María and Uxía Domínguez have come a long way in the textiles trade. They first worked at Sociedad Textil Lonia, co-founded by their father. But in early 2005 they decided to start out on their own and created bimba & lola. The company – which designs and sells apparel and accessories at its own shops – has a playful name evoking a fresh, feminine style. Uxia’s love of dogs led to the greyhound silhouette, an expression of the brand’s dynamic elegance.
bimba & lola is a bid for urban women’s ready-to-wear in the upper-middle segment. Aimed at working women aged 25 to 45, it offers a gracefully feminine portfolio ranging from jackets and blouses to shoes and belts, bags and cases, costume jewellery, scarves, hats and head-dresses. The very best leather and fabrics are essential ingredients and every item is meticulously finished.
The Domínguez sisters see their boutiques as “a place to indulge”, like a Paris atelier filled with top-quality creations at a competitive price. The in-house décor is the work of Elsa Urquijo, who uses linen-covered panels with aged metal shelves and display cases, alongside striking lampshades and mirrors.
The company was founded in Vigo in the north of Spain, where it has its head office. In February 2006, it opened its first shop in Bilbao. This was followed by 41 more openings and the introduction of franchising.
The company will consolidate its position in 2007-2008 and strengthen its organisational structure. New facilities will open up and global expansion is on the cards. An additional 30 POS will open in 2007: 25 franchises and 5 own shops. The year 2008 will mark the start of European growth, with boutiques opening in major capitals. Two years hence, bimba & lola expects to have 100 shops in its global network.
