Channel French Girl Chic With This Brand

When we first presented emerging label Bembien, the brand’s line of woven bags sold out almost immediately. This season, founder Yi-Mei Truxes is expanding her collection and has added artisan-crafted rosewood hoops, chic silk scarves and new bag styles we're obsessed with. The former executive turned designer shares the vision behind the brand, what inspired the new pieces, her favorite style icons and more.

Describe the beginnings of your brand.
Bembien was inspired by a woman I saw while walking to work—she was so effortless and carefree (very 1970s coastal France), wearing a gorgeous white linen dress, strappy sandals…and the most incredible straw bag. It was like nothing I had ever seen before (raw, effortless, almost disheveled), and I knew it was the bag that made her outfit so uniquely chic.

Bembien Tali Bag

I was transfixed, and searched high and low for a bag that evoked the same feeling. Eventually I realized that this kind of bag wasn’t something I could just buy from a mainstream retailer, but instead stumbled upon various weaving communities around the world, each with their own flavor of local natural materials and traditional weaving technique. I was inspired to put my six years of working in fashion marketing to good use and start a brand that helped promote the incredible work of these artisans. Bembien’s designs are inspired by classic coastal French and Italian style and the mission of the brand is to put the traditional weave of our artisans on the global market and in the public eye.

Yi-Mei Truxes, Founder of Bembien

What does Bembien mean?
“Bem” means “good” in Portuguese (pulled from the phrase “Tudo Bem” meaning, “All Good”) and “Bien” means “good” in French and Spanish. I loved how the two words sounded and looked when put together!

Inspiration behind the new pieces?
All our new pieces stick to the brand’s core values (handmade, natural-materials, and timeless style). Inspiration for our new products more specifically was drawn from minimalist art of the ‘60s and ‘70s, as well as the coastal European aesthetic that has always fueled the creative vision behind the brand.

Tyler Nevitt/Bembien

Bembien bag, $240, shopbazaar.com

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What makes the exclusive ShopBAZAAR earrings so special?
The Alix hoop pairs a classic shape with an unexpected material: rosewood. Inspired by ‘60s Paris, it will add the perfect mixture of romance and independence to your outfit.

ShopBAZAAR

Bembien earrings, $40, shopbazaar.com

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5 words to describe the Bembien customer?
Confident, independent, thoughtful, feminine, and natural.

Favorite style icons?
Jane Birkin, Françoise Hardy, and Jeanne Damas.

Bembien Simone Scarf

Style tips for wearing your pieces?
I personally love a more natural, muted palette—but our pieces are so versatile, they can go with anything!

Powerful words of wisdom you received?
You only learn by doing! No one is ever 100% prepared for the hurdles the future holds, so just dive in!

How do you wind down at the end of the day after running your own brand?
When we can, I like to meet my fiancé at our favorite local spot to re-group on our day over a wine. Sometimes I find that it’s best to take a moment to step away from the office and recap on what’s been going on (and bonus, he gives the best advice!).

2019 resolutions?
To prioritize work / life balance! We’re getting married late August and my goal is to make enough time to really enjoy everything this summer has in store for us!

Sneak peek into future Bembien collections?
We are expanding our handbag line beyond straw and will be introducing woven leather soon! Very excited to share with everyone soon!

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