Network to promote Immaterial (= non technological) Innovation in the Industry (textile and fashion) Lab : a laboratory

R3iLab : objectives • Help industry modernize and increase

competitiveness

• By improving skills and investments in non technological innovation :

• Marketing

• Brands

• Design

• A focus on SMEs

R3iLab : governance

Elizabeth Ducottet (Chairwoman of Thuasne), Nelly Rodi (Chairwoman Nelly Rodi SA), Dominique Jacomet (Dean, IFM), André Beirnaert (Vice Chairman, IFM)

R3iLab : structure

• 8 regional presidents , CEOs of industrial firms

• 1 operation coordinator

• 1 secretary general

• general management : IFM

R3iLab : how

A laboratory :

small to medium scale

experimenting in 2

year - programmes

Communication :

to disseminate results

and create desire for

new experiments

+

R3iLab : financing

• State aid : 0.5 million euros per year

• + companies and other subsidies

50 % public financing / 50 % private (kind included)

• Region and programmes leaders (Presidents) and governance members are unpaid volunteers

• Exhibition space : offered

R3iLab : 6 programmes since 2009 one basic principle

1 volunteering company, a French manufacturer in creative industries

1 selected designer

1 coach to help crystallize a project mixing industrial know how and open imagination

1 marketing consultant to help find best positioning for product being developed

1 advertising agency to promote innovative process and products

A programme

team

Tech & Design TIC & Mode (ICT &

Fashion) Manu

Maestria

30 projects 30

« wow » innovative products

5 projects

5 new uses and

innovative products

8 aesthetic innovations in craft industry

1600 sq ft on Maison & Objet in January 2012

Beijing Hurricane Lamp Designed by Mathieu Lehanneur Manufactured by Parapluies de Cherbourg

Window Fan Designed by Solenne Morigeaud Manufactured by Toiles de Mayenne

Luminescent Lamp Designed by Normal Studio Manufactured by Broderies Bacus

The Unique Shirt (industrial process : 5 fabrics 20 different shirts) Designed by Pascal Gautrand Manufactured by Virtuose and C2S

Dragon Lights Designed by Jean Boggio Manufactured by Tisserant

Some lessons learnt ?

• Most SMEs do not need design first : they need marketing and then design

• + field expertise of the designer : less of a « wow » effect but better sales prospects

• + strategic thinking ahead : saves time (to market) and failures

• Hard to work with small firms : day to day emergencies come first

• ROI ? A training process above all, a key for the future.