Today we’d like to introduce you to Valeria Krasavina.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Fine Frenchie is a creative illustration project found in the beginning of 2018 that I started with just an idea and huge belief in it. Coming all the way from Moscow, Russia, I had moved to the United States 11 years ago and now I established my base in Miami, where I live with my two french bulldogs who serve as the main inspiration for Fine Frenchie. The focus of the project is to be relatable and bring light-hearted energy to its audience; to give its viewers a laugh, to allow them to see a part of themselves in an unapologetic humor of Fine Frenchie.
I’m a professional fashion designer and has been working in the industry for over ten years. Two years ago, I ended up in a situation involving a non-compete agreement as a result of which I was no longer able to produce designs. Being forced to quit my own fashion brand was very challenging, but during those difficult times I came up with an idea of a french bulldog character, which allowed me to combine my love for dogs and fashion. Fine Frenchie is a fashionista, blogger, and an influencer who loves to travel in style. She is also an animal rights activist and a women’s rights advocate, carrying a strong inspirational message: to embrace, love, and accept yourself for who you are. Fine Frenchie is my personal outlet for creativity and a tool to help others as well as herself to never give up and to always believe in yourself.
Fine Frenchie began to gain its momentum on Instagram, accumulating an audience of 16K real followers and active engagement within the first months of its launch. Starting with limited edition prints, which were only available in 15 exclusive copies made for each illustration, Fine Frenchie now has collectors all over the world: France, UK, Ireland, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, Spain, Canada, Russia, Japan, China, Peru, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia. Today, Fine Frenchie meets sales of about 30-40 prints a month on average.
Even though Fine Frenchie is a fairly young project, I had an incredible opportunity to create a number of great collaborations since its launch two years ago: Morgan Lane, Hamptons Magazine, Miami Design District, Vice City Bean, Faena Bazaar, Stringberry, Mondrian LA.
Fine Frenchie also has a line of its own environmentally conscious merchandise: T-shirts, keychains, tote bags, phone cases, and dog apparel. The project has also collaborated with numerous charities and rescues to help animals in need: Chicago French Bulldog Rescue, Wires Wildlife Rescue, French Bulldogs Rescue of Russia, Urgent dogs of Miami.
In November of 2019, I opened my first showroom in Miami: a gallery space where you can explore and shop the world of Fine Frenchie.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It`s never a smooth road to be a woman entrepreneur but it`s a beauty of it. I have to wear so many hats: always creating new illustrations, new concepts, brand esthetic, social media, shipping, packing, managing store and showroom, custom orders and collaborations, public relations. I have to come up with new creative ways to lead my business and making it happen every day. I always have to stay true to myself and be innovative and original. Fine Frenchie is very unique idea and concept so it takes time for people to recognize it. They feel if it comes from the heart and truly believe in you because they see that spark.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Fine Frenchie – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Fine Frenchie is a lifestyle brand but mostly its known for a collectible art prints. I make only 15 copies of each illustration and they come sign, stamped, numbered and with certificate of authenticity. They are printed on high-quality art paper and with archival ink so it`s a very complex and time-consuming process. Since Fine Frenchie is a such fashionista each outfit that she is wearing is a real designer clothes so it takes me a long time to research, put the outfit together and draw it.
I’m one man band and I’m doing everything myself which gives me an opportunity to learn every aspect of the business. I have an amazingly supportive community on Instagram. We all connect on personal level and I think they all really enjoy how honest and open I am.
Fine Frenchie is one of a kind brand and that`s the advantage of it. I already did collaboration with fashion brands such as Morgan Lane and my favorite coffee shop Vice City Bean which shows Fine Frenchie is universal and diverse.
Just a thought that it all came from just an idea and little drawing on scrap of paper to a lifestyle brand makes me so proud. That I can share my sense of humor and make someone`s day better. It’s all worth the journey.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Keep going and never give up! I`m planning to launch more products, more collaborations and established myself more as a Miami based brand. Also, I have a licensing agency who now represents Fine Frenchie which is very exciting and a big step up. It was one of my goals from the beginning. Definitely there are a lot of great things coming. Stay tuned 🙂
Pricing:
- Collectible art prints $125
Contact Info:
- Address: 7610 NE 4th Ct
Ste 104
Miami, FL 33138 - Website: https://www.finefrenchie.com/
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fine_frenchie/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/finefrenchie/
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