Inside the Pride box: Bianca Negron

Before I started the shop I was working a full-time job, it was a great experience but when I got home from work I always wanted to spend time coming up with random design ideas or working on my own portfolio website for fun.

During that time, there was always something I was working on. I would be inspired by other folks who had their own businesses and my friends would encourage me to start my own thing. After realizing all of the knowledge and experience I had gained from working with different companies, I had a moment and thought…wait I could actually do this! I did my research, made my first pin, set up my own website to sell it and Bianca’s Design Shop came to life!! Oddly enough my first pin wasn’t queer related, but everything that came after definitely was. :) 

How did you feel after it launched?

I felt amazing!! It was new and exciting and I felt like a BOSS. I mean I am basically my own boss haha. Fast forward to now, it’s a ton of work but it’s super rewarding to be able to make things you are passionate about.

Where do you draw your design inspiration from?

I feel like it’s cliché, but everywhere! But to be more specific I’m constantly inspired by a few artists that I’ve been following since I started my design career, most of them do minimal but impactful graphic design, typography or illustrations. I also tend to think about vintage graphic design posters and Bauhaus artwork. 
 

It was important to me to stay true to myself! When I started my shop, I wanted to create art that reflected who I am but also provide visibility for others. I also didn’t know of a lot of LGBTQ+ businesses so making my own felt important. I feel like it also gives people hope and encourages folks to be proud of who they are.

There may have been a few haha. The first moment was creating the Wavy Pride Pin series which features 30+ different flags within a unique design. When I first started, it was rare to see certain pride flags that are considered marginalized — but now so many artists and shops are making it a point to include all of the identities and I think that’s really special!

What has been the reaction of customers to your brand?

It’s been positive overall!! A lot of people say such kind things about my work. My favorite thing was seeing the reactions IRL at Markets and Pop-ups.

Any special customer stories that you want to share?

Well, all of them are pretty special! It’s really lovely when folks go out of their way to email me letting me know they received their items and love them so much, or even share the story of why they bought it. It’s just so beautiful. There’s one moment I always think about though: I was vending at Rupaul’s Dragcon and there was someone, I think they were in their teens, who walked up to the table slowly, looking at what I had. They were somewhat serious from the beginning and I wasn’t really sure what to expect. But when they looked at the Queer Magic T-shirt their face changed! They looked sort of hopeful? Then they asked if I had the shirt in small and when I said yes, their face lit up! I don’t know why but that moment always stuck with me, it was so cute I could cry 😭❤️

At FRUITLOOTS, we call all the amazing products that we find our “loot”. What's a favorite piece of “loot” you have created?

That’s a tough one, but I think my favorite is my Inclusive Rainbow Pin. When I created the design I was super excited because it felt like something never done before!

Tell us about the FRUITLOOTS products that we have chosen.

The Inclusive Rainbow Pride Keychain and The Future Is Inclusive Rainbow Pin! The Inclusive Rainbow features the QTPOC & Trans Pride Flags and the keychain itself is bigger than the pin so the colors are a lot more vibrant. One of the things that I love about this design is that the lines in the rainbow look like they are in movement and playing with each other. It kind of symbolizes our community moving through the world together. The Future is Inclusive pin design has a 3D rainbow effect, using the same colors as the Inclusive Rainbow! This is a message that really resonates with me and I believe someday we’ll get there. I think as a community we are really trying our best to work towards inclusivity and intersectionality. It’s so important!

Where do you see your company in 10 years?

I’m not really good at planning so I’m not sure but maybe a storefront or just renting a studio and hiring people as I expand and grow! We shall see :)

If you could do a special collaboration with any person in the world who would it be and why?

This is honestly a tough one. My two favorite artists that I’ve followed from the beginning are Benny Gold and Adam JK. Benny Gold seems so down to earth and his designs are so dope. I was always specifically inspired by his Typography and Camper Hat designs. I feel like I would either make a pride pin or a pride hat with him haha. Adam JK is also amazing and super nice, I actually met him and it’s always a pleasure to see him in person. He’s hilarious and everything he shares is so honest and relatable. Any type of collaboration with him be super cool and I would be honored.

Any advice to queer entrepreneurs?

If you have an idea for a business, start now! It’s a lot of work but very rewarding and there are always people out there who are nice enough to help you on your journey. Depending on what it is, you can either connect with people to bring it to life or do a lot of it on your own. Anything is possible!

If you could throw a party, with an unlimited budget and you could invite anyone, tell us about the party and who would be there!

Ooooh fun haha. If the budget is unlimited, maybe the party could be a huge mansion with big space (like Tahani’s mansion from The Good Place), a huge backyard and pool, somewhere warm. There would have to be drag shows going on through the night, good food, good music and good company. I would invite all of my close friends and have it be open to my queer family & allies on instagram ❤️  All are welcome.

Last question- If you could be any fruit, what would it be and why?

Kiwi, bc it’s my favorite 😂 and I guess it’s cute and small, like me? 🤣 definitely a gay fruit as well.

For more information on Bianca and to check out the rest of her collection, click here

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Photos courtesy of Bianca's Designs Shop