For the release of the collaboration between Laboratoires de Biarritz and Filles du Surf, we met up with its talented creator and illustrator, Jeanne.
Hello, can you introduce yourself in a few words?
Hello, I am Jeanne, I am 25 years old and I live in Biarritz. I have been a graphic designer and illustrator for the last five years.
When and how was Filles du Surf created?
Filles du Surf (the Girls of the Surf) was created in August 2019, when I was working for a women’s surf magazine. I was noticing that the girls shown in women’s press as a whole, but also in surfing publications, were mostly this cliché thin and svelte surfer girl, without any imperfections. So I said to myself: why not try to show more curvy, less “perfect” girls, to better identify with the ones that don’t see themselves reflected in that image.
What is your inspiration?
I have a lot to be inspired by! In terms of women who surf, lifestyle-wise, clearly Johanne Defay. Even though she is not curvy, I like her realness, her simplicity, and her surfing obviously.
For my artistic inspiration, I also have tons. Local artists, like Nils, but also artists like Abbey Lossing, Maggie Stephenson, or even Matisse and Gaugin.
How would you define your style as an artist?
I think that my style comes from the Flat Design movement, with broad colors and even curves. Concerning my creations, they are feminine, calm and colorful, and obviously with a surfing influence.
How did your collaboration with Laboratoires de Biarritz go?
Laboratoires de Biarritz gave me free reins on the project, so they saw a lot of different things (I had a lot of ideas and I change my mind a lot ahaha). The idea was to create a more lively design for the winter and a softer and warmer one for the summer. I also had to include some guys as well, which I am not really used to I have to admit.
What was your artistic approach in this collab?
I had to create two designs at the same time, for two different seasons: summer and winter. It was a bit difficult at first because I was working on a winter design, with snow, skiing, beanies, and scarfs… in hot 30°C August weather. At first, my proposals (even with the mountains and skiing illustrations) felt really summery. Then, I focused more on the winter, on my memories of the mountains (I even put a mountain as a background image on my phone ahaha) and I finally was able to complete a fresh design for the winter. For the summer design, it was much faster and easier; I just took a walk on the beach at Biarritz and immediately knew what to draw.
How would you define the values of Laboratoires de Biarritz in three words?
Natural, eco-friendly and quality.
Do you use Organic skincare products regularly?
Yes, I have always used natural skincare products (thanks Mom!), and I have been using Laboratoires de Biarritz sunscreen when surfing for a while. You can imagine how happy I was when they offered to work together on this project!
All of Laboratoires de Biarritz products are made and designed in France. Is it important for you that a brand commits to producing locally?
Yes, I would even say that it is the most important thing for them to do! I wouldn’t think of buying Organic cosmetics if it came from the other side of the world. On the other hand, I would be more interested in a French product that was not Organic. So if I can get something that is both Organic and made in France, its just perfect.
A word to encourage people to check out the LDB x Les Filles du Surf collab?
Yes! I did this collab thinking about you, so it is for you. It will know how to take care of your skin and the ocean. I hope that you like it and that you will keep the empty bottles as souvenirs ahaha (otherwise recycle!).
