And that makes seven. On Monday, ACISE opened its new secondhand clothing store in the town of Le Robert. The large thrift store on Rue du Père Labat is the seventh in the network that already spans the region.
A sequined dress, striped pants, and a blouse. It was the big yard sale in Le Robert. On Rue du Père Labat, behind City Hall, the store is bustling with people. It’s a clothing store unlike any other—a charity thrift store. On opening day, customers turned out in droves. Among them, Larissa was busy rummaging through a clothing rack. Social media had tipped off the young woman from Foyal. «I follow La Grande Friperie on Instagram and saw that they announced the opening of a new store in Le Robert. Thrift stores are great for every budget. You can always find hidden gems. Secondhand shopping is a great way to shop. » The mother will find just what she’s looking for in the carnival section for her son. “La Grande Friperie” is a chain already found in several towns across the island, including Fort-de-France, Rivière-Salée, Rivière-Pilote, Le François, and Sainte-Marie.
Affordable for those on a tight budget
A little further back, in the back of the store, is the very stylish Laure, a customer who’s already won over by the concept of budget-friendly thrift stores. «We don’t always have the budget to buy new clothes. This is affordable even for those on a tight budget. I don’t hesitate to go to thrift stores because you can find beautiful things there. I don’t like spending a lot on fashion when you can put together lovely outfits with recycled items. I like to look my best, but without breaking the bank,» she laughs.
Slowly but surely, secondhand clothing is taking Martinique by storm. And Acise Insertion Environnement is right in the thick of it. The organization is the driving force behind the «Grande Friperie» network. Acise’s goal is to offer opportunities for socially responsible shopping right in the community. To support its growth, the organization has expanded its network of collection points from 170 to 230. “We’re particularly targeting people who are conscious consumers and/or those in need,” explains Christelle Blacodon, communications manager for Acise.
Discovering Mindful Shopping
Secondhand clothing stores are opening up to the general public. «There are people facing financial difficulties who will be able to find what they’re looking for. There are also what we call the »new poor.« These are people who work, who own a car, and who pay rent, but who struggle to afford clothes. There’s a third group: people who want to make conscious choices and no longer want to be swept up by the power of marketing.» Buying secondhand means consuming responsibly. «This growing awareness of conscious shopping is gradually taking hold among people in Martinique. It’s not just a matter of money. I make the clothes my own.» “We believe that beyond these preconceived notions, there’s a chance to give new life to what others have called waste. We believe these clothes have a second life.”
In France, fast fashion has thrown a wrench into the gears of the secondhand clothing recycling system. Overwhelmed by low-cost items, the organizations responsible for collecting clothing had suspended their operations, unable to handle such a flood of unusable garments. This situation has not yet been felt in Martinique. «We haven’t been overwhelmed yet because customs issues are slowing down the arrival of these textiles.» The influx into collection bins occurs in seasonal spikes. «At the end of every school year, people in Martinique do a big clean-out and get rid of the clothing they no longer want. We already know that in June and July, there will be a surge.»
Laurianne Nomel
