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Girl Bosses of Great Britain

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Accessories

#GBOGB : Back to the Future with Eco Fashion from Peony Vintage

Here at House Of Coco we love stories and whenever we travel, we aim to uncover the tales beneath the instagrammable sights we snap. Our love of great stories extends to this Girl Boss series where, over the past few years, we’ve heard from incredible women making their mark and elevating other women around them.

Georgie is a fantastic example of a woman doing both of these things. She’s a true multi-hyphenate working across her own brand, Peony Vintage (peonyvintage.com), supporting other small businesses and also styling for fashion and commercial shoots. This autumn she’s launching her innovative new subscription box which is jammed packed with stories and nostalgia…plus, did we mention?! Her shop is the perfect pink palace in the heart of Margate’s Old Town: book those train tickets now!

HOC: Hey Georgie, so great to meet you! Tell us a bit about Peony Vintage and your journey from opening the business to launching your subscription box?

Georgie: I wanted to turn something I enjoy into something which can be shared for others and Peony Vintage is just that. Peony Vintage is a Margate based vintage brand specialising in women’s original vintage clothing and a carefully curated accessories edit. We are for women who create their own trends and are happy to give a nod to times gone by in their attire. We have grown enormously in two years!

Since opening the physical store in the heart of Margate , online stores have been opened, I’ve exhibited at London fairs and started my own career as a freelance stylist for costume and fashion, which is amazing. I’ve also design and make vintage inspired acrylic jewellery which is available in store and online. The subscription box has come from a place of loving good old fashioned post. It’s a nostalgic thing to receive love letters so why can’t we send them to ourselves with original vintage treats inside?

HOC: Couldn’t agree more! It’s so nice to receive post that isn’t from the tax man…. There are so many subscription boxes on the market at the moment. What does yours offer that we can’t get elsewhere?

Georgie: I haven’t seen any subscription boxes that are in the UK and deliver quality original vintage and retro inspired accessories so this is where mine comes in! This box delivers a nostalgic nod and bundle of smiles every month, with so much detail in the literature inside too.

All items have been personally sourced and handpicked by me and packaged up for lovely souls to open. Pieces range from original hairpins to handmade necklaces, earrings, screen printed totes and belts.Some pieces of my own jewellery range are also included. It’s only £19.99 per month, with some boxes having a retail value of £40. It’s one box per month and each dedicated to one particular era.

As it stands, this is only a 4 month subscription at the moment so can be gifted and also won’t feel like a lifetime gym membership for those subscribers that do fancy treating themselves. One box per month is dedicated to one particular era.

HOC: Wow. Sounds like so much work has gone into these and we love the sneak peeks of the inserts in this photo above! What makes vintage so important to you?

Georgie: Vintage is so important for style, fashion and reducing waste! People underestimate the impact fast and throwaway fashion can have and by buying true vintage clothing you not only know it’s been made to last, or made in a time where things were valued more, but you know it’s not been made in a sweatshop.

You won’t walk down the street in the same item as someone else, and it won’t be something you then are told by various media sources or shop windows that that item has ‘gone out of fashion’. With vintage you create your own trends, your own style, your own you.

HOC: Who is the ideal Peony Vintage customer?

Georgie: Ummm…I guess someone who is open to try new things or OLD things. No pun intended! Haha.

HOC: You clearly have a wealth of knowledge about vintage style. If someone wanted to learn more about vintage clothing and style how would you recommend them getting stuck in?

Georgie: For me, I’ve more or less grown up around vintage clothing as I was around a lot of musical theatre when I was younger. Shows like Sunset Boulevard and Phantom of the Opera have really inspired me and my outlook on fashion. Influences and knowledge can come from all different sources: for instance, I love Mad Men and I listen to Fleetwood Mac. Inspiration is all around us but as for one recommendation, I’d say get a book called ‘The Vintage Fashion Sourcebook’ : this was my bible when I first started.

HOC: And finally, can you tell us about a recent ‘Girl Boss moment’ you’ve had?

Georgie: To be honest, any time someone tells me the shop is beautiful or I make a sale is a ‘Girl Boss’ moment for me. When someone comes in and doesn’t buy anything but says how much they love the store this means just as much to me. It means my vision makes people happy. I love watching people smile about the past or hear a squeal of joy from the changing room when they try something on that makes them feel beautiful.

The Peony Vintage Subscription Box launches in September with the 1930s box and a few remaining boxes are available for pre-order now!

The subscription lasts for 4 months so is the perfect treat at £19.99 a month with a value of up to £40 per box. Each box is designed and hand packed to bring life to a specific era of the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. Each month is a surprise with at least 2 original vintage items and a retro inspired piece of jewellery designed and handmade by Georgie, complete with fun facts.

To snap up your box head to peonyvintage.com/subscription-box

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Cyprus

#GBOGB – Kelly Levell, We do Ethical

Sustainable and ethically-sourced fashion is close to our hearts here at #TeamCoco and we are always looking to find UK entrepreneurs who champion this industry. Kelly Levell of We Do Ethical is the perfect example of this, not only does she run her own successful sustainability consultancy, she also is the girl boss behind We Do Ethical’s Not-For-Profit organisation.

Emma Harrison spoke to Kelly about her mission to motivate people and businesses to be more eco-friendly, why the world of fashion needs to be more sustainable and how a sandman in Ayia Napa was the catalyst for naming her business!

Can you give the House of Coco readers an insight as to who you are and what We Do Ethical is?

I’m a person who loves to discover and share ways to live better and encouraging others to be the change towards better living is my passion. I founded We Do Ethical in 2009 on my second year of study at university. It started with a project that aired on ITV News called “What Is Fast Fashion?” to raise awareness of how and where clothing is made.

I soon realised that fashion is nowism and an influencing industry that was not just about clothing. Being ethically minded is a lifestyle choice and through my research I found that this market sector was something that had huge growth potential and was also something that I really loved!

So, on my final year of study I set up my Not-for-profit (NFP) organisation, with the help of ITV Fixers. Once I had graduated, I soon moved to London and worked writing freelance for publications, PR companies and started work on my own fashion shows, events, WeDoReDo workshops and shopping stalls to give ethical living a glamorous platform.

What was the inspiration and vision behind We Do Ethical?

With the knowledge that fashion is the second largest polluting industry on earth, I looked for ways to create fashion without harming people and planet… upcycling and recycling clothing. This was the start of my journey to live life sustainably but also in style. I started sharing my tips and the products from brands that I loved to help spread the message of buying better to create my vision for a more eco-friendly and socially responsible future.

Your business is divided between your consultancy where you advise businesses on how to be more sustainable and your NFP which runs a series of community programmes? Do you have a different approach to each part of the business?

You could say that I started backwards really, with my NFP before the business. The consultancy started four years after I had founded the NFP. I keep the same approach for both because they are both solving the same problem and building a greener future, just in different ways. The nfp org focuses on helping people/ consumers and my consultancy focuses on assisting brands and businesses to be more conscious of how they buy and what they use day to day.

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

There was one moment I remember fondly… Whilst on Nikki beach, Ayia Napa, my best girl friend from university Jade and I built a life-sized sand man, then sat next to him and got talking about what I could call my organisation. At the time I was upcycling lots of clothing, redoing clothes and selling them at festivals as a pop-up shop. Jade said, “So what do you actually do?” I shouted out… “We do re do,” and that was the first name I got up running with.

Now I had a name for my brand, I set myself a plan and this has grown each year. It has been slow burning in some ways as each year I learn more myself, so I push a new message, take on a new member of staff and develop my key messages. But on the other hand, I always knew what I wanted, so from that lightbulb moment with the name, everything is moving as it should.

Has sustainable fashion always been important to you?

No way! When I was at school, I used to buy all the fast fashion in the high street shops… luxury handbags, shoes, little black dresses’… the list is endless. I was obsessed with getting as much as I could for as little money as possible. I would have my friends stay over at the weekend, get them well styled in my outfits and head off into town to dance the night away; without a second thought about who made my clothes or where they came from. I was uneducated and buying blind.

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

This biggest fear for me when starting my business was being self-sufficient. This is something I have always needed to be, and I feel like I carry that same courage and responsibility through to my business. It’s the biggest fear that actually never goes away for me and I guess this is natural when you run your own business. To overcome this fear, I set goals in time frames and working through the tasks, it all falls into place nicely.

How would you describe your business?

My work encourages people and businesses to be eco-friendlier and socially responsible. I find better products and services for people and businesses to use, products with a purpose that reduces the harm to people, animals and our planet.

What were your goals and objectives when you set up We Do Ethical and how are you achieving these objectives?

Our main goal is to help people be the change we need to see in our world for a more ethical and sustainable future.

By running our four community programmes and projects, we achieve our objectives to care, nurture, unite and love ethical and sustainable living.

  • We care by reducing the amount of clothing going to landfill; recycling/ upcycling over ten tons of clothing per year throughout Dorset.
  • We nurture by educating people through workshops and talks at schools, festivals and universities and community events.
  • We unite people with ethical brands, products and organisations online and through our events.
  • We love to share stories and our discoveries through the press, magazines, tv, radio and social networks to raise awareness and inspire positive change.

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

Looking back at the old me now, when I was setting up my initial business concept, I would give myself the advice of being patient and strategic. I realise now that I was slightly ahead of my time and that the industry needed some more time to grow.

Sustainability is a key element of We Do Ethical – how important is having a sustainable business and using ethically-sourced products to you?

It’s important to me to have ethically sourced products and it’s my passion to show other people the importance too. I think that most businesses will migrate to having more ethically-sourced products in time, as it will become ‘the norm’ eventually.

You also run Love Dorset which is a community festival designed to encourage residents and business owners to become eco-friendlier and socially responsible – can you please tell me a bit more about this?

Love Dorset is an interactive festival I recently set up, which takes place during Fairtrade Fortnight. I discovered there were ten Fairtrade towns in Dorset and thought that was something worth celebrating. The two-week calendar of events lists fair-trade and other eco-friendly events and activities from film screenings to pop-up shops for the local people and businesses within the community to get involved.

You are also involved with Miss Dorset (and from next year – Mr Dorset) where you act as a sustainability consultant? Can you tell me a bit more about what your role is and how you are making the competition more sustainable?

I was asked by Julia Morley to meet with a lovely lady at the Miss World offices in London, back in 2013. The lovely lady was Angie Beasley, Miss England Director. She loved what I was doing with WeDoReDo, up-cycling clothes and asked me to judge the Miss Eco Award at the finals.

This year will be my 5th year judging the award and I am so proud of all the young ladies. With over 50 contestants who create the show stopping up-cycled outfits, coming together on the catwalk for the eco fashion show each year.

I’ve also introduced award rounds like Miss Fairtrade, Miss Natural Beauty and Miss Ethical Vision into the Miss Dorset regional heat that I organise, where the contestants are quizzed and judged on their skills. It’s a great project and I have really enjoyed changing the public’s perception of the contest, because it’s about much more than skin deep beauty these days.

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

I have been very lucky to know and work with some really great people through my career. Recently, I’m really enjoying working with Sunny Bird, she runs a PR company that’s a really KPI focused service for your business as well as the usual service of looking after your press and social media channels. Working with Sunny, our annual brand reach of 1 million, went to 12.8 million in 4 months, which has attracted some great new sponsors to us.

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

I am surprised every day and learn new things about running my business every day. My business life is full of ups and downs and you need to remember your successes and learn from your mistakes to have more positive than negative surprises in the future.

What do you feel has been the defining moment so far for We Do Ethical?

The defining moment for We Do Ethical so far is the awareness we have created from this year’s plastic ocean rescue campaign. We exist to create awareness issues surrounding ecology and social responsibility. Through our community programmes we share information to show people how they can be the change and help solve the issue.

Plastic pollution has been the focus point of our projects, workshops, talks and events this year, which has resonated very well with our readership and followers, our engagement stats have increased by over 1000%!

Not many people realise that so many of our clothes are made from plastic, and it’s not just in the production of garments that is harmful to our oceans… an average UK washing load – 6kg (13lb) of fabric – can release 140,000 fibres from polyester-cotton blend, nearly half a million fibers from polyester, and more than 700,000 fibers from acrylic.

You have just been named as a semi-finalist in the Venus Awards for your work in sustainability – how important are awards to you and do you feel that they help your cause?

Being a semi-finalist for the Venus Awards is a great achievement because it feels like I have been recognised for all of the positive work I am doing in sustainability. It’s very reassuring to know that people are noticing, and it’s given me a lot more confidence to grow. Awards like this also attract other people to your work and it’s a lovely process, where you’re lucky to meet so many other inspiring business women.

You studied Fashion at Arts University College at Bournemouth – did this experience helped you with your business?

The experience I gained whilst studying for my BA (Hons) in Fashion studies has really helped me with my business. It was a real eye opener as I was unaware of the damage caused by the fashion industry before I started my studies at the Arts University College Bournemouth. The things I discovered and learned really helped me to shape the values and basis of my NFP organisation whilst giving me the creative freedom and skills I needed to get started. I learned what the problems are then found my solutions, which really helped me to define the goals and objectives of We Do Ethical.

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

The world of fashion is changing, and currently ethical fashion has a market positioning that’s seen as luxury and aspirational. To irradiate the ‘wear it, throw it’ culture that surrounds us in the UK… we need ethical fashion to become mainstream and have accessible price points for the masses to consume the products. To make this happen, we all need to buy products with a purpose and then businesses will supply them.

What’s next for you Kelly and for We Do Ethical?

I am really excited about the future because the ethical living industry sector is now rapidly growing. I am starting work on a new business idea in September and We Do Ethical’s nfp will benefit from the proceeds. I really want to grow our community programmes, giving back more regularly through larger community projects.

The launch of coolconscience.com marketplace is set to be our next biggest defining moment. For the past eight years I have been discovering the coolest collection of eco-friendly and socially responsible products on our planet and want to put them all in one place to help people live better.

What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs, particularly to those wanting to launch businesses in the sustainability sector?

The best advice I can give to budding entrepreneurs who want to launch a business in sustainability is simply to believe in themselves. You are the biggest asset in your business and you really need to know yourself and be true to yourself when making big decisions. I would also say to focus on the tasks that you are best at and hire people in that are better than yourself for the other tasks, this will really save you time to take the lead and steer your business to grow faster and stronger.

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Beauty

#GBOGB Rose Ovensehi from Flora & Curl

We sent our beauty writer Rachel McAlley to interview the entrepreneur and all round healthy curly hair phenomenon Rose Ovensehi from the brand Flora & Curl about her company and the ethos behind it.

Q. Rose, can you give the House of Coco readers an insight as to who you are, when you launched Flora & Curl, why you went down the route of making products for curly hair, and where you feel the business is heading?

A. I launched Flora & Curl in 2017 after launching a healthy haircare blog in 2015, to help women on a mission to transition into healthier and natural lifestyles. I felt that there were fewer options for women who choose to avoid harsh ingredients such as sulphates, silicones, mineral oil, artificial fragrancing and harsh colours in beauty isles. To solve this, I formulated the range with the focus on moisture and hydration for all curl types (which was the main concern for a lot of my blog followers). We have customers around the world, and are looking at expanding globally, including into the USA market this year to spread the word about Flora & Curl Haircare.

Q. You have a company philosophy to only use plant based products at Flora & Curl, is this because you have always been interested in using natural products on your own hair, or did it come about after researching what was best for the hair?

A. It was a mixture of both. I already had a passion for creating my own haircare products and in doing this, I had to do lots of research to find out the best raw natural ingredients that would work best. But I also believe in the power of botanical ingredients with therapeutic and moisturising properties. For example, Rose water smells amazing, and is a hair loving botanical that stabilises hair’s pH level and soothes the scalp. It is a natural conditioner. My products are infused with botanical ingredients containing such amazing, therapeutic benefits.

Q. How hands on are you with making the products yourself, and how long does it take from the initial thought process to get things off the ground, and into the final packaged product?

A. I formulate the products myself and make sure that each formula goes through a sampler and testing process to get feedback from friends, existing customers, bloggers and influencers. This will enable me to refine the formula to make sure it is ready enough to go through to packaging and final launch. It can take around 2-3 months or longer due to our testing process, as we test not only the results but also the packaging and naming. I love listening to my customers and being open to them informing the process of new product development.

Q. Do you have a favourite haircare product of yours that you live by, and how often do you use it?

A. My favourite product is the Flower Garden Hair Butter. I use it daily to add shine to my hair, lock in moisture and deep condition with a shower cap. It smells therapeutic, and gives dry brittle tresses so much health, shine and vibrancy.

Q. Which is your best selling haircare product from the Flora & Curl collection, and why do you think that it sells more than any of the others in the collection?

A. Our current best seller is our Jasmine Oasis Hair Mist, and behind it our Rose & Honey Milk Leave-in. Textured, curly hair is naturally dry and requires moisture and people are always on the lookout for effective solutions. Our customers love the effect of our botanical hair mist.

Q. Do you have any recent product launches that you want to shout about, and what is next to be released from Flora & Curl?

A. We are not currently looking into new product development, but later in the year we will be looking into expanding the range to including more styling and conditioning products.

Huge thanks to Rose for taking the time to answer our #GirlBossesofGreatBritain Q&A session.

A little about Flora & Curl:
Flora & Curl create natural, non-toxic products for textured hair. Designed to care for frizz, curls, kinks, afros and wiry waves, all products are 100% natural, 100% plant based, sulphate, silicone, paraben and alcohol free – there are no nasties here. Using high quality, potent botanical extracts, plant butters, herbs, clays, natural essential oils, fruit extracts and restorative and active ingredients, each product is designed to restore the hair and scalps natural balance. Flora & Curl is a sustainable brand. All products meet the European Union Directive for Cosmetic Safety, ingredients are sourced from British suppliers, products are cruelty free and made in the UK to help reduce carbon footprint and they use eco-friendly materials. Bottles and packaging are made from recyclable PET and labels are made from recycled paper.

Search online for more information about Flora & Curl.

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Fashion

Girl Bosses Of Great Britain: From Yurts to Yaks – how Nancy Johnston has become one of the UK’s hottest eco-entrepeneurs

Here at House of Coco Magazine, we follow #GirlBosses who touch every corner of the globe. With a huge focus now on sustainable fashion and innovative materials, we’re always looking to find UK entrepreneurs who champion this industry. Nancy Johnston is the UK based founder of London lifestyle brand and social business, Tengri. The outcome of a realisation of her childhood dream to travel and explore the remotest parts of Mongolia, Tengri has led her to lead the sustainable manufacture of ‘noble yarns’. Protecting and preserving some of the world’s most remote indigenous communities, with emphasis on conservation and environmental progression, Nancy has become a formidable force in sustainability. Operating in the luxury goods sector, she is responsible for a powerful and disruptive business model making positive change for good in the consumer supply chain process. Our #TeamCoco girl Jenna grabbed ten minutes with this trail blazing social entrepreneur to talk dream collaborations and being at the forefront of eco-luxury…

“JC: Nancy, I just love how your branding links back to the Mongolian roots with the word ‘Tengri’ meaning a pantheon of sky gods that govern human existence and natural phenomenon on earth. Other than the country of origin, what inspiration helped you decide on a final brand name?

NJ: When you travel through Mongolia, you’re always under the endless blue skies and you see blue ribbons around trees, rocks and other spiritual places honouring Tengri. As a name, it just felt right. Tengri was also the name of my friend’s cat in Mongolia and I liked the meaning so much that I borrowed it! When I wanted to use the name, I asked the nomadic families for their thoughts, they gave me their blessing and they asked me to ensure that everything I do is done in the highest honour.

JC: Other than the herder families’ livelihoods, their yaks, and the Mongolian landscape – what else made you fall in love with Mongolia?

NJ: I travelled to Mongolia in 2013, a lifelong dream I had carried for 20 years. The vast landscapes, the nomadic herders’ way of life, the strength and self-reliance of the Mongolian people (young and old) living off the land and animals in such a remote and isolated place all captivated me.

I love how the people really respect and honour their past while forging a new modern cultural identity. It’s one of the few places in the world where a third of the population is still living the traditional nomadic way of life that’s been around for thousands of years. This unique way of living is the highest form of sustainable living and I find it baffling to see that it is also what makes it possible to supply natural fibres into the global luxury goods sector. Mongolia is the second biggest supplier of luxury fibres to the world market and this dynamic and their relationship with the land, animals and global market is also what intrigues me.

JC: As Fashion is a large element of the Tengri brand, who is a dream designer that you’d like to partner with?

NJ: Under our collective team we work with many inspiring creatives, revolutionary and visionary figure heads, creating unique, directional pieces for modern life and we’ve been approached by a number of luxury fashion brands keen to work with our noble yarns as a prestige fibre with a transparent supply chain, but Issey Miyake and the late Alexander McQueen are two designers who I would love to partner with. They both have mastery of fabrics and demonstrate amazing artistic vision in their collections.

JC: At House of Coco, we’re all about finding new uses for Luxury products – what is the most unique product you’ve seen Yak fibre used for?

NJ: I’m proud to say that in terms of yak fibres we are truly at the forefront of innovative use. Tengri’s yak fibres are from a rare species of yak found in the Khangai region of Mongolia. These precious Yak grow hair with unique textures and colourings, found only in animals native to this region where they graze on mineral-rich grasslands. The fibre, which is as soft as cashmere, has incredible natural properties: it is warmer than merino wool and naturally resistant to odours and water. Naturally thermo-regulating, the fibres withstand temperatures from -40 to +40 degrees in the wild; they also regulate moisture, aiding optimum conditions for sleep. With this in mind we have facilitated one of the world’s most luxurious sleep systems together with prestige bed maker Savoir Beds. With only 50 produced, the Savoir No1 Khangai transcends all levels of comfort currently available, implementing sustainable noble yarns with incredible natural properties for a guilt-free slumber. This is just the start of even more innovative uses of yak fibre!

JC: As consumer’s impact on the environment is at the heart of what you do, how do you feel about the Vegan movement and their thoughts on animal products? Has there been any conflict between being an eco activist and owning an animal-based brand?

There is a lot of miseducation with those who are trying to do well for animals but in fact are actually harming them by selecting synthetic alternative materials which cause negative impact to the environment and in turn the animals. Tengri is actually operating in-line with nature and many Vegan movement values. Our work does no harm to either the environment or animals and for nomadic families living near the Tundra in Tiaga zone where it is impossible to have vegetables, living with animals is the only way to survive. It’s important to educate consumers that mass farming and agricultural practice is harmful, painful shearing practices and killing an animal for its fur is horrific and I am fiercely against all of those. Mongolian herder families and the nomadic way of living and doing business with Tengri hasn’t been much of a conflict and in fact, I have been able to gain support and alliance with many vegans. Our philosophy and values are the same and what works in one part of the world does not necessarily work in another.

JC: Speaking of challenging situations, what was the biggest obstacle you encountered whilst introducing Yak Noble Fibre to the UK market?

NJ: Every batch of fibres from our beautiful Khangai Yak will always be different and developing these fibres into yarns, fabric and finished product is an intensely scientific and technical process. It’s where my knowledge of chemistry, biology and physics from studying to be a doctor comes in handy! This is slow fashion in its most beautiful form which overturns the traditional fashion calendar – we’re learning from nature.

JC: With the rise of female entrepreneurs and female led empowerment, who are your favourite #GirlBosses? Who inspires you?

NJ: Karren Brady because she’s redefined social norms as the first female boss of a football club, a phenomenal business leader and inspiration.

JC: What advice do you have for women who would like to become a #GirlBoss like yourself?

NJ: Go into it with conviction and just do it, no matter how big or small that first step. It’s okay to think and be different. Starting a business takes a lot of hard work, sheer grit and long hours. Just to take that first step and keep going.. Where there is a will, there is a way and in the words of Friedrich Nietzsche, “If you know the why, you can live any how”.

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Find out more about Nancy Johnston and her journey at tengri.co.uk.

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Beauty

Interview with Dr Krystyna – From teeth to botox, the do-it-all dentist

In the market for Botox? Finally, want to give in to teeth whitening? We say do it. If it makes you feel better about yourself and adds a level of confidence to your lifestyle, then we’re all for it. Our only advice? Do your research and check our Powers Dental Group.

Whether you’re after plumper lips, a smoother forehead or a fresh set of pearly whites, choosing the right procedure and clinic is a MUST. Enter Dr Krystyna… a fully qualified dentist with a passion for cosmetic dentistry, Botox and dermal fillers. As a member of The British Dental Association, the Royal College of Surgeons Faculty of Dental Surgery and the International Team for Implantology, Dr Krystyna is a trusted professional.

We wanted to find all about why choosing a dentist for facial aesthetics is always the best route for such procedures…

How did it all begin?

Being a dentist was always my passion, both my parents were dentists and they inspired me to study the profession myself. Once I had finished my dental degree and began working in practice, I realised I was able to expand and pursue other avenues within the profession. I naturally gravitated towards facial aesthetics and cosmetics because I wanted to be able to offer people a service that enhanced their appearance. I find it very satisfying to offer my patients opportunities to advance both their dental and facial cosmetic issues and improve their personal confidence as a result.

Why are dentists best placed to offer facial aesthetics?

The truth is dentists are ideally placed to perform facial aesthetics treatments since we have undergone 5 years of undergraduate training focusing solely on the face! The intensive training and education of a dental degree give the most specialised understanding and surgical skills to undertake facial cosmetic treatment. We have an in-depth knowledge of oro-facial anatomy: musculature, blood supply, neural supply and function so can be precise with the application of cosmeceuticals and neurotoxins. We can fully control and remove pain through anaesthesia. Risk factors are also minimised through the technical skill of dental training with empathy and sensitivity to provide the best care for every patient being ideally met in a dental practice environment. You can always rely on a Philadelphia cosmetic dentist.

Any advice for someone looking to embark on facial aesthetic treatment?

My advice is to take the time to find a reputable practitioner who is appropriately qualified. Ensure the clinic is clean and safe, and the materials used are licensed and registered. Worryingly, there are a lot of fake clinics which could lead to disastrous consequences. Would you really want to risk it for a cheap deal?

What treatments do you offer?

The Dr.Krystyna clinics offer a wide range of high quality, bespoke dental cosmetic and facial aesthetic treatments. Tooth whitening, Invisalign clear braces and composite tooth bonding are all available to get you to that winning smile. Botox/Anti-wrinkle and dermal filler to treat all areas of the face and neck to give people a more natural, youthful appearance or to enhance one’s lips, cheeks or chins. I also can use botox to combat excessive underarm sweating and jaw clenching habits!

What’s the diff between botox and fillers?

Botox and dermal fillers do different things but can be used in complementary fashion. Botox is a muscle relaxer and dermal fillers, as their name implies fill lines or can be used to add volume. Botox is injected into the muscles that cause wrinkles and relaxes them to reduce the signs of ageing. Dermal facial fillers, on the other hand, are used to add volume to the skin and lips to hydrate and plump. Botox lasts up to 6-9 months whilst fillers last between 12-18 months depending on the area and type used.

As a London-based girl boss, where do you go to enjoy your free time? If you have any that is!

Well, I’ve recently become a founding member of The Curtain Hotel so spent the summer on their rooftop! Some more of my fave bar and restaurants include The Ace Hotel, Village East, Bistrotech and The Hoxton Hotel. I also like to go to Boxpark in Shoreditch for casual weekday hangout.

What’s the future for Dr.K?

Ideally, I would like to expand and build the Dr Krystyna clinic and brand itself in the London, Surrey and Essex areas. I aim to become an approachable and trustworthy name which provides clients easy accessibility to the treatments they desire.

Follow the clinics latest Instagram updates HERE.

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Fitness

Girl Bosses of Great Britain: Taking Ownership of Your Goals with Natali Cohen

Here at House of Coco, we are all about women empowering other women; and this is what GirlBoss Natali Cohen has achieved with her coaching venture – Zestfulness. After spending twelve years of her life as a personal trainer, Natali transformed her passion for fitness into a business that helps women realise their goals — both in fitness and in life. With Zestfulness, Natali Cohen encourages Ownership of your Goals with Natali Cohen, empowering women to take charge of their aspirations and lead fulfilling lives.

According to Natali, Zestfulness is all about teaching people to know their worth. Today, women are often plagued with a barrage of expectations — from having the perfect body, perfect career, and even the perfect family life. By setting these expectations aside, Natali helps her clients take ownership of their lives through the balance of mind and body, enthusiasm, and weekly achievable goals. All this makes Zestfulness a program that helps people tear down the barriers to their own success — and Natali Cohen, a GirlBoss we can all get behind.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background, what inspired you to start Zestfulness?

I have always been passionate about fitness. I started my career as a personal trainer, and for 12 years I thoroughly enjoyed helping my clients achieve their fitness goals. During this time, I began to learn more about the importance of the mind as well as the body in enabling you to achieve your goals. Two years ago, this learning curve inspired me to start Zestfulness. The aim was to empower my clients by helping them to find their inner zing.

What is the essence of Zestfulness? Could you talk us through your business philosophy?

Zestfulness is enthusiasm, excitement, and interest — the key ingredients to help people achieve their goals! The essence of Zestfulness is to “Know Your Worth,” as self-belief is the first step to achievement. My philosophy is to have precise and achievable weekly goals written down that I can take action on. I try not to have an enormous to-do list, as I find this overwhelming and unproductive. Another philosophy I try to live by is to practice being flexible. We all know that life doesn’t always go to plan, so acknowledging this and always moving forward is essential to achieving your ultimate goal.

How does the Zestfulness program help people achieve their goals? 

Zestfulness is about allowing people to take ownership. It is a very personal process, therefore I never tell a client what to do. Each Zestfulness program is unique to the client. We focus on strategies and working on any barriers which have been holding them back. It is inspiring to see how quickly after the session, clients are taking action and making things happen. It does help that there is Zestfulness homework as this is when goals are achieved.

Ownership of your Goals with Natali Cohen

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced as an entrepreneur so far?

My biggest challenge was the stigma people have about having a life coach; and the misconception that there must be something “wrong” with people if they need a coach. There was an image that I would make clients meditate for hours on end, go vegan, and hug trees. Slowly, people became less dubious and I had to explain that Zestfulness is only about what a client wants to do — and not what I think they should do. They will only hug trees if they want to.

What’s next for you and Zestfulness? Are there any new exciting projects in the pipeline?

The next step for Zestfulness is to continue to spread the “know your worth” message, which initially inspired me to launch the brand. I would like to enable more people to experience this way of thinking. The most rewarding part of my job has always been seeing the results — whether that be in terms of fitness or in the mind. When clients gain the realisation that they CAN do something which they previously had a barrier up against, is the best feeling. There are many exciting projects in the pipeline over the next few months all of which will focus on spreading the Zestfulness mantra.

What advice do you have for women who would like to become a GirlBoss like yourself?

My advice is to stop waiting for the right time to start something. As an entrepreneur, you will have many highs and lows. It is extremely important that on those low days, you keep your end goal in sight and remember why you started. It can be scary, but it is worth it in the long term. My main advice is that some people will not see your vision and you will hear the word no a lot! It is important to surround yourself with people that encourage and support you, and don’t waste precious energy on those that do not see your vision.

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Beauty

5 Ways to Improve Your Skincare by Girl Boss of Great Britain Helen Elldred

#TeamCoco beauty writer Rachel McAlley recently interviewed Girl Boss of Great Britain Helen Elldred, Founder of Effortless Skin, who offered her unique knowledge on how to improve our overall general skincare routine.

Helen has listed ‘5 Ways To Improve Your Skincare’ for House of Coco this May.

1. Know your skin type
With the thousands of brands on the market you’d be forgiven for getting a little confused about which products to include in your skincare regime. That’s why it’s important to understand your skin type and whether you have any particular conditions or concerns that should be addressed. You know your skin better than anyone. Is it oily with the occasional break out? Dry and tight? A combination of both? Once you’ve determined this, you can make your skincare work for you by choosing effective, results-driven products that are suitable for your skin.

2. Diet
It’s easy to zone out from those doctor types who are constantly telling us we are what we eat, but unfortunately, it’s true. If you eat a lot of processed, high sugar or high fat foods, it’s going to take its toll in some way. Spots and blemishes, dull, lacklustre skin, and skin that looks and feels dehydrated are just some of the side effects of a nutrient-deficient diet. Needless to say, when vegetables, fruits and a healthy balance of protein, fats and carbohydrates are part of your regular diet, your skin, and your skincare will thank you. When your diet works hand in hand with your skincare, you’re going to see much better results.

3. Applying your skincare
The process of applying your skincare can have an impact on how effective it is. Let’s take a serum, for example. Applying a serum to the palm of your hand means you start losing the product in your hand before it’s even had a chance to reach your face. Take a pea-sized amount of product and apply directly to the face. Use a gentle, light, upward motion and massage it into the skin until it’s been fully absorbed.

4. Vitamin A
Arguably the most important ingredient in skincare, vitamin A has many skin health benefits and generates some amazing results, especially when tackling sun damage and discolouration, spots and break outs, and those pesky fine lines that get deeper as we get older. Vitamin A has many derivatives such as retinol, retinal and tretinoin. All of these derivatives have to be converted to retinoic acid by the skin so the derivative you choose will determine how quickly this process takes place, and how gentle it is on the skin. Retinol, for example, takes two conversion steps before it’s converted to retinoic acid, whereas, retinaldehyde only takes one.

The new Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 contains a specialist crystal-encapsulated form of 0.06% retinaldehyde, which is quicker and easier for the skin to convert into retinoic acid.

5. Sun Protection
The best skincare regime in the world won’t give you the results you’re looking for without this crucial last step….sun protection. The higher factor the better and don’t just apply when the sun is shining. Wear it 24/7/365! UVA rays (those that age the skin rather than burn it) reverse the hard work you’re doing with the rest of your skincare regime, and they often exacerbate certain skin conditions such as hyperpigmentation and discolouration. Plus, if you’ve introduced a vitamin A product into your regime, it’s imperative you wear sunscreen as the sun and vitamin A combined can sensitise the skin when it’s not protected.

About the author
Helen Elldred is the Founder of Effortless Skin, the UK’s leading online retailer of cosmeceutical and results-driven skincare. Since 2009, Effortless Skin has been the online destination for people wanting effective, innovative and specialist skin care that provides noticeable improvements in the appearance of prematurely ageing skin, hyperpigmentation, acne, rosacea, eczema, and sun damage.

Here are a few of Effortless Skin’s most sought after skincare products right now!

Osmosis Catalyst AC-11 DNA Repair Serum

This antioxidant serum encourages collagen production, smoothes and brightens the skin. it’s been shown to increase DNA repair by up to 33%.

Epionce Daily Shield Lotion Tinted SPF 50

This high factor, everyday sunscreen is suitable for all skin types. Those who don’t want to wear foundation during the summer months will love the slight universal tint.

Intraceuticals Rejuvenate Gentle Cleanser

Anyone suffering with dry, tight or sensitive skin will feel instant relief from this gentle cleanser. Skin is left feeling hydrated and supple.

iS clinical Sheald Recovery Balm

A great, all-round skin repair product, the Sheald Recovery Balm from iS Clinical contains barrier-repairing ceramides and helps to re-build and repair compromised, delicate skin.

Search online for Effortless Skin.

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Accessories

Girl Bosses of Great Britain: Milena Jaeckel on Balancing Style and Function

Iphoria combines cute statement slogans, colourful prints and motifs, and fashionable functionality to create a quirky range of accessories that are definitely House of Coco approved. From graphic rechargeable phone cases, transparent in flight bags, and funky exchangeable strap micro-bags; Iphoria’s accessories are enough to make any wanderlust enthusiast swoon.

Team Coco sits down with Iphoria’s founder, Milena Jaeckel, who started Iphoria straight out of university. We talk about the challenges of being a young businesswoman, the inspiration behind her latest collection, and what makes her a Girl Boss.

Milena Jaeckel of Iphoria

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background, what inspired you to start Iphoria?
I was born 1989 in Niedersachen. After school, I began studying fashion design before I eventually switched to international management. During my studies, I realised that there were no fashionable accessories for all my technological gadgets — and this was pretty much where the idea for Iphoria came from.

2. What kind of woman you are designing for? Who is the Iphoria woman?
The Iphoria Woman is a modern Cosmopolitan Woman who lives in a big city, loves fashion, works hard and travels a lot.

3. Talk us through your latest collection. Do you have a favourite piece?
Our latest collection is very colourful and super fun. Apart from our classic phone cases, bags, sunglasses cases and other accessories, we added some cool new products; such as the wireless QI charger and our new Inflight bags as well. They are so functional and stylish;one of my favourites. However, I also love the cashmere collection as it looks great, has amazing quality, and it is super comfortable.

4. What has been the biggest challenge you have faced as an entrepreneur so far?
The biggest challenge is to keep on going and believing in your idea. Even if you have doubts, you have to stay strong and believe that it will all work out in the end.
Also for me — as I was pretty young when I founded Iphoria. I had to negotiate with people who were twice my age and had more experience than I did. Sometimes it was hard to be taken seriously as a businesswoman.

5. What’s next for you and Iphoria? Any new exciting projects in the pipeline?
We have some new projects and cool collaborations planned which I can’t really talk about, but I can promise you that they are going to be super exciting – so watch this space!

6. What advice do you have for women who would like to become a GirlBoss like yourself?
Being a GirlBoss means hard work. You have to be tough and confident. Dare to realize your dreams, and most importantly: Believe in yourself and your idea!

“The biggest challenge is to keep on going and believing in your idea. Even if you have doubts, you have to stay strong and believe that it will all work out in the end.” – Milena Jaeckel

IPHORIA

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Accessories

Girl Bosses of Great Britain: Eden Diodati a Label of Love

Lawyer, model, businesswoman, and philanthropist; Jennifer Ewah has it all. Her brand, Eden Diodati, which takes its name from a combination of the heavenly garden of Eden, and the Swedish Italian theologian Giovanni Diodati; combines fine jewellery with female empowerment. Not only does Eden Diodati donate 10% of dividends to Médecins sans Frontières, their business model creates sustainable livelihood for a cooperative of 5000 women artisans who have survived Rwandan genocide. Beautiful jewellery for an even more beautiful cause? Now that is Girl Boss Team Coco can get behind.

Jennifer Ewah of Eden Diodati

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background, what inspired you to start Eden Diodati?

Eden Diodati is my label of love. It was started at the convergence of two inextricably linked concepts: love and creativity. At the heart of our ethos is the desire to serve others, matched only by the desire to see inner beauty reflected through outer beauty in design. Luxury fashion is an ideal medium. It is a unique communicator of visual and social ideas as well as a conduit of individual and collective aspirations.

Eden Diodati was born out of a fascination and desire to capture the compassion, empathy, and strength that lie at the heart of the beauty of the women that I know – my mother who is a doctor, being the foremost example. The ethical aspect of the brand is not independent of the aesthetic; it informs and inspires it in the most fundamental way. The mission of our brand goes far beyond selling as many pieces as we can. As an ethically responsible business, we have a message to convey, as well as positive social benefits to be accountable for. I was dissatisfied with the status quo of ethical accessories and the perception of fair trade. So after a trip to Cairo with the World Fair Trade Organisation, Eden Diodati was born. We aim to marry elevated design with social justice.

2. Tell us a little bit about Eden Diodati, what makes this different from other jewellery brands in the market?
A piece of jewellery is not just an accessory, but also a conversation piece. Every Eden Diodati piece carries a powerful message of resilience and transformation from those whose lives have been improved through its creation. This is the essence of the future, as that same future embraces and encompasses socially ethical luxury. We are reaching a tipping point of consumer awareness and concern for people and planet; the sustainability movement is the zeitgeist of our era. It will continue to define the spirit or mood of our time in history and will increasingly become of central importance to the luxury industries.

Our pieces are hand-beaded in a social cooperative with 5,000 women artisans who survived the genocide in Rwanda. This group of women have the highest level of craftsmanship skill and creative sensibility. The Hutu and Tutsi ethnicities working side-by-side, supporting each other as artisan sisters of excellence – in a model of peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation. We have provided income to roughly 150 of the women but our goal is to scale up and support more. We also plan to move to Fairtrade precious metals in our production.

 
3. Talk us through your philanthropic efforts. How does Eden Diodati help marginalised women in Rwanda? 
We provide the social cooperative with extremely lucrative margins per piece, buying stock upfront, but with the added intangible benefit of showcasing the craftsmanship of my partner artisans who have triumphed in the face of adversity.

Eden Diodati is a brand which aims to evoke inner beauty, by actively seeking out socially marginalised women to support, and through an ethical business approach of love and inclusiveness, that is then elevated through design. Our wearable philanthropy means that we donate 10% of dividends to Médecins sans Frontières . We recognise the need to address human fragility on a global scale whilst simultaneously uplifting those trapped in the desperate cycle of economic and social hardship, sustainable enterprise transforms lives.
 
4. Eden Diodati is proudly a sustainable luxury brand. How do you marry sustainability with luxury? 
The roots of luxury are in slow production and artisanal craft, rather than fast and mass production.
It is Eden Diodati’s aim to challenge the paradigm by creating a luxury brand that is constantly serving those who are socially vulnerable through disability, abuse or marginalisation. Across the globe, luxury consumers are becoming less concerned about symbols and increasingly conscious about the value of a product based on its environmental and social impact.
Currently, there are a number of sustainable brands in the market, but they tend to cater for younger consumers and are focused on casual pieces.

5. What has been the biggest challenge you have faced as entrepreneurs so far?
The biggest challenge that I have personally faced is running the brand whilst working full time in a senior capacity as a professional (a lawyer) but we are recruiting!

6. What advice do you have for women who would like to become a GirlBoss like yourself?
Stay true to your vision, draw internal inspiration from it, never give up, and have faith! And especially to social entrepreneurs – love never fails.

“We are reaching a tipping point of consumer awareness and concern for people and planet; the sustainability movement is the zeitgeist of our era.” – Jennifer Ewah of Eden Diodati

Eden Diodati

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Designer

Girl Bosses of Great Britain: Emma Pake and the Perfect Swimsuit

Here at House of Coco, we celebrate the Girl Bosses of Great Britain; women who have taken the brave leap into entrepreneurship and have become all the better for it. We sit down with Emma Pake, whose stunning tropical art-deco-inspired swimwear collection, Emma Pake and the Perfect Swimsuit, has won over both Selfridges and Net-a-Porter in its first year.

After prestigious stints at Giles Deacon in London and Zac Posen in New York; Emma Pake honed her business savvy through a successful buying career before beginning her eponymous label. For Emma, swimwear is never an afterthought. Sourcing only the most luxurious European fabrics, and custom designing each print; Emma Pake is redefining swimwear — one irresistible swimsuit at a time.

Emma Pake and the Perfect Swimsuit

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background, what inspired you to start your own brand?

I have been creative ever since I was a little girl. Whether it was pointing out the changing colours of leaves in autumn, baking with my mum, or mastering the art of cross-stitch, the world around me has always inspired me to create.

After training in Central Saint Martins, I embarked on a career in buying. I covered a wide range of categories; most recently specialising in Lingerie and Swimwear. My husband and I had long dreamed of having our own business; and the more we thought about it, the more it made sense to build on my experience and passion for the category I was so immersed in. During a New Year’s break in the sun, we decided to pool together our savings, take the leap, and create something together. A few months later, our new adventure began.

2. Tell us about your brand. Why have you decided to focus on swimwear?

With my knowledge of the industry and background in buying, swimwear was a natural choice for me. However, what it really came down to, was a desire to create beautiful things; be it a one-of-a-kind swimsuit, or a dress to take you from beach to bar. Our beachwear is a celebration of colour and design. I custom design every print, carefully placing it on each garment to flatter the body and create flattering lines, complimenting these with bold solid silhouettes. I love exploring unexpected elements such as tassels, elastics, and matte hardware, dyed to match the specific colours of the season. That’s what excites me the most — all the little details that go into making an irresistible piece.

3. What has been the biggest challenge you have faced as a businesswoman so far?

The biggest challenge for me so far has to be managing the business after the birth of my son, Max, in December. I am lucky to have an incredibly supportive network of family and friends who have enabled me to able split myself between being a Mummy and being a businesswoman – but it’s not easy. I try to keep focused on one day at a time and plan my weeks with military precision. My son Max, however, often has different ideas!

4. Talk us through your latest Collection, the inspiration behind it and if you have a favourite piece.

This collection is inspired by primary colours and the simplicity of black and white. I wanted to create a beachwear wardrobe that was more in tune with a traditional wardrobe; one with a clear shift from day to night. The black and white net print and monochrome solids have an air of evening wear, while the bright colours of the electric rainbow and deco wave prints are more playful and dynamic.

We have introduced many new silhouettes for Spring 2018, including the Valentina spliced mesh, high-neck swimsuit, which is a personal favourite of mine. It’s bold, confident, and feminine – the perfect combination.

5. What’s next for you? Are there any new exciting projects in the pipeline?

As a young brand, we are still learning and building on what Emma Pake means to people as a brand; so it’s a really exciting time for me as we try new things and evolve who we are. Over the next year, we will be growing our Ready to Wear/Beachwear category by over 50% and introducing a wide range of new fabrics to complement our swimwear. We are also looking to launch pop-up shops to help bring the Emma Pake world to life and meet even more of our customers in person.

6. What advice do you have for women who would like to become a GirlBoss like yourself?

Love what you do, because it’s both the hardest and most rewarding job you’ll ever have. A passion for your business, self-discipline, and a commitment to innovating and evolving are all essential. Stay positive through the lows and remember to celebrate the highs, it is after all why you’re doing it.

“Stay positive through the lows and remember to celebrate the highs, it is after all why you’re doing it.” – Emma Pake

emmapake.com

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