MEETING WITH CHLOE BECHINI
This month's speaker is Chloe Bechini, the founder of Bonanza. Originally from Nice, Chloé divides her life between Paris and her home town. At 28 years old, she is an entrepreneur and has created her own brand Bonanza next to her modeling activity that she has been doing since she was 8 years old.
Today, Chloé will talk about her, her background, Bonanza Paris, and her travel tips.
Hi Chloe, thanks for taking the time to share a little bit of your life with Initial S. Can you introduce yourself in a few words?
I'm 28 years old, I was born in Nice and I'm a lover of the South, especially living in Paris for the last 8 years where I've built my professional life. Extroverted and positive by nature, routine clearly doesn't rhyme with my idea of life.
Can you tell me about your background?
I've been modelling since the age of 8 - a profession that I continued in parallel with my studies in brand strategy (BAC+5).
I then went on to work in advertising agencies (Wunderman, Ogilvy, ...) as a strategic planner before setting up my own business and creating my jewelry brand Bonanza Paris.
How did you become a model?
From a very young age, accompanied by my twin sister, our entourage pushed us to start modeling. Very smiling and shameless, we evolved and grew up with modeling by our side without ever making it a priority.
We always wanted to keep a step back, and never imagine it as an end in itself.
What do you like best about this job?
I think I'm very lucky to be in this business, and I'll always be very grateful. The most exciting thing is to meet new people almost every day, to be able to feed off different backgrounds, different lives. Not to mention the fact that we are at the heart of the Parisian fashion houses, which is what has taught me, made me grow and bring convictions to the way I do business today.
How did you get the entrepreneurial spirit?
The desire has always been there. When I was 18, I was already dreaming of setting up a communications agency with my best friend. I participated in many projects, created several companies, worked as a consultant. Bonanza Paris has been my most successful project and the one I have the most affect on ;)
You started Bonanza in 2018, can you tell me more about it?
I launched Bonanza Paris in February 2018 with a girlfriend via a simple Instagram page. We were in the unknown, we were moving forward without knowing, with a simple intuition of a project that could please. At first, it was just inspirational images, then 6 first jewels, then a whole collection. We liked the project and things became more serious with time and the desire to pamper what we had started to undertake.
Unfortunately our duo didn't work out over the long run, so I took over the queens alone. Entrepreneurship is also life lessons, so I quickly realized that starting a business with a girlfriend was not a good idea. There's always an imbalance. But fortunately there is time to learn.
How do you see Bonanza's future?
I have a lot of ideas, create my own design studio in the south of France, more or less creative collections (without saying too much), unisex jewellery which will arrive very soon, and why not create the Bonanza Paris apartment to receive my loyal customers.
More seriously, I see Bonanza Paris as a reference brand in the jewellery sector with different jewellery and costume jewellery ranges.
Has the time we're going through made you aware of certain things?
Totally, it taught me a lot, whether it was in the way of undertaking and creating. I've also devoted two campaigns to it, "les gestes barrières" & "Retrospective", which includes my ideas on the subject.
Finally, it strengthened my already existing convictions, producing in France, in an eco-responsibility approach.
At Initial S, the environment is an important cause, what is your relationship to the planet?
A present awareness and melancholy about the vision of a society that is doing little to change the future of our planet. The Citizens' Climate Convention is highly controversial to date. I look forward to positive developments.
How would you define yourself?
Extroverted. Naive. Romantic. Positive. Chatty. Ambitious.
What would you say to yourself when you're younger?
Go for the projects you undertake, and enjoy life because it is far too short.
Who are the people you admire?
I have an endless list of icons, but if I had to name 3 I would say:
My mother, who passed on to me the values of independence, respect and the ability to question oneself.
My twin sister, whom I have always considered my little sister and who reveals herself year after year. She is an interesting and interested person, I learn every day by her side.
Agnes, the creator of Agnes B. to work alongside her at certain jobs as a model. I think she represents a model of entrepreneurship: creativity, kindness and love are present in her company.
What are the addresses where we might run into you?
Right now, in my office, as the pleasures are limited. Or else in the South of France, in Nice where I see my lover one week a month.
LET'S MOVE ON TO THE ESCAPE THEME
Your last trip?
Ibiza, an island that I discovered last summer, that I love and that I already dream of returning to. All pleasures are allowed, idleness as much as partying.
What are your vacation essentials?
A basket with sunglasses, swimsuit, sunscreen and my computer because unfortunately or fortunately I never really disconnect from my work for Bonanza Paris.
One-piece or two-piece jersey?
Two pieces, for comfort and traces of tanning although I don't tan much.
What do you look for in a swimsuit?
Quality, which will be able to accompany me for at least a whole summer.
Timelessness, so that I can wear it during a day in a cove, or mix the top with a chic bottom for an aperitif on the beach.
Your favourite jersey from the collection?
The one I wore all last summer, the " Elha ".
Your beauty routine on vacation?
Lots of sunscreen, drink lots of water and an Aloe Vera treatment.
The keys to a good beach look?
A compatible look for different moments. When I go to the beach, I can go shopping in the morning and end up on a long dinner.
Your favourite vacation destination?
Italy, for its proximity to my hometown, and the gastronomy that one can never get tired of.
Where do you dream of going?
The United States, because I've never set foot there. Every time I planned to go there, karma decided otherwise.
Your ideal vacation?
With my friends, my lover, in the sun in a beautiful villa mixing sunny days and endless dinners.
Your biggest vacation problem?
Camping for a week with a suitcase that takes up more space in my tent than I do, yes!
Your best vacation memory?
The last one to date, a day on a beautiful boat in Ibiza passing through Formentera, ending on a slightly drunken sunset.
A hotel to get away from it all for a weekend?
The Castel Brach in Dinard for a weekend near Paris.
3 books to recommend ?
The tomes of Elena Ferrante, the Prodigious Friend.
3 Instagram accounts to follow?
@bonanzaparis
@mignonettetakespictures for escape
@thesocialfood for ideas
