We’ve all seen the meme – ‘When I get married, someone please remind me to take the hairband off my wrist before I walk down the aisle’. Most women can relate to the ever-present hairband digging into their wrist, or of course, the one day when you really need one, it’s not there. Tracy Morris, the founder of Gypsea Loop, has turned a simple frustration into a stylish, functional solution – a sleek bangle that holds your hair tie without compromising comfort or aesthetics. Tracy shares the journey behind Gypsea Loop, from the spark of an idea to launching a brand that’s making waves in both fashion and ocean conservation.
For those unfamiliar with the Gypsea Loop Hair Tie Bangle, can you share what it is and its key features?
Of course! The Gypsea Loop Hair Tie Bangle was created to solve a common problem many women can relate to – wearing a tight, dirty hair tie on their wrist. It provides a stylish and practical way to keep your hair tie handy without compromising your look. Designed with a hidden groove, this sleek gold or silver bangle securely holds your hair tie, so you always have one when you need it – without the wrist dents, tight marks, or outfit clashes that come with wearing a regular hair tie on your wrist.
Key Features include:
Stylish & Functional – A sleek bangle that seamlessly holds a hair tie
Comfortable Fit – Designed with an oval shape for a natural feel on the wrist
Customisable Look – Swap out the hair tie to mix and match your outfit, making it feel like a new accessory every day
Waterproof & Tarnish-Free – Durable for everyday wear, even in the ocean or gym
Eco-Conscious – Every purchase supports ocean conservation projects
It’s one thing to have the spark of an idea for a new product, but quite another to actually bring it to life! What motivated you to take that leap?
For years, I’ve been coming up with ideas to solve everyday problems – seeing a need and imagining the perfect solution. But that’s usually where they stayed, just ideas in my mind. However, this one frustration kept coming back.
With a background in social media and content creation, I often found myself presenting on camera or stage at trade shows as part of our travel and adventure business, The Blonde Nomads. Time and time again, I’d realise – too late – that I had forgotten to take that pesky hair tie off my wrist.
I decided it was finally time to solve this problem. The more I researched, the more I noticed just how many women wore hair ties on their wrists – unknowingly risking poor circulation and even potential infections from dirty hair ties. So, with the help of my husband, Rob, I took the plunge and created Gypsea Loop.
With a limited budget, bringing the product to market must have had its challenges. Can you share some of the highs and lows of the development process? Were there moments when you doubted it would be possible?
Yes! Since I didn’t have a big budget to work with, I had to get creative and think outside the box. I used Upwork to connect with a designer in Uzbekistan, who helped me perfect the bangle design and create the necessary files. To test the idea, I asked my girlfriend’s 12-year-old son, who had a 3D printer, to create the first prototype.
The initial design had the hair tie completely hidden inside the bangle, but that was a huge flop! It was nearly impossible to get the hair tie in and out. So, we moved onto our next idea of having the hair tie sit in a channel in the centre and this worked perfectly.
Each time I had a new prototype printed, I’d wear it for a few weeks, have others test it, and take notes on what needed improving. After three prototypes, I finally had a design I was confident in and took the leap to find a manufacturer and bring it to life.
At the same time, in the background, I was working to build the Gypsea Loop brand from scratch – all by myself. With a background in graphic design, website design, and photography, I leaned on my skills to create the logo, design the website, and even do my own product photoshoots to get everything ready for launch.
Seeing it all come together was an incredible experience. I never doubted that we’d get it to launch, but I definitely had moments where I worried – what if no one buys it? It was a terrifying feeling. But luckily, that doubt didn’t last long. When we launched last May, it blew up! The response was incredible, and the amazing reviews that started rolling in confirmed that we had created something truly special.
The bangle is beautifully designed, seamlessly blending style and function – I’m constantly complimented on mine! How did your creative background help to perfect the bangle?
Thanks so much, that’s so great to hear! I’ve always been a creative person, and as I mentioned earlier, my background has definitely helped bring Gypsea Loop to life. I also love to paint and take photos, and I embrace anything creative.
My husband, Rob, is a carpenter, and his practical mindset perfectly complements my creative approach. Together, we combined our skills to design something both stylish and functional. It’s the small details, like the subtle side indents, that make it easy to grab the hair tie from the bangle that truly bring the functionality and style to life.
The response to Gypsea Loop has been incredible, with glowing reviews and award nominations. What has been the most rewarding moment for you since launching?
The response has been absolutely amazing, and I’m so grateful for all the support! Seeing the glowing reviews, award nominations, and our videos going viral on social media has been surreal.
The most rewarding moments are definitely reading our five-star reviews and seeing all the beautiful photos of our bangles ‘out in the wild’. I love receiving messages from customers who say they can’t live without their Gypsea Loop. Knowing that something I created has become part of people’s everyday lives is so special. I’m still waiting for the day I walk past someone on the street wearing a Gypsea Loop – that will definitely be an exciting moment when it happens.
Beyond creating stylish accessories, Gypsea Loop has a strong environmental mission, contributing to ocean conservation. Can you share more about this commitment and why it’s important to you?
Along with creating a stylish and practical accessory, I always knew GypSEA Loop had to stand for something bigger – this is why the brand name includes the word “sea.”
The ocean has always been a huge part of my life, especially through our adventures with The Blonde Nomads. Experiencing the beauty of marine life firsthand has made us incredibly passionate about protecting our reefs and ocean ecosystems, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the same stunning coastlines that have inspired so much of my journey.
That’s why every Gypsea Loop purchase contributes to ocean conservation efforts. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that with each bangle sold, we’re not just solving a fashion dilemma – we’re also helping to protect the ocean for years to come.
From our sales so far, we’re proud to share that our Gypsea Community has become the proud parents of ten baby corals that we have adopted with help from an organisation called Coral Gardeners. Over the next few years, our Gypsea Loop corals will be nurtured to grow, and when ready, they will be planted on the reef, playing a small part in restoring this vital ecosystem.
In the future, we look forward to contributing even more to ocean conservation projects and playing a meaningful role in preserving our reefs for generations to come.
What’s next for the brand? Are there any new designs or innovations in the works?
Yes! We’ve had a huge demand for Rose Gold, so we’re excited to introduce it to our range later this year, along with new hair tie colour combinations. We already offer a selection of Gypsea Hair Ties designed exclusively to complement the Gypsea Loop Bangle, and we’ll be adding even more into the mix.
We also have a few other exciting accessories in the pipeline – so watch this space! If you are interested, be sure to sign up to our Gypsea Tribe mailing list to be the first to know about new launches.
