Julie Meunier

“To my sisters in arms”

“What happened in Julie Meunier's life before she decided to create her firm? Law studies, a position as an in-house real estate lawyer for a large company, and then breast cancer at the age of 27, which led to "24 chemotherapies, 2 operations, 40 radiotherapy sessions and 5 years of hormone therapy". Faced with the list of stages involved in fighting the disease, the pugnacity of this Niçoise is obvious from the outset. "When no bank wanted to grant me a loan, I had to fight to make this project happen, and happen it did thanks to crowdfunding,” explains this creative fan of rock and alternative music, who has been fashion designing since childhood and for a while dreaming of becoming a tattoo artist. But how did the Franjynes concept come about? "With the chemo, I found myself at one point without hair, eyebrows and eyelashes. I cobbled together a headband system with a fake fringe over which I could put a cap or turban. I needed to preserve this part of my femininity, my identity." A Loulou de la Falaise—the Saint Laurent muse—turbanista look which earned her many compliments. Julie very quickly perfected the system, filed a patent, and launched her start-up.

An alternative to wigs

Gabrielle Chanel may not have been a seamstress but she knew where to place the needle to give her creations the shape that she wanted. In the same vein, Julie designs all her models in Nice but sends them to French workshops to be made up. “In the entrepreneurial world, you don't have to be admin-phobic," she continues humorously. “I work nearly 80 hours a week and the only non-negotiable activities in my diary are my yoga sessions." With her heart set on passing on her knowledge, she has recently authored a book entitled “A Mes Sœurs de Combat” (To My Sisters in Arms) published by Editions Larousse. "I talk about cancer in it because it was a trigger that helped me become aware that we often put barriers in our own way, while as long as we have our health, anything is possible.”

Les Franjynes

For all women confronted with hair loss, the Nice brand offers fake fringes, turbans, caps, and scarves. Entirely adapted to alopecia and pelada, evolving with hair regrowth, these accessories give an up-to-the-minute, classic, or bohemian look. An ethical and responsible approach to fashion since all the fabrics used come from ends of rolls and obsolete stock from major fashion houses. And the manufacturing is carried out in French workshops committed to professional integration. Today there are 210 brand retailers in Metropolitan France, Overseas France, Europe, and Canada. In the event of long-term illness, the fringe and turban set can be reimbursed by Social Security too. Visit the Franjynes boutique in Nice or the oncology corner in your pharmacy. In four years, the start-up has already given 9,000 women the choice of maintaining a look despite their trials and tribulations. She is now rolling out ranges for children (Les Franjynettes) as well as for men (Les Franjyns).

Localisation : Nice
Création : 2017
Activité : Commerce de détail en boutique spécialisée
Présidente : Julie Meunier
Directrice générale bénévole : Ghislaine Lebrun
Capital social : 20 000 €
Collaborateurs : 1 à 5