Bobbies

Since 2010, Bobbies has been creating shoes and accessories inspired by a free and assumed Parisian nonchalance. Eco-friendly, authentic fashion based on sustainable ecological and solidarity commitments. Bobbies has teamed up with Imparfaite, the digital platform that wakes up sleeping stocks for an exclusive sale of models with minor flaws at extra sweet prices. Shared values, a responsible and ethical approach, the desire to slow down the production of new products and to value the "imperfect".

100%

OF LEATHERS COME FROM LWG-CERTIFIED TANNERIES
100%

OF PACKAGING MADE FROM FSC-CERTIFIED PAPER
367 k€

DONATED TO 10 ASSOCIATIONS OVER THE PAST 5 YEARS
83 k€

DONATED TO THE A TREE FOR YOU ASSOCIATION (OVER 10,000 TREES PLANTED WORLDWIDE)

"We look a lot at people's feet, fashion agencies, runway shows, and then there are series, movies, our personal tastes, the people around us, customer feedback, inspiration comes from everything"

Can you introduce Bobbies in your own words?

Antoine : Bobbies is a brand we created in 2010 with my partner Alexis. We focused on a product we really liked, the driving loafer, There were either luxury brands or more affordable brands that were a little dusty, so our idea was to take this product and make very good quality at an affordable price. We started out like that with fresh, young marketing - at the time we were 23, we hadn't inherited any particular fashion codes, so we went by instinct.

What inspired you to launch this project?

Antoine : We wanted to create a shoe for ourselves and our friends, and there wasn't the ideal brand for us. We had an entrepreneurial spirit and a love of fashion, so the two things worked well together. We had a desire for freedom, so it was a good solution for us.

What are the 3 words that best define you?

Antoine : Friendship, Alexis and I have known each other since we were 7. Confidence and carefree, we don't get too carried away. Today, that's still there, the confidence is still there, we try to keep a cool head.

What are the attributes of a good shoe according to Bobbies?

Antoine : Quality, style and timelessness. Quality is essential: when you pay a certain price for a pair of shoes, you want them to stay beautiful. Style: we're a fashion brand, we don't want to be followers, we want to stamp our mark, and that's something that takes time. The brand is 14 years old and it took us years to find our identity, and even though we're a sober, minimalist brand, people recognize us today. Timelessness: we're a fashion brand, we follow trends and we even try to anticipate some of them, but the products we offer can be worn for several seasons.

What is your favorite Bobbies piece and why?

Antoine : I really like the boots we make, I think they're a super elegant and practical piece, you don't necessarily have to be cold to wear them and I think they give a great line. I also really like all the sandals we make for women, because we're less constrained when it comes to originality and can have more fun.

What is the creative process at Bobbies?

Antoine : We look a lot at people's feet, we also look at trends via fashion agencies and fashion shows, and then there are TV shows, movies, our personal tastes, the people around us, customer feedback, inspiration comes from everything. Then, for each collection, we define a theme, a color scheme, and the collection is born.

Are you inspired by vintage?

Antoine : Of course, for women's shoes especially, all we do is a modern twist on what was around 30 years ago. It's cyclical, except for sneakers where there's real creativity, otherwise it's a perpetual reissue.

Do you buy vintage for yourself too?

Antoine : In furniture a lot, in clothes it can happen to me, I'm tall and I have trouble finding, I have jean jackets and Levi's 501 but I find it takes a lot of time to hunt for the right piece, I'm waiting for Imparfaite to launch the man!

What do you think about the carbon impact of fashion today?

Antoine : We're well aware that it's an extremely polluting industry, but there are many different segments, from ultra fast fashion to high-end brands like Bobbies. We're not perfect, but in our DNA, we've always respected the environment, and we're accelerating our efforts in this area, We use sustainable materials, our packaging is made from recycled cardboard, we suggest that people take a dustbag rather than automatically providing one, and we also suggest that they reuse web cartons, the return cartons that come back a little damaged but completely reusable. It's a shame to throw this away, it's under development and could save us 20,000 to 30,000 cartons a year.

How does Bobbies reduce its carbon footprint?

Antoine : We do lots of things. For example, when you pay for your basket, we suggest that you make a donation to an association called "A tree for you", and in return we make the same donation. The tanneries we work with are all LWG certified, we had a warehouse built with a 3000 m2 photovoltaic panel roof, we consume 10% of it and the rest we put back into the EDF grid, we limit business travel, lots of things like that...

How did you go about raising your team's awareness of CSR issues?

Antoine : There are several generations of Bobbies employees, and the younger ones are immersed in it. They're very sensitive to ecological issues, and we're all rallying around these measures, which is very positive. In job interviews, when people ask why Bobbies? It's often our commitment that comes up.