Fashion - House Of Coco Magazine

Accessories May 15, 2019

#CocoFashion: Bicester Village Launches Celebrating India

A unique concept store highlighting the best of India’s contemporary design launches at Bicester Village, Oxfordshire – 17th – 29th May, and #TeamCoco will be visiting the village to see all the Indian designs, and to sample some Indian street food.

This summer Bicester Village will showcase some of the most exciting talent coming out of India today as the country’s magical spirit and exotic charms sweep through the Village in a colourful celebration of All Things India. Whether India is one of your favourite destinations or you still dream of travelling there one day, you’ll be able to discover all the pleasures it has to offer at Bicester Village.

The Celebrating India concept store has been created to showcase the exciting new voices coming out of India today as well as celebrating established talents, curated by fashion connoisseur, businesswoman, and art purveyor Roohi Jaikishan and fashion editor Sujata Assomull. The unique concept store will welcome brands such as Manish Arora, Pippa Small, Beulah, Behno, Huemn, Dhruv Kapoor, Kanika Goyal Label, Kashmir Loom, Khosla Jani, SZ Blockprints, Tada & Toy, Tiipoi and more.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming a new wave of India’s creative talents to Bicester Village to commence the launch of our summer campaign ‘All Things India’. Collectively the designers showcased at the Celebrating India concept store are leading the charge and affirming India’s position on the international design agenda and, what more vibrant a highlight could we wish for than these six magnificent elephant sculptures honouring one of natures’ most celebrated icons. The Bicester Village Shopping Collection is proud to partner with Elephant Family in support of its valuable work in protecting these endangered creatures.” – Desirée Bollier, Chair and Chief Merchant, Value Retail Management, operator of The Bicester Village Shopping Collection.

Brands to note include:

Beluah – with an ethical ethos at the forefront of this luxury womenswear brand, its timeless feminine designs feature beautiful hand embroidery, sand-washed silks and screen printing. Through the development of ancient craft and economic independence, Beluah continues its mission to create a positive impact on the lives of the women behind its beautiful collections.

Manish Arora – one of the most celebrated and inspiring contemporary Indian designers and one of the Business of Fashion 500. Known for his craftsmanship, playful colour combinations and trademark palette of pink and gold, his eye-catching designs are not to be missed.

Behno – ‘Behno’ means ‘sisters’ in Hindi, which is how the female designers working for Behno are referred to. This globetrotting accessory hero offers modern silhouettes and its instantly-recognisable INA leather mini crossbody from £180. Choose from a palette of summer pastels, pink, saffron, sky blue or yellow.

Pippa Small – Discover the eponymous collection from sustainable jewellery designer Pippa Small, who’s known for her globetrotting adventures, artisan style and ethically sourced materials. Explore the beautiful collection of vibrant gemstones and delicate detailing of this handcrafted jewellery.

Tiipoi – Splitting her time between her design studios in Bangalore and London, Spandana Gopal creates beautiful minimalist interior accessories. Inspired by stories of modern India with touches of brass, copper and wood throughout, Tiipoi’s unique home accessories add the perfect finishing touch to any interior. Discover hand-woven rugs from £100 and quilted pattern cushions from £30.

Kanika Goyal – With its roots firmly in quality craftsmanship and refined tailoring, Kanika has established her brand as the go-to for millennials seeking chic pared-back style. Featuring bold patterns and provocative designs, her unique pieces are perfect for making a style statement.

SZ Blockprints – Seeking a modern reimagining of traditional patterns, SZ Blockprints partners with a multigenerational family printing studio based in Jaipur. Using one of India’s oldest printing techniques, each piece is lovingly handmade, making them truly unique.

Huemn – Former winners of the Indian Vogue Fashion Fund, designers Shyma Shetty and Pranav Mishra are the cool duo behind a unique collection of handcrafted, genderless garments. Discover oversized t-shirts, beautiful silk pieces, and denim staples.

“As someone who grew up in England, the heritage of Indian fashion always intrigued me. It was only after moving there that I realised there was such a cool factor to contemporary Indian fashion. It stays true to its roots yet is very trend and style driven. The fact that Bicester Village – a place where many Indians come to shop – is now celebrating contemporary Indian fashion, really is taking the story full circle. The Indian labels that Bicester Village is bringing to the Celebrating India boutique seamlessly work with international brands. I have really enjoyed helping put together the list of ‘Made in India’ fashion brands” Sujata Assomull.

As part of the Village-wide celebrations of All Things India, from 17 May to 11 June guests will be able to discover five spectacular life-size elephants, one of which will sit within the Celebrating India concept store. Handcrafted from natural fibres, the elephants will arrive in the Village to launch a partnership with Elephant Family, allowing guests from all over the world to join the fight to protect the Asian elephant.

“I am utterly delighted that Elephant Family is partnering with Bicester Village in celebration of magnificent India: the home to more than half of the world’s wild Asian elephants and immense artistic creativity. Together we will bring it all to life and raise substantial funds for the preservation of their greatest natural icon” Ruth Ganesh, Principle Trustee, Elephant Family.

Visit Bicester Village between 17th and 29th May to experience the Celebrating India concept store, and until 11th June to visit the life-sized handcrafted elephants.

www.bicestervillage.com for more info

Fashion May 7, 2019

#CocoBeauty: 7 Beauty and Skincare SOS Products

We are talking all things skincare, haircare, lip care, and tooth care with the following 7 beauty and skincare sos products. #TeamCoco like nothing more than working on our beauty regimen; from bathing our skin in the latest creams and serums, to prepping our locks with a nourishing shampoo, and brushing our teeth with an on-trend toothpaste, we have focused on four core elements in the below round-up including: The Body, The Face, The Scalp, and The Mouth.

The Body

Cuticura Dry Skin Cream

With the sudden arrival of sunshine, most of us weren’t ready to expose skin. But what if you’re 1 of the 60% who struggles with dry, sensitive, and eczema-prone skin?

According to Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Jessamy Hibberd; “Body confidence can change in an instant if a physical issue such as problem dry skin takes hold… For some, it might mean covering up in a warm environment, and affect your self-worth.”

Cuticura’s new Mildly Medicated Dry Skin Cream is specifically formulated to provide moisturisation and protection for very dry and sensitive skin. Using renowned skin care ingredients like Zinc Oxide, Hydroviton 24, Shea Butter, Aloe Vera, and Coconut Oil, Cuticura’s Dry Skin Cream will help you feel most beautiful by being most confident about your skin.

Priced at £9.99 (200ml), available from www.superdrug.com

The Face

Time Bomb Complexion Cocktail with a shot of B12

Lack of sleep can wreak havoc on your skin, and when exhaustion sets in your body’s micro-circulation slows so that tiny capillaries responsible for feeding facial muscles and skin cells underperform causing a slack, pale, lifeless complexion.

Time Bomb Complexion Cocktail with a shot of B12 is a nourishing skin tonic that acts like an energy drink for tired skin – instantly recharging and rebooting on contact for a healthier, brighter, well-rested complexion.

A potent ‘shot’ of vitamins B12, B3 and Brown Algae, jolts the skin’s own energy production into high gear, to re-energise, de-puff and bring back a more toned looking complexion.

Centella and Ginseng give skin some much needed pep by increasing micro circulation in capillaries connected to muscles and cells – reinvigorating and making skin look tauter, brighter, rosier and healthier.

These energising ingredients are blended with a naturally moisturising mix of 12 amino acids and two types of hyaluronic acids to replenish the skin’s moisture levels for immediate, visible plumping.

Priced at £25.50 (100ml), available from www.timebombco.com

Lavera Firming Night Cream

Natural beauty brand lavera has reformulated the entire range of skin firming products, and added a powerful combination of new natural ingredients that combat the effects of the ageing process.

lavera’s Firming Range uses the power of natural ingredients and science to enhance collagen production and boost hyaluronic acid levels in the skin, to leave the complexion looking rejuvenated, firmer and more radiant.

The new formulation present in each product of the range has been enriched with the following powerful natural ingredients:
Green Lift Complex, Karanja Oil, Dipalmitoyl hydroxyproline and Lecithin

During the night your skin repairs the damage caused during the day and regenerates itself, so it is essential that you use a night cream that supports this essential process. The lavera Firming Night Cream stimulates the collagen synthesis of the skin and encourages regeneration. Furthermore, it is also rich in hyaluronic acid that work in tandem with the karanja oil to provide care and moisture for the skin.

Priced at £23.95 (50ml), available from www.laverauk.co.uk

DAYTOX Vitamin C Serum

We are bending over backwards to use DAYTOX Vitamin C Serum, with its miraculous mix of ingredients: Vitamin C, BioDtox (Aloe Vera, Broccoli, Citrus), and Grapefruit Water.

Mark Earnshaw, Brand Developer & CEO of Fragrance and Beauty Ltd says that using Vitamin C on your skin evens your skin tone; “Uneven pigmentation in the skin can simply be caused by your genetics, as well as environmental factors; stress, a lack of sleep, smoking and ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure. To prevent and achieve a more even skin tone, a vitamin c serum can be used to stop the biochemical reactions that can cause uneven pigmentation. To make sure that your complexion is getting all the benefits of a vitamin C serum, ensure that the concentration levels are around 10%. Otherwise Vitamin C can essentially be useless, as if the levels are not high enough it can be unstable in any exposure to light. We would recommend DAYTOX Vitamin C Serum, which has the essential 10% Vitamin C tones, to help rejuvenate the skin, giving it a bright and radiant sheen that you can see straight away.”

Priced at £29, available from www.waitrose.com

The Scalp

Skin Shop Oregon Haircare Pack

Recently reality TV star Kim Kardashian announced that she had woken up with ‘morning psoriasis’, this is where psoriasis suddenly, sometimes overnight, appears on the face.

There can be many reasons why psoriasis suddenly appears on the face, but a common trigger can be skin reactions to chemicals in shampoos that can irritate and weaken the skin around the hairline and trigger a psoriasis outbreak.

Skin Shop’s Oregon shampoo & conditioner are designed to both treat and prevent psoriasis and can be used daily by people prone to psoriasis and can help prevent psoriasis spreading to the scalp and face.

Oregon hair care products contain the plant extract Oregon Grape Root.

A UK trial found that a natural hair and skincare range containing a Oregon Grape Root (OGR), was highly effective in reducing the symptoms associated with the skin condition psoriasis.

The two-month trail, carried out by a UK doctor on 50 people, found that the Oregon treatments improved psoriasis for 86% of the patients, with 75% of these experiencing a marked improvement after just four weeks.

OGR also appeared to be more helpful than standard treatments for almost half the sufferers. Overall, 50% of participants had previously been treated with steroids or Dovonex and, of those, 95% said that after eight weeks the OGR treatment range had improved all psoriasis symptoms.

Dr Vincent Forte, the doctor who carried out the UK trial, comments “I found that OGR is an effective, well-tolerated and very acceptable treatment for psoriasis, with a very low incidence of side-effects. OGR compares favourably with topical steroids and Dovonex and the trial results indicate this is a well-liked treatment that psoriasis sufferers would use again.”

Priced at £13.95 for Oregon Haircare Pack (250ml each), available from www.skinshop.co.uk

The Mouth

Ben & Anna Toothpaste

Organic and natural healthcare brand Ben & Anna have launched a 100%, vegan and cruelty-free toothcare range in glass jars. The range is also free from parabens and microplastics.

Following on from the success of the Ben & Anna paper tube vegan deodorant range – the brand founders were inspired to improve another important aspect of daily life – Dental hygiene. When their own search for healthy, natural and effective dental care in sustainable and recyclable packaging proved fruitless, they began working together with a team of experienced and environmentally-conscious experts, to develop the new dental care series.

The resultant new range, which comes in recyclable glass containers, with metal lids – combines high-quality, natural and organic ingredients such as; sea buckthorn, chamomile, activated charcoal, cinnamon and calcium to give you durable, strong, shiny teeth and healthy gums. The range is also free from any harmful or controversial ingredients such as phthalates, parabens, microplastics, SLS or formaldehydes and is cruelty-free.

Our favourite at #TeamCoco is the Black Toothpaste (with active charcoal), they also produce White Toothpaste, Sensitive Toothpaste, Cinnamon Tooth Powder, and Black Tooth Powder.

Priced from £8.95 – £10.95, available from https://benandanna.uk

Alteya Organics Vanilla & Geranium Lip Balm

Alteya’s Organic Lip Balm Vanilla & Geranium is designed to lock in moisture and help improve lips elasticity and suppleness. Continuous use may be beneficial in repairing and fighting age impacts, while reducing the damaging effect of the environment. The lips appear fuller, younger and more defined.

There are 7 lip balms in the Alteya Organics collection, including: Vanilla & Geranium, Bulgarian Rose, Bulgarian Lavender, Jasmine & Ylang Ylang, Grapefruit & Zdravetz, Lavender & Mint, and Sunscreen Rose SPF15.

Priced at £3.60 each and £5.00 for the Sunscreen variation, available from www.lovelula.com

Fashion May 7, 2019

A Portuguese oasis: Quinta do Lago #PhotoDiary

The cobalt waters of Portugal’s Algarve have long been frequented by surfers, celebrities and holidaymakers alike; with miles of undeveloped coastline and a sweeping Atlantic breeze under a sultry Mediterranean heat, the southernmost point serves as the edge of Europe, where Morocco flourishes beyond the shores. Located on the edge of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, Quinta do Lago is the Algarve’s most desired and exclusive neighbourhood. From golden sands to elite sports facilities to some of Europe’s best golf courses, Quinta is perfectly carved into the natural landscape and offers an oasis of summer calm with something to suit all tastes and travel preferences. The restaurant scene is tactfully designed to satisfy a myriad of evening vibes – from beach bars to fine dining to health food paradise, allowing for a cocktail fuelled evening buzz or a quieter affair. While golf is central to its identity, the neighbourhood has benefited from the opening of elite sports centre – The Campus, which provides ample opportunity for professional athletes and amateurs alike to enjoy first-class tennis, football, biking and gym facilities. For anyone itching to explore the area, Ria Formosa stretches for 60km west from Faro, burgeoning with the wildlife; a bike ride across the marshland and salt flats offers ample opportunity to spot a flamingo or two.

We sent our girl Emily to capture the essence of the Quinta resort; here’s her visual diary.

Boss Boys May 7, 2019

#BossBoy: A Look Inside The Pants of Frederico Barreto at Dosco Jones

The first thing we noticed about Dosco Jones is how stylish their collection of boxers are, and the second thing we noticed was a standout website statement: ‘they reduce up to 90% the need to scratch your balls’ – this had #TeamCoco instantly wanting to know more about the company and the company owner, Frederico Barreto.

Q. At what point did you realise that you wanted to design and produce gorgeously stylish, snug fitting underwear for men?

A. I had always struggled with my underwear. I tried briefs, boxers, boxer briefs, you name it, I tried it. However none solved two key issues for me: all of them climbed up my legs or up my waist and every time I stood up I was having to adjust my underwear. Additionally none of them really caters to the peculiars of male anatomy in the sense that trousers push our anatomy against our legs or other zones of skin. However the male anatomy was designed precisely to stay away from other zones of the body or skin, because specific temperature needs to be lower than that of the body.

All those reasons led me to redesign the boxer brief specifically for men.

Q. Did you previously work in the clothing industry or was this a step into a new world for you?

A. I’ve worked in management consulting for the past 17 years, starting up several projects (a kind of internal entrepreneur) and I’ve also started a few personal side projects through the years (printed t-shirts, financial advice, etc). But I had no previous experience in the clothing industry. Actually I’m a firm believer that outsiders have the best chances of disrupting any industry.

Q. Your design offers supreme comfort, is this down to the style and cut of Dosco Jones boxers or down to the material and fabric that you use?

A. That is the money question. I redesigned the boxer brief with the male anatomy in mind because I always struggled with other ‘traditional’ underwear. So what I did was create a special division that stops our ‘junk’ anatomy from touching any other skin. That division is a pouch where a man can ‘park his junk’ and keeps our junk from getting warmer than it is supposed (prevents sweating) while at the same time it prevents the underwear from climbing up the legs or the waist.

Q. Do you only wear your own brand boxers nowadays or do you ever invest in any competitor pants to see/evaluate the differences?

A. I do try new underwear all the time, however It’s very hard to find underwear that is even close to the comfort that Dosco Jones offers so I always go back to wearing them.

Q. Your designs make a statement, especially the mustard, moss, and rust colours, was this your aim, and do you have a biggest selling colour from the collection?

A. Our aim was to have two basic colours (white and black) and a few more vibrant ones (dark brown, midnight blue, mustard, moss and rust). Men told us that they wanted some choices in colour so we delivered. Our best seller is our midnight blue model.

Q. Can we buy Dosco Jones here in the UK?

A. The UK are already our largest fan base. We deliver to any country in the world but our greatest fans are in Europe. We were featured in British GQ in May and will be so in June and July as well. There is a vibrant fan base of ours in the UK, thankfully.

Q. What is your immediate plan for Dosco Jones in the next 1-2 years, and are you looking to spread into new territories around the world?

A. Absolutely! We’re being asked to have our collections in some high-end brick & mortar stores, which is also an objective of ours.

We think we can change the way men wear, and most of all feel, about their underwear.

Most brands are just about the brand name and give no attention to the specifics of male anatomy. We want men to be able to choose between an underwear that was designed with them and their anatomy in mind or any other popular brand that is just focused on churning out sales.

Q. What piece of advice would you give someone looking to get into the clothing industry or more specifically the underwear sector, now that you have launched your own successful business?

A. Just start and figure things out as you go along. Don’t wait to have everything figured out or you won’t start – there is never a perfect moment to start. I’m more than happy to share my learnings with anyone willing to learn.

It is with great thanks to Frederico Barreto for openly and honestly answering our rather personal questions about his underwear label Dosco Jones.

Fashion May 7, 2019

All The Talking Points From The Met Gala 2019

The facts, the gossip and the all important outfits…

What is it: Apart from the biggest and boldest night in the fashion calendar, the Met Gala is a fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute and celebrates the opening of the Costume Institute’s annual fashion exhibit.

Anna Wintour, Editor-In-Chief of US Vogue, chairs the event deciding who makes the exclusive guest list and choosing celebrities to join her as co-hosts. This year she chose Serena Williams, Harry Styles, Lady Gaga and Alessandro Michele.

The theme: This year was Camp: Notes On Fashion. Each year the theme of the exhibit dictates the theme for the evening and the invited guests are expected to dress appropriately.

What actually happens: The stars that grabbed a coveted invite walk the carpet, browse the exhibition, have a slap-up dinner and watch a performance – this year from Cher.

The Gala attracts a lot of attention and fashion fans excitedly await the outfits and gossip from the evening; and this year was no different. So let’s talk about what happened…

The most important lady of the event, Anna Wintour, arrived first to the pink carpet. Obviously, she nailed the theme in a Chanel column dress, heavily embellished with crystal flowers, and a pink feather cape.

Next came the hosts of the evening.

Serena Williams stuck to her sporty roots rocking Nike high-tops with her Versace dress.

Harry Styles gave the middle (nail painted) finger to toxic masculinity in a Gucci ‘fit complete with pearl earring and ring adorned hands.

Alessandro Michelle, the Creative Designer of Gucci, rocked a pink satin one peice suit complete with a silver head dress.

But it was Lady Gaga that stole the show, arriving in an old-school-OTT-Gaga-style hot pink gown with a train so long it required four tux-wearing men to carry it.

But she didn’t stop there. It turns out the pink gown was the Russian doll of dresses, opening up to reveal a black dress with a large bustle, then a hot pink satin number, THEN a black diamanté underwear and tights combo that anyone would want to show off. She really gave us FOUR looks in FIFTEEN minutes. A historic Met moment.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxJZ9S4FaVU/

Our favourite Momager rocked a platinum bob, exclaiming that Kylie insisted she needed to go for blonde hair just four hours before she hit the pink carpet.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxKboiMpH5Z/

Frank Ocean showed up in a simple monochrome look, attracting criticism of him missing the theme, as well as people likening him to a security guard.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxJAl6NFqAF/

Kim K wore a custom Thierry Mugler piece, the first design from Manfred Thierry Mugler in 20 years. The attention to detail was exquisite – beads matching the dress ‘dripped’ from her nails.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxJMGe2nKrv/

Kendall and Kylie came as a duo and stunned in extravagant lilac and orange gowns.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxJSpwtHAkG/

Emma Roberts embraced the theme and wowed in a tulle Giambattista Valli gown.

Katy Perry seemed to channel Beauty and the Beast’s Lumiere in a chandelier/candlebra inspired piece.

Before changing into, urm, a hamburger for the After Party.

James Charles attracted controversy on Twitter, with people saying his look was more Coachella appropriate and questioning why he deserved an invitation (we’re guessing his immense YouTube popularity and 16.2 million followers have something to do with it).

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxJDgUsgi26/

Beyoncé and Rihanna were no shows, disappointing fans who eagerly awaited their appearance.

Shawn Mendes and Richard Madden wore all black suits, calling people to say they did not do enough to match the theme.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxKimaRHT9s/

Lupita N’Yongo looked like a butterfly queen.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxJXo4aJe7Z/

Lena Waithe made a statement in a Pyer Moss suit emblazoned with the words ‘Black Drag Queens Invented Camp’.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxJDZOtgkK_/

Celine Dion’s Oscar De La Renta gown took over 3,000 hours to create.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxI_eR_AYho/

Riverdale Stars proved they deserve their places on the guest list. Madeline Petsch was an ethereal beauty in a mint green gown fairy princess gown.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxKuaScnt4K/

Lili Reinhart and Cole Sprouse were #couplegoals.

Zendaya gave us a Cinderella story is a light-up fairytale gown complete with a crystal-embellished pumpkin carriage shaped bag.

Saoirse Ronan gave us superhero vibes in a red, green and gold sequin number.

Another star-studded evening draws to a close… Who was your best dressed?

Accessories May 7, 2019

#GBOGB: A Gem of an Insight into Paula Kamers of Mosaico Jewellery

With worldly influences from Brazil, South Africa and here in the UK, #TeamCoco were drawn to the precious beauty of Mosaico Jewellery’s co-founder Paula Kamers for our latest Girl Bosses of Great Britain series.

Along with Paula’s business partner Jenny, the two have designed some of the most beautiful, diverse, and unique collections of jewellery to date, including necklaces, bracelets, earrings and lariats.

We wanted to find out more about Paula’s background, why the island of Florianopolis is reflected in some of the Mosaico Jewellery designs, and what her future plans are for the business.

Q. What was your background before semi-precious gemstones, jewellery designs, and all things pretty?

I was born in Brazil, and lived in Florianopolis until I was 23 years old. It is a beautiful island in the South of the country with tropical temperatures and over forty beaches on which to enjoy them. It’s a hugely popular holiday destination nowadays. I went to school, and then University there, graduating with a degree in graphic design, before moving to London in 2005. We still return there each year though, as it’s a special place that never really leaves you.

I love travelling and learning new cultures and languages, so I came to London in 2005. Once here I studied English for a couple of years before landing a job in banking in the city where I worked for over five years. My passion was never in finance though and it was a complete change in environment from my advertising and design background.

Q. At what point did you realise that the world of working in the city wasn’t for you any longer, and how did jewellery become your next career path?

Throughout my life I have never been afraid to make changes, and never shirked from a challenge, and in 2015 I knew something had to change. I was working long hours at the bank and enjoying the environment increasingly less. In large companies you can find yourself drifting in the rat race for years, and when your passion lies elsewhere the schedule can take its toll.

By this point I had met my husband and we married in 2011, with our two young sons then arriving a few years later. I noticed that with each passing month the pressure of the work, the hectic schedule, and missing out on time with my little boys was proving very difficult. I wanted to be able to balance my career and family, but flexible working was not an option.

Jewellery has really been my love since I was small. I used to hang clothes labels on my ears when I was a child, to pretend they were big long earrings. When I was a teenager I was given my first pair of dangly earrings, it was amazing! ? I had been ruminating on the idea of selling semi-precious gemstone jewellery for a while, so I knew it was something I had to at least try, or live with a ‘what if’ question forever. While my youngest son was a baby I decided to go back to studying, taking a post-graduation in digital marketing. This gave me the boost I needed to go ahead with the business.

My friend and business partner Jenny has known me for years and was even bridesmaid at my wedding. She was always very supportive of my idea. She also has an amazing knack to create and design jewellery. One day over a glass of wine, I asked her if she wanted to come onboard. Luckily for me, she said yes and we are now very excited to have together, such a gorgeous product and brand!

Q. Now that you and your business partner are designing and producing jewellery on a regular basis, do you have a personal favourite from any of the collections?

It is difficult to pick just one! I really like the pieces that can be worn in multiple ways, such as our Mary Alice or Daisy necklaces. The fact that you can wear the short or long chains separately, or layer them up together, make them so versatile they can be used again and again while still feeling fresh. It is great to be able to own one piece that can evolve with you and cater for different looks and styles. I also love the Greta necklace which is pretty much on trend at the moment.

However, my absolute favourites from this collection are the Marigold Earrings. They are gorgeous and sleek. I love the stones’ natural markings and how unique and full of colour they are.

Q. How do you market your brand differently to other independent jewellery designers?

I think that stems purely from our choice of stones and designs, together with our International background. We have found that we are attracting orders from across the globe. We have friends everywhere in the world and have travelled extensively, absorbing and learning about many different cultures. You can see this international background reflected in the majority of our pieces in the form of colours and exotic shapes. That together with the natural beauty of the stones we choose to feature, created Mosaico´s luxurious, colourful and unique style.

Q. Do you remember the very first piece that you ever sold once your brand Mosaico Jewellery was up and running?

Like most fledgling businesses at first we received support from friends and family who quickly realised the quality of what we were producing. They bought pieces as presents for themselves and loved ones, this was really valuable in the early days. I do however remember our first order to someone who had seen us purely online, and they bought one pair of our Cascade earrings. We were even more excited when he returned to purchase a Constellation necklace a few months later. They remain one of our most popular pieces. That was a great assurance of the quality of our jewellery and brand.

Q. Can you tell us anything about the next collection and what we can expect to find nestled amongst the jewellery designs?

With each collection we are getting braver with our designs but always taking inspiration from nature and the changing seasons. As Autumn draws in you can expect to see earthier tones and new pieces that will continue to balance the elegant and the bold.

Q. As Mosaico Jewellery is entering its second year of business, what has been the biggest learning curve in the past 12-months?

Progress in business is not uniform, and that can be hugely frustrating at times. Starting a business is definitely daunting and I think I learnt that we can make mistakes along the way. You have to expect there will be ups and downs and that is part of the journey. Another thing I continue to work on is balancing the business demands around my family and children. I am learning to switch off from my business mode sometimes. This is really important to keep a certain quality of life.

Q. What was the best piece of advice you were given before you set up Mosaico Jewellery?

Do your research. It is important you know the market and test it a bit before you jump in head first. When you do any business course they emphasise so much about research, learn your competitors, etc. There is a reason for that.

Q. What advice would you give to someone who is looking to set up an independent business?

Passion for the products, doing your research and believing in yourself are key to this process. It is important to keep going and adapt when necessary. At times the workload can be overwhelming, but then every time we fulfil an order, or we receive a request for a bespoke piece of Jewellery, where we can create something specially made for that customer, I get a rush of excitement and know that this is the right path for me.

We are still quite new and what I’m describing is the journey I have faced so far. But each business will be unique, so do your research, start small and most importantly, go for it!

Thank you for sharing both your personal story and the Mosaico Jewellery business story for House of Coco’s Girl Bosses of Great Britain series.

Designer April 19, 2019

#WomenWorldwide: Launching a Business as a Mum with ZIPPYUP

Sometimes it take a life shift to make you realise what’s important – or to make a change in your working life. Today’s interviewee is Angela Hall, founder of innovative baby sleepsuit company ZIPPYUP who made a huge leap from working in-house in the fashion industry, to launching her own brand!

HOC: Great to meet you, Angela! What’s your elevator pitch for ZIPPYUP?

Angela: The award winning ZIPPYUP is an affordable, good quality, practical baby sleepsuit with a head to toe zip for easy, quick nappy and outfit changes. For parents of newborns, the zip makes night changes much simpler, with built in mitten cuffs it stops scratching too. Sizes go up to 18-24m so little wrigglers can be changed in record time before they make a quick getaway.

HOC: What is your journey to starting your business; we know you made a career switch from working for a corporate; what made you take the leap to running your own business?

Angela: Yes! I spent the majority of my career in the fashion industry working with factories making men’s and women’s clothing for high street stores. Working with designers and buyers to import and supply large retailers on time and on trend. I made the leap of running my own business when I became a mummy with my first baby. I realised there was a need for affordable zip baby clothes (I still have no idea why poppers are used on the majority of babygrows?!). I decided to put my experience of design and the clothing industry to good use and created ZIPPYUP. I can fit my business around family life and I only have myself to answer to.

HOC: What difficult choices have you had to make for the business?

Angela: I’ve had to compromise on the selection of colours I can offer due to budget. I would love to have a wide range of colour combinations, prints and stripes for customers to choose from but to keep costs down and the product affordable I need to order reasonably large quantities and so cannot risk a colour not selling well. Customers are also still very keen to buy pink for girls and blue for boys. Although Aqua has been my best selling colour to date!

HOC: What does the team at ZIPPYUP look like?

Angela: I am a solo team with the help of my two little boys aged 3 years and 18 months. I am the designer, buyer, marketing dept, social media guru, pick & pack and customer service. Everything from the logo design to the budgeting is down to me!

HOC: And how has your business grown since starting?

Angela: Since starting my business from nothing I’m really pleased to say it has grown steadily over the last 18 months. I have been able to buy more stock and I am in the process of designing and ordering the next range for Autumn/Winter 2019. I’ve had amazing feedback from customers which is most important to me.

HOC: How can someone prepare themselves for entrepreneurial life / can you prepare yourself? Is it a leap of faith?

Angela: It’s a huge leap of faith and I really do think you should prepare yourself for a few knocks. Also, take as much help as you can when it’s offered, make friends and enjoy the journey otherwise it can be stressful and lonely. I’ve found that while promoting the brand everyone has been very welcoming and friendly. The Mummy community especially on social media is very supportive.

HOC: How do you take time out between running your business and being a mum, do you ever find it difficult?

Angela: Running my own business and being a mum is a complete juggling act in itself, working between nap times and nursery drop offs is difficult. Time out with friends and my hubby is rare but very much appreciated when it does happen.

HOC: What’s your ambition for your brand?

Angela: The aim for ZIPPYUP is to become the go-to zip babygrow company, with a huge choice of designs, colours and patterns for customers to select from. It’s currently the best priced zip babygrow on the market at £15 for 2.

HOC: The ’10 years ago’ challenge is all the rage on insta at the moment, what advice do you have for the 2009 you?

Angela: I’d say to myself – make the most of every minute you have before having babies and a business because once you have both there isn’t much time left in the day!

See Angela’s designs over at ZIPPYUP.com

Follow her work on instagram at @ZIPPY.UP

Boss Boys April 17, 2019

#BossBoy: Nathanael Rush the fitness gear guy taking the US by storm

The #TeamCoco writers occasionally have the chance to interview passionate business men and women, that often leave their mark on you and make you realise that going it alone in the world of business is one of the toughest, yet most rewarding things to do. Speaking to entrepreneur and founding CEO Nathanael Rush of Rush Fit Gear was not only an interesting insight to the world of fitness gear, but also an insight to being open to change your brand name until you find the perfect fit.

From men’s clothing, to women’s clothing, accessories and more, Rush Fit Gear is seriously taking the US by storm, and we’re hoping it will hit UK stores soon. For a greater and more in-depth look into Nathanael Rush of Rush Fit Gear, here’s our #BoyBoss feature by Rachel McAlley.

Q. Can you give a brief insight to Rush Fit Gear, tell us about what you do?

A. Rush Fit Gear is an athletic clothing company. The goal that I had for my business when I started it was to create athletic clothing that is durable, something that could last for years and still look and feel brand new. So by combing materials that allow for incredible stretch and be extremely soft I created a product that truly has a one of a kind feel. And most customers comment that it feels like nothing they own.

Q. When did you realise you were destined to launch your own business?

A. I have always wanted to own my own business. The idea of working for myself is something I have wanted since I was little. I never could see myself sitting behind a desk all day working for someone else. I always had a dream that one day I would own my own and make my own rules.

Q. What made you go into the fitness clothing market?

A. Like I said I have always wanted to own my own business but I never knew what I wanted that business to be. About 2 years ago began to get more and more into fitness. I have played sports my whole life but was never into working out in a gym until about 2 years ago. What started as a hobby quickly became a passion for me. I even went on and became a certified personal trainer. So when I thought about owning my own business again I decided to combine my dream with my passion. Originally I wanted to start “rush fit” as a gym but that overall start up cost was more then what I had at the time so I went with athletic clothing since I spent most of my day in athletic clothing.

Q. Was it a long process from making the decision to set up Rush Fit Gear to producing your first piece?

A. Short answer, YES! Although thinking back it wasn’t too long but felt very long in the process. So it took about a year for design and prototypes. Lots of trial and error and in the end I have an entire closet of clothing that will never see the light of day because the vision of my business changed or the clothing just did not meet the standard I wanted. After about a year and a half I finally got to the place where I was happy with the product enough to share it with the world.

Q. Do you design all your own pieces or do you have a team of designers?

A. I do create all the designs for Rush Fit Gear. This is one of my favorite parts about owning my business; I have hands on every element. Although I do have some key people in my life that I always run my designs by just to make sure that other people who aren’t involved with my business, therefore have nothing at stack, have a good reaction to everything.

Q. All your latest collections can be found on your website, do you also stock in any stores?

A. Not yet. Although that is definitely the goal. I would love to see Rush Fit Gear up there with all the other top athletic brands of the world.

Q. Do you ship your clothing worldwide?

A. Yes, we have shipped all over the world. This is something that I love about the growth of my company, seeing people in other countries enjoying the product!

Q. What is your most sought after item, and do you have a personal favourite piece from any of your collections?

A. The most popular Item is the Legacy Performance Shirt in Maroon. Which also happens to be my favourite piece. This Shirt turned out amazing because it has a feel to it that just feels luxurious. Most of the time once people feel it you’re immediately intrigued by it. And it’s hard to compare it to other athletic shirts because it feels that unique.

Q. If you were to expand the business today, what would be your next steps?

A. If I could expand it today, I would love to expand into stores. This is definitely a goal that we are working towards and I am looking forward to the day when that is a reality.

Q. Looking to the future, where would you like to see your business Rush Fit Gear in 5 – 10 years time?

A. In 5-10 years I would love to see Rush Fit Gear expanding into all areas of fitness. I want the business to be more than just great clothing but also I company that trains and conditions world class athletes for a variety of sports. And also being able to be the official sponsoring a professional sports team.

Q. What valuable piece of advice were you given before setting up your business that you still follow today?

A. I think the best advice that I have been given is to never loose sight of the values and principals I started my company with. Which it can be tempting sometimes to cut corners in business when it saves money but it also devalues the product and brand. Sometimes it takes longer to manufacture some clothing but it’s worth the wait if it means having a great quality product.

Q. What piece of advice would you give a budding entrepreneur now that you have launched your own successful business?

A. My advice would be to anyone starting out is to not be afraid of change. Change from product to brand and even logos, people have no idea how many different “lives” Rush Fit Gear has lived prior to it being what it is today. I spent a lot of time limiting myself to ideas or designs and even brand names rather than allowing my company to form an identity over time. Once I decided to accept the change of names and designs everything else began to fall into place. I wasn’t limiting myself to one thing. And it allowed me to be really creative. It’s great to accept that change for a new business is a great thing for a new business! The beginning part of a business is great because that when you can be as creative as possible and that’s what you should really take advantage of. This has lead me to a place where I feel like we are creating some amazing stuff.

Thanks to Nathanael Rush for taking the time to answer our #BossBoy questions. We love everything about Rush Fit Gear, and can’t wait to see this brand being worn by sports teams across the world in the future.

Designer April 9, 2019

Where to shop like Jennifer Lopez in Dubai

Jennifer Lopez debuted her latest music video on Sunday and there’s no doubt she’s looking better than ever.
But one of JLo’s stand-out moments had to be her white-hot look as she caresses a crystal ball while belting out her new track Medicine.

Fashionistas will be glad to know the look could be available on your next sunny getaway to the United Arab Emirates because it’s from Dubai-based AMATO Couture.

With a store greeting visitors to the Dubai Design District, this label has been showcased at Fashion Weeks around the globe, including London, New York, LA and Miami.

The man behind JLO’s autumn/winter 2018-19 couture collection ensemble is Filipino-born designer – AMATO’s founder and creative director – Furne One.

The ruffled one-piece suit is for anyone looking to recreate that whimsical look that Jennifer Lopez does so well in a carnival show scene that takes place inside a transparent glass room.

In the Medicine video, she plays a fortune teller and wears an immaculate one-piece, accented with pearls and crystals.

It’s the perfect look for a night out in Dubai where you can channel your inner World of Dance star.

Jennifer Lopez is depicted as the ring leader of a white monochromatic freak show featuring fortune tellers and a 50-foot cake.

She goes from carousel to crystal ball in the video, and even throws in some pole dancing to the horn-tinged track just before French Montana makes his appearance.

Sounds like a night out at Fairmont Dubai’s Cirque Le Soir nightclub to us!

Supermodels Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks have been seen in the Dubai-based designer’s pieces. Jennifer Lopez isn’t the only star to put the spotlight on the brand in the music world; it has Beyonce, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Shakira, Nicole Scherzinger and Jessie J as fans!

For more information visit www.amatocouture.com

Beauty April 4, 2019

Women Worldwide: Bringing Hollywood Home with Andrea at Glam Doll

There’s so many exciting happenings in beauty and beauty tech and Glam Doll are right there, in the spotlight! We sat down with Andrea, founder of Glam Doll, about her journey from aviation to Hollywood glam!

HOC: Great to meet you, Andrea; what’s your elevator pitch for Glam Doll?

Andrea: Glam Doll is the leading supplier of Hollywood inspired beauty products for homes and professional salons. Specialising in Hollywood Glam Mirrors, Speciality Lighting, Cosmetic Organisers, Vanity Tables and more Glam Doll’s goal is to help everyone ‘Bring Hollywood Home’. Our aim is to provide top quality products, attentive and personalised service that provides our customers long term value.

HOC: How awesome! What was your journey to starting your business?

Andrea: I was born and raised in Seattle and started my career in the Aircraft Leasing Industry which brought me to Miami and eventually to Ireland over the course of 15 years. Aviation is an interesting industry and I gained a wealth of experience including, commercial negotiations, managing technical specifications, cross border logistics and global marketing while travelling the world!

Given the experience I had gained I always wanted to build a company and brand that was received by customers as excellent, so when I came to a point in my life where I could take this step, I took it but it was not in the direction I had anticipated. While redesigning our daughter’s bedroom I identified a gap in the Irish & UK market for quality beauty products that provided customers a new experience with lifelong products. I set about researching, designing and manufacturing our innovative range of Hollywood Mirrors, Speciality Lighting and more.

HOC: We love when new business ideas pop up from unexpected places. Tell us more about what it was like when first starting up?

Andrea: Starting this business was a big leap of faith and I had to trust my instincts. We made a decision to position the business in such a way that we could protect ourselves in the beauty industry by providing scale. We decided that rather than initially investing in infrastructure or staff we would invest in a variety of quality products that would span the market and be available immediately. This meant designing for the future and placing large orders to satisfy our anticipated future demand at a price point where we could remain strong even with potential new entrants.

HOC: What does the team at Glam Doll look like?

Andrea: We are building an incredible team of strong, creative and brilliant women where we encourage each other and foster a sense of community. It’s important to me that we create a culture at Glam Doll of leading our market which I believe requires mutual respect, hard work and real customer-oriented innovation so that Glam Doll stays at the top of our market while developing new markets.

HOC: We’ve in awe of a strong female team! How has your business grown since starting?

Andrea: When I launched the business 18 months ago it was from my kitchen table in the Irish countryside! We had a small storage facility close by for our stock which was quite unglamorous, and we worked hard on building our brand and getting the word out about what we are doing and our Hollywood inspired products. We were fortunate in that word of mouth really spread as more and more clients purchased our products and connected with the Glam Doll brand. We grew from strength to strength and worked in getting our products into salons, training academies and client’s homes throughout the Ireland and the UK.

Due to our rate of growth and customer demand, last September we set up our HQ in a modern 3-storey warehouse in Celbridge, Co. Kildare. We have a showroom where clients can come and see the quality of our products first hand and I designed an elegant office space with future growth in mind.

It’s come quite far from the kitchen table and I’m just so proud of what we have achieved!

HOC: So inspiring! How can someone prepare themselves for entrepreneurial life?

Andrea: It really requires a leap of faith, to me it was an unknown frontier and I just jumped in and grabbed the reins, determined to succeed and I believed in my capabilities. To me, being an entrepreneur means very long days, sleepless nights, challenges that sometimes seem insurmountable but always persevering, pushing through with the next goal in mind and most importantly having an incredible team and network of supporters. To see our ideas come to life and be appreciated by so many people is the positive outcome from all the hard work and this fuels my passion to keep going and growing.

HOC: Alongside fueling your passion; how do you take time out, do you ever find it difficult?

Andrea: Life can be quite hectic and trying to find balance between running a business, a home, 4 children and pets is a lot to juggle. I have found that it really helps to try and be in the moment and not worry too much about what happened yesterday or what is on tomorrow just being mindful now, otherwise it can be overwhelming.

We do try to get away when we can whether it be a local getaway or something further afield, it’s important to take time out and recharge. We have lovely wooded paths near our home and just getting outside with our 2 dogs helps calm the craziness of the day!

HOC: What’s your ambition for your brand?

Andrea: When I created Glam Doll, it was important to me that we develop a brand that is synonymous with high quality, innovative yet affordable products. Our decision to build an ecommerce business rather than a brick and mortar high street shop was that we wanted to ensure our products were accessible to everyone no matter where you live. The on-line distribution costs we believe provide the best value for our customer and is the 2nd part of how we plan to protect our market position as we grow. We want to provide that Hollywood feeling for clients & salons so they can create their own Glam Stations at home or in their business. We hope to become a household name and continue to grow our business in the UK & Europe, Bringing Hollywood Home.

HOC: With your brand being built around the idea of Hollywood, we have to ask, do you visit LA much, where are your favourite spots?

Andrea: I absolutely love California, LA in particular, and the backdrop of Hollywood was my inspiration for the brand. I visit LA once a year and am going next week. I love staying in Santa Monica at Shutters on the Beach, it has such a laid-back vibe, it provides instant relaxation. A favourite is taking the bicycles and riding along the shore down to Marina del Ray for fish tacos. Shopping provides something for everyone from the open-air market on Melrose to all the glitz and glamour of Rodeo Drive. Dinner at Nobu in Malibu is always on the list; the food, cocktails and the views are amazing!

HOC: Let’s finish with a classic question! The ’10 years ago’ challenge is all the rage on insta at the moment, what advice do you have for the 2009 you?

Andrea: In 2009, I was a single mother living in Miami working very hard to advance in my career while balancing family life. Looking back, I would tell myself to relax, enjoy each day and all will work out. Everything happens for a reason and these experiences makes us the person we are today. I would also advise how important it is to build a supportive network around you, the greatest feeling is when you can trust that someone has your back and you can hold each other up.

Wonderful to speak with you, Andrea!
To find out more about Andrea’s business head to GlamDoll.ie and follow @GlamDoll.ie