THE DEFI

The Committee for the Development and Promotion of French Clothing, otherwise denominated DEFI, was founded through a decree of the French Minister of Economy, Finances and Industry, dated December 20, 2000, in replacement of the Committee for the Development and the Promotion of French Textile and Clothing created in 1984.

Missions

In order to “support all kinds of collective initiatives in favour of the clothing industry” the DEFI carries out several public service missions which consist in :

  • Fostering programmes favouring innovation and the restoration of industrial and commercial structures,
  • Contributing to the improvement of training programmes for the employees and of a production, management and marketing conditions in the clothing industry,
  • Stimulating the national and international promotion of the products from his industry,
  • Participating in the development of favourable conditions for creativity in the fashion business and supporting the preservation of the fashion patrimony
  • Implementing economic and social research works in regard with the clothing industry, and publicizing their findings;
  • Contributing to the financing of programmes in keeping with the above orientations
  • Attending to the consistency of the activities carried out by the organizations benefiting from DEFI’s financial support.

The board

The DEFI is managed by a board of 15 members, appointed for 3 years by the Minister of Industry. Ten members are appointed upon proposals from the professional organizations of the clothing industry; five are directly selected by the Minister, on account of their expertise. The Board is fully empowered to manage the Committee under the guidance of the chairman, appointed by the Minister of Economy, Finances and Industry on proposal of the board.

The current Board has been in office since July 2010.

Commissions and committees

Four specific Commissions and Committees ensure the smooth functioning of the DEFI.

- Strategic Committee

- Finance Commission 

- Commission for Global Promotion 

- Commission for Training and Research

The Commissions work on the different issues and prepare the Board’s decisions. (see the members list )

Departments

Under the guidance of the General Manager (mail to the General Manager’s Office) the DEFI carries out its public service missions thanks to :

- the Promotion Department (mail to the Promotion Department)

- the Alloted Tax Department (mail to the Alloted Tax Department)

- the Administrative and Financial Department (mail to the A&F Department)