What is Mijuin? It’s a start-up based in Seine-Maritime that wants to provide easier access to flax through local distribution channels. The winner of the Tomorrow’s Topics category at the 2023 Normandy Economy Awards is a garment factory where quality meets sustainability
Why flax production is at the heart of Mijuin’s sustainable mission
“It controls heat, absorbs and controls moisture, it’s easy to dye, care for and blend,” says Pauline Beuzelin, the founder of Mijuin, in no uncertain terms. Mijuin in French means “mid-June”, right when the flax fields bloom. Pauline is particularly fond of the eco-friendly Norman plant. The young woman wanted to get in on the action after flax businesses decided to relocate 100% of the production after an enlightening tour of Normandy by bike in 2020 and by van in 2021.
“France is the world’s biggest flax producer. Normandy accounts for half of Europe’s entire production. And yet we export it, mainly to Asia, for processing, weaving, sewing, garment making etc. So I wanted to set up a garment factory here in Normandy.”
How Mijuin is relocating flax production to boost sustainability
Pauline’s business is also supported by the Entreprendre Normandie Seine et Eure network and won its 2022 award. The workshop wants to be part of relocating the industry, so it promotes local, French and Normandy businesses.
When we launched, we were making clothes and accessories from linen spun and woven in Alsace, the first spinning mill to relocate to France
Dry-spinning produces thicker yarn which can be used for decorative items, jackets or aprons.
Flax and the future
The Hauts-de-France weaves it, Normandy spins it, and Pauline’s linen will soon be ready to wear! First up: a linen shirt with a mandarin collar available to pre-order. The company now has a team of 7 and 12 industrial machines. “What’s the plan for the next few months? Increase our production capacity and diversify our range with the launch of new products.”
As she makes clothes for businesses (i.e. hotels, restaurants, councils) and the general public under her own brand, Pauline also wants to explore new markets, starting with making garments for brands.
After winning the Tomorrow’s Topics category at the 2023 Normandy Economy Awards hosted by AD Normandie, Mijuin has got off to a great start on its journey to becoming a key figure in the flax industry!
Thematics
