The Heart and Soul of Bobo Choses
Meet Adriana Esperalba, the women behind Bobo Choses, a beloved brand known for its unique blend of creativity, sustainability, and timeless style. Bobo Choses has managed to captivate the hearts of children and adults alike with its playful designs, inspired by childhood memories and a deep appreciation for the natural world. In this interview, Adriana shares insights into her creative process, the BC’s commitment to sustainability, and her personal journey as a mother and entrepreneur. Discover the story behind Bobo Choses and the woman who brought it to life.
Hi Adriana, how are you today?
I'm doing well! I'm enjoying my holidays in the mountains surrounded by the forest, and today, we’ve been picking asparagus and tomatoes from the garden. This is something that fills me with energy!
Could you introduce yourself?
I am the eldest of three siblings. I live in Mataró with my partner, Xavier, and our two children, Teo (16) and Momo (12). I deeply love nature, reading, and listening to music. I’m also passionate about design, especially chairs, lamps, and other design objects. I enjoy exploring brocanter flea markets and second-hand shops. In my free time, I like to cook. I am rather shy, but I enjoy joking around with friends. I’m an observer by nature, and I’m comfortable with silence.
How and when did you decided to create your brand Bobo Choses?
The brand was born out of a need. In 2008, as a new mother, I struggled to find children’s clothing that suited my style preferences. The market was either too childish or simply mini versions of adult fashion. So, I decided to design a few T-shirts with prints I loved for kids. I showcased them at a fair in Paris, and they were a success. That’s how Bobo Choses came to life!
How would you describe Bobo Choses unique style in a few words?
As a free-spirited and original clothing brand with a touch of humor, we aim to connect with kids and adults alike through creativity, embracing our motto: Have fun!
There is always a vintage feel in the choices of the colors combinations, patterns, cuts of your collections which give them a timeless style, would you agree and how do you feel about vintage?
Many of the clothes that I personally like come from the Vintage world. In fact, it's where I discovered treasures when choosing how to dress, and it's an essential part of what kicked me into thinking about a clothing brand. Actually, Bobo is not really about Vintage, but rather about the idea of thinking of clothes that never expire, that also have appeal, and a very original style that allows us to express ourselves creatively.
Where do you sick inspirations to create your wonderful clothing?
Anything can be the starting point for a collection, from a childhood memory to a poem. Primarily, I draw inspiration from various sources—places, objects, and people. When I travel, one of my favorite activities is to explore local shops to discover traditional objects and unique items. I also draw inspiration from numerous artists and figures I admire and respect. Additionally, I find a unique perspective by viewing life through children’s eyes. Their ability to see the world wonderfully and notice details that adults often overlook due to our busy routines is truly inspiring.
You started working on Woman collections a few years back, could you tell us more about it?
The women's line emerged in response to requests from our customers and team members, who wanted to dress like their children and access the same clothing and prints from the kids’ line. We began with a few items, and today, in the AW24 collection we just launched, we offer more than 100 references. Some prints are shared with the kids’ line, while others are new, adding unique personality and elevating the adult wardrobe. Over the years, we have adapted fabrics, patterns, and designs to suit our adult customers better. The adult line features versatile, comfortable garments with original prints and colors that bring personality and identity to the wearer’s wardrobe.
This AW24 collection uses premium flannel, corduroy, tricot and many other textiles techniques, how do you choose the materials for BC’ collections?
In each collection, we try to capture different sensory experiences. The textures of the fabrics help us create imaginary worlds that emerge from the concept of the collections and capsules. We like to experiment with new fabrics, bring back to life textiles that we love but were forgotten in the fashion industry, and, above all, look for ways to use more environmentally responsible materials that are longer-lasting and friendlier to the body’s movement.
Your approach to sustainability is taken very seriously - You recently relaunched the Iconic collection, could you tell us more about your implications?
At Bobo Choses, we design with a conscious effort to respect the environment, prioritizing responsible materials like organic cotton and recycled fabrics. We produce locally between Spain and Portugal, ensuring ethical practices through our suppliers who comply with OEKO-TEX certification in finishing factories, and our Code of Conduct. Our sustainability journey intensified in 2022. We focus on key areas of improvement and set long-term goals with concrete actions for regular follow-up. We are excited to relaunch the Iconic Collection, which brings back beloved designs using innovative materials and processes like Recycrom™, SEACELL™, and Circulose®. Creativity drives us to foster and continually adopt more sustainable lifestyles and practices, balancing fun with responsibility for a better future.
This collection is all about Once Upon A Time, a tribute to childhood stories and memories, what are your favorites tales and where did you find inspiration for this thematic?
I have always loved folk tales and historical legends. Some of my favorite stories when I was little, were The Little Rat Who Swept the Stairs and The Ugly Duckling. It’s hard to explain the process of finding inspiration because it’s never the same. Anything can capture your interest, and if you explore it further, it can eventually develop into an idea or concept for a collection.
How would you describe motherhood, and what’s your best memory so far?
When my children were younger, I read them stories every night before bed. Whenever we had the chance, we would visit the bookshop or library to find new ones. Even now, I still buy picture books for myself because I love the illustrations and the short stories.
How do you manage to be both a mum and a boss of a super successful company?
Now that my children are older, things are easier, but it was more challenging in the beginning. Fortunately, having my work and the children’s school close to home made a big difference. I bought a bike with three seats and would take the kids everywhere, running around to pick them up from school and taking them to their after-school activities. Having the grandparents nearby was also a great help—they’ve always been there to support us.
Kids - @_bobochoses_
Adult - @_bobochoses_adult