Interviews - House Of Coco Magazine

Interviews July 13, 2022

An Interview with La Tarot Spirits : The Gin Brand of the Moment

If it doesn’t have gin then it doesn’t mean a thing. With the rise in gin lovers all over the world, we’re all becoming connoisseurs when it comes to choosing the best brands out there to compliment that glass of tonic. Recently, we stumbled across Le Tarot Spirits, a gin brand that speaks to us on so many levels.

Launched during difficult times, this is a brand that is going to last the test of time. We spent some time with one of their founders, Liz, to find out more…

Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching your brand, Le Tarot Spirits…

The beginning of Le Tarot coincides with the early days of Covid-19: I suspect several new enterprises boast a similar tale. We were sitting as a group discussing ideas and opportunities to create a business, clawing back a little control in our respective lives. The burgeoning pandemic had caused job losses and uncertain futures for our little band, and out of the blue came the idea to create a brand of gin using the iconography and artistry associated with tarot.

We have always had an affinity with France and moving down to the Occitanie region only opened our eyes to just how much culture and history is woven into everything: from the markets to the buildings and to the landscape itself. Every building has a story; every doorway seems to have a link back to its medieval origins. Most notably, the Occitan Cross is ubiquitous, adorning everything from castle gateways to corner shop doorways. Originally used as the coat of arms for a French count, it grew popular in the region and is still to be found in modern iconography of the area. Its importance is paramount, and so we wanted to make sure it was equally prominent in our design work.

We soon realised that the mystique and artwork of the age-old French Tarot card game would perfectly translate to what we were attempting to create, and it inspired the intricate designs that adorn our bottles. Our aim was to not only create a distinct flavour using botanicals found in this rich area of France, but to bottle it in a way that was equally vibrant

Where did your love and interest of gin come from?

On a hot, sultry, summer’s day, there’s nothing quite as refreshing as the zesty citrus flavours of a quality summer gin, poured over a rockfall of ice and mixed with a splash of tonic water. I first discovered this sensation when I was attending a wedding on a glorious summer day and a friend suggested I try a good-old G&T. Since then, I have sought out and collected (sampled too!) a wide range of gins from different parts of the world. I have always been drawn to not only the tastes but also the bottle and label designs, which I find fascinating at times.

Do you plan to expand your range in the future to offer more than gin?

Interestingly, we are just in the process of doing so. We have recently introduced new barware items to our online shop, as well as some fabulous gin-infused Belgian chocolates made for us by an excellent chocolatier. In addition to this, this autumn we will be launching a new gin! I can’t give away too much, but House of Coco will be first to know what we have up our sleeves!

Looking back since launching the brand, is there anything you would do differently?

I think we would probably have researched and better understood the implications of events like Brexit and the impact on our ability to reach out to the European market: something that even bigger and long-established gin producers are simply not bothering with.

Who’s involved in the business and what are their roles?

Le Tarot is very much a team effort. I work alongside my fellow directors, Ben and Mike; and between us we set the course for the brand and products. Behind us we have several colleagues and contributors – Josh and Rebecca carry out much of the day-to-day activity involved in running a drinks business. Holly Burnston provides us with much of our marketing imagery. My brother Paul has been indispensable as both a sounding-board and advisor on all things creative (he works as a creative producer for a television company). Of course, there is the extensive list of friends and family without whom we would not be where we are now.

For anyone interested in launching a drinks brand, what advice would you offer them?

Really get to know and understand your numbers! The up-front investment costs can be significant, particularly for small-batch producers like us at Le Tarot. There are numerous cost elements that build up to the selling price of a bottle, many of which only become apparent when you have passed the point of no return in investment terms! Once you have done the less than inspiring work on the figures, focus on realizing your dream; don’t be put off pursuing anything you are passionate about whether it be imagery, taste, design, description – nothing! If you keep pushing, you will achieve your end goal. Oh! And don’t expect to make your fortune: margins are tight, and the market is very competitive. Do it for the right reasons first and foremost: because you want to!

What do you do when you are lacking creativity?

Pour myself a gin and tonic: Le Tarot Soleil, of course! Seriously though, I find that taking the time to “re-set” is often the best way to reinvigorate the creative mind. This resetting takes many forms: it could be a simple walk through the local forest; sitting on a sandy beach, eyes closed, listening to the sound of breaking waves and feeding off the energy they have. It could be inhaling fresh mountain air and bathing in the surrounding nature. In essence, for me, rejuvenating the creative process is about putting aside the complexities that come with life generally, and modern life particularly, and getting back to what is important: an affinity with the natural world and fellow human beings.

Being creative has become easier for me in a way as I now live in the part of France that was largely responsible for the whole Le Tarot concept. I live in a mediaeval village north of Carcassonne in the Occitanie region of what is technically South-West France – Cathar Country.

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

Until recently, social media was our only platform for marketing and brand exposure, other than old-fashioned word of mouth. In the last few months we have expanded beyond this with the assistance of wonderful magazines such as House of Coco. We have been wowed by the interest from sources like this, and we are very proud to be associated with high-end publications like yours.

What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?

That’s an easy one. US President Calvin Coolidge:

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘Press On!’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”

The team and I believe this to be harmonious with our inspiration “Terre Courage”, which is found on the neck-label of our bottles and our logo. It is the motto of the Ariège département of Occitanie, nestled between the Carcassonne plain and the foothills of the towering Pyrénées. Ultimately, Terre Courage represents an enduring human spirit, and the rewards that living with nature can bring – just like the botanicals brought together and distilled into our artisan gin.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is on your must visit list?

I have visited this country before, but I really want to go back and spend much more time exploring everything this incredible place has to offer: New Zealand.

Where do you see the brand in the next 5 years?

We have a medium-term plan for the creation of a number of gins that will each be distinct in flavour, style and branding; yet they will form a recognizable group of products. I firmly believe we will be able to achieve our goals without losing the heart and soul that makes Le Tarot spirits what it is: exclusive, artisanal, of the highest quality, and gins that take you on a journey from wherever you happen to be at the moment to an inspirational place where you experience the differences in culture, geography and the essence of what makes a location special.

Where can people find out more?

Le Tarot spirits is available to buy exclusively online at www.letarot-spirits.com

Also follow us on

Instagram: @letarotspirits

Facebook: Le Tarot Spirits

Interviews July 13, 2022

Dogily: Brand for You and Your Four-Legged Bestie

Every man and his dog has a dog these days, pardon the pun. More and more places are becoming dog friendly too so it means that you can take your four-legged bestie with you everywhere that you go. Thanks to Dogily, you can do that in style too.

Dogily is the fashionable brand for dog mums and their fur babies to prove that twinning really is winning. We spent some time with their founder, Alex Mak, to find out more…

Tell us about the journey that lead you to launch your brand, Dogily

I started keeping my first ever Corgi 2 years ago, and as a dog-mum and a fashion-conscious shopper, this idea of matching outfits caught my attention and I tried looking for matching accessories online. However, I saw a sea of pet accessories in the market but they are either too cute to match with my daily outfit or their price is going over my budget. Nothing in between. That’s when I realized that there aren’t many options for reasonably-priced quality pet accessories which fits my fashion taste… So one day while talking with my team, we decided to create our own brand to serve fashionable dog-mums like me!

You believe that pets deserve to dress well. Why was this important to you?

As a fashion-loving dog mum, it came naturally to me. I like how intimate and proud it feels when my dog is dressing well with me.

How do you want dogs to feel when they wear your products?

I want them to feel extra loved whenever they wear Dogily’s pieces, especially when they are twinning with their owner. Our dog-and-me outfits showcase the unique loving bond between owner and dog. It is a way to spoil your furry babies and make them feel loved and cherished. Making them feel physically comfortable is important as well. Dogs know when the clothes are rough and uncomfortable. That’s why we solely pick the best materials that they will absolutely enjoy wearing all day long.

Looking back since launching the brand, is there anything you would do differently?

I would probably do more research on what material to use for our products. We’ve chosen really the highest quality materials to work on, making the pricing hard to compete with other brands. Product price is one of the most crucial factors for our customers to buy from a new start up brand. So more people can try our products more easily.

How often do you launch a new product and what’s the process behind it?

We launch new collections irregularly depending on the market demand. We always LOVE to hear feedback from our customers and followers and only want the BEST for them. Before launching, we spend time studying the market, and researching the needs of most dog parents and their pups. Then we invest time to come up with the design and start manufacturing making sure every step is up to the best standard. We won’t disappoint our customers.

For anyone interested in launching a dog-friendly brand, what advice would you offer them?

For those who’re interested in launching dog-friendly brands, they better be pet owners themselves because then they know which suits their dogs and themselves.

Talk us through an average day in your life…

My current day is about work, eating, and being with my dog. It’s such a pleasure to see and play with my cute and crazy corgi girl. My life is filled with so much joy after her joining our family.

What do you do when you are lacking creativity?

I would take some rest and go to the creativity hub or other places to get some ideas to help.

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

Social media is an inevitable part of our lives now and we see the profound impact it has brought to our business so far. Word of mouth plays an important role on our business. Quality is hard to express in words, instead, we let the product speak for themselves. We encourage customers to share their experience on social media and the result is incredible. It’s lovely to see that many of them have shared a cute picture twinning with their fur baby and in this way we can react and interact with them more easily. We utilize social media as a bridge to link us with our customers and of course, potential customers. Our brand is not simply selling products, but spreading the joy of friendship to the utmost.

What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?

I would watch some movies or YouTube videos. I would naturally get the motivation from the characters or the speech.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is on your must-visit list?

For House of Coco readers, I would recommend Hong Kong, where we are based in at the moment! For western readers, Asia is so much different and a lot of wonders you can find during your travel here. You will be amazed by the Asian vibe and culture.

What does self-care mean to you?

Self care means that we take good care of ourselves and live a good life. Because we only live once! Do what you desire because life is too short for hesitations!

Where do you see the brand in the next 5 years?

We would love to see that in the foreseeable future, Dogily will become the dreamland of pet owners where they effortlessly find great quality stuff for their pets. Whenever they have to shop for their pets, Dogily would be the first brand that pops up in their minds.

Where can people find out more?

To learn more about Dogily and what they offer, feel free to visit our official website: dogily.com

Culture July 6, 2022

In Conversation with: DJ Amazonica

DJ, songwriter, musician and one of the most stylish people in the music industry, Amazonica AKA Victoria ‘Harry’ Harrison is THE DJ of the moment and has performed for some of the world’s biggest celebrities and has spun tunes some of the most exciting parties.

Not only is she a highly regarded DJ, she’s also a fantastic singer-songwriter and musician too. Music Editor Emma Harrison caught up with her to talk about DJ’ing at the Cannes film festival, her forthcoming support slot with indie rockers The Libertines, her dream collaborations and what makes a great playlist.

A huge welcome to House of Coco, as one of the sought after DJ’s in the world who has DJ’d at some of the hugest events like official premiere afterparties – please can you tell us a little bit more about how you got started in music? I understand that you were signed at the tender age of just 15?

Yes, I loved alternative music so I answered an ad in the Melody Maker when I was 15 to work with Jon Klein from Siouxie and The Banshees and some other notable goth heroes who taught me the way around the studio. I would come up to London on the train after school and record and learn my craft which led to me getting signed at 15. After that I ended up recording my first album with Youth from Killing Joke after he did The Verve’s incredible album. That was my start in music. Unfortunately, Telstar Records went bust and left me in limbo for a while with my recorded music, but during the pandemic I got the rights back to my first 2 albums, so now they’re available to stream and I set up my little indie record label for it.

What kind of music were you listening to and what or who was influencing you as you started out?

Nirvana changed my life. I loved grunge, goth, rock and metal but I also really really loved Hip Hop. I saw Lauryn Hill at Brixton Academy when I was 18 and I really loved the Miseducation album. I also loved going to clubs and dancing all night to industrial music. Growing up half the time in England we had some incredible dance music happening like The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers etc.

Your album ‘Songs from the Edge’ is out now. Sonically, this is different from your previous work. How did this record come about and what inspired you to make it?

Honestly, it was an absolute nightmare. I mean this album really helped me because I was newly sober recording it so it helped save my life, but everything to do with the business aspect of it was nightmare upon nightmare upon soul crushing nightmare. But that’s over now and I own it and it’s out finally everywhere.

Do you have a favourite track from the album? If so what is it and why is it your favourite?

I think ‘Get High’ is beautiful and really hypnotic. It reminds me of Janes Addiction. But as whole I’m proud of that entire album, it was the first album I wrote entirely on guitar myself.

When it comes to creating music, what comes first – the lyrics or the music?

I usually strum some chords or play on the keyboards and then usually the words and melody come out sort of simultaneously.

You released ‘The Trouble with… Harry remastered ‘The history’ at the back end of last year. It sounds as fresh as ever! How was it revisiting this particular body of work and how do you feel that you have changed since it’s initial release?

Wow, definitely. I was literally a child when I wrote and recorded it and was still heavily into using drugs and alcohol to escape. I was so messed up inside and had so much to deal with. Now when I listen back I have so much compassion for myself and am so bowled over by how much strength and balls I had to do all of that at such a young age. I am so proud of who she was and who I am now – we are two totally different people but I had to be her to be me now.

The albums I’ve done have been the anchors in my life. I haven’t seen the success or audience I would have liked for them due to all the bad luck I had within the music business, but they both really helped me become the person I am today – I literally owe my life to music.

How do you think the music scene has changed since you got started?

The gate keepers have become less important. Before if so-and-so from the magazine or radio station didn’t support you then you were done. Now it’s all about your reach on social media and that’s all to do with how much money you are putting into advertising and marketing or your reach with the algorithms and the support of music playlists.

You have DJ’d at some pretty epic events such as at the BAFTAs, the Oscars and the Golden Globes and more recently the Elvis after party at Cannes film festival – what’s been your favourite event to DJ at and why?

ELVIS was pretty epic. It was a big full circle moment for me because I went to see Diplo DJ about 15 years ago at the Miami music conference before Major Lazer blew up – it was that night that everything clicked for me and I was like I AM A DJ! Then to be at the Cannes Film Festival DJing this incredible event on the croisette facing the Mediterranean Sea knowing that Diplo was playing at the same event. I was like wow, dreams actually come true.

Do you have any standout moments from your career so far?

Probably Wembley when Johnny Depp came up on stage with a rock star I was opening for who shall remain nameless. DJing to 10,000 people is just the biggest rush.

You are set to open up for The Libertines next month – how are you feeling about that? You guys have known each other since they were recording their debut album twenty years ago.

I’m so excited! I love those guys and I am so happy to be back at Wembley with them. It’s just incredible that 20 years later we are all here, alive and that I’m getting to do such an iconic venue with my old mates. It doesn’t get better than that.

You have worked with some pretty stellar names from collaborating with Tommy Lee to touring with Machine Gun Kelly. What would your dream collaboration be and why?

Depeche Mode or Nine Inch Nails would be my ultimate collaboration because their music means so much to me.

What would your advice be to any budding DJ wanting to emulate your success?

Don’t even try it mate! I’m already filling the spot so get in your own lane!

If you could give your younger self who is just starting out in the business some advice based on what you know now, what would it be?

Trust your gut – it’s right about everything.

What makes a good playlist?

An eclectic mix of music. Don’t make it samey. A good playlist should take people on a journey.

You have a super cool dress sense – where do you find your clothes from and how important is it to you to have such a distinctive look?

Thank you! I don’t really think about it too much, I’ve dressed like this my whole life. As I don’t have a stylist it takes some time to find different pieces that work for different events, but it’s worth spending time on.

What’s next on the horizon for you? Do you have any other music projects in the pipeline?

I have a new album waiting to come out. We are just figuring that all out right now so watch this space.

Amazonica’s album ‘Songs from the Edge’ is out now. Head over to her website to follow her on social media and to see where her next shows are.

Interiors June 28, 2022

Interior Designer Siobhan Murphy on her Interior Design Masters success & future projects

Siobhan, Hi! I absolutely LOVED watching you on Interior Design Masters, I adored how bold you were with your designs, you really were a joy to watch! I’d love to know, where did your love of interiors come from?

I actually studied fashion and accessories at Leeds College Of Art back in the late 1990’s so I’ve always been interested in design and I think that fashion and interiors are linked in so many ways, especially when it comes to colours, patterns, textures and fabrics. I have had a real love affair with colour and pattern All my life, Colour has always been so important to me and I love using unusual colour combinations both in my wardrobe and my interior design schemes. I love the creative process of designing and making something, turning something plain and bland into a riot of colour and theatre.

Let’s talk about Interior Design Masters – how did you enjoy the process and how has it impacted your life & career since the show ended?

I have to admit that last year was a total whirlwind, the day after the final of BBC interior Design Masters aired I handed my notice in after 18 years working in the NHS. Since then I’ve been writing an interiors book called More is More Decor which will be published in September and I’ve been busy designing my first ever home collection for Freemans which has seen my sketches, moodboards and designs come to life in actual products which is so exciting! The collection itself comprises of 48 pieces including furniture, bedding, cushions, bases, decorative items, lighting and even the most opulent pink velvet cocktail chair.

Of course I have also been creating some beautiful interior design schemes for both residential and commercial clients including redesigning the offices for Stephs Packed Lunch at Leeds Dock which I work on as an interiors presenter on the show.

I’ve had features in lots of magazines including homestyle magazine, the metro, the telegraph, fabulous magazine,Yorkshire post, living north and the Times. And even my own interiors column in OK! Magazine.

What I really love is the fact that Every day is different and every thing I do involves creativity which makes me incredibly happy!

I’ve just been reading up about your beautiful home in West Yorkshire, what an incredible story! I’d love it if you could share with our readers a little bit about your home, the history and how you came to live there!

Our home is a magnificent 1930s Art Deco property in Castleford, West Yorkshire. The house is called Chatelaine, a French term which means ‘a lady in charge of a large house’. Castleford is an old mining town with many of its streets being lined with red brick terrace houses. Chatelaine, or ‘the White House’ as the locals call it, stands out like a beacon with its imposing size, bright white render and palm frontage. There are many original details still in place such as the internal doors, chrome door handles, parquet flooring, archways, curved ceilings, terrazzo floor tiles, black stone sunken bath and of course the roof terrace.

Chatelaine was designed by Blenkinsopp and Scratchard, renowned architects at the time and commissioned by a lady GP who had apparently moved to Castleford from Scotland under mysterious circumstances according to a news article I found. The lady doctor, Innes Prangnell, had an amazing vision of how she wanted Chatelaine to look, even having the tiles for the bathroom shipped over from Italy. Quite a task in the 1930s.

I imagine the lady doctor enjoyed a really rebellious streak. Legend has it that she wore trousers which in those was considered to be very unladylike-like. She also wore red lipstick, smoked cigerettes and sunbathed in the nude with her friends in the tower room. It certainly must have got the neighbours talking!

Dr Pragnell was about the same age as me when she had the house built and I can imagine just how excited she must have been to see her vision come to life.

Chatelaine passed through different owners and by the 1970s it was in dire need of restoration – so much so, that the local council put a compulsory purchase order on it, and were planning to knock it down. Luckily, a local architect called Terrance Hughes bought the property for the princely sum of £28,000 and set about renovating Chatelaine back to its former glory. Terence even sold his beloved Lotus Elan to pay for a new roof.

I live here with my husband Nick and my gorgeous 12 year old fluffy rag doll cat, Benji. We moved here from a tiny 1970s semi detached which was literally bursting at the seams with stuff so it’s great now that I have plenty of rooms to decorate and space to feed my maximalist interiors habit.

I have always loved this house, even as a young girl I can remember going past in the car and wondering who lived in such a spectacular house and now it’s us! It’s an absolute dream come true.

I love how fearless and bold your designs are, your home is totally gorgeous! What advice would you have for our readers about decorating their homes?

My style is most definitely maximalist, flamboyant, glamorous and bold! I love mixing things up and using a mixture of antique, vintage, designer and high street furniture and decor. And I absolutely adore a statement velvet cocktail chair, preferably at least one in every room!

I love design especially fashion and interiors. I am drawn to colours, pattens, textures, mixing old with new, modern with vintage, someone once deceived my house as escape to the chateaux on acid and that sums it up,perfectly. It’s modern Art Deco, with a few surprises. I absolutely love Art Deco but I am also influenced by many styles and I cannot commit to only one style. I like to mix things up and choose things that I interest me or things that are just incredibly beautiful. I definitely have a thing for velvet cocktail chairs and ostrich feather lamps.

I can take inspiration form a variety of sources, a room design can start with a colour, a wallpaper sample or something random like a beautiful silk scarf or a place that I have visited. For example my master bedroom was inspired by a trip to the Beverly hills hotel on our honeymoon 5 years ago, I ahd always had a huge love for the Martinique wallpaper and the interior designs of Dorothy Draper so I know I wanted to create a botanical inspired bedroom with a nod to the Beverly hills hotel too.

I have a huge collection of interior design books – Im currently reading Making Living Lovely by the 2 lovely gays at it’s a great read filled with amazing tios. I also read a lot of interior design magazines and of course pintrest and instagram are a huge source of inspiration – in fact sometimes i feel so overwhelwed with ideas that I don’t know where to begin. I do love a mood board and most of the time I start with a mood board to define my colour palette and style for the room – these are not set in stome though and I like to tweak and redefine the scheme as I am going along.

My influences for a room could start with an image I have spotted on Instagram or in a magazine, or could simply be around a piece of furniture, a colour or piece of fabric. I have always created moodboards and find them to be a great starting point to pull ideas together and refine my design.

Congratulations on your cushion collaboration with Freemans, what an incredible project to work on! The art deco designs are beautiful, do you have a favourite cushion?

I love them all but my absolute favourite is the pink and white candy stripe cushion with the banana leaf and frilly edge.

Shop the cushion HERE.

Siobhan’s new homeware collection with @freemans will be launching on 11th April 2022 available freemans.com.

Lastly, we’d love to know what’s next for Siobhan Murphy? We absolutely cannot wait to follow your journey here at House of Coco!

My debut interiors book is out this year, More is More Decor it’s basically an interior design handbook full of inspiration and tips and sharing my love of everything maximalism which is Available to pre order now from Amazon HERE.

My home Chatelaine is available to hire as a location house for film, television,advertisements and photo shoots. It’s the perfect backdrop if you like luxury with a quirky edge. To book Siobhan’s house try: Lifestylelocations.co.uk

My homeware collection with @freemans is out on 11th April 2022 available freemans.com

Follow Siobhan’s adventure on Instagram @interiorcurve

Interviews June 17, 2022

Success Worldwide : The One With The Timbermaker

Here at House of Coco we have the pleasure of interviewing business owners from around the world and one thing that is a running theme is that they always wish they started their business sooner. That was no different for Ananth Murthy, co-founder of The Timbermaker.

We spent some time with him to find out more…

Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching your brand, The TimberMaker…

Having worked in the public sector for nearly 13 years I moved to work in the private sector in 2019 for London’s largest owner-operator hotel management company to lead on hotel refurbishment projects. This is where I came across several furniture suppliers in the B2B space, however some of the prices were eye wateringly high for the quality being produced.

This piqued my interest to do a bit more research in the B2C segment where it was a similar story. It was a crowded marketplace with mass-producers of boring furniture made either from MDF or Engineered wood or a combination of solid & MDF wood. While I was in the researching phase the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic & I was made redundant in early 2020.

With my wife heavily pregnant with our second daughter I interviewed for several companies to get back into a job. During this time we were also decorating our eldest daughter’s room & I had ordered a few bits of furniture such as a bunk bed, study table etc. & not only were they expensive but when they arrived I ended up spending 2 days putting them together. They were of extremely cheap quality MDF material & within months they started to fall apart.

This is when I said “never again” to MDF or engineered wood furniture & set out to start my own sustainable & handcrafted solid wood furniture company The TimberMaker in late 2020.

Where did your love and interest of furniture come from?

My wife & I have always been house-proud & therefore when we’re looking for furniture & home furnishing we look for something that is different, quirky & on trend but the market in this segment of handcrafted furniture makers is quite small & if you want sustainably handcrafted limited edition solid wood furniture it is even smaller & often quite expensive making it hard for a lot of potential customers to get their hands on.

I recognized this gap in the market & wanting to make handcrafted solid wood & bespoke furniture more accessible to customers I set up The TimberMaker

How do you want people to feel when they buy you furniture?

We’re not mass producers, we are a design-led atelier where we handcraft each piece in-house & provide customers not just with furniture for them to purchase but for them to proudly own, cherish & make a part of their home & memories for years to come!

All our furniture is designed in our atelier in Jodhpur, India where our exceptionally talented artisans handcraft each piece with the same attention to detail as the other so that we can bring them to customers to enjoy & make it a part of their life, home & memories for years to come. Since we use sustainable natural solid wood our customers can be as close to nature as possible in their own home as they can feel the natural grain & texture of the wood. We want our furniture not just to be a piece but a part of their home which lives with them.

Each of our product design is bespoke & made in limited qualities (no more than 30-50 pieces each) so when our customers buy our products they can be proud of their furniture & show off.

Looking back since launching the brand, is there anything you would do differently?

I wish I had launched my brand sooner so that I could have given the customers what they want and were looking for a lot earlier than 2020/21!

Who’s involved in the business and what are their roles?

The TimberMaker is currently led by myself & my business partner Vineet as co-founders with Vineet taking on the responsibilities of production, quality control, finance & logistics & with me being responsible for the creative direction, growing the brand, marketing, business development & expansion strategies.

Vineet is based in India where we have our own studio & employ our highly skilled artisans from rural communities. Once our furniture has been handcrafted we ship them over to the UK & warehouse it in Kent ready for delivery to our customers.

I’m based in Danbury in Essex where I often meet with private clients, interior designers & other businesses in person to represent The TimberMaker

It is because of this set up we are able to have direct line of sight & control over the quality of our furniture as we don’t rely on third party suppliers of furniture makers.

Talk us through an average day in your life…

As a co-founder of a start-up & a small business I often have to wear multiple hats so no two days are the same for me. One day I’m working on new concept designs for our next batch of furniture & another day I’m creating posts, stories & reels for social media which is a vital part of our marketing efforts since we’re online only.

On other days I am networking with small business owners locally in Essex to learn from them & share my knowledge.

What do you do when you are lacking creativity?

I don’t design our furniture just from a practical perspective, I look at how I can enhance the aesthetics of a space our furniture will live in so that the customer enjoys our product each day so from that perspective I’m always looking at providing our customers with something that is practical, comfortable & aesthetically pleasing. This is one of my main driving factors when it comes to creativity.

Another thing I always make sure I do every day is look at my competitors websites & stories or press releases as to what they are doing/ or not doing. This gives me motivation & gets my creative juices flowing for ideas on how I can differentiate my brand & product offering to those of my competitors.

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

Since we are currently an online only/ e-commerce led brand, digital presence it extremely vital for The TimberMaker. We’re on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Google & even on LinkedIn. Therefore social media plays a really big role in the success of our brand.

Another important factor about our presence on Social Media is that we are able to connect with our customers & followers directly from far and wide to showcase our products as we deliver all across the UK.

What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?

Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is on your must visit list?

Of around 25+ countries I’ve visited over the last 12 years, Costa Rica & Norway are right up there as 1 & 2 must visit places. Its filled with endless scenic trails & both the countries have gone out of their way to preserve the natural beauty & the environment & the people are so sustainability conscious that it is ingrained into their nature.

Where do you see the brand in the next 5 years?

In 5 years I see The TimberMaker selling across the EU & be considered as one of the preferred handcrafted & bespoke furniture makers in the UK

Where can people find out more?

www.timbermaker.com on facebook, Instagram & pinterest @thetimbermaker & linkedin @the-timbermaker & of course in House of Coco magazine!

Interviews June 17, 2022

Success Worldwide With ANASIM

When it comes to the fashion industry, it’s hard to make a name for yourself and stand out but one person who’s managing to do just that is Anna, founder of Anasim. A brand that is one to watch just as much as its founder, strong, powerful and a serious badass, we spent some time with Anna to find out more…

Tell us the journey that lead you to launching your brand, ANASIM…

During my studies in Milan, getting dressed everyday became much more of a prominent and important ritual and routine than ever before. Putting on something fabulous in the morning really helped me feel my most confident during the day. It affected my decision making, the way I interacted with people and where my day would end up.

It was important to me to wear pieces that I could transition from day to evening. Pieces that I could wear for daily wear but then that I could add a bold lip and earrings and change the look totally to head out for dinner. It was these sorts of pieces that I always found hard to scout and track down, which is where ANASIM comes in partly.

Versatility is a big part of the brand. However, it was also the notion of putting on pieces that made me feel my best self and that’s what I wanted to create with ANASIM, collections that reminded people how deserving and how beautiful they are.

All the pieces are incredibly flattering, delicate, beautiful and most importantly: comfortable. It became apparent and very important to me to create something that boosted people, gave them that last little push of confidence for the day ahead to find that confidence to be themselves for who they are.

Fusing high fashion and loungewear is at the forefront of what you do. What made you first settle on this concept?

Having studied Interior Design, my eye for detail lies in visual beauty but also practicality. Silhouette, comfort and longevity of design are all what brings ANASIM together and creates this fusion of high fashion and loungewear. Post lock down, combining elevated fashion with comfort was ultimately what the consumer realised they wanted and I don’t think this will change; to feel good in and out of their home in one easy look. It really was the concept of how clothes make you feel that brought ANASIM to life.

Self-care and self-appreciation are at the forefront of the brand. Why is this important to you?

Our mission at ANASIM is to promote understanding that loving yourself and taking care of yourself is the ultimate and best thing you can do for you and those around you, it really is all that matters. It’s not even about what you wear, but rather how you feel when wearing it.

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

It can be really difficult dedicating that quality time and focus to every single aspect of the business every day. I do however have a great team around me, who I work with very closely day to day, so that really help the process.

Building business to consumer trust can also be a challenge for new independent brands. With marketing and selling stock solely online comes the fact that your customer doesn’t get to see and touch your product and I think there’s certainly more hesitancy with unknown label names.

In your opinion, what sets you apart from other fashion brands?

We’re trying to ensure that what our product brings to the market is something that boosts confidence and self- appreciation. We really want to ensure that we are also socially and consciously advertising.

ANASIM is built on the notion of feeling the best and most confident version of yourself so we aim to advertise in a way that builds that confidence in our audience rather than anything else and encourages individuals to be their whole hearted self unashamedly.

Looking back since launching the brand, is there anything you would do differently?

Looking back, I would perhaps consider having a physical store with launching the brand. Seeing the product in person definitely helps clients to feel the quality and smoothness of the silk and understand the work that’s gone into each piece. Seeing the pieces on yourself too really changes how you interact with a product, it’s an important process of knowing what will suit you and what you feel great in.

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

Social media has been great for us because it has provided a space to showcase the collection to potential customers, allowing direct communication with those customers to answer any queries, and has provided a space for a community to grow around the brand. It has definitely played a huge role in the success of launching ANASIM. In the early days of a label, it’s been a fantastic way to connect.

What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?

Mind over matter. Anything really is possible if you put your mind to it.

What advice would you offer to aspiring entrepreneurs that want to launch their own brand?

Something that I have had to remind myself time and time again when moving forward with the brand is to continue remembering why you started out with it in the first place. Re-visit that mission and make sure it transcends in everything you do. Stay true to yourself and stay true to the mission.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is your all-time favorite and why?

I love the Maldives, it’s such a beautiful destination to really escape and get away from everything. You can really just be with yourself, walk barefoot on the beach, appreciate nature and get some respite from the busy-ness of living in a big city. I also love travelling around the small villages in Italy, it’s my favourite place to be. Everything there just really makes me feel alive, the old buildings full of history, the fresh produce, the locals making up fresh pasta, the list goes on… The atmosphere is amazing and there’s such a rich culture that you can really learn a lot from.

What’s next for the business?

We are currently working on the new collection. We’re still working within the concept of self-care and self-love but, with it, we’re giving ourselves a bit more freedom with the designs so you can certainly expect a little more diversity with it.

What does self- care mean to you?

Self-care, to me, means self- appreciation, loving yourself and your body, and taking care of it. Your body and mind are so connected so taking care of your physical health, takes care of your mental health. Self-care is taking time out during the day to just really love yourself both mentally, by relaxing and taking a moment to appreciating what you have, but also physically by taking care of your physical self.

Where can people find out more?

All our social channels have all our updates and news so you can follow us at @anasim_official over on Instagram and visit us online at www.anasimapparel.com

Accessories May 25, 2022

Success Worldwide: Le Colonel is sparking joy in your wardrobes one colourful bowtie at a time

Le Colonel’s colourful story started ten years ago, when partners Rémi and Clemence Duboquet turned the quest of finding the perfect bowtie into a full-fledged business. Le Colonel offers a fabulous and joyful array of men’s bowties and accessories (and some women’s fabric accessories too!) all hand-made in the brand’s small atelier in Lille, France.

Today, the business is managed by Clémence’s brother Valentin and his wife Clementine; a husband and wife duo dedicated to bringing the vibrancy of Le Colonel’s accessories to your wardrobes.

In this latest Success Worldwide interview, #TeamCoco caught up with Valentin and Clementine, who reflect on Le Colonel’s milestone anniversary, discuss its ‘This is How We Do’ approach and reveal the secrets to choosing the perfect bowtie.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background. How did Le Colonel come to be?

Le Colonel was created 10 years ago when founder, Rémi Duboquet couldn’t find a bow tie to his taste. So, Rémi decided to buy a sewing machine and make his own. His partner, Clémence started to get fed up as their flat gradually filled with bow ties, and so created a blog to sell his pieces, which quickly took off. And so, Le Colonel was born! Le Colonel is now headed up by Clémence’s brother, Valentin and his wife, Clementine.

Le Colonel is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year. What does it feel like to reach this milestone as a business owner?

We’re extremely proud of everything we’ve achieved over the last ten years, and can only thank all of the people who have believed in us and supported our bow tie dream. It’s been a tough couple of years with the pandemic, in particular for small businesses like ours, but we’re proud to have survived and are looking forward to the next 10 years ahead.

What is a day like in the Le Colonel workshop in Lille?

The workshop kicks off early, started by a quick coffee, croissant and gossip all together in the shared kitchen. Victoria, our production manager will check the bespoke orders received overnight and brief the workshop accordingly. Then they’ll normally split off into teams, one for producing stock for our boutiques and online store, and the other for tailor-made products. We all also share lunch together around a huge table in the kitchen and play darts on the darts machine afterwards

What is the secret to choosing the perfect bowtie?

Ooh, we have so many tips! Consider your shape/size – if you’re more slight, then a slim or diamond shape might suit you better, whereas if you’re taller or more well-built then you’ll pull of a classic shape with ease. Also, think about the rest of your outfit. If you’re wearing a plain suit, why not go for a patterned bow tie? And vice versa… It’s also nice if the colours in the bow tie pick up another element in your outfit, such as socks or braces.

Sustainability is a core part of Le Colonel’s ethos. Could you tell us more about your ‘This Is How We Do’ approach?

We felt it was time we shared more about our expertise with our customers, including our passion for a no-waste approach. It’s amazing how many of our customers don’t realise we make everything by hand in our little workshop in Lille!

So, we launched #TIHWD to help our customers transform beloved garments into new pieces that they can love all over again. Customers can either upcycle these pieces for their own enjoyment, or donate the upcycled accessories to our TIHWD collection – sold online. 100% of the profits from the sales of this collection go to Good Planet Foundation.

What sets Le Colonel apart from other accessories brands today?

All our accessories are made by hand, with love in our little atelier in the north of France. We also have a really wide range of stunning fabrics, with hundreds of different colours and motifs – so you’re sure to find something you like. And even if you don’t, we can tailor-make accessories exactly suited to your taste, or even in your own fabric if you wish.

I would highly recommend visiting one of our boutiques if possible, where you’ll find a rainbow wall of bow ties – a real sight for sore eyes!

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

Probably building up and honing our production model so that we were able to keep up with the demands of our growing business. It’s also a constant battle against mass production and fast fashion, where very low prices give people a skewed idea of what is really involved with making quality garments and paying workers a fair price.

https://www.lecolonel.com/en/

France May 19, 2022

Revivre Sustainable Swimwear For The Mindful Traveller

Sara Smith of Revivre Sustainable Swimwear is an inspiration and a breath of fresh air in the world of fashion. She makes you stand up and look at where all your clothing comes from, how each item is made, and whether it’s sustainable. Her swimwear collections at Revivre are classically chic, beautifully designed, and of course they are fully sustainable.

Tell us about the journey that led you to launch your brand Revivre Sustainable Swimwear…

Revivre was born for the mindful traveller, the lover of faraway places and keeper of fine crafts. For those who, like me, can lose themselves exploring nature’s hidden treasures and like to choose the path less travelled. In a world of mass production, my aim is to share my version of the Earth’s wild beauty with like minded souls. Having recently completed a degree in Environmental Studies with a focus on Sustainability, paired with becoming a mother and of course being an avid eco-traveller, it became clear that my purpose was to create a brand that not only offered beautiful garments which help correct the course of fast fashion, but also paved the way for the future generations to follow through education, creativity and an immense appreciation for nature. Our name, Revivre, translates to ‘live again’ in French, and our collections offer just that; luxury, well crafted pieces inspired by nature, that can be recycled time and time again, giving new, meaningful value to unwanted materials, which are otherwise headed for landfill, or worse, are already polluting our vast and beautiful oceans.

Your business is brand new, have you had any stumbling blocks that you’ve had to deal with before being able to launch?

Countless! But looking back now, I needed to go through those stumbling blocks for a successful launch, and I’ll continue to face more challenges as the brand establishes itself. That’s why it was imperative to start creating our tribe early with industry partners, suppliers and eco-travellers that share our brand’s values and vision. Our main and ongoing challenge will always be over consumerism and trying to establish the brand without over producing. It’s a pivotal time for the fashion industry, so creating responsible, well made swimwear whilst inviting followers to enhance their environmental awareness is what we believe in. I’ve come to realise that an evolving sustainability pledge is not only vital for progress for our brand, but also for the community. For brands such as ourselves, offering choices that significantly lower carbon footprints, increase ethical working supply chains and promise circular, infinitely recyclable products is a huge step forward in today’s current markets, and we’ll never tire of bettering ourselves.

One-Piece Swimwear Collection

If you were to describe your business mantra in three words, what would they be?

Natural, Innovated, Empowered.

What advice would you offer anyone interested in venturing into the world of sustainable fashion?

The world needs sustainably minded entrepreneurs, and you never know where a project or collaboration may lead you. Be creative and follow your passions. Become an advocate of sustainable business, regardless of the industry. Just start and you’ll figure out everything out along the way. Oh, and our one invaluable tip? Invest in a mentor, someone who knows the industry and shares your values around sustainability, quality and craftsmanship. That way, any pain points will be easily avoided as your vision comes to life and your brand grows.

Talk us through an average business day in your life…

The beauty of a start-up is that no two days are the same. I’m always on the lookout for new and innovative materials and production methods and we’ll often check out upcoming expos and conferences. One silver lining that came out of the pandemic was online availability to global conferences and expos, which have helped keep our carbon footprint (and costs) down. Some days are dedicated to researching and reaching out to different sustainability projects to see how we can help each other, and I’ll often touch base with our designers, suppliers and factories to ensure we have a mutual understanding of our goals and values. Effective communication is paramount, especially in the early stages of launching. This month, we’re testing different recycled eco-fabrics that offer uv protection for our sister brand Roca Bay, which is a sustainable children’s swimwear collection. (@roca_bay_)

How do you stay positive in difficult times?

Everything always works out. It’s not always an easy ride and there are constant challenges, so I remind myself that I am part of the bigger solution. Everything Revivre is doing is to empower our ever growing community of incredible women and to make them feel good about themselves every day. We bloody deserve that!

Collectively we can make a difference and when we feel good about ourselves, we do good, and that’s what counts at the end of the day. We also have a beautifully aligned team at Revivre which makes our working life joyful and always full of laughter. I know that no matter the challenge or set back in front of us, we’ll always make it through.

Bikini Swimwear Collection

What is your go to quote when lacking motivation?

“Playing small doesn’t serve the world… as you let your own light shine, you indirectly give others permission to do the same.”
(Marianne Williamson).

“Stand tall, breathe deep and be the best version of yourself you can be.“
(Sara Smith)

How much has social media played a role in launching your brand?

I launched Revivre as an e-commerce brand so having a strong social media presence has been instrumental to our market positioning. It’s a wonderful platform to grow your audience, share your vision and most importantly, collaborate with inspiring, like minded people to help better something which is bigger than all of us.

How do you want people to feel when they first see wear something from Revivre?

Mindful, empowered, supported and effortlessly elegant. Reviving a sense of value to what we own is our mission here at Revivre, and I aim to encourage our community to buy less and buy better and embrace the slow fashion movement. We’re a community built on sustainability with the appreciation that we can have both beautiful, luxe collections that don’t cost the earth, literally. I’m transparent with our brand’s environmental impact and I want our customers to know that by investing in our pieces, you’re investing in yourself.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list and do you have a favourite piece that you would take from your collection?

As international travel opens again, I feel an immense sense of gratitude for nature. It’s a wonderful perspective and I’ll never take our freedom for granted. Whether it’s the pink sand beaches of Bermuda, discovering small and untouched islands with no roads in the Filipino archipelagos or the crystal blue waters of the Seychelles, my bucket list seems to be ever increasing. I’m headed to The Balearic Islands for an upcoming campaign soon, and I can’t stop dreaming of those beautiful coastlines, exquisite delicacies, turquoise waters and isolated beach coves to explore with my daughter. It’s a super exciting time for travel, especially as we’re collectively becoming more conscious of our travel footprint. As a brand we’re looking at alternative ways to offset the environmental cost of travel, such as eco-friendly hotels that use renewable energies and offer locally sourced produce, and we’ll be sharing our findings in our upcoming newsletters.

Underwired Swimwear Collection

What’s next for you and your brand?

It’s a busy time for Revivre and we have a lot of exciting collections, travel insights and collaborations lined up. After we launch our Spring Summer 22 ‘Oceanique’ Collection, I’ll launch Roca Bay, our sustainable children’s swimwear sister brand (@roca_bay_). We’ve also just started working on our resort wear collection, and I’m so excited to share my visions with our community. As ever, we’ll continue to work on our sustainability pledge across both brands while we explore new avenues of responsibility in slow-fashion and eco-travel.

Where can people find out more about Revivre?

By signing up to our newsletter at Revivre or follow us on Instagram @revivre_collection

Austria May 2, 2022

#SuccessWorldwide : The pioneers of Nordic tea culture with PLŪKT

As avid travellers here at House of Coco magazine, when we stumbled across PLŪKT tea and their tea sachets that are perfect for travel, we were hooked. Their tea is popular amongst our team which lead to intrigue, just who IS behind this brand?

The brand has introduced the world to herbal teas from the meadows and forests of Northern Europe and PLŪKT proudly call themselves the pioneers of Nordic tea culture.

We spent some time with the founder Mara Lieplapa to find out more…

Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching PLŪKT…

My family always encouraged to follow my own path, try as many things as possible and use my talents. So this entrepreneurial mindset was encouraged from early days, also in school we received lots of support to starting our own student businesses. So my first one was when I was 14 years old – I made grain pillows (all organic and from natural materials) which could be warmed up and later on used to relief joint pains and headaches. Also then the motivation and mission was quite similar to that of PLŪKT – bring joy, comfort and build something meaningful and beneficial. When I started university I was actively looking for my own business idea – attending all the conferences I could possibly attend, taking part in student competitions, trade shows, events, gatherings. All the places where I could meet entrepreneurs, have inspiration and contacts. I also used every opportunity to do exchange studies (in Sweden, Austria), so I gathered quite some international network, too. I had a chance to attend exchange trip to China where I visited their local “Silicon valley” in Beijing. I was amazed by all the startup ecosystem and innovations they are building. However, a few blocks away there was this very traditional tea market there. And suddenly all the dots and questions connected – what if I could create a Nordic tea culture by building brand which acts in a startup-like manner? It would allow me to connect my love for nature and purpose with fast-growing, innovative startup ecosystem. In fact, my mother has a wide knowledge of Northern European herbs and I thoughts that this is a resource that we already have in order to start a science-based company. After coming back, we started to create branding and design for PLŪKT. I was then 21 year old.

Also, I have always been passionate about international environment so it was my mission to build export-oriented brand. Today, PLŪKT exports 70% of products.

Being a sustainable brand is at the forefront of what you do, why was this important to you?

I grew up in a family where both parents are related to environmental sciences and nature preservation. Since we were kids, my sibling and I were always taught to take care of nature, find our peace and passion there. We spent incredible amount of time in nature. It seemed such a common sense back then, but in reality it was a privilege knowing how many people in the world have never seen such natural wilderness that we experienced from early age. Of course, this respect for nature has been within me since then and while I was looking for my business idea I had this ultimatum – I want to build something that benefits people and nature. Not to build just another thing in the world which will end up somewhere. I wanted to show the love for wilderness and nature through PLŪKT, at the same time raising awareness of biodiversity in Northern Europe and why it matters to preserve it. PLŪKT branding and design reflects exactly that. People fancy it and they are loving the message. I believe people don’t want to hurt something that they love or fancy, therefore there is a hope that they won’t harm nature either.

How do you want people to feel when they drink your tea?

First of all, joy, pure joy. I want them to feel connected with their authentic self, take it as a moment for themselves or for something that has high meaning in their lives. We are all so busy being busy that oftentimes do not prioritize enough the beautiful authenticity that lies within each and every one of us. We hope that PLŪKT tea time encourages to open up to ourselves for exploration. We love to see people taking PLŪKT with them to their favourite activities – be that a hiking trip, a travel, an on-the-go morning while living “big city life moment”, yoga class, meetup with friends and most importantly when surprising someone with this nourishing gift. Just like in nature, no two flowers or leaves are the same, so aren’t people. Wildlife inspired us to build authentic brand, therefore we hope that people feel this connection with nature while having a cuppa.

Looking back since launching the brand, is there anything you would do differently?

I would be louder (as in, less shy). Being rather an introverted person, I would oftentimes be seen as “the quite one” while in reality I had so much to say! Ultimately, it turned out into PLŪKT. As a young entrepreneur, it was always a challenge to gain recognition, gain respect and oftentimes society labeled “the loud ones” as those who are most impactful and have achieved something in their lives. Meanwhile, I was building PLŪKT in solitude and up to date am still cherishing the fact that my actions speak louder than words.

Also, I wish I have learned to ask for help and advice much more earlier. It would have saved me lots of time and some money, too.

Who’s involved in the business and what are their roles?

Co-founder Līga is responsible for all the science behind herbs and tea. She is our tea Master and holds the knowledge of benefits of herbal teas and comes up with new tea blends. She is also my mother and we make a good team, however we are not the typical family business. We encourage and are constantly looking for new talents to join our team. We have superpeople for social media, hard-working and accurate ladies working in manufacturing. And let’s not forget those over 30 family-owned farms who are supplying certified-organic herbs from wild meadows and forests.

Talk us through an average day in your life…

I wake up at 6-6:30am. I do a quick workout and stretching for about 20 minutes to get my body going. On Sunday nights I make a schedule for the upcoming week, however I am leaving Mondays as very flexible. I notice that on Mondays there are so many events suddenly coming up that can change the whole plans in instant. First part of the day is very productive for me so I work on the long-term plans at this time of the day. I have relatively late lunch, around 2pm, but I always eat wholesome and rich breakfast. Perhaps my favourite meal of the day. In the afternoon I love to change my working environment and choose to work from home, from a café or coworking space. Since I started my MBA studies in Finland, I have been traveling between Finland and Latvia quite often. And honestly, the more I am on the go, the more I get done because there is no time to overthink or expand too much in your texts. In office, it might feel otherwise. Afternoons are for meetings and lighter tasks. I would do some project visualisations, mood boards and creative activities. I end my work day around 4pm. Then I go for some hobbies – hiking, climbing, running, dancing or going for a cake with friends. Give a call or face time my family. Have a dinner and some me time, which could include reading, journaling, visualization and just thinking. I leave some room for spontaneity and if I notice a nice concert or event happening right now, chances are that I will go for it. Often I have late evening Zoom calls with business partners in US or likewise very early ones with partners located in Asia. I love this dynamics.

Do you plan on expanding the range in the future to offer more than tea?

We are already experimenting with different cold drinks where PLŪKT tea is used as a basis. Also we work on tea ware collection and development of other accessories relevant to tea.

What do you do when you are lacking creativity?

I get very active and sporty. I have always had so much energy and when I don’t feel creative I just know that my energy has been piled up for a while and just asks for release. I love climbing, hiking, running. Part of my love will always belong to dancing which was the second option of mine when I was thinking of career path. Oftentimes if I really need to come with something, but nothing amazing is coming up I go with “done is better than perfect”. The thing is, through these 3-4 years with PLŪKT I have learned to trust myself a lot and I am sure that creativity will come as soon as I start working on the task. I love what I am doing so naturally I want it to work out as good as possible. One thing I can tell for sure, tasks regarding administration, bureaucracy etc. definitely are decreasing my levels of creativity and therefore I schedule days just for these ones, so they would not interrupt creative parts of the business too much.

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

A lot, most of the media has deepened their connection with our story through social media.

What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?

“If you sell the excitement, you sell the jet.” I remember hearing this in one of the conferences about 5-6 years ago. I was thinking to myself – yeah, resource-wise, I really don’t have much to offer at the moment as a student. But I do have a time, enthusiasm and energy! Sometimes that is all it takes to go from 0 to 10, especially when lacking motivation. Getting excited for how much you have done already and enthusiastic for the upcoming journey. It is charming and this kind of energy attracts.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is on your must visit list?

Since I can remember, Nepal and hiking Everest basecamp has been on my bucket list. And fortunately this is another dream that will come true later this year! Now my next dream destinations are Cancun in Mexico, New Zealand, South Korea and Chile.

What does self care mean to you?

It means saying “no” to things that are not of use AND are not bringing me joy. These days it is easy to get lost in all the requests and needs of others. Self care is remembering to prioritizing your values and your time.

Self care is taking time off without waiting for breakdown. It is about scheduling your hobbies, quality time with friends and family just the way you schedule your daily work tasks.

One of my personal favourite self care activity is baking cakes and making pastries in combination with a hike later in day.

Where do you see the brand in the next 5 years?

Still ad the pioneers of Nordic tea culture and hosting international tea mastercups in our tea house in Madona region, Latvia. We are a recognized player in tea world. By then, Nordic Black tea – caffeine free alternative to black tea made from wild Fireweed herb – has become the thing and becoming the standard in tea world. I see that there are over 300 certified organic farms joining our supplier network in order to protect biodiversity of Northern Europe.

Where can people find out more?

Website www.plukttea.com

Our Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok @plukttea

We have retailers and distributors in 18 countries so feel free to reach out and learn where is the closest place to have a cup of PLŪKT tea.

Designer April 25, 2022

Women Worldwide: REINEREN is shaking up the fashion world

Fashion is a fickle thing, but once in a while you come across a truly creative point of view that it simply takes your breath away. Enter REINEREN, the new kid on the block of China’s booming fashion scene – and certainly a designer to watch.

Our Fashion Editor Hannah Tan-Gillies caught up with REINEREN to chat inspiration, daily designer life and being true to yourself in this latest Women Worldwide interview.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background. What made you fall in love with fashion?

I was influenced by my family since I was a child. I naturally fell in love with drawing and have always been interested in handicrafts and creating artistic things. I also used to love making clothes to my Barbie dolls.

Gradually, I started reading all kinds of fashion magazines and dreamt of becoming a fashion designer — and one day have my own brand.

Where did the name REINEREN come from? How would you describe your brand’s aesthetic for our readers who may just be discovering you?

‘Reine’ means ‘queen’ in French which is the same pronunciation with my name, I also found this word perfectly conveyed the brand’s core message, that all women should be their own queens.

Who is the REINEREN woman? Can you describe her in three words?

Independent and confident, unrestrained & carefree, and finally, fierce & gentle

Tell us more about your latest collection. Do you have a favourite piece?

One of my favourite pieces is a grey-green, leather cropped blazer with woven twine below. The collision of two completely different materials is a combination of rigidity and softness. The eco-friendly leather is also one of my favorite materials, as it is tough and stylish. With the braided hemp rope, the elements of the theme of this series are well integrated with the style of the brand.

Walk us through an average day in the REINEREN?

On top of the daily drawing and producing of garments samples and fitting, as a designer, I also need to communicate with fabric suppliers and factories for product development. I’m also very involved in managing the admin perspective such as meetings with various departments like human resources, public relations, and sales.

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a designer so far?

Merchandise. When creative sparks come through or an idea wants to be implemented, it needs the support of the supply chain. However, this is also the hardest part of the process. There is a cost to try before it can be produced in real life such as what it will cost you in terms of time and capital. Will your supply chain partner be willing to share the costs or risks with you? In many cases, it is easy to imagine but difficult to implement. As the designer, I have to face with various challenges.

What’s next for you and REINEREN? Any exciting new projects in the pipeline?

We hope we could step to the international market be recgnised by more global audience and to understand and align with our value and mission.

What advice do you have for those looking to take the leap and start their own fashion businesses too?

Be true to yourself.

www.reineren.com

IG: @reineren_official