bug & lou
it’s a lifestyle
Curated by Georgia native, Hannah Stokes, the sustainable online boutique Bug & Lou is your one-stop-shop for a thoughtful life and a thoughtful home.
From the product she sells, to the name of her brand, to the origin of her logo, everything Hannah Stokes touches has a story.
After her high school graduation she fled to the West Coast to attend the University of San Diego, where Hannah’s love for fashion was nourished in a different way. But to clarify, fashion has always been in her DNA.
“The first fit that I ever threw was about a dress,” laughs Hannah. “My mom loves that story.”
Bug + Lou originated as a social media consultancy, where Hannah initially connected with popular sustainable brand Cleobella. That was the push she needed to start her own boutique, her lifelong dream, and carry exclusively women-owned, ethically-produced, sustainable fashion and home brands.
Cleobella founder, Angela O’Brien’s passion was contagious, and Hannah considers her an inspiration and pioneer in sustainable fashion. (P.S. Hannah still manages Cleobella's community & social media strategy with no plans to depart anytime soon. She loves the team and continues to learn from her work and her peers.)
brand story
Hannah reminisces on her first crack at handmade, sustainable fashion- handmade neck scarves from deadstock fabric in her college dorm room with her best friend. The name, “Bug and Lou”, originated from the life they day dreamed together- living in a Bungalow with their two dogs, “Bug” and “Lou”. Hannah held up her end of the bargain (her bernadoodle is named Lou) and honors their fantasy with the boutique name.
The above logo was hand drawn and screen printed by another longtime friend. Hannah loves how raw and undone it looks.
bug + lou line up
Cleobella (where it all started) a globally inspired and ethically made apparel and accessories brand
Rex Designs, based in Costa Mesa, one of a kind ceramics (pictured left) by Catherine Rex
Cras, a responsibly made, glamorous label based in Copenhagen
Grön Kulle, fleeces small batch produced in San Francisco
Primecut, crafted in Portland, Oregon sourcing cowhides and shearling and low-waste production (pictured left)
Juna, effective and sustainable wellness products
& more! Shop with code NOVEL20 for 20% off
one more for the road
“My grandfather has always made everyone in my family furniture,” explained Hannah, “from dining room tables to these beautiful benches that everyone swoons over when they see them, to hutches, to trunks, to even the sweetest little cabin he built entirely from the ground up. He’s incredibly talented. He made me a charcuterie board a few years back and everyone kept asking where I got it, so it was a no-brainer to have them in my shop. A little something special from my family and from Georgia!”
The wood is sourced from the North Georgia mountains.
spreading the good news
3 reasons to shop sustainable, by Hannah Stokes:
Find unique pieces that are on trend, but still timeless.
Better made and will last a lifetime (unlike fast fashion retailers that are cheaper, but people tend to throw out after a few wears).
If you ever get tired of it, gift it to a friend or donate to a vintage shop!