Belgium/"Singulières" the first inclusive shop in Liege

"Singulières" is its name. This shop located in the heart of the city of Liege, rue de l'Université, is 100% inclusive. From the choice of clothes, available in 18 sizes, from 30 to 64, to the layout of the booths, which are larger and accessible to people with reduced mobility... everything has been thought out for the well-being of the greatest number.

This shop, which is really unlike any other, is the brainchild of Sophie Crahay and Margaux Blanchard, aged 24 and 26. The first is finishing a master's degree in Political Science at the University of Liège, the second has a degree in videography from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. A year and a half ago, they decided to join forces to carry out this project, which was born of a reflection on the discriminating effects of fashion. "Fashion compartmentalizes, it's a segmented environment. We therefore asked ourselves how we could remedy this and ensure that fashion is no longer exclusive. Ultra-normed bodies and society's diktats regarding beauty codes are very harmful for many people. Our goal was to create a non-discriminatory space where everyone feels good" explain the two young women.

A "safe-place" shop

Sophie Crahay and Margaux Blanchard want to make their shop the Liège hub of tolerance where everyone is welcomed in the same way, with kindness and that, regardless of sex, size, weight and gender. "LGBT people are often the subject of inappropriate, awkward or hurtful remarks because they want to wear a garment that, on the face of it, is not made for them. It is pointed out to them and they feel uncomfortable . We don't want that to happen in our shop", say Sophie Crahay and Margaux Blanchard.

Sophie Crahay and Margaux Blanchard are also concerned about the well-being of their customers and the planet. To fight against the climatic impact of the textile industry, they have chosen to work with mainly European suppliers in order to limit travel. The policy of returning items to the store is also part of a concern for sustainable development: "people can return their clothes in exchange for a 15% voucher. The clothes will be sold second hand to give them a second life at a lower price". In the long term, Sophie Crahay and Margaux Blanchard hope to be able to manage the production cycle from A to Z to become 100% eco-responsible.

Source: www.rtbf.be