Behind the Brand: BIBICO

Bibico is a small European clothing company created by Snow. Bibico is fairtrade, with beautiful, wearable, and timeless style. We are proud to stock her designs and want to give you, our wonderful and caring customers some insight into Snow’s world...

First of all, SNOW, what a beautiful name. Secondly I am seriously impressed with her timeless style and ethical approach. Snow has over ten years experience designing for big clothing brands such as Zara and has seen collections go from seasonal to WEEKLY as the ever expanding fast fashion industry booms. This fast fashion is cheap, and often (if we are honest) looks pretty nice! but it is made cheaply and without care, because they are made by people who are paid next to nothing. You see, someone always has to pay the price, and if it isn’t the customer, it is the maker. How often can we honestly say we know who made our clothes?

Well, in the case of Bibico, we can proudly tell you

“When we started our little clothing company we always knew it was essential that the people who made our clothes were paid a fair price for the work they did and that they worked in a safe and healthy working environment.

We wouldn’t work for a wage from which we could not afford life's basics, so we don’t expect the people making our clothes to do so.

Currently we work with two women's cooperatives that are both fair trade certified by the WFTO. The cooperatives provide women with training, education and work, empowering them to move themselves and their children forward and out of the world of poverty.”

How fantastic is that? here at Ula we believe beautiful clothing starts at the beginning of its production process. Bibico doesn’t end with fair trade though, oh no! They also use organic cotton for most of their clothing which is grown without any synthetic chemicals and pesticides. Instead, Agrocel farmers have developed natural farming methods and use natural pesticides made from chili, neem, garlic and soap to control pests.

The name, Bibico, relates directly back to the wonderful women who make each garment. Many of the clothes are made by a women’s cooperative in India. The coop supports women that come from very poor and disadvantaged backgrounds and gives them training and provides work for them. BIBI in Hindu mean woman or lady and CO stands for company. Thus, Bibico is born. 

Snow is influenced by her home in Spain and her previous job at Zara. She now lives in Bath with her husband, who doubles up as her business partner. Snow has also visited Cornwall, and says it is a reminder of her home in Northern Spain as they are both vibrant places with beautiful coasts and green countryside, "We have always used natural and organic materials to make our clothes and I think this choice was influenced by growing up around nature and living near the sea."

While Zara will continue to be a great influence, Snow takes a much slower approach. "I go back to Spain a few times every year to see family but also to get inspiration from other designers. This season we have introduced a new lighter weight denim that is very supple and looks and feels great. My favourite piece from the collection is the Joe Denim Smock Dress (which as it happens we have in stock at Ula). It’s a classic style that you can wear again and again."

The AW18 collection welcomes some amazing new cosy jumpers and beautiful tencel pieces. We are already so excited, but for now let us enjoy some sunny weather and the Bibico Spring/ Summer collection. Here are some of our favourites. You will also see the Aurelie shirt dress in our summer 2018 look book beautifully modelled by Sarah Alexander and photographed by Emma Griffin of Griffin Photography. 

(From top left to bottom right: Matilde Denim Pinafore Dress, Kate Organic Jersey Top, Joe Denim Smock Dress, Aurelie Shirt Dress, Sara Terracotta Dress, Margot Sleeveless Dress)