Baby Bean Vintage

Baby Bean Vintage Bio:
Baby Bean was created in 2004 by Christine Visneau, a designer and mother of two with a passion for vintage fabrics, vintage children's clothing and patterns. Christine studied fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and worked as an accessories buyer before moving to Dallas, Texas, to be with her husband Steven. Inspired by her own Baby Bean, Miette and her new baby girl Amelie, Christine wanted her daughters to have one-of-a-kind, cool, girly clothing that is cozy and hip, using 100% vintage fabrics.

Are these dresses not the most precious things you have ever seen! I met Christine last weekend at the new local green spot craft market in old Lake Highlands & she seriously could not have been nicer. Check her online shop out here. I heard she was opening a shop up soon in East Dallas (yippee). Isn't this adorable? Go check out her awesome blog too here. And her website here. Please enjoy getting to know more about Baby Bean Vintage below & thanks Christine for being here today to let all our Lake Highlands residents know about your sweet designs!

Your Name:christine

Your Shop Name: Baby Bean Vintage Day wear

Your Website: http://www.babybeanwear.com/

So tell us a little bit about your business and how it got started? When my daughter Miette was born over 5 years ago I made her a few dresses but did not like the new fabric offerings so I started buying vintage fabrics on Ebay. There is something about the feel of vintage fabrics that cannot be duplicated in new textiles. So my business begin by word of mouth.

If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? And could you have imagined having this business 5 years ago? 34. I started Baby Bean 5 years ago but could never imagine it growing into a full-time job. And now we are opening up a brick and mortar shop! I also started an online magazine called Small because of the frustration of getting press and finding affordable advertising for my company so, no, I never would imagine so many things coming from sewing a few dresses in my bedroom!

How would you describe in one simple sentence what you make? A little girl's clothing collection using simple, modern silhouettes crafted from vintage fabrics.

Where do you go for inspiration? Of course my daughters, Miette & Amelie. They test run all my designs! But I get most of my inspiration from vintage fabrics. When I am on a buying trip I see the fabric and know exactly the type of silhouette it should be made into.

What are 3 things you have to have in your work space? My inspiration board, tons of framed art from etsy, and LOTS of vintage fabrics.

Do you work from home or out of a studio? If you work from home do you find it to be a challenge? I worked from home until about 8 months ago. I realized I needed a separation from work and home. I am a workaholic so I would be in my studio (our 3rd bedroom) all day and night.

Do you have another job or is this business your primary income? Baby Bean is my primary income but I am also a freelance fashion stylist.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now? I am opening a store called Little Bean in Dallas that will carry my designs as well as other designers I admire so hopefully with a successful store! I will also be starting a line called Little Bean which will be a mix of new and vintage fabrics that will have lower price points.

Do you have a favorite item that you have created that you had a hard time parting with? I have a hard time parting with dresses I have made. Each piece is one of a kind so I fall in love with the vintage fabrics knowing that I will never see that print again.

Tell us one thing about you that we don't know: I do Jazzercise 3 times a week. I love it!