Hi Sarah!
Interview with Sarah Shabacon of Bohème
I know I’m not the only one drooling over Bohème founder Sarah Shabacon’s perfectly curated life of neutral tones, perfect beach hair and comfy yet elevated style. When I first discovered her brand I was immediately hooked and spent more time than I’d like to admit scrolling through her personal and business instagram accounts. I have no shame in admitting my childlike excitement when she answered within days after I reached out about making a bag together.
Sarah knew what she wanted right away, hobo bag + suede. And off I went to my R&D department (I’m the head of that department and the only one on the team too) with those two keys words. After some back and forth with prototyping, a few oil stains (minor depressive states about said oil stains) followed by improvements, the Sarah hobo bag was born.
If you’re like me (I know you are if you’re here reading this) you’re curious about everything and everyone, but especially curious about people on instagram who’s lives seem perfectly organized and aesthetic. Please tell us it’s just an illusion Sarah!
Here are some questions she kindly accepted to answer for us, we hope you enjoy getting to know this inspiring woman like we have. Too much text for you? Skip to the rapid fire round after the interview for some fun random facts about Sarah!
Where are you from and where do you live now?
I grew up in and still live in a town outside of Vancouver called Maple Ridge.
Are you married? If so, what does your partner do and how long have you been together? What do you think is the secret to an everlasting healthy relationship?
yes! my husband and I have been together for 14 years now, accepting one another’s quirks is important and so is talking about any problems that arise and not harboring negative feelings - most of the time when we argue it’s because of external forces like work stress and actually has nothing to do with our love for one another! We still date when we can and it helps bring back those original butterflies.
Do you dream of living elsewhere sometimes?
yes! I recently got my Irish passport so I can live anywhere in the EU, it’s definitely something we think about often.
What did you study, what was your first job, have you ever had a 9 to 5 job? Basically, describe your career path in a nutshell!
I was an administrative assistant and was pretty unhappy. I quit after I found out I was pregnant at 20 and it all fell into place. I made headwraps by hand when my son was 2 months old and sold to the likes of Free People and small boutiques. I found myself thrifting almost daily and wanted to slow things down so I started up Bohème and closed my old business. I didn’t expect it to grow as organically as it did and I soon was dropping new vintage collections weekly. With being around clothing 24/7 and wishing I could tweak certain things on designs I asked my local tailor if she would work with me on bringing some designs to life. I launched my first collection just after covid hit and it saved our family financially as my husband was out of work for that year. I’ll always be incredibly grateful to my customers who allowed us to get through that time in our lives.
You have kids and your own business; how do you find balance in your life?
My sons have been with me from day 1 of my business whether it’s thrifting, going to fittings or packing orders - it’s a family affair and most days my husband is helping me haul boxes up and down our stairs and the kids want to help out to earn some spending money.
Are you on your phone a lot and how do you navigate that with kids around?
If i’m on my phone it’s almost always for work and never as a way to pass time - I’ve been very aware of my own screen time habits in order to be a good role model for them and their own relationship with screens. We talk alot about how what we say and do online can be taken many different ways and that it’s important to never hide behind a screen.
What was the last trip you took and the highlights of this trip? Next trip planned?
our last trip was to Puerto Morelos in Mexico and it was a really relaxed vibe which we needed, most holidays I try to get some work shooting for other brands to help out with the cost of travelling as a family of 4 so having no jobs while there made for an unforgettable time together filled with lots of soccer and swimming. We are headed to Tokyo in just over a week !
Are you pessimistic or optimistic about the future?
I am optimistic always and really believe in the power and determination of the next generation - it gives me hope seeing students rallying around the world for peace and our climate.
How do you feel about AI and the increasingly digital world we live in?
I don’t know much but I do know it’s a slippery slope when it comes to being used for the wrong reasons and I would hate to see it take away the livelihoods of artists as we’ve been seeing this happen in fashion shows, photography and art.
What’s an epic failure you’ve had and what did you take away from it? Share your knowledge with us!
Oooo how do I decide , there have been a few! I would have to say launching my Children's brand Suns of The Surf - I put a lot of money into it and had so much stock made before launching and I went into more debt that I had ever been in before after the stock wasn’t moving. Childrenswear is a difficult market when the costs of manufacturing are high and you’re trying to sell ‘luxury’ pieces to a market that likes to draw in sharpie on themselves and wipe their faces on their shirts haha.
RAPID FIRE ROUND
What time do you usually wake up 6 AM
Last good movie you watched CIVIL WAR
A good spotify playlist BEACH VIBES
Your last meal PEANUT BUTTER JAM SANDWICH
Go-to lazy dinner FROZEN PIZZA
Last thing you made TOFU LETTUCE WRAPS
Gym or at home workout HOME
Do you have a pet 2 DOGS
Salty or sweet SALTY
Guilty pleasure CRIME PODCASTS
Last impulse buy ADIDAS SAMBAS
Beer, wine, or cocktail BEER
Pool, ocean or lake OCEAN
Coffee of tea COFFEE
Favourite ice cream flavour GREEN TEA
Celebrity crush DJIMON HOUNSOU
Five items always in your fridge OAT MILK
Book you’re reading REALLY GOOD, ACTUALLY
Last time you ordered from Amazon LAST WEEK
Trump or Biden (…) NEITHER ARE FIT TO BE IN OFFICE
First thing you’d do if you won the lottery PAY OFF MORTGAGE
One item you’re coveting right now MARGE SHERWOOD LARGE PATENT BAG
Favourite fast food A&W
If you had to give up one forever, meat or dairy? MEAT
Cats or dogs DOGS
Botox yes, maybe or never YES!
An artist, person, brand you would like to see bouquet collaborate with MAMASABESTUDIO
A recipe you make over and over again BLUEBERRY SCONES
An inspiring person MOTAZ AZAIZA
30. Do you own any crypto NO
Thank you for reading and thank you for supporting small local brands. Shop the collaboration bag here!
xoxo
Vero