Today, we visited the Dao workshops, the brand of jeans made in France that we love so much. So head to Lorraine and more precisely Nancy!
After two hours of chilly train travel, Émilie and I arrived just as freshly in Nancy. Thomas, the manager of the Dao store, awaits us with a bright and cheerful eye in front of the station.
We head towards Maxéville, a small town north of Nancy. This is where the DAO workshop installed its sewing machines in September 2020.
After a few minutes of driving, the white building from the 1950s stands in front of us, So this is where it all happens! 540m2 of premises, exposed beams, raw and elegant premises in the image of the brand. 
Meet the Dao team
We are welcomed by Davy, Romain and the whole team. From there, we spend three wonderful hours discovering every corner, every machine, and chatting with almost the entire team. On the program therefore, discovery of the workshop, discussions with Léo responsible for after-sales service, with Déborah in charge of communication, we had the chance to discover in preview the new products for this year (stars in our eyes) which we will be able to soon propose to you at L'Appartement Français.
Want to know a little more about the workshop then? Let's go !
The artisanal production of Dao jeans
Today, at the workshop, the team consists of four people. So each pair of jeans is made using eight hands! It takes no less than 45 minutes for a pair of jeans to be made before being put on and enjoying wonderful adventures with their new owner!
The workshop will therefore be able to produce 25 today!
When we tell you that it’s slow fashion, patience, precision and know-how for this slow production!
It all starts with cutting each piece of jeans. This is the only stage which will not be done in Maxéville but in Aube or Moselle. 
The production stages of Dao jeans
Every morning, in the workshop we prepare a batch of jeans to be assembled for the entire team, depending on orders, restockings and sales. Everyone gets down to their task, with a hand that does not tremble, with an expert eye scrutinizing the thread, the machine and the canvas, which, always, must run straight. What about the foot then? Ah, yes, the foot, always on the floor on the pedal of the machine!
We discover, in this benchmark of know-how, more than 30 machines, about which unfortunately I will not be able to talk to you as well as the protagonists themselves! Each machine has its function, its cut, its point...
Creation of the buttonhole, opening of the buttonholes, installation of the button, creation and installation of the 5 pockets, creation and installation of the belt band, reinforcements, installation of labels, sewing the sides of the pants, ... Every centimeter counts, you have to be precise, make no mistake! Your jeans are ready! Oh no, you still have to wash it at 30 degrees so that it doesn't move when you buy it!
There you have it, your jeans made in France and, more precisely, Lorraine, are here, ready for you gentlemen and for you ladies too! Whether you like it straight, semi-slim, flared, raw, black or gray there will definitely be one for you!
There you have it, your jeans made in France and, more precisely, Lorraine, are here, ready for you gentlemen and for you ladies too! Whether you like it straight, semi-slim, flared, raw, black or gray there will definitely be one for you!
Noon, all this has whetted our appetite and we decide to enjoy our snack in the sun.
Back at the DAO headquarters, we talk about projects, we talk about made in France, we also discuss our confined lives because 2020 will have prevented us from seeing each other as we would have liked so much.
4:00 p.m., already… We head to visit the DAO boutique which is located in the heart of Nancy (precisely 348 meters from Place Stanislas), to meet up with Thomas and Océane. We discuss our respective experiences in the store, Émilie takes the opportunity to try some new products, and heads off smiling around 5:30 p.m. to the station for a return home!
We would like to once again thank Davy and his entire team for their welcome on this spring day.
Where to find jeans made in France Dao?
At the Dao boutique in Nancy, otherwise at L'Appartement Français, on this eshop or in the Parisian boutique at 16 rue du Bourg-Tibourg 75004 PARIS.