Can you introduce yourself?
Anémone : My name is Anémone, I am the co-creator of the swimwear and lingerie brand Albertine , which I created over 10 years ago with my sister Caroline!
I have been lucky enough to have lived for 15 years between the Basque Country and the Landes, with my husband and my two little boys aged 8 and 4!
©Albertine Swim - Spring Summer 2020
Albertine is also a family story, just the way we love them. How did you come up with the idea?
Anémone : At the time, we were both living in Paris with exciting jobs, but which didn't totally suit us. I think we wanted to fulfill ourselves, to create, to build something from A to Z... Family history resonated with us, our father's family (over 3 generations) was in the textile industry, they had a corsetry and hosiery factory which went into decline at the end of the 80s (when the big brands left to manufacture at lower cost in China in particular). There was nothing left of this family business, just our memories... At the time too, more than 10 years ago, there were no designer swimwear brands, to sum up between Eres and La Redoute it was a desert. So, as we both loved the sea and the ocean (our memories of our holiday homes in the South, among other things, and our love of travel), we quickly thought of a swimwear brand that would reflect us, with shapes, colours and materials that would be out of the ordinary (in all modesty!).
©Albertine Swim and © Cécilia Thibier
Where do you find inspiration?
Anemone : What could be better than living here, between Biarritz and Hossegor, with an ocean view to inspire you!
My sister and I have always loved the mix of city and ocean/sea. I think it's Albertine's little something extra, it's not just a swimsuit, but a state of mind, a lifestyle between city and nature, capital and ocean, nature and street culture!
©Albertine Swim - Spring Summer 2020
A professional encounter that left a lasting impression on you/inspired you?
Anemone : Not particularly... in all honesty I would have loved to, but we never really crossed paths with someone who could have been our "mentor".
On the other hand, meetings with personalities, real people who helped us, supported us, inspired us... yes, a lot, because Albertine is an extraordinary human adventure.
It was little by little, meeting people at trade shows, through friends, in points of sale, that we grew. It was the graphic designer friend who told you about her photographer friend who told you that she lives not far from a magnificent boutique where you can find an incredible jewelry designer… Life, in other words!
© Cécilia Thibier - Campaign for the brand's 10th anniversary
What place does beauty (beauty ritual, massage) have in your life?
Anemone : Quite simply... I'm not a cosmetics aficionado; for me, it has to be simple, natural, effective, and as close to me as possible. I don't spend hours in my bathroom or in front of my mirror; I like the essentials and comfort.
So I shower, I moisturize and sometimes I put on makeup... I moisturize my body after every shower every morning and obviously my face too, but that's it. The only deviations from this simple routine are the occasional scrub in the shower.
What is your favorite Alaena product?
Anemone : Combination Skin Moisturizing Cream and Mango & Avocado Soap . Soap is my new passion, no more plastic packaging, no more shower gel!
Where are you going to recharge your batteries?
Anémone : I recharge my batteries with family or friends, increasingly towards nature and as we are lucky enough to live in a region that has no shortage of magnificent places... the ocean, the forests of the Basque Country, the mountains and lakes of the Pyrenees.
But my summer Proust madeleine is undoubtedly our family home in Cavalaire-sur-Mer… there is no other place where I feel as much on vacation as surrounded by family memories, the sound of cicadas or my children having fun!
©Albertine Swim
What are your favorite places to go this summer?
Anemone : Albertine Shopping of course!
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In Biarritz, Albertine at 54 rue Gambetta, our little gem that I adore, run by Kinou, a friend and an amazing saleswoman, you will be welcomed like mermaids!
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In Hossegor, Albertine, our Summer Pop-Up in the Landes region, offers a different atmosphere, but just as welcoming. Anne will show you some wonderful things!
Albertine Boutique in Biarritz - 54 rue Gambetta
Otherwise, here are my favorite plans for getting off the beaten track:
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A crazy burger at Beach Spot , an exceptional food truck run by Max in the Pédebert area of Soorts-Hossegor, it's the new place to be, a mix of Landes and Californian atmosphere: la landifornia!
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A smoothie or a latte at Palm in Biarritz
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A trip to Open Me in Biarritz to find unique designer objects and especially the globes of Charlotte TheMap , little universes under globes of unparalleled beauty!
What are your upcoming projects?
Anemone : My sister and I have a great project (still secret) to take our commitments even further!
What is your mantra?
Anemone : Perfect is great but BETTER rocks too!
This is the mantra of the moment at Albertine!
Thanks to Anémone for answering our questions.
Find Albertine in their boutiques in Biarritz and Hossegor and online: