MEET THE MAKER

Janine Zafra of Brie Leon

We caught up with Brie Leon Brand Founder & Designer, Janine Zafra to chat about all things from her day-to-day life to her favourite milestones as a brand founder.

Tell us a little about yourself, what keeps you busy?

Between my eight-year-old son, newborn daughter and managing all the bits of Brie Leon, my hands are constantly full (not to mention our rationing out some attention to our beloved furry Mini Schnauzer). In an attempt to juggle everything, I’m very deliberate about how I break up my day. I want to devote all of my attention to what’s in front of me.

Aside from work and kids, I'm also a foodie at heart so I love spending time in the kitchen and sharing food with my nearest and dearest. There are never enough hours in a day, but I adore all of the roles I play and wouldn’t have it any other way.



When and how did Brie Leon come about?

The Brie Leon you see today is both the same and completely different to where we started in 2014. The brand was born out of a love of vintage jewellery, where I would upcycle old styles from different markets into more wearable, contemporary pieces. I’m drawn to the quality and granular level of detail imposed onto each piece, and our following grew from there.

In 2018, we began offering full collections of RTW handbags. It felt like a natural progression, expanding into the finishing touches on an outfit that people can wear and love every day. At the time, I struggled to find affordable bags that weren’t made from animal hide, and the world of leather alternatives is really intriguing up close.

Now, we offer a full range of accessories including handbags, jewellery and footwear. We release two seasonal collections each year, with smaller injections in between to experiment with more directional styles, colours and textures.

My motive has always been to create styles that work with every outfit and every personality, so you can get as much wear out of a single wardrobe item as possible.



How would you describe the Brie Leon customer?

My team is the best representation of the Brie Leon customer. We’re all vastly different in terms of who we are and what we like, but find plenty of common ground in what we want from our wardrobes.

We design for people like us, who need unique style with a side of genuine functionality. We have individual tastes and a conscience for ethics, and we need accessories to complement our daily moods. Our community usually finds us through the same set of values, and we’re always listening for feedback as to which sizes and colours they need.



Any advice you would give to someone thinking of starting a brand?

I think my biggest advice would be to stay as open minded as possible. Every day is different, so you need to be agile and adaptable to take everything as it comes.

Some days will be completely different to what you expected, and there are always curve balls that you just have to catch and keep moving. Owning a brand is never as glamorous as it looks from the outside, but if you’re willing to get your hands dirty and persevere through any hurdle, you’ve got what it takes.



What’s your design process and is there anything you do to help get the ideas rolling?

Ideas come and go pretty erratically - some days I’m all in and others I’m stuck in admin-mode. My design process starts with one of those sporadic ideas, which turns into a sketch or a brainstorm with my team. Sometimes we hit a deadend, sometimes what was a vague concept turns into a CAD and we’re off and running.

I never force myself to work through a creative block. It’s always better to take a breather, step away from a project and regroup elsewhere rather than staring at something for too long and making yourself crazy. It’s true what they say, the best ideas come when you’re least expecting them.

What inspires your pieces and aesthetic and how do you keep it relevant?

Every piece is inspired by something different, whether it’s a person on my team or a single fabric swatch or a vintage find from years ago that still lives in my head. I see our aesthetic as something that morphs and grows to accommodate each idea, rather than something that’s too rigid or unchanging.

On that note, I feel relevance is an interesting concept in business, because you’re always trying to stay ahead of the curve but not so far ahead that you’re losing touch with your community. It’s a fine line to walk, but having a team that I can bounce ideas off is key. They’ll always tell me if something is bizarre or we can push the envelope a little further.



Do you have a favourite style that you’ve created over years?

It's hard to put it down to one favourite. Every piece has its own little story of how it evolved from its initial idea. If I have to mention one it would be the Mini Alma - I love how easy it is to throw on over any outfit, whether you're ducking out quickly to the shops or going out for the night. It carries only your main essentials so you don't over pack and access is so easy with its pouch-like feature.



What is something not many people know about you or your brand?

Over time, most people have come to know Brie Leon for our handbags but we actually started with jewellery. The evolution from a focus on jewellery to a focus on bags felt very natural to us, and I think there’s a real symbiosis between the two.

The perfect wardrobe has a neat combination of the two categories and all of our pieces, handbags and jewellery, build on each other to create one cohesive collection.



What has been the highlight of your career/brand to date?

There are little pinch-me moments in business every day, but moving into our current office will always be a fond memory. Moving is fun when you’ve got a great team, and it was such an exciting chapter to open. I’m also feeling a little sentimental as we’re getting ready to move into a bigger and better space closer to the action, and the story continues.



What are you listening to right now?

We’re never not playing music in the BL office, and I love a carefully curated playlist. Our SS24/25 mix is a vibrant place to start.



What are you watching at the moment?

My TV is constantly playing Despicable Me, not by any choice of my own. We’ve practically memorised the entire script to every film in the franchise now, also not by choice.



Describe your style in three words:

Vintage, layered, tactile.



What’s your daily go-to outfit?

I always gravitate towards good knitwear, year-round. My wardrobe is filled with tanks, sweaters, ribbed skirts and dresses in an array of colours for every occasion. If I can throw it on and tackle the day in it, it’s perfect for my uniform rotation.



What accessory should everyone have in their wardrobe?

A good, everyday bag is always more useful than we think it is. I’m all about practicality, so I’m always thinking about the finer details to make a bag as functional and versatile as possible.

My ideal bag is mid-size with a zipper closure and adjustable strap - something that I can take everywhere, pair with every outfit and fill with all of the essentials and whatever else lands in my hands throughout the day.



Where is your favourite destination of all time?

It might be because we’re coming out of winter, but I’m dreaming of a beach holiday at the moment and reminiscing on a trip to Mallorca years ago. Beyond the stunning views, it’s the perfect spot for some coastal R&R, but also for a summer getaway with your closest girl friends. Mallorca is absolutely a must-do and must-see for anyone who loves an island holiday.



Where to from here, what’s next for Brie Leon?

There’s plenty of action on the horizon for Brie Leon! We opened our flagship store this year, which was beyond exciting, but we’re also in the process of securing a new office / showroom / store space closer to Sydney city.



We’re opening a promising new chapter, but also going back to our roots and handcrafting jewellery in the studio again. It feels like a new era for us while also staying true to the original Brie Leon ethos.