Welcome to Ripe Banana: Culture You Can Carry
Somewhere between a beach sign that says “If you can’t swim, don’t go in the water” and a print that looks like summer bottled up, Ripe Banana was born.
I didn’t plan to start a brand. I just wanted to make art that felt like something. Something real. Something familiar. Something funny, rooted, and sharp in the way our Caribbean aunties talk—where even the warnings come with rhythm.
Ripe Banana is what happens when culture, memory, and creative freedom link up. It’s a lifestyle and art brand, but more than that—it’s my way of bottling the spirit of the Caribbean and putting it in people’s hands. Whether it’s a tote bag with a saying you heard growing up or a small print that makes your space feel warmer, this brand is about creating things that matter and last.
I wanted the work to feel handmade, but also intentional. Like a wink and a nod in visual form. I grew up around Jamaican sayings, loud colors, quiet wisdom, and the kind of flavor you can’t Google. That stayed with me. And now, it shows up in everything I create.
The name Ripe Banana came to me exactly how you’d expect—randomly, with too much meaning behind it. Ripe bananas are the sweetest. The most flavorful. But they’re also close to expiration. That tension? That edge? That’s the magic. It’s a reminder to use what you’ve got while it’s good. To say what you need to say. To make what only you can make. Before it’s gone.
This brand isn’t about pretending everything’s chill and islandy 24/7. It’s about telling the truth in color. About celebrating identity—messy, layered, and beautiful. And yeah, we’re here to sell things, but we’re also here to shift the vibe. Ripe Banana is for people who love good design but want more than just aesthetics. It’s for the ones who want their art with a little seasoning.
You can expect prints, totes, travel journals, postcards, and eventually—home goods, textiles, and drops that feel like souvenirs from your favorite version of yourself. Everything is made with love, laughter, and a little defiance. Because that’s how we do.
At the end of the day, this brand is personal. It’s where my art and my heritage meet my vision for what’s possible. It’s for the bold, the tender, and the in-between. And I hope when you see a piece from Ripe Banana, you feel a little more seen too.
Thanks for being here. We’re just getting started.
— Rachel
Founder, Artist, and Ripe Banana Evangelist 🍌