the essential
In his workshop on rue Henri IV in Castres, Cyril Blanc, an experienced and passionate shoemaker, has become the only artisan in Tarn to integrate the innovative “Tingit” application. Imagined by the creators of Vinted, this platform dedicated to the repair of shoes and clothing is shaking up consumption habits. The craftsman explains the concept to us.
In his shop on rue Henri IV in Castres, Cyril Blanc, 48, has been repairing shoes for more than 25 years. This know-how has earned him national recognition today: he is the only shoemaker from Tarn selected to participate in the brand new “Tingit” application. Created by the founders of Vinted, this innovative platform is positioned in the second-hand sector, aiming to modernize and simplify the repair of shoes and clothing.
Contacted via social networks, Cyril Blanc did not hesitate to embark on this unique adventure. After a rigorous selection among 3,500 shoemakers in France, only six artisans, including him, were selected. “They sent me some test shoes, a little casting!”, he jokes. Today, he shares this distinction with five other shoemakers based in Nîmes, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Juvignac, in the Lyon region and in Île-de-France. The application also has five leather goods manufacturers to complete the offer.
A simple concept for a major impact
For the Castres shoemaker, “Tingit” represents much more than a new service: “It’s an incredible opportunity. With this platform, I can reach customers throughout France. In addition, it gives me visibility and a certain stability in a profession where the volume of work can be very fluctuating.”
The operation of Tingit is directly inspired by that of Vinted. The user photographs their shoes or clothing, describes the necessary repairs, and sends the item using a prepaid label. The objects are then placed in lockers before being sent to the selected craftsman. “I receive all the information via the application. I take care of the repairs, then I send the item back to the customer,” explains Cyril Blanc.
-With average lead times of two to four days for repairs (excluding shipping), “Tingit” combines speed and practicality, appealing to both individuals and craftsmen. “Many people want to have their things repaired but do not have the time to go to the shoemaker. This solution meets their needs and adapts to our new consumption habits,” underlines the craftsman.
Craftsmanship 2.0: between traditions and modernity
This initiative also responds to a major ecological issue. “Each year, 300 million pairs of shoes could be repaired instead of being thrown away,” recalls Cyril Blanc. Convinced that craftsmanship has a role to play in the fight against overconsumption, he considers “Tingit” as an awareness tool. “I am not here to preach, but to show that before throwing away, we can often give a second life to our objects.”
He himself specified his specialties at “Tingit”: repair and renovation of luxury bags, cleaning and coloring of sneakers, as well as resoling. “These are services that are close to my heart and for which I can really bring my expertise.”
In a sector that is often weakened, Cyril Blanc also sees in “Tingit” a chance to revitalize his activity. “There are always skeptical colleagues, who think that this company will take advantage of us. Of course, there is a commission on the services, but this model can bring us a large and constant volume of work. For me, it is a way to adapt to modern consumption.” Between passion and innovation, Cyril Blanc embodies this new generation of artisans who know how to combine tradition and modernity. Thanks to “Tingit”, his shoemaking talents, already recognized locally, are about to conquer a much wider audience.
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