First of all, could you tell us a little more about yourself and where you're from?
My name is Laure I’m from the Basque Country (more specifically from a little fishermen town called St Jean de Luz). About 10 years ago I relocated to another little town, a surfing one this time, on the other side of the world called Byron Bay, Australia.
When did your label 'Lore Of The Sea' come to life?
I started Lore of the Sea back in 2014 and released my first range in 2015. Since my last year at Uni I had the idea of creating and offering better surf-wear for women. Of course I wanted it to be more fashionable than what was on the market back then (to be honest there wasn’t much at all back then) but more so I had so many ideas for technical improvements that I wanted to offer to other female surfers. I couldn’t understand why the big mainstream brands wouldn’t offer surf wear designed specifically for women
Photo by John Wolfson
What inspired you to set up your own surf-wear label?
Originally I just wanted to create wetsuits for women. But living in a Sub-tropical region I found the need for sun protective suits and it was easier for me to make my first prototypes out of swimwear fabric rather than neoprene which requires industrial sewing machines.
Have you got a designing background?
Negative . I have a master in Sports and International management.
What’s the story behind the current Zazpi collection?
Zazpi means Seven in Basque. My 7th year of Lore of the Sea! As a one woman brand with a couple of other jobs on the side I only release 1 collection a year, so I make sure each one is well curated.
All the prints are hand designed in collaboration with one of my best friends Marlene Roumégoux (an incredible human and the best illustrator I know by far!).
Photo by John Wolfson
What’s your favourite Lore Of The Sea piece?
Haha! There is no way I could answer this question! I love them all equally for different occasions, different waves and different times of the day.
You live in Byron Bay, Australia now. How did you end up there?
I came to OZ in 2011 to “learn English” (that was the parental version of the story lol, really I just wanted to keep travelling and surf). Before that I lived and studied in both Spain and Portugal.
When and how did you get into surfing?
It’s a bit of a grey area. I started surfing as a teenager when the first St Jean de Luz Surf club opened but really got into it when I was about 19 years old.
Before that I was a mad snowboarder.
Do you prefer mellow longboard waves or overhead chargers?
I’m all about both! Obviously love a mellow longboard wave and I have them for breakfast every day, but! I LOVE the adrenaline I get from surfing on a big days and pushing my limits.
Photo by John Wolfson What is the one thing you MUST do when you’re at home in France?
Omg that’s a hard one! I haven’t been able to go home for way too long. What I miss the most is my family and friends. Cheese and a real croissants come next. :)
When you are not surfing or designing, how do you love to spend your free time?
Surfing! haha
I have a third job which take up all my weekend so there isn’t much free time left in my life lately.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Happy and with a better work/life balance.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Thanks for supporting Lore of the Sea <3 I hope we can get more British and European women surfers geared up properly to have fun in the ocean!
Go check out Lore's Zazpi Collection here.
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