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Nicolas Lepigeon
Published on
Nov 10, 2024 at 9:56 a.m.
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“This creation – the Atypical t-shirt – illustrates the harmony between fashion and art. It is not content to be a simple piece of clothing, it becomes a symbol of the emotion and beauty that permeates A little something extra. Many thanks to the actors. »
It is with these few words, shared on October 27, 2024 on her social networks, that Estelle Davenel, creator of Hope Day, wanted to greet the team of the film directed by Artus and which was a hit at the cinema with nearly 11 million entries!
Remember that this brand is original and inclusive since it offers clothes ready-to-wear (t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc.) and accessories (tote bags, shopping bags, hats, toiletry bags, etc.) containing Braille writing.
Messages like so many winks
Four years ago, the friendly Cherbourgeoise, then aged 28, learned that she was suffering from a rare genetic disease: optic neuropathy which causes him to gradually lose his sight. Estelle Davenel must leave the French Navy and her position as human resources manager at the Fourriers school in Querqueville.
Once the shock has passed – “I decided not to take my pain patiently but rather to do my best urgently!” » – she begins her career change and has the idea of creating clothes… by dressing herself! “I asked myself what I would do the day I was blind,” explained this mother of two young children in the columns of La Presse de la Manche in March 2022, when the brand was created.
Around fifteen gifts
Organic cotton clothes with little words or messages in Braille (Unchain my heart in tribute to Ray Charles, We’re going to love each other for Gilbert Montagné, Do not touch, Better day…), with color and size also indicated thanks to this tactile writing system with salient points.
And also a logo that recalls the sea omnipresent in its city of origin: an anchor. Since then, she has been selling her items through her website and shipping them from her home in Tourlaville.
Great collaborations have also been born with, for example, the Cherbourg Umbrella (exhausted !), Saint-James for a sailor, and recently with the ACAIS including people with disabilities within Esat (establishment and work assistance service) of La Glacerie ensure the embroidery and labeling of Hope Day products. “It makes a lot of sense to me. »
Here is the link to the film A little something extra. “I went to see it in June and I loved it. In July, I had the idea of giving the team T-shirts, confides Estelle Davenel. I managed to contact the mother of actor Sofian Ribes, who is in a wheelchair, by email. »
She fell in love with my concept and put me in touch with the film’s costume designer, who had the list of addresses of the actors as well as their sizes. Together we chose the one labeled Atypical, they found that It suited them well.
The t-shirt worn at the Élysée!
La Cherbourgeoise therefore sent around fifteen gift packages and received kind messages and warm thanks in return, with several photos and videos of the actors and actresses.
Better yet, when they were received this summer at the Élysée by the president, Arnaud Toupense wore the famous t-shirt, enough to pique the curiosity ofEmmanuel Macron.
In addition to orders, Estelle Davenel also appreciates direct sales, as when Week for employment of disabled peoples relayed on the sites of Orano La Hague (November 19 and 21) and Temis in Valognes (November 22); the Christmas markets including that of the Occupational Reception Center Hope in Valognes (November 30 and 1is December) ; or during the film festival The Equalantes in Carentan (November 21 to 24).
“Fully fulfilled”, the thirty-year-old dreams in the medium term of opening a boutique-workshop in Cherbourg and to employ people with disabilities. She also wants to democratize Braille writing for all to see and raise awareness around disability thanks to Hope Day. Or the hope of one day seeing a treatment that could slow down or even stop the progression of his illness.
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