Colombe Campana
Founder of Call It By Your NameColombe Campana is the founder of Call It By Your Name, a brand that transforms bandanas into unique collections of clothing, bags, and accessories. Since 2020, she has combined craftsmanship and boldness: the bandanas, made in South Carolina, are hand-embroidered in Paris and then reimagined as colorful, customizable pieces designed to stand the test of time and reflect each person’s individuality.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Colombe joined us to share her world, a universe of instinctive creations, carefully chosen materials, and jewelry filled with memories.
Could you briefly tell us what led you to create your studio?
I have been working in fashion for about twenty years and have had the chance to experience several houses and brands, from Claudie Pierlot to Sonia Rykiel, and & Other Stories.
In 2020, around the time my third child was born and during the lockdown, I began hand-embroidering bandanas. This is how Call It By Your Name was born, in a very organic, almost instinctive way.
In a few words, how would you describe your universe?
My world is shaped by classic and timeless references. I love pieces that stand the test of time, but I also have a strong passion for color, materials, and prints, which bring a freer and more joyful dimension.
When it comes to jewelry, I prefer stones like turquoise, coral, or malachite, combined with gold, diamonds, and other precious gems. I am fascinated by very ancient jewelry, especially Egyptian and Greek pieces. The craftsmanship of gold, often highly artisanal, moves me deeply. These extraordinary pieces can be admired in museums such as the Egyptian Museum in Cairo or the Egyptian collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
What reflects you most in the work you create?
It is this mix of creation and artistic direction that I love. I design and develop the products, but I equally enjoy shaping the brand’s universe, its communication, visuals, and marketing projects.
Through Call It By Your Name, I particularly enjoy evolving the brand in sometimes unexpected ways, with ideas or initiatives that break traditional boundaries. I also rely heavily on my instinct and desires, which makes each project unique and personal.
What advice would you give to someone who is hesitant to take the leap?
Do not be afraid. For a long time, I believed that creating a brand required a detailed business plan. In reality, I started very modestly, and the project grew gradually, almost day by day, without any initial funding.
Which of the pieces you selected reflects you the most, and why?
My relationship with jewelry is primarily sentimental. I do not wear a lot, but I love pieces that tell a story. I have beautiful family heirlooms that have been passed down to me, as well as simple pieces without particular value, like necklaces with shells or pearls brought back from travels.
For me, jewelry is above all a vessel for memories that we carry with us. They accompany me in everyday life and should remain practical, while also being discreet and elegant.
