Biancha Samuel-Reid
Founder of Hand of Gaia
Biancha Samuel-Reid with her daughter Gaia
Baby clothing and homeware might not seem like an obvious vehicle for “spiritual growth and connecting with our divine selves,” but for Biancha Samuel-Reid, it was a very natural fit.
In fact her prints are designed to act as talismanic protection symbols, and offer life lessons earned through her experiences of motherhood and the brand’s namesake, her daughter Gaia.
Armed with a womenswear printwear design degree, hands-on sales experience and a “burning desire to make,” she launched in 2018 at Pop Up Africa and sold out immediately.
What led you to create Hand of Gaia?
“Becoming a parent, and just like motherhood, it was a slow process of understanding what kind of brand we wanted to evolve into. At the time, there was no stylish, organic, African-inspired clothing on the market. I wanted to find clothes that felt authentic but I couldn’t see my culture represented anywhere.
My daughter was born in 2014 so I was settling into the rhythm and re-finding me. I had taken a break from designing and being creative, but as my daughter grew older and became more independent that’s when I started to find my voice again.”
What’s your brand ethos?
“It’s in our name - Hand of Gaia after my daughter - but also meaning Mother Earth as she guides and nourishes us towards our destiny. There’s a cyclical nature as it was my daughter who led me to create the business, guiding me towards my own destiny.
It’s also about giving back and looking after the earth, as we only have one. We, as a brand, are very particular about who we partner with and that all our suppliers are ethical and sustainable. At the moment we are in the process of building ties and relationships with organic African cotton suppliers and finally getting that Made in Africa stamp.”
Tell us more about your Print Stories, symbolism and spirituality.
“Our prints derive from a personal story and act as messages of self-love, exploration and self-belief for our little wearers and their families. These are challenges and experiences I’ve overcome and serve as lessons to other families. My daughter has played a key role in these, helping me to see the world again through new eyes and even though I’m her mother, I feel she’s actually mothering me.”
Where do you find your inspiration?
“Most recently, I’ve been inspired by my daughter’s bedtime stories and funny little folklore tales. Stories filled with magic and other worlds, ones with talking trees and animals, who offer advice and service to us humans.
These lessons become an inspiration for my work. In my Earth print for example you’ll see Lavender, Eucalyptus and Fern. Each has a message and lesson for us. They are there as a reminder: the eucalyptus to remind us to breathe, the lavender to slow down and relax, and the fern to be adaptable.”
What sets you apart from other brands?
“Traditional African garments and patterns are all about family and being connected to the earth. There are certain symbols and colours that hold a heavy significance - yellow for example, representing life and energy, and I wanted to get back to that use of metaphor and spirituality.
When you think of African clothing, you think of Dutch wax prints which are actually an imposed view of what African people want to say about our culture and what we want to wear.
We want to honour our collective ancestors and take pride in our heritage, remembering those who came before us who fought for our freedom. I’m from the Caribbean but born in Britain, and the brand not only acknowledges and recognises my experience, it also acts as a way for me to return to the source.”
Interview by Katy Pryer
Spend some time in Biancha and Gaia’s world.
Watch, Biancha Samuel-Reid, founder of Hand of Gaia, and her daughter Gaia, as they share one of their favourite children’s story books.
“Like other families we too love a good story time, a chance to cuddle up and dive into a good book and The Grandad Tree, by Trish Cooke, seemed like the perfect title on a windy October afternoon. This beautifully illustrated book talks about seasonal change and losing a loved one.
Even though we are lucky enough not to have lost an elder close to us, we thought it may serve as a reminder to those that have lost grandparents, especially due to the coronavirus, that our memories of them never leave us.
Yes this book is a little sad for younger readers, but my daughter's favourite part is seeing the children playing around the apple tree that once started as a little seed. That's what stuck with her the most. My favourite is when the book talked about the Grandad when he was a little boy climbing coconut trees, it made me think of our Great Grandmother in Grenada who, at this very moment, might be taking a stroll across the beach. We haven't seen her for almost a year, but look forward to seeing her face to face again in spring.”
