Hannah B. to launch pop-up shop in ‘bedazzled’ trailer
Hannah Persson models some of her clothes she has at Hanna B. Courtesy photo.
By Jenna Lookner
BLUE HILL — Situated inside Leaf and Anna at 5 Main Street in Blue Hill is Hanna Persson’s four-year-old micro boutique where she sells her eclectic collection of handmade garments and accessories. Recently, Persson made a big announcement, at the end of 2025 Hanna B. designs will be hanging her shingle in a different spot: outside of a tow-behind trailer that will house a mobile boutique from which she plans to do pop-ups around the state.
“I figured, ‘if not now, when?’” Persson said of her next chapter. Hanna B Designs will remain open at 5 Main Street in Blue Hill through the end of the year.
A Florida native, Persson, 33, moved to Blue Hill in 2020 after spending several years studying costume design in New Zealand. Her parents had purchased a home in Blue Hill in 2017, she said. Now, Persson lives in Sedgwick and said she looks forward to exploring Maine as a perk of her evolving mobile business model.
“Honestly, Maine is pretty close to New Zealand as far as emphasis on a well-rounded life,” she said. “It feels like more of a whole existence here.”
Persson, who lives in Sedgwick, is excited about the opportunity to get out and see the state via her business.
“I want to explore Maine,” she said. “I just showed up here and started working.”
Persson’s intent was not to move to Maine, but the Covid pandemic would prove to be a decisive circumstance. Persson said she quarantined with her parents and started Hanna B Designs — a moniker inspired by a grandfather’s childhood nickname for Persson— out of their barn.
The nickname is derived from an actress that she reminded him of as a girl. It came to mind when she started her business.
“I thought, ‘who is my inner character?’” she said. “This is all very theatrical.”
Prior to moving to Maine, Persson worked in the film industry, interning Academy Award-winning costume designer Ann Roth. She said it opened her eyes to the fact that she could both design and produce.
Persson describes her work as “wearable art.”
Hannah Persson in a blue dress. Courtesy photo.
“I like to make fun and funky clothing that makes you smile when you wear it,” she said. “Anything that brings a little joy—dopamine dressing is very much my vibe.”
Persson describes her early days of selling clothes out of her parents’ barn as “sweet and casual.”
“I want to get back to that first barn essence,” she said of her vision for the next chapter.
Persson said she is eternally grateful to Anne Dentino of Leaf and Anna. She said that Dentino approached her several years ago and she began working at the original Brooklin shop, eventually moving with the shop’s foray into Blue Hill.
“Anne is so encouraging to others no matter what they want to do,” she said. “She has been a huge positive influence.”
She purchased a trailer from Chris Gleason, co-owner of The Blue Chill in Blue Hill.
“I’m going to bedazzle it,” she said.
Persson designs her work in collections, presently she has a collection of faux fur coats and a garden topper collection. She said she is looking forward to launching a sustainable collection crafted from vintage fabrics next.
“Vintage silhouettes coupled with vintage fabrics,” she said as she described her upcoming collection.
She is in the process of having her website overhauled to make virtual shopping easier. While she may be hitting the road, she plans on keeping a local home base.
“I want it to be very easy for people to find me,” she said. “I’m not leaving the area.”
“I’m just super excited, honestly. I couldn’t feel more grateful, loved, pleased, and happy,” she said. “When you don’t come from a small town, you’re like, ‘oh my god, this is just amazing.’”
Earrings from Hannah B. Courtesy photo.
