Meet bousquet agathe | founder and designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with bousquet agathe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi bousquet, how does your business help the community?
the Undertropic has been created with the desire to be authentic and joyful . through a trip to Peru , I extend my vison of fashion by discovering the artisans world . I immediately feel the need to help them by sharing their amazing handmade talent . I went after to Morocco and met an artisans family of woman . I started to design my on products and collaborate with this family to made them . it is an honored to work with them and being able to help them socially daily .

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have been attracted by the US at a pretty early stage in my life. I moved by myself to NYC where I started taking acting classes at the Lee Strasberg Institut. I came back to France and my passion for Fashion took the advantage over acting. I began to be saleswoman in stores .When i got experienced enough , I opened two clothing stores in the South of France. With the quick success of my own “boutiques”, I integrated the brand Cacharel Paris showroom for many years, founded by my uncle Jean Bousquet. I went back to NYC to take the position of Director USA for Cacharel and did this experience for four years. It’s recently after that I decided to create The Undertropic, after a trip to Peru.
It all started when I went by myself in a tradeshow in Lima, It was the first time for me and I could not leave without seeing a bit more of this extraordinary country. I hence decided to spend some time in Cusco where I had one of the most amazing meeting in my life: Peruvian craftswomen. I spend a few days in immersion with them and have been moved all along with their respect for their culture and traditions.
The road has been dotted with a lot of challenges, I had to face off the language barrier, integrate new cultures and learned how to manage negociations into my business ,
Thats also the beauty of it ,pushing your own limits until you make it .

I was really determined when i decided to move to USA . I had to integrate myself very fast into the fashion industry if i wanted to succeed . It has been intense and exciting in the same time.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Such a perfect destination between girlfriends Miami Beach and her electric tropical vibes. Going to the Good Time Hotel, my favorit hotel with the pink flamingo mood. A place full of inspiration and color vibes,
perfect to enjoy tropicals cocktails and grab Golden milk ice cream. For quiet, the Pop library is such a relaxing place where you can rest easily. Morning is my favorit moment of the day, specially going at the beach just in front of the hotel.
Just before I run to the best Frenchy bakery Maison in South Beach named Maison Valentine, my special crush is traditional choux with their amazing flavors, so delicious!
For lunch, I enjoy going to Mandolin aegean bistrot grecque, next to the Design District where you can shop all afternoon. Also joining my friends at the Soho House, super chill and quiet. For the ocean view, Nobu is a must.
To heal in nature Key Biscayne park, Fairchild tropical botanic garden are my best spots. For culture, I like spending time
in Viscaya Museum.
For the night, South point is my favorit area. So chic and trendy for the restaurants like Carbonne or more romantic Smith & Wollensky.For taking drinks, the hotels are so amazing in Miami like the Four seasons in Midtown or The Setai bar.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have been surrounded by my family since the start of my business, specially women my mother which has spend all her career into this industry and my sister artist photographer.
My family community females artisans also which I’m honored to work with . My brand is dedicated to them. Their entire work based on authenticity and generosity is a bless I never take for granted. It help me to feel inspire and keep my energy raised. Finally my woman team which support my project since the beginning with love and so much talent . It is a unity of woman I’m very prouf of.

Website: https://www.theundertropic.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theundertropic_officiel/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Theundertropic/

Image Credits
Photographer Emmanuelle Bousquet