Over coffee with: Anine Bing
In a new segment, I will be interviewing different women from an array of areas, careers & backgrounds who epitomise the words; inspiring, driven & organised.
My first interview is with LA based fashion designer Anine Bing. A true highlight for me, Anine has been a label I have worn & followed for years. A mother, designer, & absolute girl boss, Anine has had an incredible career to date that continues to grow from strength to strength. I chatted to Anine about how it all began, what her biggest challenges to date have been & what her goals for the future are...
OVERVIEW:
ANINE BING was launched in 2012. Inspired by the fusion of Scandinavian heritage and American spirit, ANINE BING offers luxurious staples, wardrobe basics and statement pieces that are current and timeless. To date, ANINE BING is sold in more than 300 boutiques world wide & this wonder women now has right flagship stores worldwide in Los Angeles, New York, Antwerp, Paris, London, Barcelona, Madrid and Berlin.
HOW DID ‘ANINE BING’ COME ABOUT?
ANINE: The brand came about when I was searching for the perfect pair of skinny jeans. I could never seem to find a pair that fit just right. So I decided that if you can’t find it, create it. ANINE BING started with denim, a few great t-shirts, and a leather jacket...my favorite look. Soon we were online and in a few retailers in LA. The rest is history...
WHAT GAVE YOU THE CONFIDENCE TO START ANINE BING & HOW DID YOU KNOW THE TIME WAS RIGHT?
ANINE:Ultimately, I think I had a lot of confidence in the clothing and in the brand. I was really dedicated to producing high quality pieces that were effortless, yet timeless. I knew there were many women who, like me, wanted the same thing. As far as timing, there was no time like the present, and like I always say, you know when you know...
WHAT IS THE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE BUDDING ENTREPRENEURS THINKING OF STARTING A BUSINESS?
ANINE: Make a plan, stay focused, and be willing to work extremely hard. There will be so many long hours ahead but when you do what you love it is so worth it.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE IN 3-5 WORDS…
ANINE: Relaxed and effortless, but with an edge.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR HIGHLIGHT & YOUR MOST CHALLENGING MOMENT TO DATE AS A BUSINESS WOMEN?
ANINE:The biggest challenge is having to constantly find balance in my life between being a mother, a wife, a business woman, a friend, and anyone else I need to be that day! The highlight is always at the beginning of each day when I get kisses from my family and again at the end of the day, when I feel most grateful.
YOUR LABEL HAS RECEIVED INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION & BECOME A ‘GO-TO’ WORLDWIDE. HOW DO YOU STAY ORGANISED WHEN YOU TRAVEL FOR WORK?
ANINE: Because there are so many moving parts, organization is key to doing anything in my life...especially travel. Often when traveling for work, our trips are quick and there is not always a lot of advanced notice. So it really comes down to time management and prioritizing my calendar. And of course, always making time to find the best local spots...
AND… IN GENERAL HOW DO YOU MANAGE / JUGGLE WORKING LIFE WITH FAMILY LIFE?! SUCH A WONDER WOMEN!
ANINE: I’ve found there is no secret to juggling everything...I wish there was! I try to remain very present in everything I do. This way when I am spending family time, I am making that my priority. And when working, I am giving my all in the office (even though my mind is always thinking about my kids). I would be lying if I said it was easy, but it’s my reality and I wouldn’t change a thing.
WHAT ARE THE TOP 3 WAYS YOU ORGANISE YOUR LIFE?
ANINE: I love my planner. I am a big fan of writing things down and keep my planner with me at home and when I go into the office. My phone is also essential in organizing my calendar and managing calls, messages, and emails. And keeping notes throughout the day. Everyone needs little reminders now and then, especially when there is so much going on. I never want to feel like I am forgetting to do something...
WHAT IS YOUR WORKSPACE STYLE & WHAT ESSENTIALS WOULD WE FIND ON YOUR DESK AT THE MOMENT?
ANINE: I need to keep a clean workspace on and around my desk. I can’t think clearly if my desk is overcrowded or disorganized. At the moment, you can find an ANINE BING candle, fresh flowers, hand lotion, my planner, and some exciting photos of styles we are working on.
WHERE TO FROM HERE? WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR ANINE BING?
ANINE: My goal is to continue to make clothing that I feel extremely proud of. One project I am so excited to be working on is our #AroundTheWorldInANINEBING campaign, where we've been selecting real women from around the world to be featured in our clothing. It's been so incredible to meet these unique and empowering women. So while I am very much looking forward to the future, I am always enjoying life one day at a time…
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