Bella + Frank
Founded by mother-daughter duo Lesley and Hannah, Bella + Frank is a brand as quirky as it is principled. With family, nature, and creativity at the heart, the brand’s name stems from the two family Italian greyhounds. They have converted a granary into a studio for painting and a rebuilt barn as a printmaking studio at their family property, located in the idyllic countryside in West Sussex.
The fashion industry, while being a beautiful and fundamental expression of human art and culture, is also one of the most environmentally damaging activities on earth. At Bella + Frank, sustainability is both a practice and a goal. The founders approach each garment individually to consider the feasibility of circularity, as well as the carbon footprint. They firmly believe if you’re seeking to inspire children there is, perhaps, no better way to do so than with what they interact with every day: clothes that are practical, playful, well-designed, and produced with the least impact on the environment. Introducing eco-consciousness to young minds will help raise a generation of environmentally aware consumers.
Although both designers work from their own homes, the duo spends a lot of time together in their respective studios, bouncing ideas off each other, and visiting galleries or vintage book shops for inspiration. They truly enjoy having their best friend as their co-worker. Only when they disagree on a design, it can get a bit tough for Hannah, because the compromise is usually in her Mum’s favour!
The current collection »Insectarium« is dedicated to the little creatures that accomplish big feats of nature every day. Since multi-functionality is an important part of their design principles, kids can wear items in multiple ways: dresses turn into tops, jackets can be worn in four different fashions, and reversible coats, shirts, and skirts. These designs are an ode to nature, highlighting the importance of insects, the protective nature of cocoons, chrysalis, beetle shells, and wildflowers. One of the current designs is a beautiful thistle print representing wildflower meadows and their importance to the continued existence of insects, and especially bees. The decline in wild meadows due to farming is endangering these special creatures - like many other species - and their population has dwindled significantly in recent years.
The materials used include organic cotton and ethical wool. Around 80-95% of the collections are made with recycled materials, like recycled polyester. It is derived from clear plastic bottles, as an alternative to ending up in landfills; lessening soil contamination as well as air and water pollution. Converting PET to recycled polyester requires between 33-55% less energy than virgin polyester. By removing the demand for new fabrics and even turning materials and waste from other industries into viable fashion textiles, the brand reduces their pollution and production of waste. Trash becomes a valuable resource, to be cycled endlessly back into the loop. Those plastic bottles can become trainers or jeans, and these fishing nets can find new life as bikinis … You can learn more about the environmentally friendly materials on the Bella + Frank website.
Lesley and Hannah are constantly researching and talking to mills and manufacturers that specialize in sustainable materials and production, as it is important to constantly be learning about new methods and materials that are being created from recycled materials. Even as a small business, they see it as their responsibility to design with circularity in mind, adapting and creating clothes that show their passion for nature, and the beautiful creatures we all share this planet with.
written by
ALEXANDRA KLEVER
photographed by
BELLA + FRANK