Fashion agent Bianca van Leur

In the salon, on the road or while preparing for an exciting collaboration: through her work, Babassu founder Heidi meets plenty of women who inspire her. So how do they unwind? And where do they find their inspiration? This time, Babassu’s Beloved Beauty is Bianca van Leur (57), owner of Bianca van Leur Agency and, by now, a good friend of Heidi’s.

How did you and Heidi meet?
“Heidi was working in the Amsterdam boutique when I walked in years ago. I complimented her on her outfit, as she was wearing Antik Batik, a brand we import. We clicked straight away. Heidi and I love having lunch together to share ideas or simply to chat about anything and everything. I also see Heidi and Raoul socially. Like the two of them, I work alongside my husband.”

What do you do for work?
“I import a range of fashion labels. The Agency is divided into two showrooms, Bianca van Leur Agency and Bianca van Leur Fashionsuite. The Agency represents brands including Annette Görtz, Alpha Studio, Aspesi, Jacob Cohen and High. The Fashionsuite carries Antik Batik, Des Petits Hauts, Suncoo, Mercer Amsterdam, Smaak Amsterdam and Suite22. We have a lovely, clean and spacious showroom in Lijnden. I set up the Agency on my own in 1997, when the agent Arthur Reddering retired.”

What does your working day look like?
“My day starts with two latte macchiatos, then I check my email and go through my objectives. I spend a lot of time with our sales managers, who represent our brands, to hear what is happening in the market. During sales campaigns we work through all the figures account by account, looking at how each brand is developing and where we need to give it extra attention.”

How do you keep up with trends?
“I travel a great deal for work, as the brands we represent are spread right across Europe. Many of my meetings are both commercial and creative. The creative side involves fabrics, colours and trends, which I find genuinely inspiring. I also shop a lot, so I stay well and widely informed about everything that is happening. I have loved coming to Babassu since it first opened on the Cornelis Schuyt. My beauty therapist at the time was giving it up, and that is how I found my way to the salon. That was ten years ago now.”

Why do you shop at Babassu?
“I find Babassu wonderfully relaxed, and the atmosphere and surroundings are genuinely lovely. The product knowledge is so extensive that you always receive the right advice. I appreciate that the specialists at Babassu are natural, well groomed and very friendly. I am not one for heavy make-up or for giving nature too much of a helping hand, so I feel at home at Babassu. I use the Thermal Protection Spray by Philip B, because it protects my hair well and helps prevent breakage and split ends. It also smells wonderful.”

What do you always buy?
“I use Natura Bissé and Perricone MD myself, and I am very happy with them. From Perricone I use the Vitamine C Ester Citrus Brightening Cleanser, the High Potency Growth Factor & Lifting Serum, Cold Plasma +, the Neuropeptide Night Cream and the Face Finishing Tinted Moisturizer. I notice that my skin looks calmer and better for it. The textures are light and not too rich, which is just what I like. With Natura Bissé, I find the scent of the vitamin C range so lovely. And the Diamond Extreme Eye really gives an incredible boost!”

Do you have a favourite perfume?
“I love scents with fig, such as Hydra Figue by Miller Harris, but also the fuller Gris Charnel Extrait by BDK Parfums. This is a woody, powdery fragrance with cardamom and fig. At home I have the Che Fico! Diffuser and Liquid Soap by Laboratorio Olfattivo, and I find anything with fig in it genuinely interesting.

Where do you find your inspiration?
“My inspiration comes mainly from travelling and from what I see on the street, though these days there is plenty to be found on Instagram too, as long as you filter it well. I scroll through Instagram every day and check the latest on Vogue Runway. I also draw a lot of inspiration from interiors, which are closely bound up with fashion. And I am a loyal follower of Lidewij Edelkoort.”

How do you find time to unwind in between?
“Travelling and fashion are absolutely my hobbies, so my work stays enjoyable and rewarding!”

Babassu Beloved Beauty giveaway: Bianca van Leur

To mark the long friendship between Bianca van Leur Agency and Babassu, we are giving away a bag and a blouse by Antik Batik. “How wonderful is that?”

On behalf of Bianca van Leur, Babassu is giving away two wonderful fashion pieces:

1 x Diane Blouse in Dusty Blue, worth €275 (Antik Batik)
1 x Tyria Bag, worth €420 (Antik Batik)

Diane Blouse in Dusty Blue
Would you like the chance to win this beautiful blouse?
Step 1: Follow Babassu on Facebook at Babassu Beauty
Step 2: Share the post on your own Facebook page and tag Babassu Beauty
Step 3: Tell us which Babassu beauty product you would pair with this blouse.

The winner of the blouse will be announced on Facebook, so keep an eye on Babassu Beauty.

Tyria Bag in Black
Can you picture yourself with this beautiful bag?
Step 1: Follow Babassu on Instagram @babassubeauty
Step 2: Share this post on your own Instagram account and tag Babassu with @babassubeauty
Step 3: Tell us which Babassu beauty product you simply must pop inside.

The winner will be announced on Instagram, so keep an eye on @babassubeauty.