Marion Solor

Marion Solor, founder of the Alter Ego brand

Who are you?

My name is Marion SOLOR, I’m 30 and I live in Troyes.

Can you introduce your brand?

Alter Ego is a ready-to-wear brand whose concept is to match the whole family in terms of clothing. It has a strong DNA and a singularly playful imprint to enable its customers to stand out on occasions such as weddings, dinners or any other family gathering or cocktail party.

We show the bonds of complicity and love that we have with the members of our family, we are a tribe. It’s a poetic way of affirming your complementary relationship.

The models are sometimes identical and unisex, and sometimes a mix of feminine and masculine models, while respecting the codes of each.It’s important not to mix styles and ages. At Alter Ego, everyone has their own personality, and the garment is simply the link that binds them together, both visually and emotionally.

Alter Ego literally means “my other self”, and represents the spirit of complementarity. Hence the name of the brand and its slogan: “Our clothes weave your bonds”. The logo is the infinity sign, which came naturally and is adorned with our French flag.

How did this vocation come about?

Alter Ego families want to wear clothes that become life’s little pleasures. They love the fact that they can bring out their complicity. I was already doing it with my sister when I was little. That’s where it came from, the special, close-knit relationship we’ve always had. Our customers love life and simple pleasures, they’re epicureans and they’re looking for beautiful pieces, whatever the price. They are looking for uniqueness to stand out from the crowd. I recognise myself in them and I recognise the links I have with my family in Alter Ego. For me, family comes first no matter what, we work as a team and we leave no one behind.

Why did you choose to manufacture in Troyes?

It’s more than important, it’s a real commitment. We are attached to certain values and to people in general. Manufacturing here or in France means we can be sure we’re not using child labour or feeding networks of workers in deplorable conditions on the other side of the world. So yes, it’s more expensive than what we’re used to paying (especially for clothes), but we’re not used to it. We no longer know how much a garment really costs to be well made. The idea is to buy less but better. We feed our own mouths before going abroad and we pollute less too. We want the brand to have legitimacy and to be part of the French revival. I think it’s the role of my generation to rethink the way we consume.

How do you work with local players?

This adventure is also great because it’s an opportunity to work with people who are passionate about what they do, real players in our economic fabric, people who get up early every morning to keep the machine running, pass on our know-how, keep it alive and evolving. With my partners and suppliers, we look at the same things, we come up with new things, we share ideas, but always with the same goal in mind.

For me, working in this way is a guarantee of the best possible quality.

How do you see your brand developing?

There are lots of projects, and I try to be as dynamic as possible. Despite everything, it’s difficult to set dates given the current state of affairs.

What I can tell you is that you’ll be able to find your Alter Ego brand in the Nœud à pois shop on Place Jean Jaurès in Troyes when everything reopens. We started this collaboration before the health crisis and I’m currently working with other people, including the photographers lebonheurdesgens, on a ‘positive’ exhibition about the people fighting the pandemic. I’m working on a ‘positive’ exhibition about the people who are fighting against the pandemic, how everyone is living and feeling it all, the incredible solidarity that has been built up, the French textile workers we’ve been glad to be able to count on, what it’s changing in people’s lives and how we can improve tomorrow after this.

Where can we find your products?

Visit www.alterego-shop.fr or simply type alter ego matching clothing into your search engine.