bmb bags is a Greek brand that combines sustainable development and respect for the environment, with fashion and aesthetics in women's accessories.
Katerina Frosinioti, the founder of BMB Bags, and her daughter Christina Noikokyraki, both biologists, joined forces. The idea of using environmentally friendly materials in our daily lives was born during Katerina's university studies in biology. As the company evolved, Christina's passion for fashion and the environment led her to become actively involved, resulting in the products you will see below.
LikeWoman.gr met with both of them for a wonderful interview. Here’s what they told us:
1| What are bmb bags? Tell me how you decided to create this brand? What is the inspiration behind the name bmb bags?
BMB Bags is a Greek sustainable fashion brand that combines ethics and aesthetics in women's fashion accessories.
"I graduated from the Biology Department of the University of Athens, so I am particularly aware of sustainability issues. The idea of using environmentally friendly materials in our daily lives came to me during my university studies. I discovered the potential of bamboo as a sustainable material a few years later on a trip to Southeast Asia, where I was impressed by the vast bamboo plantations and how beneficial they are to the environment.
On the other hand, I love women's bags! There are as many different bag options as there are different female roles!
So, 10 years ago, BMB Bags was born. BMB are the three consonants of the word 'bamboo.'
In the last year, my daughter joined the workforce of BMB Bags. Christina is also a biologist, loves fashion, and brought a breath of fresh air to BMB Bags. For example, our new card, which you will find on every BMB bag, is plantable. You can plant it and watch a small plant grow.
One could say that since we both come from the field of biology, our involvement and love for sustainable fashion is in our DNA!"
2| Why is bamboo considered a sustainable species?
Bamboo is one of the most sustainable resources we have today. It grows extremely fast, making it an ideal renewable resource for industrial use with more frequent harvesting and less impact on forests. Additionally, bamboo plants can absorb more carbon dioxide and produce oxygen more efficiently than many other plants. This ability to help reduce greenhouse gases is vital for tackling climate change. Moreover, bamboo is used in a multitude of applications, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional materials such as wood and plastic, reinforcing our commitment to a more sustainable future.
3| What is sustainable fashion?
Sustainable fashion focuses on producing clothing and accessories in a way that protects the environment and supports fair working conditions. Uses sustainable materials, (such as organic cotton, bamboo, and recycled polyester) reduces chemical and water use, promotes recycling, (such as promoting clothing recycling and creating new products from recycled products), and produces clothing and accessories that last more, with the aim of reducing consumption and waste.
4| How does sustainable fashion influence the design of a bmb bags collection?
Sustainable fashion is not just a term for us, but a guiding principle that permeates every design stage of every bmb women's accessories collection. We would say Sustainable fashion=bmb bags
We start with the choice of materials: We only use materials that are 100% ecological, such as natural bamboo or bamboo leather, shelves, mats, canvas and other traditional materials, even incorporating techniques such as crocheting or the traditional loom from grandmothers us.
In the field of reuse and recycling, we are proud that many of our materials, such as the bamboo leather we use, come from recycled sources. Our production processes are also designed to reduce energy and water use, and produce the least possible waste.
We are also very careful with our production quantities with almost 100% of bmb collections consisting of handmade items. We only produce limited quantities to avoid overproduction and ensure that each of our accessories is crafted with the utmost care and love.
And of course we place great importance on design and quality so that bmb bags and fashion accessories are classic and timeless. This not only allows us to keep bmb accessories relevant for longer but also to avoid the waste of an unnecessary renewal of our wardrobe.
And finally, we continue to maintain transparency in our practices and work with suppliers who observe fair working conditions, because we believe that this is the only way fashion can be truly sustainable.
5| You talked a while ago about bags made with bamboo leather. Can you explain to us what this new material is?
The truth is that we are extremely proud of our new collection of bamboo leather bags since we are the first in Greece and Europe to use this innovative material for the manufacture of women's accessories .
Bamboo Leather is a vegan alternative leather. It is an innovative bio-based material made from recycled bamboo products, such as furniture, toothbrushes, etc. After recycling, the bamboo pieces are ground into a fine powder that eventually turns into a material that has similar texture and properties to animal skin. The bamboo skin! Of course, unlike animal leather, no animal is harmed during its production process. It is soft and durable without containing harmful chemicals like synthetic leather, and above all, it is biodegradable.
For this reason it is an excellent sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional animal and synthetic leather.
But our commitment to sustainability does not stop here. The inner lining of each Bamboo Leather bag, as well as the zippers and all metal decorations, come from recycled materials, confirming our effort in the recovery and reuse of materials.
6| You mentioned before that almost 100% of bmb bags are handmade. Why did you choose to deal with women's bags and especially handmade women's bags?
Women carry various things in their bags. In a woman's bag you don't only find every woman's lipstick and perfume, her mobile phone and her tablet. You can find children's toys, even baby diapers or her partner's lighter.
Every woman assumes various roles during her life, for example she is a student, a mother, an entrepreneur, a grandmother... But even during a single day, every woman's life has various demands, for example going to the office or attending a social event. So women find a way to express their personality and role at any given moment through their bags. And let's not forget the most important thing! A special and impressive bag can upgrade even the simplest look!
On the other hand, each handmade bag or accessory reflects the personality of the craftsman who created it and is something unique just as every woman is unique and special!
Of course we don't forget our commitment to sustainability. Handmade bmb bags are the antithesis of fast fashion.
7| You said bmb bags were born 10 years ago. What are your favorite designs over the years?
I would say the Bamboo Dream Bag . It's the bag we started with 10 years ago and it still has a huge fan following today. It is special, elegant, made of natural bamboo, 100% handmade, dyed with vegetable colors friendly to humans and the environment.
And of course all the bags in the Bamboo Leather Collection, as bamboo leather is currently the most innovative thing in sustainable fashion.
8| What is bmb bags' proposal for Spring and Summer 2024
This year's proposal for Spring and Summer 2024 includes, in addition to the innovative Bamboo Leather Bags collection, your favorite handmade bags made of natural raw bamboo in many designs and colors. At bmb bags you will also find special handmade bags made of racks, canvas and jute as well as evening clutches to stand out in your evening appearances. Stunning straw baskets with matching hats and sandals for stunning looks on the beach and not only that…..but also special jewelry with natural semi-precious stones
9| What advice would you give women on choosing their bag?
A woman is a person, with many personalities! There are so many different options in bags. The main advice I would give is to make sure that every time their bag represents their personal style.
In addition, they should be very careful in terms of quality and construction materials and realize that the shift towards sustainable fashion is not an option but is now an imperative.
10| What is your favorite part of your job?
The creativity. Creating new designs and looking for innovative sustainable materials
11| What are your bmb bag dreams?
We would like bmb bags to be loved by women all over the world not only for their unique designs and excellent quality but also for their contribution to the development of the green fashion industry.
12| Can you tell us about any future projects you are currently working on?
We are currently working on a collection of scarves and pareos made from bamboo fiber which will have the texture of silk fabric.
We also want to include in our Bamboo Leather collection some designs exclusively for men. For several years men's bags and purses were in the background. It is now time for them to come back again because the bag is a necessary accessory in both a woman's and a man's outfit.
Finally, we never stop looking for innovative sustainable materials to incorporate into our collections.
13| What is woman, what is style, what is elegance for bmb bags?
For bmb bags, a woman is a person who knows and appreciates the value of her personal expression. She is informed, aware and actively chooses to support practices that respect the environment and promote justice. For us, every woman is unique, and this is expressed through the choices she makes, from the way she lives to the way she dresses.
Style, from our point of view, is the harmony between comfort and aesthetics. It is the ability to express yourself through your accessories, strengthening your personal identity and at the same time staying true to your values. Our accessories are designed to communicate a message of sustainability and elegance, regardless of fashion trends.
As for elegance, for bmb bags, this is a result of authenticity. Elegance means choosing objects with respect for the environment and the people who create them, objects that last over time and are an expression of our personal and collective identity. Our elegance is not only in our outward appearance and inward disposition but also in the effect we have on the world around us.
14| What is your motto in life?
The past is our lesson. The present is our gift. The future is our motivation.
Question for Christina
Why should a young biologist work in the field of sustainable fashion?
A young biologist has many reasons to be involved in the field of sustainable fashion. In my opinion, there are three main motivations that guide me to this choice:
Sustainable Approach: As a biologist, I have developed a complex understanding of the environment and the environmental challenges we face. Sustainable fashion is a way to apply my scientific knowledge and help create a planet-friendly environment.
Innovation and Research: Sustainable fashion offers a wide range of opportunities for innovation and scientific research. I can apply my biological knowledge to the search for new materials and production methods that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Social Responsibility: Sustainable fashion also focuses on campaigning for social justice and improving working conditions in the fashion industry. As a biologist, I am interested in how the decisions we make in the fashion industry affect the health and well-being of people and the planet.
In addition, my love for fashion and women's accessories further strengthens my decision to work in the field of sustainable fashion. I see fashion not only as a way to express personality and style, but also as a way to shape positive change in our world. Through the creation of sustainable women's accessories, I seek to combine my aesthetics and creativity with my commitment to a better world for all.
Project likewoman.gr ( Tania Nikolopoulou & Jeni Oikonomou )Photos: Nikos Plakias Place: Royalty Hotel Athens
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