What "made in Europe" means
For decades, Europe has developed recognized expertise in textile manufacturing, leather goods, footwear, knitwear, and jewelry.
Starting in the 1990s, a significant portion of Western brands' production was outsourced to countries with lower manufacturing costs. Gradually, many European workshops disappeared, and certain artisanal and industrial skills became scarce.
However, this expertise has not disappeared. In Portugal, Italy, France, Spain, Greece, and elsewhere in the European Union, workshops continue to produce clothing and accessories for independent brands.
GAOPÉ aims to make this offer more visible and allow everyone to choose creations whose manufacturing location is clearly indicated and documented.
What does "made in Europe" mean at GAOPÉ?
At GAOPÉ, the expression "made in Europe" means that the main manufacturing steps of the selected item are carried out in one or more member states of the European Union.
For a garment, this notably includes the steps that give it its shape and structure: cutting, sewing, assembly, and essential finishes.
Therefore, it is not enough for a product to be simply packaged, ironed, labeled, or slightly modified in Europe for it to be included in our selection.
Our approach is based on a simple principle: European manufacturing must correspond to a real and decisive intervention in the creation of the finished product.
Must raw materials be European?
Not necessarily.
A garment or accessory can be manufactured in the European Union using materials from other regions of the world: Egyptian cotton, New Zealand wool, Argentine leather, or fibers grown elsewhere.
The origin of raw materials and the manufacturing location of the finished product are two distinct pieces of information. When we have precise information on the origin of the materials, we indicate it on the product sheets.
How does GAOPÉ verify the manufacturing location?
Each referenced brand signs our Commitment Charter and provides us with elements to document the manufacturing location of the selected items.
The country of manufacture is then indicated on each product sheet so that this information is accessible before purchase.
This approach allows us to select brands rigorously and to document the information presented on GAOPÉ.
Why choose clothing and accessories made in Europe?
Choosing an item made in the European Union helps support the activity of workshops located there and preserve textile, artisanal, and industrial skills.
It is also a way to better understand the journey of the clothes and accessories we buy, by giving more importance to their manufacturing and to those who participate in it.
Through its selection, GAOPÉ advocates for an independent European fashion that is desirable and more transparent about its manufacturing locations.