Ten minutes talking all things The Global Bohemian
Take ten minutes to find out more about our founder, Louise, where she talks everything from soul-led fashion to the parts of The Global Bohemian that excite her the most.
What moment or experience first stirred the idea for The Global Bohemian?
It wasn’t one moment or experience but rather a collection of these. My travels across Asia and Southeast Asia inspired my own personal wardrobe with flowing wrap skirts and bohemian styles found all across Thailand and India. It was the lack of finding these styles at home and a dislike of the high street that really set an idea in motion.
Was there a single fabric, place, or encounter that changed your direction?
It was a trip to India in 2023 that really opened my eyes to what goes on behind the scenes of fast fashion. Up until this point, I’d only experienced the beauty of hand-crafted fabrics, markets and creative makers. In Mumbai I visited the Dharavi Slum where I saw first-hand the appalling conditions that people were working in. Fast fashion giants use this slum (and others like it) as an overflow for stitching labels into clothing amongst other things. As well as this I saw the waste from this dumped into the local environment by the gallons and that didn’t sit right with my love of the planet!
How does a design usually begin for you — fabric first or silhouette first?
Silhouette first. As a new brand, we’re still building our staples into our collections and seeing what lands with our customers. As we only drop small collections, I personally choose the fabrics for all the designs – so each piece has been matched to the print and fabric. Its things like this that I think really make the brand special.
Do you remember the first piece you ever made that felt truly “Global Bohemian”?
Our Shakti Tunic really fits within this category; it was modelled on the floaty styles that I found in Chatuchak Market in Bangkok. I really wanted to create a piece that had this amazing high and low hem feature and just sat off the shoulder – perfect for 30 degree evenings in Asia. It was supposed to float along with you when you walked around – which I think we successfully achieved. The Shakti is actually being reimagined as the Riya Tunic, coming later this year, where we’ve used crepe saree fabric and added a more of a cascading style to it.
What does “soul-led fashion” mean in your everyday work?
It simply means that I put intention and soul into every design I create - but it’s actually a bit wider than that – it speaks to the core of the business. It’s the fact we choose recyclable packaging, we encourage our customers to feed back and input into our designs and that we align with brands that share our ethos like Space Rituals.
Why is slow fashion a personal value for you, not just a business choice?
Fast fashion leads to over consumption and waste. I’m not saying that you shouldn’t buy from the high street (second hand is better) as everyone needs some staples but if you do then try and make those things last. Slow fashion is fundamentally better for the planet and I’m very passionate about saving the earth for my son to enjoy for many years to come.
How would you describe the Global Bohemian woman in three words?
Edgy.
Unique.
Unafraid.
What part of running this brand brings you the most joy?
It would have to be the creative aspect of it like the fashion shooting. As my background is as an independent photographer, being able to use those skills to grow my own brand is amazing. I also have a Masters in Marketing – so for me I’m combining all the skills I’ve learned over the last 25 years in one place – that’s probably the most satisfying thing about The Global Bohemian.
What’s your own most-worn Global Bohemian piece? Why?
It would have to be my Nomad Tunic – I have a few of these! It just integrates in my wardrobe easily, it has pockets and its reversible so I can get more than one look with it - depending on my mood. It was also based on the arty tunics of the 70s so when I wear it I feel like creating something.
What feels exciting or evolving in The Global Bohemian right now?
We’re definitely evolving. Right now, we’re about to launch our first small stockist space on Stirchley high street in Birmingham at Space Rituals. A year into the business and this just feels the right time to do it. The partnership between the two brands is really holistic and they complement each other. It’s also the right location situated on a high street in a local area that’s alive with independent businesses.
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