Anne-Charlotte Le Grand
by Enrico Fragale Esposito
What if a stained sweatshirt, a pair of worn-out overalls or a forgotten jacket weren’t the end of a story, but the beginning of a new one?
For Anne-Charlotte Le Grand, that’s exactly where creativity begins. A product designer, entrepreneur and one of the most experienced voices in the children’s industry, Anne-Charlotte has spent more than 15 years imagining brands, collections and products that combine design, functionality and emotion. After founding the children’s eyewear brand Ki ET LA, she is now exploring a new chapter, one where children’s fashion embraces circularity without losing its sense of wonder.
Born from her Executive MBA at the Institut Français de la Mode, RE.Twist is much more than an upcycling project. It’s a creative ecosystem that gives pre-loved childrenswear a second chance: garments in good condition are exchanged between families, while vintage or damaged pieces are transformed into unique creations through screen printing, patches, styling and imaginative design. The goal isn’t simply to recycle clothes, it’s to change the way we value them.
As a mother of two, Anne-Charlotte knows how quickly little wardrobes fill up, empty out and move on to the next size, the next season, the next adventure. But instead of seeing clothes as disposable, she sees memories, possibilities and blank canvases waiting for their next adventure. In this conversation, she tells Scimparello why children might just be the greatest teachers of sustainable fashion and why the most exciting piece in a wardrobe could already be hanging in someone’s closet.
RE.Twist isn’t just about reusing clothes, it’s about changing the way we think about them. When did you realise that children’s fashion needed a different story?
I have two children, aged 6 and 9, whom I’ve loved dressing since they were born. My greatest joy has always been seeing them wear pieces found in their grandparents’ attic, mixing them with more modern items featuring bold all-over prints or unique textures. I also enjoy mending and adding patches to torn trousers, and I’ve realized that every garment—even if slightly damaged or stained—can tell a new story
You’ve spent more than 15 years building brands for children. What have kids taught you that adults often forget?
Children have no pretenses and say exactly what they think without a filter. If they like a piece of clothing or an accessory, they REALLY like it, and I know they will wear it a lot. They often prioritize comfort, whereas adults tend to focus more on style. Finding that perfect balance between the two to please the whole family is what has always fascinated me!
If someone had to describe Anne-Charlotte in just three words what would you hope they would say?
Creative, colorful, generous.
Children grow incredibly fast, which makes kidswear one of the most short-lived categories in fashion. Do you think we’re finally ready to see “pre-loved” as something exciting instead of second best?
Currently, more than 50% of children’s wardrobes are made up of second-hand clothes, and sharing or swapping among family and friends has become second nature. The idea behind RE.Twist is also to connect families to facilitate donations and avoid storing bags of outgrown clothes unnecessarily in closets. Items in good condition move on to a new life with another family, and I upcycle the rest into unique, one-of-a-kind pieces!
Some people see a stained sweatshirt or worn-out jeans. You see a blank canvas. What’s the first thing your imagination notices?
As a designer, I’ve always found constraints to be an inspiring starting point for creation. When a sweatshirt is stained or has a hole, I look at the position of the mark and immediately picture a graphic element that could tell a story around it. Sometimes I prefer to hide it; other times I use it as the starting point for a new cut or a new shape for another garment. Everything can be raw material for creativity!
Imagine a child choosing between a brand-new jacket and an upcycled one full of little details and memories. Which one do you think they’ll fall in love with, and why?
If the jacket is filled with colorful little details that spark their imagination or feature characters they know, I’m convinced they’ll choose the upcycled one. Kids couldn’t care less about brands (up to a certain age). I think even their favorite cartoon characters can come to life in very creative ways on clothing—through embroidery, screen printing, or any other medium. What would work best to get them 100% on board is making them an active part of customizing their own jacket!
How important is aesthetics in convincing families that circular fashion can also be desirable?
Aesthetics are essential. However, they must remain simple and accessible to convince all families, even those who aren’t fashionistas. The idea behind this project is precisely to show that even a basic, slightly damaged T-shirt can become even more beautiful through a simple creative touch.
We always ask this: what’s one piece from your own childhood wardrobe that you wish you had kept, and what would you transform it into today?
When I was little, I loved colorful dresses, but also OshKosh overalls. My mother had kept quite a few dresses, but unfortunately not the overalls. Imagine my joy when I found 5 or 6 of them in a vintage lot I bought at a thrift shop! They were the very first pieces I customized and that my children wore. I also have a passion for colorful jelly shoes (Méduse), which I still love wearing as an adult and having my kids wear too!
If your eight-year-old self could see what you’re creating today, what do you think she would say?
She would probably ask for more ruffles and twirly dresses !! I want gender-neutral fashion that speaks to all kids. She would be super drawn to—and proud of—having a jacket or a t-shirt that no one else is wearing.
Finally, let’s dream a little. Five years from now, what would make you say: “RE.Twist has truly changed the kids’ fashion industry”?
If I run another study and realize that kids’ wardrobes are now made up of over 80% second-hand clothes, then for me, it’s mission accomplished! I believe we need to change the way we consume, and I hope to achieve that by offering a functional, accessible, and unique wardrobe that is far more desirable and distinctive than the brand-new t-shirt seen a hundred times in school playgrounds. Let’s bring life and color back to our children’s clothes!
(IG Anne-Charlotte Le Grand)
The story of RE.Twist does not end here. Discover the fashion editorial created by photographer Emmanuelle Lhote with Anne-Charlotte Le Grand’s upcycled childrenswear — a playful visual story about second chances, imagination and the beauty of wearing something with a past.
View the full editorial on Scimparello Magazine.
