Stüdio Emmaüs is a collaborative initiative that brings together various textile and furniture upcycling projects from different Emmaüs workshops across France. The workshops are part of the wider Emmaüs movement, a social solidarity organisation dedicated to supporting people in vulnerable situations through employment, shelter and activities in the circular economy, including the collection and sale of second-hand goods.
The idea behind Stüdio Emmaüs was to pool capacities and experience, to exchange ideas and knowledge as well as to embark on a larger variety of upcycling projects. Their collective mission is to give new life to abandoned objects and materials, while providing training and insertion opportunities to people who face barriers in the labour market, through sewing or woodworking.
Stüdio Emmaüs strives for B2B collaborations and public contracts. They typically sources furniture and textile products through imperfect stock from retailers or manufacturers. In addition to this direct sourcing model, they occasionally work with retail partners to collect materials from consumers through their take-back or donation campaigns. These products are then upcycled and returned to their partners for resale.
In 2023, they worked with Comédie-Française, a national theatre in Paris, where they helped to revamp the cafeteria. As well as providing upcycled furniture such as table and chairs, they also repurposed old costumes from the theatre to upcycle and create new acoustic panels.
Across Stüdio Emmaüs’s workshops, approximately 60 full-time jobs, such as carpenters, textile specialists and designers, are dedicated to repurposing materials in 2025. Of these, around 40 positions are part of work integration programmes aimed at supporting individuals who face barriers in the labour market. They are supported by dedicated mentors who help them navigate workplace challenges and provide tailored training based on their individual needs. Beyond technical expertise such as that in sewing and woodworking, the programme focuses on developing essential soft skills, such as punctuality, teamwork and adapting to workplace routines.
Read more about Stüdio Emmaüs and their upcycling projects in our report on Social Enterprises’ Role in Furniture and Mattress Circularity.
