02. 09. 20
BEHIND THE BRAND: WITH JÉAN
We recently sat down with the founders of our favourite vintage-inspired label, With Jéan. Get to know Sami and Evangeline as they chat to us about how they started their dream brand, the meaning behind the name and where they get their inspiration from.
HOMETOWN?
Sami - Gold Coast
Evangeline - Gold Coast
STAR SIGN?
Sami - Gemini
Evangeline - Virgo
HOW DID YOU TWO MEET?
We met through a mutual friend after high school and became best friends almost instantly.
WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE WITH JÉAN?
Sami - Photography
Evangeline - Fashion Buyer
TYPICAL DAY AT THE OFFICE?
A typical day is usually the most boring, we are usually (thanks Covid) on the move quite often, for shoots, sampling, manufacturing or PR so when we're in the office we're heads down. Lately, we've enjoyed getting out of the office and working remotely or heading out to lunch to work and brainstorm on things.
WHAT WAS THE IDEA THAT STARTED THE BRAND?
We both have a huge love for fashion, being creative as well as the drive to want to make it happen but, the idea came about on an overseas holiday together where we came home, quit our jobs and dedicated the following 3 months to building With Jéan. Best decision we've ever made.
WHAT IS THE MEANING BEHIND WITH JÉAN?
In the beginning, the idea was to create tops to be worn with jeans but dresses quickly became our forefront but With Jéan lived on.
WHAT STRENGTHS DO YOU EACH BRING TO THE BUSINESS?
Sami - Being a photographer, I shoot all of our campaigns and with a marketing background I cover growing our Instagram presence and being the 'crafty one' with all the web and behind the scenes work.
Evangeline - I think my background and having an analytical understanding of sales and the e-comm world in general.
Together, we like to think of ourselves as the perfect pair that made the business into what it is today and without one another it never would have worked.
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION FROM?
Vintage, always.
BIGGEST PINCH YOURSELF MOMENT?
Sami - These happen far too often and I really could not choose just one yet.
Evangeline - Yeah agree with Sami but I would probably say every time we are on location shooting and seeing our pieces come to life after months of sampling, which is usually a painful process so it's the most tangible reward seeing it come together in these incredible places we probably would not have been able to visit if we weren't where we are now.
ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE WANTING TO START THEIR OWN LABEL?
Seperate yourself from what already is out there and don't be afraid.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR WITH JÉAN?
We've just launched our latest collection 'Modernism' which will include two drops. The collection is a huge turn in terms of design for us, we've incorporated new fabrics and silhouettes that are a little different to our signature style. It's our favourite collection yet, stay tuned for drop 2.
