform about the composition and origin of the garments. I don’t buy things that come from the other end of the world. That would be my first advice.”
— Laetitia Letellier Flandre, Founder Marsou
Read Founder InterviewMyCashmere
“Nowadays, one of the biggest issues in the fashion industry specifically, is the speed at which we consume. It’s great to recycle, and that’s a good solution for closing the loop at the end of a garment’s life. But I think it’s important to take one step back and think about the initial purchase to begin with.”
— Felice Langkamp, Founder MyCashmere
Read Founder InterviewRÊVES DES ALPES
“With slow living, there’s this growing desire to invest in better-quality pieces—things that are timeless, durable, and have less of an environmental and social impact. It’s about making choices that feel more intentional and aligned with those values.”
— Holly Kelsey, Founder Rêves des Alpes
Read Founder InterviewFurther Reading
