Les Toiles du Large, chic and socially responsible recycled bags
17Mar

Les Toiles du Large, chic and socially responsible recycled bags

  • By Anne Couderc
The initiator of Toiles du Large, Anne Couderc, 41, has been recycling sails for seven years and decided to set up her own business in La Ciotat two years ago.
Toiles du Large founder Anne Couderc, 41, has been recycling sails for seven years and decided to set up her own business in La Ciotat two years ago. PHOTO © ALEXANDRE PIQUEL

Manon Borsi/ Voiles et Voiliers

Amended on 

Recycling old sails into bags of all kinds is certainly not a very innovative idea... Except that in La Ciotat, Anne Couderc - the owner of Toiles du Large - has doubled her ecological initiative with a civic act by working in partnership with the region's CAT (Centre d'Aide par le Travail). At the Marseille Provence Méditerranée boat show, she is showcasing her unpretentious but charming collection on her stand in Ciotaden... You're sure to fall in love!


eyelets, bolts and old canvas... The Toiles du Large collection recycles chic and civic-minded. | PHOTO © ALEXANDRE PIQUEL

So far, the idea is certainly nothing new... except that Anne has doubled her ecological initiative with a civic act by teaming up with the region's CATs (Centres d'Aides par le Travail). In workshops in Aubagne and Marseille, old sails are washed, cut and sewn to give them a second life as bags, tote bags or floating key-holders.

Pas d'affolement, tout se joue dans les règles : Anne présente les modèles qu'elle a dessinés aux CAT et leur demande un devis pour une certaine production. <Si le devis ne me convient pas, tant pis... Je ne cherche à flouer personne, mais j'ai également conscience de la concurrence chinoise.>

Toiles du Large prices are in line with the market. A small berlingot sells for 18 euros, a briefcase for 34 euros... (Anne also offers commercial products to companies. (Anne also offers commercial products to companies.) But the work is meticulous, the finishes perfect, and the looks available are endless, from white Dacron canvas with matching red or blue zips to yellow Milard, red spinnaker canvas and fluorescent board sails.

Whatever your tastes, the sailing spirit can now follow you around town. Chic!

...........: Toiles du Large will be at the La Ciotat boat show until March 22.

The entire Les Toiles du Large collection can be viewed on Anne Couderc's website and at her boutique in Ciotadenne (9, avenue Camugli).

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