Created in New York, made in Greece and embellished in Notting Hill, each pair of Frēda Banana sunglasses has been on a journey… And one we can seriously get behind.
We caught up with Founder and Creative Director Alexia Jane Hebet about the brand, Burning Man, and of course, tequila!
TELL US ABOUT FRĒDA BANANA AND HOW IT ALL CAME ABOUT…
After a few years living and working in New York in a reputable luxury house, I was a bit overwhelmed with the corporate lifestyle, I was feeling less and less creative, so I needed a little break from the city.
I decided I’d go to a trip at the burning man festival, where the idea was born, when I got back I decided to quite my job and start my own brand.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
A typical day for me… I wake up around 8 am scroll my emails with one eye, I’ll have my first coffee, a shower and get ready to go to the atelier.
Once I get there, I’ll answer my emails, which takes me more than half a day, then my days rhythm depends on whether I have meetings, or creative process to work on.
But I can’t really talk about a routine, as every day in my job is so different, which is the thing that makes me love what I do.
WHAT’S BEEN THE BIGGEST EYE-OPENER SINCE STARTING THE LABEL?
When the brand started to expand, I had to learn to get more sensitive towards my customers taste and needs, which taught me that I am not only designing for my friends and myself, but also for a wider range of customers.
I learnt my materials, and started to improve every aspect of the sunglasses, from the acetate we use for the frame, the colours, to the lenses, the engraving and the pearls.
WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I find my inspiration in the street, in every day life, my travelling, and my fashion cravings of the moment.
WHAT IS YOUR GO-TO REMEDY WHEN YOU’RE STUCK IN A CREATIVE RUT?
When I get stuck in a creative rut, I just stop whatever Im doing, go for a long walk in the street of Paris, and meet my girlfriend for some tequila ; )
WHAT’S NEXT FOR FRĒDA BANANA?
We launched a cat eyes collection right now, have an atelier every Saturday at Le bon Marche for all June, and we will be soon curated by Moda Operandi in New York in July!
SHOP:
Anissa Red, £220 – here
Anissa Green & Brown, £220 – here
Anissa Dark Grey, £220 – here
Go To: fredabanana.com
DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at [email protected]
Inspiration/ImageCredits: fredabanana.com, instagram.com/fredabanana
