Nothing says spring like a day on the beach – this perfect story is photographed beautifully by Narita Savoor. Styled by Taheed Khan and features Jazmine and Nicole @ Industry People. Beauty by Kirtsy Kaye (Nicole) and Amy Lauren (Jazmine).
The story features pieces by Akris Carolina Hererra MCQ MSGM Vivienne Westwood Sies Marjan Elvi Burberry Dior Ashish Armarni and Saint Lauren
We are always shouting about our love for Tattu here at House of Coco, not just for their stunning decor but because every single dish that is delivered to the table looks and tastes like a piece of art. So we’re excited to hear about their latest offering.
Each spring Tattu welcomes the return of the cherry blossom – a symbol of power, strength and good fortune in Chinese culture. The contemporary Chinese restaurant is marking the change in seasons with the launch of a new à la carte menu featuring a total of 19 new dishes, from dim sum and small plates through to main courses and desserts.
Taking influences from across Asia, Tattu’s new season à la carte menu launches on Monday 8th April and is a unique reflection of the longer, warmer days with flavours that balance clean, crisp spices and seasoning with refreshingly lighter ingredients.
New additions to the dim sum menu include a Rock Shrimp and Scallop Gau with cucumber and wasabi tobiko, as well as Black Cod Parcelswith spinach, candied orange and orange ponzu.
Small plates are perfect for sharing and this season’s truly embrace the concept with dishes such as a Seared Beef and Sunflower Seed Salad with cucumber, spring onion and green nahm jim, and the Koi Fish Mini Bao with tempura cod, sweet potato and edamame mash.
Joining the main dish selection is a Lotus Leaf Miso Chicken with shiitake mushroom, pak choi and sticky chilli rice, as well as Aromatic Crispy Duck Pancakes served with a cherry hoisin, Szechuan oil and crispy shallots.
For those with a sweet tooth there’s a new White Chocolate and Citrus Cheesecake served with lime, matcha and strawberry, as well as Tattu’s Deconstructed Banana Fritter served with caramel, crispy wonton and ginger.
The restaurant has also expanded its vegetarian and vegan menu offering with a total of 17 dishes from dim sum through to dessert. Favourites include the Mixed Dim Sum Basket with shiitake and aubergine, as well as the Szechuan Tofu Hot Pot with edamame and sweet basil. New desserts include a vegan Coconut and Mango Smoothie Bowl with granola, lychee and pineapple.
As part of the new menu launch, guests can expect to see a selection of the new dishes join Tattu’s daytime dining menu – Taste of Tattu. New dishes this season include Salmon Sashizza with yuzu kosho aioli and pickled cucumber, and a Chicken Curry Clay Pot with baby onions, coconut and wasabi pea puree. Tattu’s signature Cherry Blossom chocolate dessert is also available on the menu. Taste of Tattu menu is available 12pm – 3pm daily and until 5pm on Fridays, priced £23 for two courses or £28 for three courses.
As part of the new menu launch there will also be a range of new signature sharing menus, available for parties of two or more priced from £35 per person.
Here at House of Coco there is no secret that we are addicted to travel. Even more so when we get to do it at a fraction of the cost and now you can do the same. Thanks to London Stansted, you can jet off from under £50!
Here’s our top destinations that will not only save you a whole heap of cash but will create a shed load of memories too…
London Stansted > Copenhagen 1st May – 5th May: Return flights from £28 – Ryanair
For many, the mere mention of Copenhagen brings to mind cobbled lanes windswept coastlines and vibrantly coloured streetways. This is the ultimate destination for young travellers in search of a ‘Scandi-cool’ experience. Copenhagen is a pleasing amalgamation of top-notch culinary experiences, flawless Danish design and interesting cultural history. Flights to Copenhagen run frequently from London Stansted Airport via Ryanair and, amazingly, return trips can be purchased for well under £50.
London Stansted > Toulouse 1st May – 4th May: Return flights from £37 – Ryanair
Coined by locals as ‘La Ville Rose’ – translated as the Pink City – Toulouse is marking itself out as an enchanting destination in France for families and young travellers alike. The jumble of coral-tinted rooftops and storefronts in its Old Quarter make for an angelic focal point when perusing the area. Meanwhile, the city’s bustling food markets, fascinating museums and thriving music scene mean that visitors will never be bored. Luckily, direct flights to Toulouse run from London Stansted Airport and can be obtained for less than £50.
London Stansted > Ibiza 14th May – 17th May: Return flights from £44 – EasyJet
There’s much more to this sun-kissed party haven than may first appear. Step off the beaten track for a moment and you may find yourself beside a secluded cove, an archaic church or the ramparts of a World-Heritage castle. Of course, for those moments when you do wish to let loose, some of the world’s best DJ’s deliver unbeatable sets throughout the summer. Flying to Ibiza can be incredibly cheap; flights from London Stansted by easyJet run frequently and can be easily obtained for under £50 return – bargain!
London Stansted > Prague 1st May – 4th May: £47 – Ryanair
The capital city of the Czech Republic, Prague, is packed with stunning architecture originating from the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque era. Unsurprising then is its nickname: ‘the City of a Hundred Spires’ – for its many towering cathedrals and monasteries. Meanwhile, culture-lovers will rejoice at the wealth of art galleries there, which offer wonderful examples of Bohemian work in a variety of forms. Reaching Prague is easy and affordable with direct flights leaving often from London Stansted Airport – start your adventure in Prague now.
London Stansted > Oslo 1st May – 8th May: Return flights from £27 – Ryanair
Despite being a fast-growing metropolis, Oslo is actually an incredibly green city and prides itself on having one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world. It is also famed for its gastronomic delights, which range from three-Michelin-starred restaurants to a quirky fusion scene. To top it off, the nightlife in Oslo is hard to beat; whether you’re after a mellow evening sipping natural wines in a local bar or are in search of a night bopping to the hottest local DJ’s – Oslo is your place. Getting to Oslo doesn’t have to cost the Earth, flights with Ryanair run frequently to the city for as little as £27.
Each of these destinations are reachable via London Stansted Airport, for more details visit their website: www.stanstedairport.com
*all flight prices quoted have been found via skyscanner.net and are liable to change
Starting and running one business but having multiple is another world entirely! Today we chat with serial entrepreneur Dianne at Pop Noggins who has shares some words of wisdom for budding entrepreneurs and general life advice we wish we’d heard earlier…
HOC: Hi Dianne, so great to meet you. Let’s start with your elevator pitch for Pop Noggins?
Dianne: Pop Noggins is an all ages hat and kid’s accessory store. I specialise in snapbacks from babies to adults. I am proud of my little business having over 50,000 fans worldwide! We are proud of our unique yet fun designs and I love the passion that my customers have for my products.
It is the cutest when parents twin with their babies!
HOC: How fun! Can you tell us about is your journey to starting your business? We know you made a career switch; what made you take the leap to running your own business?
Dianne: I had reached a time in my life where I needed to make a change that suited my lifestyle. Whilst I loved the hustle and bustle of corporate life, I found that commuting to work and long hours weren’t great for my family life. So, after 17 years in Human Resources, I took the first step into working full time in my small businesses alongside my husband.
It was a hard decision to make! I don’t feel like I gave up my career for my family life. I felt that my journey had come to an end, and it simply wasn’t me anymore. I am now loving life. I don’t have any of the workplace stress I once had. I work at my own pace and around my family schedule. I have amazing flexibility in my businesses, and it’s all determined by me!
HOC: Sounds fantastic but you must have had to make some difficult choices when starting up?
Dianne: Oh, definitely. My husband left his job 4 years before I did to start up the businesses. At first it was really scary for so many reasons. Gone was my security blanket of receiving my pay at the same time every month, and knowing how much I was going to get.
When you own your own business you carry a lot at risk and a lot of financial instability, especially at the beginning. It’s part of the reason why I held onto corporate life for as long as I did. I was always worried about the risk. What if it didn’t work out? How would we pay our bills? Will we be successful? All the types of insecurities I had.
At the beginning we were both working full time jobs and after hours and our weekends would be spent on building our businesses. For years we saved every cent and every cent earned went back into our businesses. This continues to be the case. We continue to invest back into our businesses to allow them to grow!
HOC: So inspiring to hear about the realities of business when we all get so overwhelmed by the instagram version! What does the team at Pop Noggins look like?
Dianne: There is me; I focus on the day to day running of the business, customer and influencer interaction and management of our logistics company. I do the hat designs and also work with our suppliers on a regular basis to make sure we have the best quality products . My husband Paul does a lot of my behind the scenes marketing and ad management. I have 2 amazing Operational coordinators (both casual around university and their other work commitments) that help me with operational management and quality assurance.
I work on my business not in my business. I don’t personally pack and ship my products. I have engaged in a third party fulfilment company and they do a fantastic job at filling our orders. This allows me to focus on my business growth and other targets.
HOC: In addition to Pop Noggins, you also run another 3 businesses ; how on earth do you balance it all?
Dianne: It is hard! I try to be balanced across all 4 businesses, being a parent and keeping up with the endless pile of laundry at my house. My youngest son is in day care 2 days a week and my eldest is at school. So when they are asleep, school or day care I am on my computer or phone managing my businesses. Every week I have assigned days for work (day care days) and the rest of the time I actually do a lot of my work out of hours. It means sometimes I’m working till 11:30pm every night and working on the weekends if I need to. My kids don’t get up till 7am, so I still get 7 hours sleep every night!
The secret to my maintaining my sanity is…..I have help!
My husband and I tag team with the kids. We share everything, school drop offs, after school activities, homework, bath time and domestic chores (yes that includes cooking!). There is no “mum” or “dad” roles in our house. Work wise my amazing operational coordinators are great, because they help with work and also the kids.
HOC: Sounds like a great team. How do you maintain that work/life balance when running a business with your other half?
Dianne: Talking about work is inevitable; I feel like we work 24/7 lately! But we have a strong team dynamic and the only way we have been able to work together peacefully, is to stay in “our own lanes”. We are both equalists (there is no definition of hers and his or mum/dad), and it’s amazing that we work together like yin and yang.
We both have different strengths, we know what each other is responsible for, and we do what we need to do. If the other is struggling or can’t get to something the other steps in. Outside of work we have a great family life. Both of us get to spend lots of time with our kids, with each other and more importantly we take time out for ourselves. I love that we continue to develop both as a family, a couple and as individuals. It’s really strengthened our relationship.
There is no room for BS in our relationship!
HOC: You mention that your life is crazy but balanced, being busy is sometimes a disease and we just can’t stop! How do you take time out?
Dianne: I feel like everyone is “busy” these days. In fact you ask someone how they are or what they’ve been up to and the answer is nearly always “busy!”
I don’t find it difficult now that I am older and wiser. When I was working in Corporate I did, but not now. Because I know if I’m feeling stressed or overworked now, 60% of the time it’s something I can control.
With my business I set the pace, I’m in charge. But I know, the harder I work, the greater the reward. If I slack off the results aren’t as strong. If I need time to myself, I just do it. Same goes for my husband. There is no time or need to feel miserable in life. If you don’t have time, make time.
HOC: Love your perspective! Do you have any advice on how someone can prepare themselves for entrepreneurial life?
Dianne: Be prepared to work hard. Sometimes you don’t get a weekend, but eventually you do!
Be prepared to take risks. Some pay off, some don’t. But ultimately it’s about finding something that works. Be prepared to not always win. But take any losses as a lesson to better yourself.
Don’t live your life based on someone else’s opinion. Don’t let someone dictate every action you do based on their opinion. People are too quick to be negative. More often than not it has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with where they are at in their life.
Don’t be fearful of judgement from others. Challenge the status quo and push forward in everything your heart and mind desires. Seize the moment.
The only voice that counts is yours. I can’t sit here and say, if you want to be an entrepreneur this is what you need to do. Because what I do and what I believe in isn’t going to be right or fit everyone.
All I can say is that I genuinely wish everyone in my situation all the best of luck. We should be raising people up and encouraging them to succeed no matter what they do, not tearing them down. Jealousy is a curse!
HOC: So many wise words! The ’10 years ago’ challenge is all the rage on insta at the moment, what advice do you have for the 2009 you?
HOC: The mistakes I’ve made and the journey I’ve had, have all led me to be the person I am today. But I would definitely tell myself to be more brave and to stop and enjoy the journey. I would also not be so hard on myself, I was always my biggest critic. I would tell myself that money and success is nothing without your health and happiness.
HOC: You mention you are launching a new brand this year, tell us about that?
Dianne: Ohhhhh… it’s still top secret! I can say it’s a bespoke mens lifestyle brand. Watch this space!
To find out more about Dianne’s business Pop Noggins head over to Pop-Noggins.com.au and follow @pop_noggins on insta.
Here at House of Coco we love to support brands that are from the North, especially since our founding Editor is Leeds born and bred. We’re always on the lookout for companies that boast an exciting back story and that is something we can say for Mainline Menswear.
Founded back in 2002 in the seaside town of Scarborough, North Yorkshire, the brand has created a national footprint and their range increases by the day with the offering of men’s designer clothes.
Since we have had a hint good weather in the UK we’re already planning our summer outfits and thanks to Mainline Menswear we know exactly where to go. Whether you have a diary packed full to the brim with BBQ invites or you are in need of some pool party inspo, our friends over at Mainline Menswear have got everything you need to make sure you bring your A game.
We’ve pulled together our top 5 buys for every type of mood…
Which look will you go for?
Here at House of Coco we particularly love when we meet entrepreneurs who have married their expertise in an industry and passions to create something that fills a gap in the market. Today we’re talking to Charlotte who co-founded Tatti Lashes with best friend Elliot. The brand has gone from running out of a small basement to taking part in the famous beauty event Beautycon in LA. Let’s find out Charlotte’s secrets…
House of Coco: Charlotte you’re the ultimate Girlboss, tell us the story behind the brand and how you got in to it…
Charlotte: It was just after I had my first son Teddie that my best friend Elliot and I came up with the idea of Tatti Lashes. We both owned our own salons but were working long demanding hours. I didn’t want to spend so much time away from my family and I wanted to work on something I was truly passionate about that was in my control. I was a lash technician doing semi-permanent eyelashes day in day out – I wanted to come up with a lash that cut out salon time but gave the same effect as Russian volume eyelashes.
We then started with our pre-fanned volume lashes – mimicking the technique of Russian volume Eyelashes. Lash technicians could just apply these lashes rather than creating fans themselves (which was very time consuming) appointment spaces then went from 2.5 hours to 1 hour. Benefiting not only lash technicians being cost effective, but clients as it made their treatment a lot quicker. From then, we started testing and researching strip designs and secured a manufacturer.
From there – Tatti Lashes was born!
HOC: What’s the most popular product that you sell?
Charlotte: Our best-selling lashes are TL3 & TL4 – both have been a success since they day they launched.
Since Kim Kardashian West wore TL19, we have been low on stock ever since – it just keeps selling out!
HOC: Can you tell us more about your journey before founding Tatti Lashes?
Charlotte: My business partner and best friend, Elliot and I have worked in the beauty industry our entire careers. From being a lash technician, I saw a gap in the market. We initially set out to rejuvenate the lash sector after years of extensive testing and research. Our aim was to create a product with an emphasis on quality, style and affordability for consumers and makeup artists that catered for everyone. Makeup artists were such an import focus for us and they have played a huge factor in our success as a brand. We were the first ever lash brand to offer 60% off to our loyal MUA’s and continue to do so.
HOC: What has been the biggest struggle since launching Tatti Lashes?
Charlotte: There’s been plenty but I would say the biggest struggle has been evolving and growing the brand in such a short space of time and keeping up with our order demands. We have been so lucky to have instant success – we never envisioned the brand would grow to the scale it’s at now.
In just two years, the brand has become international, we are retailed in 89 countries across the globe and are working on numerous collaborations and global events. We started out from a small basement and now have taken over two huge units with 30 x staff helping us bring the brand to life!
Elliot and I have an incredibly hands on approach and are involved in every area of the business. We have different opinions on lots of things but always manage to make the right one to benefit the brand. Our working relationship is very important to us as we respect each other so much. It’s a dream come true to work with your best friend. We pride ourselves on creativity – we try to break the beauty boundaries and stand out from our competitors.
I recently had my second son Toby who is only 4 months old. As the brand is growing and it’s so incredibly busy, I couldn’t take a proper maternity leave so I was back in the office from 6 weeks. This was a huge challenge for me as I had to manage so many important areas of my life to make it all work. The juggle is real with two little boys and a global lash empire to run! I am so lucky to have the support of Elliot who really held down the fort while I was off along with my husband and family who have supported me fully from day one.
Establishing a work life balance that worked for me, my business partner and my family is something I’m really proud of. I absolutely love my job and I’m so passionate about Tatti Lashes. I consider myself very blessed.
HOC: What has been your favourite collection to work on so far?
Charlotte: We have had great success through our collaboration with influencer MMMMitchell – we launched an exclusive luxury 4D lash that he designed last Summer and it sold out instantly and is still one of our most popular lashes to date. We have such a great relationship with him and every project we work on together is a joy. He is now our official brand ambassador so we have some really exciting projects coming up with him this year.
HOC: Who would be your dream celebrity to work with?
Charlotte: We are very lucky to have such amazing celebrities wearing our lashes. Our ultimate goal was to have Kim Kardashian West wear our lashes and she wore them twice in December. Ariana Grande also regularly wears the lashes and has worn them for some iconic moments in her career such as her two most recent music videos and her Grammy appearance.
It is our dream to sign a celebrity ambassador and this is something we are already talking about. Watch this space!
HOC: Can you tell us about a recent ‘Girl Boss’ moment?
Charlotte: Wow – there’s been so many. Having the Kardashian’s wear our lashes was a really proud moment for me.
HOC: What has been the hardest part of running your own online business?
Charlotte: Keeping up with the sale demands for sure!
HOC: What’s in the pipeline for 2019?
Charlotte: We have such an exciting year ahead – already we have accomplished so much and are in the midst of some very exciting conversations. I can’t reveal too much, but we have some VERY exciting shoots coming up, another collaboration lash launching this Summer, a masterclass with our ambassador; MMMMitchell, and we are partaking in Beautycon LA which we are all so excited about. America is an important territory to us – a quarter of our revenue comes from the States so California particularly will be seeing a lot more of us this year!
To find out more about Charlotte’s brand Tatti Lashes head over to TattiLashes.com
Seasons change, the light changes, the weather changes, we change – as winter slowly turns into spring we leave behind our layers and focus on the step ahead. Field day by Narita Savoor and featuring Ming Savannah is the final chapter of our winter! Styled by Taheed Khan with beauty by Stephanie Swain – the shoot features pieces by Vintage Escada Versace Peter Pilotto All Saints Balmain Fendi Malan Breton Lara Heems Vivienne Westwood Monokain Joseph Reiss Accessories
For some of us starting our own business is not on the agenda, for others, it’s in our blood. We sat down with Lucie Marchelot Shukla, a master of reinvention and serial entrepreneur to discover the story behind her newest enterprise, Straight Teeth Direct™…
HOC: Great to meet you, Lucie! Can you tell us about your journey to creating Straight Teeth Direct™ ? I see you have started businesses before, would love to know about your ‘serial entrepreneur’ journey….
Lucie: Yes! I have changed my career and industry quite a few times. I studied Law and then moved to London to study Art History at Christie’s. I worked for a leading auction house for a short while and very quickly realised that it wasn’t for me ; the corporate environment or the industry. In truth, I didn’t feel challenged enough.
I realised that I needed to do something else; entrepreneurship had always been my end goal and I thought why not now, after 1 year of working and training! I started my first business, completely alone. It was called the Indian Art Centre and it was an online gallery selling Indian antiques. I did everything from building my website, doing my PR, my own social media. I really enjoyed working on the business growth. But it wasn’t an exciting enough business or growth potential in that industry for a 25 year old. You also don’t feel like you are helping anyone; it’s not transformative and I didn’t feel fulfilled.
So that’s when I decided to join my husband and business partner at his private dental clinic in London. I was managing sales, marketing and operations; I really enjoyed this and helped grow the business; we doubled and sold it in 2016 and had discovered the cheapest way to straighten teeth! Because we had created a strong system to grow sales and attract the right kind of patient – adults looking to get straight teeth, quickly, without much inconvenience and without a super high price tag – we could support other dental practices to do the same. We created a marketing agency to help other dentists grow their businesses and help more people get straight teeth with online training courses, events and done for you systems. It worked really well but again, it was more like a lifestyle business; you couldn’t really scale it. We were looking for something with a global potential and we found that with Straight Teeth Direct™ !
So it’s been about transitioning from a lifestyle business to a high growth business; with a product, not just a service. Our business combines manufacturing, logistics and the digital platform ; it’s much broader and scalable than my previous businesses. Since we launched to the public in S/S 2017 we have had users from over 43 countries!
HOC: Who is Straight Teeth Direct for?
Lucie: Our solution is for busy professional who love to have everything delivered to them! The majority of our users are female at the moment but more and men are joining us. A lot of our users are people that haven’t been wearing their retainers and want to get their ideal smiles back.
Others travel a lot and might start treatment in one country and then need to move. They like our solution as it’s convenient and there’s no interruption in their treatment, or additional cost. At the end of the day, we attract people looking for a confidence and self-esteem boost through looking and feeling good.
HOC: Why did you create Straight Teeth Direct?
Lucie: As you saw in our first question; I love a challenge! I am ambitious and have big plans for my future. Straight Teeth Direct™ business model allows us to really transform an industry which is rewarding on both a personal entrepreneurial journey level and also more widely; we can reach and help so many more people to feel their best.
Being in the industry with our previous businesses, we saw there were clear problems to be solved and that’s what we’re here to do.
We saw the need coming for our service through our work in the industry; we would have many enquiries that wouldn’t get resolved ; in the end, to get treatment at a small practice is still quite expensive. From the other side, we knew Dentists wanted to work less and earn more and our solutions works with them in a smart way with a digital layer, not against them ; so Straight Teeth Direct™ helps both sides!
HOC: What was your very first job (when you were 15/16), can you see any relation to what you are doing now?
Lucie: If I really think back to when I was 15,16 ; I was helping out at my Dad’s business; a pharmacy. I was taking it super seriously and that’s something that really stuck with me! I always really care about what I do, whatever I’m doing. I also worked in a shoe shop in Greece when I did my Erasmus; I’ll always give it my 100%!
My Dad has always been my role model, in terms of entrepreneurship. He always inspired me to be my own boss. He was one of the first in his region to use robots to deliver medication to the counters! He always wanted to stay ahead of the game and inspired me to be a risk taker.
I have two siblings and we are all entrepreneurs- it’s the mindset we’ve picked up from our Dad. He really educated us to not take things for granted; you’ve got to work hard!
HOC: If you weren’t doing this, what could have career plan B looked like?
Lucie: It would have to be as an entrepreneur as I would never see myself working for someone! It’s in my blood!
I guess, if it had to be something absolutely different to having and growing a business I would say being a professional dancer.
HOC: I see on your LinkedIn that “being called a “female” entrepreneur can irritate you”, can you tell us more about this?
Lucie: I’m happy that we’re discussing this! In truth; I could talk about this for hours! This point around being a ‘Girl Boss’ or ‘Female Entrepreneur’ is not black or white and there are lots of different viewpoints; I certainly don’t want to upset anyone but I worry that always speaking about gender is limiting.
My thinking is that I don’t like labels or putting myself into a box that could restrict me in any way. We don’t have such a thing as dadpreneur so I don’t see why women should be constantly referred to as female entrepreneur or mumpreneur . Personally, I’ve never felt strongly about belonging to female groups or having female only mentors; my Dad was my role model and I have equally been inspired by strong independent women.
I feel that it’s dangerous to restrict yourself and limit your mindset. You could think ‘because I’m a female…’, you see everything through the eye of a female. Yes, I get sexist comments at work but I want to be recognised for my talents and achievements but not because ‘you’re female and we feel sorry for you, so we’re going to give you an award.’
It’s a delicate topic and we have to do things and raise awareness. Of course, in Europe we are privileged whereas in other parts of the world things are much much worse for women.
In Europe, I don’t see being female as a weakness, it’s a strength. When we have meetings with investors, and I’m in a room with 10 men and I’m the only woman, that empowers me.
HOC: What are your ambitions for your brand this year?
Lucie: So much is happening! We are doing a tube campaign and launching in major department stores across Europe this quarter. I’m so excited to see the response from our new retail model and keep experimenting with new channels. The goal is for our brand to be recognised as a leading e-commerce / leader in the aligner space in Europe by the end of the year…
HOC: How do you keep your energy and motivation up?
Lucie: Energy wise I used to go to the gym but with all the traveling and unexpected schedule it’s impossible to stick to sessions. So I try to stick to a few things:
I am giving everything to this business at the moment and I know it is for a short number of years. Unlike with a lifestyle business, you know a high growth phase is not going to last forever, so that keeps me motivated! My immediate motivation is to see our customer satisfaction and positive feedback about their transformation and experience using our platform!
HOC: Your business marries technology and great customer service, what tech is exciting you at the moment outside of your product?
Lucie: I like tech that is useful and beautiful; I love to watch the direct to consumer space; that really excites me. I’m always looking for the new trends and getting inspiration.
I really like what’s happening in beauty tech with devices as well as in health; doing your own high end facial or taking your DNA at home, for instance. I’d love to see more innovation in fashion and retail. I went to a Reformation store in NYC and oh, I was so excited; I was taking a picture of everything!
Their store really inspired me and made me think about how we do things differently. They have a screen where you can choose your items to try on and then the items are already in the changing room! If you want another size you just select on screen in the changing room, close the wardrobe and then the rail automatically updates with your choice. It’s just really cool.
Everyone else in the store was all cool, waiting for their turn. And I was like, what is going to happen next?!
HOC: The ’10 years ago’ challenge is all the rage on insta at the moment, what advice do you have for the 2009 you?
Lucie: I’ve got two pieces of advice that might help others.
One, I would tell my younger self to keep going; you don’t need 10 years of experience to have the knowledge to do something great. You will learn along the way if you are committed to it. You will have to make sacrifices, of course. And remember, everything you learn along the way, will be transferable. Initially I thought oh god, I studied these subjects; I have to do something in this space. But actually, I learnt how to be structured from Law and developed my aesthetic eye through my Art degree ; now I use both in my work with Straight Teeth Direct™ every day! You don’t have to wait and have a long plan. Honestly, you don’t learn that much if you work for someone else; you have to get your hands dirty!
Secondly, my advice is to never regret anything, everything is a learning and growth experience. I would never wish I had done something differently.
To find out more about Lucie’s revolutionary teeth straightening business visit straightteethdirect.com
There’s nothing better than slipping into some gorgeous nightwear, especially if you’ve just checked into a 5* hotel. As #TeamCoco are constantly travelling and are lucky enough to lay our head at some of the most prestigious hotels and resorts around the world, luxury nightwear is usually top of our packing list. However, as some of us are blessed with killer curves it can be hard to find nightwear which is high quality and has a fit that makes us feel a million dollars. One brand that champions the fuller figure and takes influence from Hollywood starlets is Bustoire. Our writer Jenna got behind the brand to chat to the CEO Joyce, to discover more about the brands history and how she transitioned from a career in Banking to designing glamorous slips…
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JC: So firstly, what was it like transitioning from working in banking to owning your own nightwear brand? Must have been quite a change of pace!
JL: Yes, definitely quite the change. I’ve worked in banking since I graduated with a mathematics degree. And although banking and fashion seem like polar opposites and in many ways they are, there are still similarities in skills that apply to both. I enjoy the whole process of designing and selecting the fabrics for each piece and love the detail and craftsmanship that goes into every garment. Seeing my designs come to life is very exciting. I like to work very closely with my manufacturer who is based in London and be present during the production phase. I source all the fabrics from the UK and only use the highest quality silk satin, silk chiffon and lace. I think it’s important to use natural, breathable fabrics, so that our garments are not only perfect for lounging but also sleeping in.
What makes my garments unique is that each piece has hidden bra support. The hidden bra support is made from Powernet a durable, strong, stretchy fabric that provides that much needed support for a bigger bust while still feeling comfortable and free. There is great attention to detail even down to the bra strap adjusters, which are gold plated. It was important to have our garments made in the UK and be an authentically British brand that is sustainable and ethical.
JC: We love the retro Hollywood vibe of your collection – was there a Hollywood pin-up who inspired some of your designs?
JL: My debut collection is inspired by Hollywood glamour and powerful, strong women whom I admire. The Josephine Babydoll for example was inspired by none other than Josephine Baker’s famous banana skirt which she first wore while performing in her show La Revue Nègre in the 1920s. The iconic skirt influenced the silk chiffon gathering and stitching. It drapes so elegantly against the skin and flows with such beauty.
JC: Why did you choose to focus your collection on larger busted women?
JL: I decided to focus on nightwear for fuller busted women because of my own experience of not finding beautiful, feminine and supportive nightwear for a larger bust. There has been some progress over the past 10 years with bras and swimwear for bigger cup sizes, however nightwear is still a very underserved market for DD+ women. I initially had the idea a few years ago while on day trip to Cambridge with a friend. While shopping we went into a well-known lingerie shop where my friend proceeded to purchase a red lace slip that came in the usual small, medium and large. I stood around knowing there was nothing in the shop that would fit me and just waited for my friend to pay.
On the train back to London I kept thinking about the red lace slip and why I was so used to seeing nightwear that didn’t come in larger sizes that supported a fuller bust. I felt frustrated and at the same time inspired. I decided there and then there needed to be a change. I eagerly brought out a notebook and pen and started sketching designs. I remember how empowering and freeing it felt. As soon as I reached home I took out my sewing machine and made my first prototype and that’s how the brand started.
JC: Who would be your dream stockist of Bustoire?
JL: I would love to see my brand in Selfridges, Harrods and Harvey Nichols in the UK, Barney’s, and Neiman Marcus in the US and luxury department stores in Australia, Dubai and Canada. Currently we are selling direct to customers through our online store and pop up shops.
JC: Can you tell us about a recent ‘Girl Boss’ moment?
JL: A recent Girl Boss moment was launching my first pop up shop in Islington over the Christmas holidays. It was amazing to see the customer’s reactions to the garments and being able to provide a physical retail as well as an online experience. We will be doing more pop up shops this year.
JC: We can’t wait to see one of your physical stores to come to life! Aside from all the excitement, what has been the hardest part of running your own clothing business?
JL: The most challenging part is splitting my time between my full time banking job and running a business. When people ask me how I do it, I say I don’t know what sleep is anymore which usually gets a few laughs. But in reality I try to stick to a schedule and plan ahead of time what needs to be done in the evenings and weekends. This helps me to stay focused. I am also a big believer in morning and night routines, which also helps. I don’t try to do everything myself and I’m lucky to have a fantastic and talented team to work with.
JC: What’s in the pipeline for 2019?
JL: You can look forward to Bustoire garments being stocked in luxury retail stores and boutiques in the UK and a new collection coming soon.
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To find out more about Bustoire, visit the below links.
Email:info@bustoire.com
Website: www.bustoire.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bustoire
We’re kicking off this year’s Girl Boss coverage with even more in-depth interviews and exploring the inspirations that get amazing female entrepreneurs going and the hacks that keep them on top. We start our new series with the smart, creative Jerelyn, founder and designer of italian-made shoe brand Jerelyn Creado.
HOC: Great to meet you, Jerelyn! You’ve been on quite a journey, in terms of your career and geographically…
Jerelyn:Yes and I ended up in Italy! I moved to Leeds back in 2010 from Mumbai and while I was studying there, I fell in love with a wonderful Italian man. He invited me to move to Italy with him, so I did!
Moving away from Leeds was difficult as it’s the city in which I learnt to be independent. It was the first city that I lived in on my own, without my parents. I had lots of friends and enjoyed everything about the city. I will always remember Leeds as the city where I actually discovered myself, but then again life moves on and change is good. Now my friends have a little holiday spot in Italy!
Moving to Italy was a big step, but I was excited to start something new, learn a new language and a new culture. Once I was living in Italy, one of my favourite things to do was window shopping in Milan and it was always the shoes that attracted my attention.
I did my research and found out about course in pattern making, prototyping and footwear design. We moved back to the UK and from then until where I am now with Jerelyn Creadowas me saving up for the course and moving back to Italy to pursue my new obsession. It was tough to spend time away from my now-husband but he was behind me all the way and encouraged me to start my own brand. We recently moved to Granada, as you can probably tell, I adore travelling. Jerelyn Creado shoes are made back in Italy and being able to travel for work is absolutely wonderful.
HOC: Before we get into the important stuff, please tell us some hot tips about Italy?
Jerelyn: Haha, of course! I can’t get enough of the food and the style in Italy. My top tip would be a gem of a place; the gulf of Gargano in Puglia is a must visit. It’s the part on top of the heel of Italy that protrudes. It’s beautiful, the people are wonderful and the food and wine is amazing!
HOC: What we love about your brand is that you are a strong woman, designing beautiful shoes for other strong women.
Jerelyn: Thanks for saying that! I’ve been inspired by so many women but above all, my mother. My mother is and always was very independent. She managed our home and her job at the same time and we never wanted for anything! Not only is she independent but she is also very strong and patient.
Over the years I have been lucky to befriend and work with a lot of women. Of course, not all of them have been pleasant and kind, but it’s not those women that have left a mark on my life. The ones that have influenced my path are the ones that are not only strong but are also successful and compassionate. They helped me to become the person I am today and therefore when I created Jerelyn Creado they deserved to be part of it, which is why I’ve named many of the shoes from my collections after them.
For instance, Jovita is a childhood friend of mine. She is a few years older and I have always looked up to her for advice. She is like the older sister I never had. She was a top student at school and excelled at almost everything. She was always composed and very poised growing up and even now. The heel I designed in her name represents her because apart from her being good at everything she does she is also very easy going and fun. The design of Jovita is based on this personality. The red is the fun and easy going side while the perforations in black patent leather is the elegant/independent woman on top!
Women sometimes don’t realise that other women look up to them and inspire them. It’s very important for all of us to lift each other up and not put each other down.
HOC: What fantastic inspiration for naming your creations. Where does your design inspiration come from?
Jerelyn: The inspiration for my first collection came from men’s shoes; I have always loved to dress up a pair of Derbys with monk straps with tights and a dress or an Oxford shoe with a short jumpsuit. With my collection I wanted to create a similar vibe, but with heels or the saddle of the penny loafer on an ankle boot, the monk strap on a pump with toe cleavage. I love little twists on the classics and, of course, some bright colours!
A walk always helps with a creative block. I used to live in Wales, by the seaside and the fresh air proved to be very helpful. Runs have always been good for me as well, being active makes my brain sort of wake up.
HOC: What do you love about what you do?
Jerelyn: The whole process of designing footwear excites me; from researching for materials to going to fairs like Linea Pelle to find the perfect piece of leather. I love the detail I go into during discussions with the artisans about the different types of heels and even the brainstorming I have to do when I don’t find what I want and need to find a solution.
My favourite parts of it all are late night designing with music on and the day I go to the factory to see my designs come to life as prototypes before production.
I like to be present during the production phase and to get my hands dirty. At the end of the day, it is my brand and I want to be wholly part of everything. To me my shoes are my children, I want to be present for every moment in their lives!
HOC: What are your ambitions for Jerelyn Creado this year?
Jerelyn: My dream is to see my brand in Harrods, Selfridges and Browns in London and La Rinascente in Milan, Barney’s and Bloomingdales in New York. Realistically, these are part of my 5-year plan.
For now, we are enjoying selling direct to customer as I love the interaction. We’ll be showing at various fairs like Moda Made in Italy and hopefully launching a small pop-up store during London Fashion Week in September.
I would like to see Jerelyn Creado shoes in more stores and would love for more women to experience the style, comfort and craftsmanship of a quality pair of shoes. I am also planning to introduce a small men’s line as I have had a few requests.
HOC: In addition to your footwear, what other female run fashion brands do you love?
Jerelyn: I have always loved Isabel Marant, I love her designs; they’re very rock girl mixed with Parisian chic. I have watched a few documentaries on her and she seems super cool, I love finding out about the person behind the brand!
Another female designer who I admire is Victoria Beckham; she is truly someone to look up to when it comes to looking after business, family and doing all of that while looking absolutely stunning. I also like Giulia Rositani , that brand has lovely prints!
HOC: If you weren’t running Jerelyn Creado, what could career plan B have looked like?
Jerelyn: I used to be an event planner (back office) and I probably would’ve still been doing that or teaching kids English in Italy or Spain. When I was much younger, 12, I did want to be a model, but I’m only about 5 feet 3 inches!
If I had any advice to give to myself earlier in my career it would be to trust myself and my decisions and not be bothered about people’s opinions. Everyone has a right to have an opinion and it’s important to take the good out of it and not be affected by the bad!
To shop Jerelyn’s gorgeous collection of shoes head to jerelyncreado.com