From the Pyrenees to the runway: this upcycling brand is heading to Paris Fashion Week
When you picture a fashion designer preparing to show at Paris Fashion Week, a studio tucked away in the Ariège Pyrenees is rarely the first image that comes to mind. Yet it is from Luzenac, a small mountain village, that Nassima is putting the finishing touches on her next collection for one of the most prestigious showcases in global fashion.
A price point that reflects one-of-a-kind craftsmanship
Behind the brand Zayhan lies a clear philosophy: fewer pieces, but better ones. In practice, that translates to an average price of between €150 and €200 for a swimsuit, a deliberately premium positioning, justified by entirely hand-made construction and fabrics sourced from unsold stock or recycled denim.
Every piece is therefore unique. Nassima is clear on this: nothing she makes comes off a production line. This commitment to rarity and artisanal craft sets Zayhan apart from fast-fashion labels, and speaks to women who want to stand out through clothing that balances style with environmental conscience.
The range focuses on two product types: body-style swimsuits made from recycled fabrics, and trousers and skirts cut from 100% upcycled denim. A tight, coherent offer that is entirely in keeping with the brand’s identity.
From Luzenac to the Paris Fashion Week runway
In October 2026, Nassima will present her new collection at Paris Fashion Week. The opportunity came out of a chance encounter at a show in Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands, where she was approached about collaborating with international model Pino Montesdeoca, a partnership that opens up visibility for Zayhan far beyond the borders of Ariège.
The designer admits that everything moved very quickly. In less than a year of existence, the brand has gone from launching with unsold stock to securing a spot on one of the most watched stages in international fashion. For an independent house, that is a remarkable leap.
While the pieces are made in the Canary Islands, the creative studio remains rooted in Luzenac. The choice of location often surprises people, but Nassima explains it simply: her son’s father is Andorran, and she herself is deeply in love with nature and the mountains. For creativity, she says, this mountain setting is an ideal environment, far from the noise of big cities.
A change of mindset sparked by a journey
It all started with something entirely ordinary: packing suitcases before a van trip. Faced with wardrobes overflowing with clothes, some never worn, others bought simply because they were cheap, Nassima made a decision. She wanted to change the way she consumed.
- The Zayhan brand launched one year ago, starting from unsold stock.
- The name Zayhan means beauty and elegance.
- The swimsuits are made from recycled fabrics.
- The trousers and skirts use 100% upcycled denim.
- Every piece is handmade, in the Canary Islands.
Having spent her entire career in the world of fashion, this 39-year-old designer turned a personal awakening into a professional project. The name she chose for the brand is no accident: Zayhan, meaning beauty and elegance, sums up her ambition to create clothes that carry as much meaning as they do style.
Paris Fashion Week as proof that a grounded project can go global
Zayhan’s participation in Paris Fashion Week in October 2026 means far more than media exposure. It is confirmation that a couture upcycling brand born in a Pyrenean village can lay claim to international recognition. The collaboration with international model Pino Montesdeoca only strengthens that credibility on the fashion world stage.
For potential customers, this presence at Paris Fashion Week also sends a clear signal: Zayhan pieces are not just another line of eco-conscious clothing. They carry a strong visual identity, crafted in a mountain studio, and now recognised on the scale of a global event. Sustainable fashion, as championed by Nassima from Luzenac, is about to take its next step on one of the biggest stages at Paris Fashion Week.
