Besides being a motivational woman of substance, Brandi Grimaldi has created a handbag brand which has gone on to receive recognition for its socially responsible approach and importance given to craftsmanship, design, and customer service. Here, we talk to Brandi Grimaldi to find out how GRIMALDI came about and the steps she takes to make her life more positive.
Mission Statement: At GRIMALDI we believe that luxury handbags shouldn’t stop at black or brown. Our founder, Brandi Grimaldi is taking matters into her own hands. Here, Green is the new black. We’re building a collection of luxury handbags that will do all the talking for you. Straight from the Big Easy with a touch of Italy, we strive to bring you the trendiest styles, from design to concept!
Why did you want to start a handbag line?
After buying multiple luxury handbags, I decided to create my own. Reason being is that I was ready to design something. After observing all the handbags and touching them, I was like, “I can do this”. And I did! Within a four month time frame. I also decided to give the brand my last name Grimaldi, which is a luxury name fit for a luxury brand.
Where do your seasonal palettes and combos come from? How do you choose which colors you’ll release?
So, GREEN is our initial brand color. Honestly, everything from handbag to apparel is Green. That’s our starting color. I’ve never seen a brand like it, whereas everything is the same color. The reason why I chose Green is because it’s manifestation, mostly everything that’s Green grows. Therefore, it represents growth. Now, other colors will be added eventually, but right now I’m making my mark with Green, which can vary in all seasons. It is a seasonal color Lol.
What handbag do you personally carry for the day? Do you switch it out at night?
My handbags are interchangeable, I call them the Triple Threat because they can be worn at least three different ways. It comes with two straps, therefore it can be worn as a tote bag, a bucket bag, a wristlet, and a crossbody! It’s like having three to four bags in one and with that being said, I carry my handbag all day and night, I just switch up the straps!
What inspires you and your design choices?
For this brand, I’m inspired by my high school. I am from New Orleans, LA and I attended John McDonogh Sr. High school. We wore a green plaid uniform and our school location was on Esplanade Avenue. Before attending “ The Mac” I was extremely timid, I barely spoke and even gave eye contact. During and after attending “The Mac”, I was beyond confident. It brought out something that I never thought I could obtain. I was Co-Captain on the dance team and made a lot of friends, I was popular! Nevertheless, all the green plaid apparel is apart of the Esplanade Collection of my brand. This school inspired me so much that I decided to pay homage with my collection.
What type of products are your best sellers to your customers?
One of my best sellers is the hosiery. I created a pair of stockings/leggings with the brand’s mascot, which is an Italian Mastiff dog. They are so unique that everyone loves them. It is common for brands to sell socks but not hosiery and I wanted to tap into that market. They are called: “Saint Baronne Leggings” (New Orleans inspiration).
Which styles are you really excited about for fall and winter 2021 are there any future plans you can share with us?
I’ve already started working on my fall/winter collection this past summer. I’m looking forward to the coats, scarves and leggings. Those are my favorite looks and I provide both pieces in my collection. Just imagine a Green Plaid Coat paired with a Green Patterned legging with a nice silk scarf wrapped around your neck! Currently, I’m creating a puffer jacket and a new silk scarf for the brand!
What are the top areas of focus for succeeding in the market right now?
The top areas of focus to me is to be consistent. Every day you have to do something towards your brand. Whether that’s posting on social media, paying for promo, processing orders or even speaking affirmations about your brand. Another thing is creating extraordinary content, basically staying creative. I also engage with my audience a lot by going live on social media or even blogging.
What inspired you to start working for yourself?
I love being in control and being creative, that’s what inspired me. However, I’m not a full-time entrepreneur just yet. That’s why I need your help, whoever is reading this Lol. I have a Master of Science degree in Computer Information Systems and I am an IT Security Engineer for a Fortune 500 Company. Yet, I create balance in my life whereas I can do both and I love them both. But if we’re being honest, I would love to just work for myself full-time! I believe GRIMALDI will put me in this position real soon.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced since becoming a bag designer and having your own firm?
The biggest challenged I’ve faced so far was losing friends. A lot of people can’t understand your creativity and success. It’s actually not a bad thing for me because it’s hard talking and expressing myself to others and being misunderstood. Some people just don’t get it, and when I say “it”, I mean they don’t get that you’re not always available to do whatever. They don’t get that your brand is all that you want to talk about. When you pitch ideas to them, it may sound weird and their feedback will be “No” but they just don’t have the vision. People always say that the road to success gets lonely but I’m ok with transitioning into an introvert. Especially if that means that the world will be walking around wearing my handbags Lol.
If you could give one piece of advice to fashion students, what would it be?
The best piece of advice that I can give is to be free. Meaning to express yourself and do what YOU feel. Break all the rules and create your own lane just by being yourself.
Brand Name: GRIMALDI (Made in New Orleans)
CEO: Brandi Grimaldi
Website: www.grimaldiofficial.com
Instagram: @grimaldiofficial
Facebook: Grimaldi Made in NOLA
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
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