Fashion - House Of Coco Magazine

Accessories July 28, 2019

#BossBoy: Designer Collections with Cael Pipin

Occasionally #TeamCoco have the opportunity to interview designers that we are huge fans of, and this is one of those rare occasions that we can get to know more about one of our design heroes.

Cael Pipin owns and runs the designer bag company Hemcael, and his latest collections are one of a kind, unique designs that bring to life the meaning of Italian quality.

Hemcael launched in 2010, where Cael Pipin has been designing and producing beautiful bags for the luxury buyer who craves excellent Italian quality with standout designs. We are desperate to find out more about this wonderful bag designer.

Q. HOC. Did you previously work in the leather or fashion industry before launching Hemcael?

A. Cael. Yes, I have produced unique pieces on demand for an exclusive clientele for many years. They asked for original and customised pieces completely made in Italy, and I’ve always loved creating what’s the most feminine thing ever: bags. I had never worked in the fashion industry before launching my own brand, but the varied women’s universe has always fascinated me. And that’s the reason why I decided to embody what I think is the Hemcael quintessential woman, be it wife, partner, friend, mother or daughter.

Q. HOC. At what point did you realise that you were destined to be luxury bag designer?

A. Cael. Looking around, I realised that we are losing the habit of loving very high quality accessories, and, above all, we are losing the habit of giving value to the concept that’s behind the creations we wear, the research of the best materials out there, the artisan’s delicate and experienced touch and all tests to get the best shapes and structures.

The key of the collection is: ‘conquer from within’. Conquer, in Italian, is a verb also used to express the concept of ‘winning someone’s heart’. And with my bags I wanted to do it from within: the interior of my bags, their heart, is as special as their outer. It’s crafted from bovine nubuck or calfskin leather, and no other material is involved for the linings, pockets, or extras, such as the removable pouches. Today luxury means exclusiveness, uniqueness: not just because something appears ‘rich’, it’s a luxury symbol.

The Hemcael bag isn’t just for ‘appearing’, but for recognising yourself in an accessory from which you can get the feeling of craftsmanship, class, research, experimentations. Luxury is not to be shown, because it is made up of details.

Q. HOC. Your collections are eponymous with sculptured pieces that are elegant in design yet easy to wear, have you always been known for strong statement bags?

A. Cael. Yes, I have always created bags that are bold, that not only exude a sense of style, but they also convey strong emotions, they kind of have their own personality. Clothes and accessories are a form of self-expression, and the way we create our outfits impacts how we feel about ourselves, and vice- versa. That’s why I have always tried to create statement accessories, exceptionally crafted for the bold, modern, dynamic woman who’s looking for a direct reflection of her personality. My collection includes high-impact colours, such as rust, the captivating heart of the line, sculptured figures that exclusively result from the natural structure of high quality leather, and extremely detailed and intriguing interiors, which I think are even more important than what’s in the outside. The linings of my bags, completely leather crafted, are what makes them stand out and turn things around, taking the creation from plain to noteworthy.

Q. HOC. Do you have a current favourite bag from your collection?

A. Cael. Yes, my current favorite is Melime, the bag that embodies the soul of the brand in the best way. It represents the sensuous essence of the Hemcael woman, and its outstanding shape makes it unique when women wear it. I imagined a bag that could captivate all women, with its simple yet enigmatic silhouette, that could release the pure Hemcael nature from any detail. The closure is very secure, almost impenetrable, so that your everyday essentials, or even your darkest secrets, can be kept safe inside.

Q. HOC. We are personally swooning over the Aranel, a handbag/adjustable shoulder bag that oozes style and charisma, what goes into designing a bag like this?

A. Cael. Well, first of all, you grasped what the Hemcael concept means, as Aranel was a starting point for the collection. Its timeless and elegant figure is behind every other style. What I’m most proud of in its design is the structure: its shape just follows the sinuosity that the folded leather naturally assumes, and no other material was used to produce it. I wanted to create a classic, flawless, neat silhouette, simple in its sleek touch and yet sophisticated. The combination of calfskin and nubuck leather, alternating for the outer and the lining of the different styles, conveys in the best way my idea of a classy design that relies on high quality materials and elegant style.

Q. HOC. Can we ask when you are at your most creative design-wise? And, where do your design-ideas come from?

A. Cael. When I paint my works, I establish a connection between art and design. My bags are the result of an artistic process that always starts with painting. Art is that place where I take refuge when my being is in conflict with the world that surrounds me, my little bubble, where I can fully be myself. Seeing a woman wearing one of my creations brings strong feelings to me, and this leads me to design new pieces.

Q. HOC. You have recently opened a maison-gallery in the heart of Milan, can you tell us some more about this?

A. Cael. The concept of Hemcael stems from my greatest passion: art. The maison-gallery in Milan is not only a showroom, but also a gallery exhibiting my art creations, my paintings. Fashion and art are intertwined, they have always been connected. There’s no fashion piece without an artistic background. I love expressing my art both on canvas and on fashion sketches, and I do it not only for work, but mainly for myself, as that’s the finest way I express my best self. I wanted to created a wide, clean, minimalist space, where the focus is on the bags, showcased in the first room and shop windows, and on the paintings, for which an entire aisle is dedicated. I found this early 20th century former nuns convent in the heart of Milan and immediately thought it was the perfect place for Hemcael’s headquarters and maison-gallery.

Q. HOC. Do you have any immediate plans to open any more maison- galleries around the world?

A. Cael. Yes, I’m proud to announce a new opening in Bangalore, India, in a partnership with the multi-brand luxury store Galleria di Lux, [earlier this month] on July 27th. The first floor will be dedicated to Hemcael, blending contemporary art and fashion with a concept that’s new for this renowned high-end store with Italian and international brands. We’re planning other new openings, including New Delhi in October.

Q. HOC. Did anyone offer you any business advice before you embarked on becoming a luxury bag designer?

A. Cael. Not at all. I just trusted my instincts.

Q. HOC. What piece of advice would you give a budding designer, someone starting out in the industry?

A. Cael. Try to be yourself, do not copy anyone else, and be very meticulous in every single detail. Be hungry for something new, fresh. Experience new routes and try to find new and not predictable solutions.

Thank you for taking the time to answer all our #BossBoy questions for House of Coco Magazine online.

Visit Hemcael for more information.

Hemcael – creating a collection that is enigmatic in its simplicity.

Accessories July 28, 2019

#WomenWorldwide: The Woven Bag Era with Sommy Putthida Hensawang

Woven bags are the latest fashion accessory across the globe, and Thai native Sommy Putthida Hensawang of Above Studio has collated a beautiful collection of baskets and bags for beach and beyond from local artisans around Thailand.

Every piece created is handcrafted from the north to the south of Thailand, where local artisans help to shape and design the rattan, bamboo and woven bags which Sommy then sells at Above Studio.

Let’s find out a little more about Sommy and her business Above Studio.

HOC. What made you get into woven and basket style bags?

Sommy. Having grown up in a rural community and then venturing off to the bustling concrete jungle of New York City, I realized the lack of available sustainable and ethical products didn’t cater to the needs of my lifestyle/beliefs nor the rest of the planet! In addition, the local villagers back home do not have the same access to abundant resources as we do and so because of this fact, I decided that I wanted to be the voice and connector to expose this unique identity and craftsmanship of Thailand to the rest of the world. I designed a series of trendy accessories that would cater to the fashion-forward crowd while keeping our mission of sustainability in mind. Moreover, our local artisans are very skillful in making woven and basket style bags. Hence the creation of “ABOVE Studio” – providing ethical, eco-friendly products to empower our rural communities and rise “above” the occasion that our environment faces.

HOC. From a fashion perspective are you always looking for the latest bag designs to replicate for Above Studio?

Sommy. Fashion is fast and you have to keep it up with the trend. However, I believe that with high quality of our products and customer service that we care the most will make us different from other replicated bags.

HOC. By keeping your bags designed and produced within Thailand you are helping to save the environment, was this something you had considered before working with local Thai artisans?

Sommy. I grew up among nature because my dad’s family has a corn field and my mom family also grows fruit for selling in a province near Bangkok. I have seen those unique beautiful culture and traditional for almost half of my life. This is especially true for the weaving skill and farming skill, of which they acquired authentic knowledge from their ancestors. The artisans I am working with are those from the places I visited during when I was younger and they have been making these local products since then.

HOC. You stock bags of all shapes, sizes and designs and you stay true to the use of bamboo, rattan and woven baskets and bags, do you think you will every use other fabrics alongside your core materials?

Sommy. Yes, I am now using organic cotton from local artisan’s village near our Bangkok manufacturing. Also, I am now considering other local materials that can be used for making our new collection which will be more home decor line.

HOC. Do you have a favourite bag from your online collections at Above Studio?

Sommy. Yes, I love my foldable basket bag since its big and have lots of space and I can also fold it when I am not using it. This is really practical.

HOC. How long does a hand crafted woven bag usually take to make?

Sommy. It usually takes almost 3 weeks. The first 2 weeks will be a process of drying materials and sometimes during rain season we have to wait another week to make sure all of materials completely dry.

HOC. How do you market your brand differently to other fashion accessory retailers, and is it a competitive market?

Sommy. I value our local craftsmanship. The product quality we present and the way we preserve our exotic culture and environment made us outstanding from other competitors.

HOC. What has been the biggest learning curve since you launched Above Studio?

Sommy. Operation can be lots of work and you have to make sure every step by yourself first before you can teach and instruct your people.

HOC. What was the best piece of advice you were given before you launched Above Studio?

Sommy. Do your best.

HOC. What advice would you offer someone who is thinking of setting up an online store?

Sommy. I encourage everyone to follow the dream but just one thing to keep in mind that you will never ever give up.

For more information visit Above Studio.

Thank you for offering House of Coco Magazine an insight into your world of rattan, bamboo and woven bags.

Accessories July 26, 2019

Meet Maxwell-Scott: Leather Accessories To Last A Lifetime

Designed in Yorkshire and handcrafted in Italy, Maxwell-Scott’s leather accessories are made to last

Maxwell-Scott is a family-run business based in York, North Yorkshire focusing on creating understated, classic bags and accessories to stand the test of time. They commit to quality and great design to ensure every piece is an investment to be passed down generations. Their faith in their own products is evident as each piece comes with a 25-year guarantee.

The brand was started by CEO William Forshaw who was inspired by his mother’s love of Italian handbags and leather goods. Each year his family would holiday in Italy and his mother would bring home handbags that her friends would complement and ask if she could bring them one back on her next visit. This prompted a small handbag exchange business, which eventually inspired William to establish a brand that designed and sold high quality leather goods.

Maxwell-Scott has continued to grow and now sells across eight websites worldwide. As well as expanding throughout the world Maxwell-Scott has also evolved design-wise. From starting out selling mainly men’s classic leather goods they’ve progressed to producing trend-led pieces for men and women.

Their range now includes covetable items that are fashion-forward while maintaining the unrivalled quality at the heart of Maxwell-Scott. New colourways such as hot pink, blush pink and petrol blue step away from the classic colours of black and tan that are associated with the brand and cater to women looking for on-trend accessories. The upcoming A/W 19 collection features chain straps and suede leather; another step into the fashion conscious world.

Maxwell-Scott have recently launched their #MyCityMyBag campaign showcasing how their bags are versatile and can lend themselves to the lifestyles associated with varying big cities; the on-the-go hustle and bustle of London to the outdoorsy elements of Edinburgh. The campaign urges customers to share photos of themselves using Maxwell-Scott bags in their city to their social media using the #MyCityMyBag.

Boss Boys July 26, 2019

#BossBoy: Catwalk Style with Marvin Nonis

Marvin Nonis is a fashion designer that launched his business, Marvin Nonis UK in 2016, his designs are both beautiful and feminine, and each individual design is easy to wear, eye-catching to look at, and contemporary in design.

The designer himself only ever puts clean flowing designs at the forefront of his mind when embarking on each new season. Marvin Nonis UK collections are accessible to all from his ready-to-wear line, filled with everyday staples, and stunning cocktail dresses which would make anyone feel beautiful, to the head-turning evening dresses that scream sophistication, and his individual special collection; Marvin Nonis has thought of everything.

We were desperate to find out more about this relatively under-the-radar designer, who’s catwalk shows are proving to be huge talking points around the world.

HOC. At what point did you realise that you were destined to be a women’s fashion designer?

Marvin. My initial interaction with fabrics began when I was a very young age. It was later as a teenager I decided I wanted to be a designer.

HOC. Did you previously work in the clothing and fashion industry or was this a 360 degree turn into a brand new sector?

Marvin. I have always been a fashion designer.

HOC. Your dress designs are eponymous with ethereal free flowing delicate materials, do you personally choose the materials that you work with, or do you have a team who source the material for you?

Marvin. I choose all the materials, I do everything.

HOC. Do you have a favourite dress or design from your current collection?

Marvin. Every piece is my favourite design and I love each one, all my new designs, I also love them.

HOC. Your suits are known for being flattering, crisp and stylish, yet always with an element of surprise, for example you added lace to your recent designs, is this one of your signature styles?

Marvin. Yes it is.

HOC. Can we ask when you are at your most creative design-wise; are you a morning, afternoon or evening designer? And, where do your design-ideas come from?

Marvin. There is no time limit, I am creative all day long. My inspirations are from listening classical music.

HOC. Marvin Nonis UK has been at various fashion shows and catwalk shows over recent months, which was your favourite, and where have you yet to host a fashion show that is on your ‘must do’ list?

Marvin. They are all my favourite. We are doing an exclusive fashion show in New York. We have 2 in London all in September, 1 in Scotland and next year Paris.

HOC. What is your immediate plan for Marvin Nonis UK in the next 1-2 years, do you intend on expanding?

Marvin. We are planning to open several shows, most located in the UK.

HOC. Did anyone offer you any business advice before you embarked on becoming a fashion designer, and do you still adhere to that advice now that you are running a successful business?

Marvin. I attended very specialised seminars in the US and Germany.

HOC. What piece of advice would you give someone looking to get into the fashion industry?

Marvin. They would have to learn the subject of the work exactly and then you will have the ability to start.

Thank you for taking the time to answer all our #BossBoy questions for House of Coco Magazine online.

Visit Marvin Nonis UK for more information.

Argentina July 25, 2019

#GBOGB: Laura Chavez Talks Cultured Diamonds and Fine Jewellery

We are smitten with the fine jewellery of Lark & Berry, a London jeweller that was founded by Laura Chavez, which specialises in ethically sourced diamonds, gold and fine jewellery.

Laura’s ethos of using cultured diamonds means that no mining takes place when sourcing each precious stone, and with the added benefit of every diamond having full traceability, this proves that her diamonds will always be conflict-free. This ethos meant that when Lark & Berry launched in 2018 it launched to great applause by jewellery fans and critics alike.

We are desperate to know more about Laura Chavez, her background, and the reasons why she went into the jewellery making business, let’s ask a few questions to get to know the lady behind Lark & Berry.

Q. HOC. You studied in the US at Rice University in Houston Texas, and followed that with an MBA from London Business School, and then on to London Jewellery School, did you always know that you wanted to work within the jewellery industry?

Laura. I’d always loved fine jewellery, but it took me a while to get involved because I didn’t want to be a part of the controversial practices of the mined diamond industry.

I went to London Jewellery School just to learn more and whilst there, I happened upon the science of diamond culturing. I was amazed! The more I learned of cultured diamonds’ sustainable benefits, the surer I became that the only way I was going to enter the luxury jewellery market would be through exclusive use of these superior, environmentally responsible diamonds.

Q. HOC. Can you tell us more about cultured diamonds and why you use these precious stones in your unique designs?

Laura. Cultured diamonds are made in labs which replicate the exact circumstances under which diamonds form naturally underground. This means cultured are chemically and optically the same as mined diamonds, but that’s where the similarities end.

With cultured diamonds, we no longer have to mine, which hurts the whole environment—plants and trees, wildlife and people. With cultured diamonds, we get diamonds that are 100% genuine, enable no human rights abuses and are far friendlier to our planet. And we can price them fairly, too, since they aren’t subject to mined monopoly.

So, upon learning all this, I knew cultured diamonds and stones (all Lark & Berry jewellery is cultured) would be the only way I’d operate. Lark & Berry is the first exclusively cultured designer brand in luxury, and we’re so proud!

Q. HOC. You currently have a London store, and are looking to open in a number of other markets overseas, can you tell us where you are opening next, and why you have chosen those specific locations?

Laura. Yes, our London flagship has been open almost a year now and is doing great, due in no small part to our in-store luxury piercing concept. Lark & Berry is the first designer jewellery brand exclusively using cultured diamonds to have a piercing option in-store. For anyone reading this who’s interested, please book ASAP as we fill up fast!

Lark & Berry is set to launch in Scandinavia in a few months. We’re so happy about it, because that market eats and breathes sustainability—it made perfect sense for us. Additionally, we’re in talks to open pop-up concepts in Los Angeles and New York City and to be placed in other stores as well. We can tell the market wants cultured—our customers here have loved what we’re doing, and a rapidly increasing number of people are looking for a more sustainable option everywhere in luxury jewellery.

Q. HOC. Your designs range in price from around £200 and rise to over £100,000 – do you have a favourite piece from your collections that would come in under £500, and do you have a favourite piece that would come in over £50,000?

Laura. I love a lot of labrets from our piercing collections. Whether you’re into classic yellow gold and cultured diamonds or you want some colour in your life, we have many competitively priced options in our piercing ranges, some of which you can mix and match with each other to have several new looks throughout your week. Our piercings, which you can get in our London store begin at £95 ($120 USD), which include a piece from our 14k gold and cultured diamond capsule collection. Options range up to £450 ($575 USD) for diamond and sapphire adorned larger pieces.

I also wear our Nocturnal Wrap Ring, which is in the £800 range. It pairs well with our new Veto Open Stackable rings. They feature only the finest rubies and sapphires and come in about every colour you can imagine. Those Stackables are in the £300 range, and even without the Nocturnal ring as a centerpiece on your finger, the Stackables can be paired in endless, creative ways to keep you looking hip, fresh and ready for Summer!

And finally, over £50,000, my favourite is definitely our Bow collection, which just won the 2019 JCK Las Vegas Editor’s Choice award in design. This win for Bow shows that cultured diamonds are every bit the equal to mined diamonds. Our Bow suite consists of an 11.6 carat cultured diamond necklace, 2.5 carat cultured diamond earrings, and a 2.4 carat engagement ring and wedding band all set in platinum.

Q. HOC. Do you wear any other jewellery designer/brand aside from your own designs, and if so who?

Laura. I don’t currently wear any other brands, but I don’t rule it out. If and when I do, I will definitely only wear cultured diamonds.

I favour new start-ups that are purely about cultured diamonds. Lark & Berry is the first designer fine jewellery brand using only cultured diamonds and stones, and we couldn’t be prouder. Anyone who debuts with a similar approach, I support their cause!

Q. HOC. Your Instagram @larkandberry showcases your designs beautifully, and you have a huge following, do you find social media helps to promote your brand?

Laura. Yes, social media is of course key for a fashion brand, but I think it’s especially important for one like Lark & Berry. We’ve been called ‘diamond disruptors’ by the press for all the attention we’ve received in our efforts to educate and promote this new, sustainable diamond option.

So, when you’re doing something that’s labelled ‘disrupting,’ it’s incredibly necessary to have great, attention-grabbing social media, as that’s where people are talking about disrupting products. We even have a new, cultured diamonds podcast as well to keep people talking—it’s called The Diamond Disruptor. You can get it anywhere you subscribe to podcasts!

Q. HOC. Do you follow jewellery fashion trends when it comes to your designs?

Laura. At Lark & Berry, we try to always do our own thing. Our award-winning designs have garnered attention for their originality and artistry. But in general, when someone is looking to make the switch from mined diamonds to cultured, I like to think that we’ll have something for everyone, even those really only into classic, traditional design.

Q. HOC. Do you remember your first piece that you made and sold?

Laura. Lark & Berry launched our online store just over a year ago and then opened our London store shortly thereafter. We had several collections, and we experienced immediate success. I can’t remember now what was first, but the Veto line immediately took off, and we were sold out of about half of those pieces for almost 6 months due to overwhelming demand!

Q. HOC. Did anyone offer you any useful business advice before you launched Lark & Berry?

Laura. Not directly—I really wanted to do my own thing and trust my instincts. I have previous experience in the resorts sector in hospitality and then later served in an advisory role to a board of directors in that same industry. I also ran my own restaurant in Argentina for a time. I feel all that experience, coupled with my schooling in North America and London prepared me well to start Lark & Berry.

But throughout my life, my father and grandmother were very influential for me, both very smart people with wise lessons. I’ve also taken inspiration from founders like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk—people who were every bit as visionary and creative as they were successful business leaders.

Q. HOC. Did anyone offer you any bad advice that you followed, and later wished you hadn’t?

Laura. Great question!

Well, the first thing that comes to mind is we had a PR company who didn’t deliver the results we’d hoped for, especially as we knew we had such a unique offering. I’ve found PR companies can be great, of course, but one thing I learned from that experience was to not rush into important decisions like that, so I looked around for an in-house person that was passionate about what we were doing.

You really have to be careful hiring outside companies to work with you, because I think it’s rare that people will be as passionate as your core team members. So I’m really all about promoting from within and giving people already doing great work for you more related responsibility—people that show a true, passion for our cultured diamonds company and causes.

Q. HOC. If you were to offer one piece of advice to someone thinking of getting into fine jewellery designing, what would it be?

Laura. The first piece of advice would be the same for anyone getting into any trade — don’t even do it unless you’re passionate about what you’re doing. You have to love your work, especially something that takes up as much of your time as starting a business or designing — whatever it is. It’s so competitive out there!

And for jewellery, no matter what sector it is one is looking to enter, I would ask people to please look into getting involved with cultured diamonds. Cultured diamonds aren’t just unique — they’re just a clear winner over mined diamonds for so many reasons.

With cultured, we get no human rights abuses or conflict that still happens in some areas, far less harm to Earth as no mining is needed and an equal diamond to its mined counterpart that is often better. Cultured diamonds are routinely Type IIa status, the world’s finest in diamonds. Only 2% of mined diamonds reach this purity benchmark.

The science alone is amazing. I think there’s still a lot of people out there who don’t even know cultured is an option with diamonds yet. I’ve even been the one to tell some people about it for the first time, and I love seeing the amazement on their faces learning of a diamond that through heat and pressure can be created scientifically in a lab, exactly replicating how they form underground.

I’ve also, firsthand, seen gemologists with years of experience not be able to tell cultured diamonds from mined diamonds; seen them admit defeat, because very simply, there’s nothing to tell apart!

Thank you for taking the time to answer all our #GBOGB Girl Bosses of Great Britain questions for House of Coco Magazine.

Visit the Lark & Berry website for more information. Instagram @larkandberry.

Accessories July 24, 2019

#WomenWorldwide – Why fashion designer Sujata Gazder had to follow her heart

Specialising in classic, elegant, feminine clothing, Sujata Gazder has been creating beautiful clothes for women who are looking for something special and luxurious without the designer price tag. #TeamCoco spoke to Sujata about the power of fashion, where she finds her inspiration and the importance of following your heart

What was the inspiration and vision behind the Sujata Gazder brand?

For as long as I can remember I have sketched, scribbled, doodled design ideas in my head. I love beautiful clothes. A well fitted garment constructed from luxe fabric can actually change the mood and demeanour of the person wearing it. I found that most mass market fashions fall short in being able to do that and high-end couture is accessible to only the privileged. So, I decided to create a line of clothing that had exciting designs and paid attention to fit, form and feel and offer it at affordable luxury prices.

Was it a ‘lightbulb’ moment or was it more of a slow burning process?

It was more of a slow burning process. I have always loved fashion and growing up in India when bespoke clothing was the norm, I was designing my own clothing from the time I was 10. But I didn’t pursue a career in fashion till after I moved to the US. I was studying music in college at the time and wasn’t feeling “soul-fulfilled” with the path of my career. That is when I decided to take a chance and follow my heart. Although I still love music, I can’t say I’ve ever looked back.

Did you have any fears or worries when launching your business and how did you overcome them?

Oh goodness, I sure did have a few fears about launching my business. I didn’t have a degree in design. I did not have any connections in the industry – I was basically an outsider with no pedigree. But I realized that I could learn all those details. I trusted my own aesthetic sense and creativity. I knew my design ideas were eye-catching…all I needed to do next was to master the many details needed to bring them to life.

How did you come up with the designs and patterns for your label?

I sketch all my own designs, putting ideas in my head down on paper, refining them as I draw them out. Then I drape the more complex designs to create the sample patterns. These patterns are then finessed by my pattern makers to ensure balance and good fit.

Do you have a design process – where do you find your inspiration from?

I get my inspiration from all over. It can be a piece of art or an artist during the visit to a museum or an art show. I am often inspired by a new fabric…the colours and the drape. Currently I am working on some pieces after seeing some beautiful quilts drying on a line with the backdrop of fresh green fields and azure blue skies with fluffy white cotton clouds.

How would you describe your signature style when it comes to your designs?

My signature style is one that epitomises romanticism, timeless elegance and comfort. At the end of the day, one’s garments must fit and feel right, so there is an emphasis on fit and form. I use a lot of luxe fabrics, and old-world embellishment techniques to create very feminine but powerful pieces. To paraphrase Valentino, women wearing my designs do not borrow their personality from the garment they are wearing.

Do you have any favourite designers yourself that influences your style?

My favourite designers are Coco Chanel, Valentino Garavani and Lagerfeld

Looking back to when you were first coming up with the initial business concept, what advice would you give to yourself (knowing what you know now) and would you change anything?

Wouldn’t we all like to know then when we know now! Well, in my case it is a simple but important aspect. If I had the chance to do it all over again, I would have stepped out of my comfort-zone earlier and done more with marketing and PR. My garments have always spoken for themselves but getting brand name recognition is what makes all the difference.

Where are your products made and how often do you change your collection?

All our garments are constructed and finished in the United States. This allows us to control the high quality we seek. All the embroidery or embellishment work is done in India. Currently we come out with just two collections a year- Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter.

Do you have any people that you personally look up to in business and have you been able to use this within your own business?

There are a lot of entrepreneurs I look up to, but none that I know personally. People like Sir Richard Branson, Tori Burch and others come to mind. These remarkable people believed in themselves when few others did. They had a vision for leaving the world just slightly better than when they found it. That has always been my driving force and I am working towards making that a reality.

What has been the most surprising thing that you have learnt about running your own business?

You know the idiom chief cook and bottle washer? Well, I was surprised to find out that as a small business owner you truly must internalize that phrase. Nothing in your start-up is too small to be overlooked, nothing is too big to be tackled.

What do you feel has been the defining moment so far in your business?

My defining moment is more a period than a moment and that came in 2010. That was the year we signed with a sales showroom in New York. I could finally focus on creating and not have to do any sales or any other similar aspects that I was not so comfortable with. Orders began flowing in and life was good. But soon I realized the showroom was cheating me and by the time I was able to terminate the contract the damage had been done. I was out a large amount of money and no viable avenue of revenue. That was when I realized how important it was for me to embrace every aspect of my business. What I didn’t know I learned. What I was uncomfortable with I worked at getting better at. Today I know what I am good at and I hire the right people.

How would you describe your typical customer – how excited do you get when you see your designs on celebrities and showcased at fashion shows?

Our typical client is the woman who is elegant, understated, youthful in spirit, and effortlessly chic. That kind of woman is ageless and cross-cultural. And it is certainly very exciting to see my designs on celebrities and in fashion shows. In the fashion industry, let’s be honest, the more endorsements you get the better it is for your business. If a celebrity like Kylie Jenner starts a makeup line, the product will fly off the shelves. When Kate Middleton wears a specific piece from a designer that garment sells out in minutes. So, the more publicity I get the better it is for my business.

You were named as one of the ‘Rising Stars of Midwest Fashion’ – how important are these accolades to you and how do you think they have helped you in business?

Again, accolades help business. It adds to the “legitimacy” of the label. The more you are recognised the more the consumer tends to want to trust the brand.

If you could describe your brand in five words – what would they be?

Elegant, timeless, luxury, quality, exciting.

What steps does the world of fashion need to make to become more sustainable and why is there such a ‘wear it, throw it’ culture worldwide?

I don’t think it is just the UK that has this “wear it, throw it” culture. It is a mindset that is prevalent across the globe. With the rise of the affordable and fast fashion consumerism is at an all-time high. These clothes are affordable for many reasons – fabrics are not high end; construction (sewing and finishing) is basic; fit and form are not the focus of these garments; there is not complexity of design; and they are not made to last a long time. Also, with the rise of social media the consumer is bombarded with new fashions all the time being endorsed by various influencers. The need to be in vogue is raging.

To begin, the fashion industry needs to reduce it massive environmental footprint. We can begin with regenerative agriculture, organic cotton, living wages for those who work in the supply chain and reusing fibres from both used and discarded garments and scrap materials.

Along with the physical actions the industry should take to become more sustainable, there has to be a worldwide movement to gradually have all consumers care about the global impact of consumerism, and this burden does fall on influencers and all marketing in general.

What’s next for you Sujata and your fashion line?

My vision is to develop Sujata Gazder into a lifestyle brand that not only delivers high quality luxury at affordable prices, but also to begin a program to give back to the community. We are also working to lessen our environmental footprint. Over the next few years I would like to add accessories to our product line such as shoes, handbags and jewellery.

What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs, particularly to those wanting to launch a fashion label?

If you believe in your vision, then go for it. Don’t let anyone convince you it’s going to fail. Starting a business is not for the faint of heart- it is long, hard work, frustrating at times peppered with moments of fear (of not succeeding). But if you have a good work ethic, believe in yourself, provide a product or service that is worth the money you are charging then know that you will be successful. And to those looking to start a business I would also say “have patience”. Have the patience to set a good foundation for your business. Be patient and learn your industry. Patience enables you to execute your dream in a way that will have you making fewer mistakes and see faster successes.

https://www.sujatagazder.com/

Australia July 21, 2019

#WomenWorldwide : Launching Your Brand While At Uni with Jade of The Mermaid HQ

It can’t just be #TeamCoco who find swimsuit shopping nothing short of a nightmare?

Today we speak with Jade, founder of The Mermaid HQwho designs swimwear for real women, crafted from eco-friendly and recycled fibres. Could The Mermaid HQ be the answer to all our beach day prayers? We certainly think so…

HOC: Hey Jade! Great to meet you. Let’s start with the trickier one, what’s your elevator pitch for The Mermaid HQ?

Jade: First of all, WOAH. On the spot?! Here I go.

My name is Jade and I am the founder and creator of The Mermaid HQ.

Revenue in the Sports and swimwear industry alone (for Australia) amounts to US$1,219 million in 2019. The market is expected to grow annually by 1.0% (CAGR 2019-2023)

Did you know that there is actually a gap in the Australian market for active swimwear? I’m not talking about swimwear created for queens of Bondi. Neither am I talking about swimwear for the already fabulous to look even more stunning in. I am talking about active swimwear. Swimwear for the rest of us, people who want to make that walk from the changing room to the pool or beach in pieces that make us feel confident.

The swimwear ad campaigns over the decades have provided the subliminal message that on-trend swimwear is available for one body type and one body type only.

I want to start a revolution to validate and elevate real women, of all ages, shapes, colours, and sizes, in trendy eco-friendly and sustainable swimwear. At The Mermaid HQ, we create swimwear made of eco-friendly and recycled fibres sourced from discarded fishing nets, and recycled ocean plastic. In doing so, we deal with the marine pollution problem and use less virgin materials designing swimwear for real women, of all ages, shapes, colours, and sizes, who are also conscious of their environmental impact.

As an already established brand, my label is poised to move into bags, clothing, towels, jewellery and so much more. I want to offer you an opportunity to invest in my revenue-positive brand, that is well-positioned to secure a strong foothold in a $20 billion dollar global swimwear market. I am asking for $100,000 dollars for 10% equity.

Help me, start a revolution.

HOC: Sign us up, what a great pitch! Can you tell us about your personal background and your journey to running your business?

Jade: Of course, I’m a 23 years old undergrad from Fiji, currently working on finishing up my double bachelors degree in Art and Commerce, majoring in Accounting and Interior Architecture at the University of Canberra. To be honest, I had thought a lot about starting my own business years ago, but I never really had the capital to invest into any venture, neither was I able to narrow down what service I could supply that was already in demand. I was also very afraid of failing.

It wasn’t until a friend of mine suggested that we start an online store, that I had begun to share the ideas and visions I had kept to myself till then. So, in September 2018, we started a clothing label, and our main focus was providing festival go-ers with their get-up for their music fest du-jour.

It didn’t really work out, I felt that we both had creative differences and so we decided to part ways, and dissolve the label. But, I still wanted to make my visions a reality. So I dove into another business venture that I had been mulling over for about 3 years. Swimwear. Specifically bikini sets that weren’t sold separately, and didn’t cost an arm and a leg to own.

As a university student, working as a part-time waitress, spending $70 on a bikini top seemed absurd to me. If I wanted a matching bikini bottom, that would be another $70 or $80.

So I decided to start a swimwear label, targeted towards women around my age, who don’t have the luxury of spending a lot of money just to look good for a day at the beach. To keep it simple, uni-students who wanna look good without breaking the bank. I did my research, sourced my manufacturer, and set-up my website on my own. I designed my logo on my phone using the Canva App, during one of my lunch breaks at work!

After 3 months of working out the kinks, gathering different designs, I officially launched my swimwear label, The Mermaid HQ. The swimwear label for mermaids in training. Women who love to live freely and feel confident in their own skin.

HOC: We love this bootstrapping story! We know you grew up in Fiji, Indonesia and Timor-Leste ; has this had an impact on your designs?

Jade: Absolutely. Having spent the majority of my formative years in those countries, was the main reason I wanted to start my own swimwear label.

When you think of Fiji, you think of our white sandy beaches and sipping cocktails by the shore. My fondest memory of Indonesia was the dawn that I witnessed the birth of, what felt like, dozens of tiny little turtles. Hiking along Timor- Leste’s Areia Branca, up to the Statue of Christ replica, is still my favourite memory of living there.

Each country had a tropical climate, and each had their own unique island vibe. When I look at prints for my swimwear, I gravitate more towards the blues that remind me of Areia Branca, the leaf prints that make me think about the vendors that would sit underneath coconut trees with their carts, cutting open coconuts for their water, for locals and tourists. In my mind’s eye, I keep in mind the people in the places I grew up in, and I think about the colours I associate with those places, and whether or not they would wear a particular design.

HOC: You self funded your business launch through part-time work, how was that for you?

Jade: Honestly, it wasn’t easy. Apart from inventory, I had to think about everything to do with my business myself; things like shipping locally, and internationally; taking into account the rates, custom taxes. Packaging was another issue I had to tackle. What packaging am I going to use? Wrapping paper? Where will I put my logo?

Then came all the work to do with having a presence like making sure my label’s instagram and facebook accounts were active and posting often. I wanted to ensure that potential customers who would come across the label’s social media pages would have recent content to look over.

So many little things, that all came together to make a bigger picture! It was tough, especially since I decided to launch my label a month before University exams. It was very hard, juggling working in the mornings, classes and tutorials in the afternoons, and then working on my label at night.

Keeping my energy up was the easy part, I guess. I work in a cafe, so coffee was a constant factor. I also work with a fantastic crew. They made coming to work a highlight. The constant banter kept me sane. At Uni, I took classes with my friends so it was easy to dive back into that because I knew I wasn’t alone, I was always able to ask them for help.

Sleep was the hardest thing to come by. I’d be so wired from my long days, that it was easier for me to funnel my restless energy into doing something I love. Which in this case was building a brand. I had learned so much from failing at my first attempt at running a label, and I used that information to help me build The Mermaid HQ.

HOC: What makes The Mermaid HQ different from other swimwear brands?

Jade: In a nutshell, it’s a swimwear label, founded and run by a female international university student, from the Pacific Island of Fiji.

I decided to name my label, The Mermaid HQ, because the definition of a mermaid, symbolically speaking, revolves around the divine feminine energies, and the true power of the female spirit. When I was trying to figure out the name of my label, for some odd reason I was drawn to the word “mermaids”. In my research, I read that “to have a connection to a mermaid, is to have goddess energies, is to have intuitive abilities, is to be a healer of the heart and of the ocean.”

I wanted the women who wore my swimwear to feel like they were mermaids, to be attuned to divine feminine energies. When they wear my label, I want them to feel like women who love to live freely and feel confident in their own skin. “Healer of the heart and of the ocean” spoke to me because of my ambition to expand into making sustainable eco-friendly swimwear made from fabric that was a by-product of recycled ocean plastic. So I wanted to create a Headquarters (HQ), where these women could connect with their divine feminine energy, become mermaids in training. And there, I had my brand. The Mermaid HQ, for mermaids in training.

HOC: What gets you out of bed in the morning?

Jade: My list of things to-do! Ever since I got my first sales, 2 days after the label launched, it’s been incredible. I’m a full time undergrad, with a cafe gig. I hate to say it but those are 2 main reasons I kick myself out of bed. However, ever since my label has gained traction, my to-do list has been filled with getting in touch with models, and photographers, organising photoshoots, sourcing more materials for my swimwear, as well as creating ad and marketing campaigns.

You have no idea how addictive it is to dive into all this work. I find it so exciting, and I lose myself in my work.

HOC: If you weren’t running The Mermaid HQ, what would you be doing?

Jade: I’d be finishing my degrees, and working at the cafe. So not that much of a difference. I’d be focusing more on sending out internship applications. If I didn’t have my swimwear label, I think I’d still be working on my festival line. Attending start-up expo’s in my free time. Figuring out how to get my festival line out there.

Besides work, school, and side-hustling, I like to take advantage of travelling around Australia. Doing mini-road trips with my friends whenever we have days off. I like attending concerts, going out of town to see the Vivid Light Show in Sydney, or taking trips down to Melbourne to see what exhibitions the Melbourne Museum has to offer. Those are just some of the things I’ve done. Typical 20-something activities!

HOC: What resources did you find useful on your journey to launching your own business, you mentioned being inspired by some other female founders?

Jade: Oh definitely. I find Interviews with entrepreneurs, specifically Jane Lu, the founder of Showpo very inspirational. Showpo had made around $30 Million in 2018, 7 years after Jane Lu founded the company. She started out almost like me.

It was comforting to know, that it doesn’t matter how I start, or how small it is, what really matters is whether I have to stamina to keep going and keep pushing forward even when faced with obstacles. Her interviews on Youtube were particularly interesting, and I found her Showpo Video addressing the fact that she and her employees had “stuffed up” regarding issues with the business. I found this admirable, and it galvanised me. Making mistakes is okay, as long as you work on providing a solution. I took that and I ran with it.

Iyia Liu was an entrepreneur that I discovered on Instagram. She has many successful ventures under her belt and she is a business woman I aspire to be like some day. Her venture, Girls In Business, was a resource I found helpful. A community of entrepreneurial females who offer support to other females wishing to grow their empires. The great thing about the digital age, is that there is so much content available online. All those hours spent doing research for homework in the last decade really came in handy!

HOC: Swimwear season can often be a source of upset for many of our readers who don’t live the beach life year round. What advice would you have for them choosing the right swimwear and feeling badass?

Jade: I don’t think House of Coco readers should base their swimwear on whether or not they live the “beach life” year round. But I do understand that with the seasonal change, many would not have the chance to wear them as often as they probably see insta-baddies do.

I have personally paired bikini tops with high-waisted jeans, shorts, skirts, for a night out with my friends, to attend a music festival, and attend a concert!

My advice to your readers would be, Step 1. choose a bikini that compliments you, your figure, and your skin tone. Step 2, ask yourself, what in my closet right now, would I be able to wear this with. Do not limit yourself to only wearing your swimwear to the beach.

Have a mix of swimwear that you can adapt into your everyday or going out looks. An upside to this, is that you’ll know which pieces of swimwear still fit you once it’s summer again.

HOC: That may be the best piece of swimwear advice I have ever heard, thanks Jade! Finally, what’s your ambition for the rest of 2019?

Jade: I have recently begun using biodegradable mailing packages. My goal is to steer my label, make it greener, more sustainable. My ambition is to slowly integrate SEAQUAL fabric as the main material for my swimwear.

SEAQUAL is a certified, earth-friendly polyester yarn, made from recycled materials, including post consumer plastic bottles and more importantly plastic captured from the sea. They also ecological dyes and finishes based on saving water and energy. I would use this fabric to create my Plus-size swimwear collection.

Seeing as I am from Fiji, another ambition of mine is to have more people of colour not only model my swimwear, but be featured in all social media platforms regarding my label. I want to use my platform to contribute to my community. My message is to create swimwear for women who love to live freely and feel confident in their own skin. This extends to women in everyday life. Real women, everywhere. Women who not only look like my friends, but women who also look like my mom, my aunties, and my grandmother. I want to design swimwear that truly embraces women of all shapes, sizes, ages, and colours.

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View Jade’s collection at TheMermaidHQ.com

Follow along for all your swimwear inspo @TheMermaidHQ

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Photo Credits:

Photo of Jade, Mark Goina Jnr.

Maddi Iliff-Courtney, in The Mermaid HQ swimsuit Maslin One Piece, Mike Frakes.

Accessories July 19, 2019

#WomenWorldwide: The Unusual Designs of Chiara Bello

We are jewellery crazy here at #TeamCoco towers, especially when something as extraordinary and unusual as Chic Pig presents itself before our very eyes.

Chic Pig is the unique jewellery design business by Chiara Bello, her designs ooze fun and frivolity and we are seriously lusting after her latest animal design collection. You name it and Chiara has probably included it in her designs, from cute cats and dashing dogs, to funny frogs and lovely ladybugs all added to her jewellery range of rings and pendants.

We wanted to find out more about Chiara and where her ideas come from to design such unusual items of jewellery.

Q. HOC. Did you start out in your career designing unique jewellery or did you grow into the designer that you are today?

Chiara. I trained as an architect and studied design at the Royal College of Art, so I have been a designer my whole life (and loved sketching and painting animal and funny characters since a child!). So as a curious designer I tapped into jewellery in 2008, and applied the design process to a new field that I wanted to explore.

Q. HOC. Can you tell us how you started out designing animal jewellery, and where your creative ideas come from?

Chiara. I had a beautiful ring belonging to my mum from the 50s: it was gold with blue enamel. I had the idea to use that technique but use the animals as subjects, to make it fun but at the same time extremely chic (how only animals can be ;-)). This was the perfect project for me, linking together 2 of my passions: design/craftmanship and drawing fun animals.

Q. HOC. You are Italian and use Italian craftsmen and women from artisan businesses to produce your jewellery, was is a conscious decision to use Italian artisans or did it just happen organically?

Chiara. It was really timely that I met Paolo, a family friend who owned a small jewellery lab in the heart of the North-Italian city of Valenza (a city with more than 100 years of tradition of jewellery craftmanship, where brands like Tiffany and Damiani have their jewellery made) and I fell in love with the process of jewellery making, the enamel technique, the wooden tables and interesting tools, and above all the skills of those people.

Q. HOC. You are Italy-based, but you set up Chic Pig while living in London. Do you sell Chic Pig designs in London only or do you sell to a wider market?

Chiara. The project was born while I was living in Camden – London, and I was surrounded by creativity and the animals of the London Zoo ;-). The second collection (The Home) was born in Zürich, while I was living there and the last one (soon will be released) was born in the Italian Riviera, where I currently live. My design travels like me, so I currently sell in Europe Switzerland and US through my website and the Wolf&Badger platform.

Q. HOC. Do you have a favourite piece that you have designed?

Chiara. I like Lino Pig because is iconic and fun, but the piece I wear the most is Lulu Goose: chic and funny at the same time, just like me!

Q. HOC. Your brand is unique in its concept, do you find that you have a niche type of clientele or do your designs span across many different types?

Chiara. Chic Pig is for sophisticated women with a sense of humour… It’s playful and colourful and wants to bring happiness and fun to everyone who dares to!

Q. HOC. On your website www.chicpig.com you showcase the 5-day process of how you design, produce, and finish all your jewellery, have you found this a useful marketing tool when promoting your business?

Chiara. In the fast-paced world we live in it is important to take the time to understand how things are made. The passion and care that craftsman and women put in their work is incredible and sometimes the role of the designer is just to make visible what is invisible. This is exactly what I did with showing how long it takes to make a ring. Chic Pig is not a factory, it is an art-lab where each piece is a little sculpture designed, forged and finished.

Q. HOC. Do you remember your first piece of Chic Pig jewellery that you made and sold?

Chiara. Yes! I walked into a small jewellery boutique in Brera (Milan) during the Design Week and the women fell in love with Chic Pig, bought the whole collection and displayed it in the main window! I was speechless!

Q. HOC. Did anyone offer you any strong advice before launching your business that you still follow to this day?

Chiara. Yes, I learned at the Royal College of Art to be original and create my unique style without compromises.

Q. HOC. Do you ever have a bad design day where you are unhappy with your drawings, and if so, how do you build yourself back up to re-design and start afresh?

Chiara. The first collection had far more animals than the second and third. I was overexcited and made some animals that simply did not work as rings. I had to decide to reduce the number of animals to just few really good ones.

Q. HOC. If you were to offer one piece of advice to someone thinking of getting into a niche type of jewellery designing, what would it be?

Chiara. Find your uniqueness and never give up!

Thank you for taking the time to answer all our #WomenWorldwide questions for House of Coco Magazine.

Visit Chic Pig for more information. Instagram @chicpig_jewellery.

Arts July 17, 2019

Women Worldwide: New York Collections by Lindsay Nicholas

Lindsay Nicholas New York is a fashion label run by Lindsay Nicholas herself and her small, mostly female team, which includes her sister. Lindsay is famed for her simple, stunning, sophisticated clothing designs for women who want to look effortlessly chic from day to night.

Lindsay focuses on attention to detail and flattering fits for all shapes of a woman’s body, and her aim is for women to be able to wear her clothes through different time zones and countries!

Let’s find out what makes Lindsay Nicholas tick….

Q. HOC. At what point did you realise that you were destined to be a fashion designer?

A. Lindsay. I spent my childhood drawing clothes and I have always loved everything fashion, but I didn’t actually think of it as a possible career until I was in my 30’s. At that point, I decided to get a design degree from Parsons School of Design in NYC at night while I worked my advertising job during the day. And then it was another 12 years before I started my label!

Q. HOC. Is your background in the fashion industry and clothing design?

A. Lindsay. I worked in advertising and then marketing for almost 20 years, working on Madison Avenue in NYC, then in Sydney and most recently in Singapore where I was the Executive Director of Retail Marketing for Marina Bay Sands. All of that experience has really come in handy with running my business.

Q. HOC. You are living between Melbourne in Australia and New York in the United States, has this influenced your design style?

A. Lindsay. I am very influenced by women with incredible style that I see on the street, and I think great style is something that has no geographic boundaries. That said, there are nuances as to which items women will wear to work. In NYC, for example, women in creative fields have no problem wearing a short suit to work (one of our signature looks), where it’s a harder sell in Melbourne. And reversely, Australian women embrace a drop-crotch trouser, which isn’t yet a “must-have” piece in the US (but we’re hoping to change that).

Q. HOC. You are making your designs in both America and in Australia, do your international teams work in the same way or does each country have a different method?

A. Lindsay. We have been producing our collections in NYC, but our next collection is currently in production in Melbourne, so it’s a whole new team on the ground here for things like pattern-making and cut and sew. Outside of production, our team has been internationally focused from the beginning. I was working in Singapore when I launched the business, so we started with a global mindset and we shipped worldwide from day one.

Q. HOC. Your designs are known for being super flattering and luxuriously stylish, how do you manage to keep your designs informal yet with a distinct structure?

A. Lindsay. I was a certified image consultant and on the board of The Association of Image Consultants International, so I know how to make a woman look her best. When my customer walks in to a room, the first thing I want people to think is “wow, she has such confidence”, not “I love those pants” (that can be the second thing). It’s creating pieces that are super stylish, and always with amazing fabrics and construction, but the main focus has to be “will this piece make my customer feel great; will this become her uniform”.

Q. HOC. Where do your design ideas come from?

A. Lindsay. Everywhere! Truly! It’s from sitting in a café and watching people walk by, traveling through Europe, Asia and the US, reading every single fashion magazine under the sun, and I am very inspired by menswear and menswear fabrics. Recently, I was in Sydney where we had a pop-up store and I saw the most amazing floral wrapping paper as I was walking to work, and that inspired part of our next collection.

Q. HOC. If you weren’t a fashion designer, what would you be doing right now?

A. Lindsay. I loved my career in advertising and marketing, and the only thing that could get to me to leave it was pursuing my passion to have my own clothing line. So if I wasn’t doing this, I’d probably still be working for one of the great companies I have worked for in the past.

Q. HOC. Your brand is already big in New York and in Melbourne, are you looking to expand into any other markets or cities?

A. Lindsay. We’ve been global from day one, but there are definitely places where our brand seems to resonate more strongly than others. One of our biggest markets is the UK. We ship to London at least a few times a week. I think it might be a nod to our menswear influence and high quality fabrics. And most of our pieces are trans-seasonal, so you can wear them in a London winter and an Italian summer, so the cost-per-wear is exceptional.

Q. HOC. Were you offered any business advice before launching Lindsay Nicholas New York, or did you do everything by yourself?

A. Lindsay. I started my business while I was still working (lots of 4am starts!), so I was quite quiet about it at the beginning. As I have grown, I have certainly been given lots of advice, but what’s most important is figuring out what advice really pertains to my brand. If I listened to everyone and tried to please everyone, I think I would have a very bland product. I love feedback and I am a great listener, which has made our product better season after season, but I always have to love what I create, because if I don’t, how can I expect you to?

Q. HOC. What piece of advice would you give someone looking to get into the fashion industry?

A. Lindsay. Without a doubt start small and find a mentor. I created so many pieces my first season thinking I needed to give people lots of choices. No…make one piece. Make a dress and sell it to your tribe and see what feedback you get. Then grow slowly from there. And if you can find someone who has done it and can guide you away from some of the mistakes you’re destined to make, that would be great. But you will make mistakes and you will learn from them, and it will make you a better designer and a better businesswoman.

Thank you for taking the time to answer all our #WomenWorldwide questions for House of Coco Magazine online.

Visit Lindsay Nicholas New York for more information.

Designer July 16, 2019

#GirlBossesofGreatBritain: Sustainable and Regenerative Fashion with Sarah Krause

Sarah Krause is the Founder of Esfera, an upcycled, recycled, revamped, reworked fashion label that is possibly the most eco-friendly clothing store you would have ever heard of. Sarah and her business partner and designer Sarah Seb have together built a unique sustainable and regenerative fashion brand based in London.

Not only did Sarah Krause create Esfera in the wake of the rising fashion revolution, but she has created a brand that helps to build the bridge between shoppers buying new fashion that isn’t ‘throw-away’ and using recycled items to be more sustainable.

#TeamCoco are interested to know more about Sarah’s background, her own fashion choices, and where the name Esfera came from. Let’s get started…

Q. HOC. Is your background in the fashion industry, or did you arrive from another sector altogether?

A. Sarah. Esfera is actually my first business venture, so my entry into the fashion industry has been been quite the baptism of fire! I’ve previously worked with different Startups, largely related to sustainable energy and technology, which is really what kick-started my interest in sustainability. And although I’ve worked with one Fashion Tech startup, this is my first real nose-dive into the fashion industry. It’s been both incredible and overwhelming!

Q. HOC. At what point did you realise that fashion was for you and when did you think about running a sustainable clothing brand?

A. Sarah. I’ve always loved fashion and I think it’s one of the greatest forms of self- expression; but I have to say, I never anticipated that I would actually create a clothing brand. I had known for a while that my dream was to run a business but the way that this particular idea manifested felt almost accidental…and serendipitous. At the time, I’d been reading a lot about sustainable energy and climate change and I stumbled across this documentary called “The True Cost”. It opened my eyes to the reality of the fashion industry and just how much harm it was causing both people and the environment. Then and there, I made the executive decision to only ever again shop second-hand or from a sustainable brand. When I realised that, at the time, there were very few businesses offering responsibly-produced, fashion- forward womenswear, I saw it as an opportunity. The rest is history!

Q. HOC. Where did the name Esfera originate?

A. Sarah. “Esfera” means “sphere” in Spanish, which is the mother-tongue of my parents. It’s supposed to evoke the image of our planet, which now more than ever we need to protect!

Q. HOC. You work with local artisans in South India to create your handloom crafted organic fabrics, can you tell us a little more about this?

A. Sarah. Of course. Working with independent artisans, local to Erode in South India, is a really important part of what we do. Handloom weaving is such an incredible technique to witness in action and it creates the most stunning, durable fabrics. The technique barely uses any power, so it’s super energy-efficient in that regard and instead relies on the expert handling of the weavers. Sadly, this tradition is dying out and being replaced by mechanisation. You can see how important this tradition is to the artisans, not just because it’s their livelihood, but because it’s such a big part of their culture and has been passed down for centuries now. It’s really important for us to support these artisans and ensure that this remarkable tradition endures!

Q. HOC. Do you have a favourite piece from the new collection, and is this the style of clothing you would personally wear?

A. Sarah. The new collection is 100% my style. If it wouldn’t hurt my business and my purse strings, I’d buy one of everything for myself! My favourite piece is probably the Klimt Bandana Top (coming out mid July). And the blazer…it makes me feel classy on my worst day.

Q. HOC. You design solely for women, was this a conscious decision, and will you stick with women’s clothing or will you expand into menswear?

A. Sarah. Creating womenswear felt like the most natural place to start, but recently more men have been asking when we’re going to start offering clothing for them! So who knows? It could very well be on the horizon.

Q. HOC. You design dresses, trousers, shorts, tops, jackets, jumpsuits and more, do you have a specific piece that your customers will go to first and that sells out first?

A. Sarah. The beauty of it is that every person I encounter gravitates towards totally different pieces. But generally, people are most drawn towards the classic pieces that they know will endure the test of time. So far with the new collection, our yellow sun dress seems to be getting the most love!

Q. HOC. If you weren’t running Esfera right now, what would you be doing career-wise?

A. Sarah. Probably working for another sustainable fashion brand!

Q. HOC. What are your immediate plans for the business, are you thinking of entering new markets overseas or will you stay with your London base and online store?

A. Sarah. The plan is to gain a strong foothold in the UK first and then, with luck and hard work, enter the global marketplace. It would be so great to see an increased audience from abroad; after all, our ultimate aim is to create sustainable clothing with a global appeal.

Q. HOC. Did anyone offer you any good business advice before you launched Esfera?

A. Sarah. Don’t be afraid of failure. It’s almost certainly going to happen at some point and that shouldn’t stop you. Learn from your mistakes and keep going until you make it work. You only really fail when you stop trying.

Q. HOC. What advice would you give someone looking to get into sustainable fashion as a career?

A. Sarah. The more you know the better. Go follow the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Common Objective & Fashion Revolution. Research is your best friend and there’s always new findings and innovations popping up. Make sure you’re clued in so you’re one step ahead of the game. But most importantly, you learn by doing, so just go for it! You won’t regret it.

Thank you for taking the time to answer all our #GBOGB Girl Bosses of Great Britain questions for House of Coco Magazine online. Visit Esfera for more information.