Interviews - House Of Coco Magazine

Fashion November 9, 2023

#GirlBossesofGreatBritain – The One with the Bootstrapping Designer

House of Coco chatted with fashion designer Elizabeth-Yemi Akingbade about her fashion brand Yemzi, the importance of bootstrapping and pursuing your dreams. (Photo credit: ©www.jamesperrin.com 2016)

HOC: Hey Elizabeth, tell us about Yemzi and where we can find your products?

EA: Hello House Of Coco! All Yemzi pieces are made in London with Africa inspired hand-illustrated digitally printed premium silk. The brand is stocked in the GoodPlace boutique in Chelsea and my ultimate dream is to be stocked in similar boutiques worldwide Alara (Lagos), Browns (London), Collette (Paris). In Nigeria they respect good quality European design and I plan to approach stockists there over the next season or two. Until recently I have been selling my Black Label, a more affordable segment of the brand, on ASOS Marketplace but I’ve made the decision to solely focus on my high-end items in the Gold Label.

I’ve been approached to showcase my work at a number of small fashion and trade shows but my target is on the British Fashion Council’s official London Fashion Week schedule. I hosted my own fashion show last year on Dalston Roof Park, which was great and I’m planning another for this September in a World War 2 bunker! It’s all about stepping stones and building up; nothing happens overnight.

HOC: How did you come to running your own brand?

EA: After completing my undergrad degree in Surface Design at London College of Communication I took some short courses in Garment Construction, Bespoke Tailoring, and Pattern Cutting. I’m currently studying MA African Studies at SOAS which also informs my creative direction. I started working with sustainable printed t-shirts after I graduated in 2013 and had them stocked in one of the top 3 African boutiques.

From my presence in this store a fashion talent scout and strategist invited to show in Paris at Labo Ethnik. I really didn’t want to be going to Paris with just t-shirts so I applied my prints to cut and sewn styles. My first success was my silk kimonos, they sold so well and propelled me to create my first all silk 13 look ready-to-wear collection, ‘Straight Out Of The City Via The Motherland’ (SS16). My work explores British-Nigerian identity, fusing the fast pace of the city with the chilled vibe of the sea-side and often touches on politics as well as culture. I’m like Yinka Shonibare’s love-child with Vivienne Westwood.

HOC: Do you feel you get to be creative with your brand, is that one of your reasons for running this business?

EA: Absolutely! I’ve just started working on my new collection and I’ve been sketching and painting loads. In fact, I need to focus more on the numbers but my business is proof that you can carve a career doing exactly what you love. At the moment I’m so excited about Spring/Summer 17 (SS17), the Nigerian influence is stronger this season. After reading ‘Yoruba Photography: How the Yoruba See Themselves’ by Stephen F. Sprague for class ‘Ibeji’ (Yoruba twins) are a theme within the collection. Nigerians are most likely to have twins and I plan to play on this in the lookbook. The fashion prints that I’m working on are reminiscent of scarification and I’d love to book a stunning Nigerian model called Paula who has tribal markings on her stomach.

HOC: In the fashion industry we feel that it’s important who you know and where you are seen? How do you find the right people and places?

EA: It is important to sustain relationships and seek valuable connections. If you keep in touch with your fashion network you’ll hear about industry news, events and parties.

I also have a few mentors that I’ve met in various places. There’s a coach called Kofi who I met through Bootstrap company’s enterprise bootcamp, who I often go to as a sounding board. I always keep him in the loop and ask for his advice. I recently went to the The StartUp Kitchen to meet with well-established entrepreneurs who are willing to give gidance. These types of events are great forums to talk about new ideas and get your feedback from experts in other industries. We all have different approaches to business; for instance I met a lady who was all about picking up the phone, chasing for sales and making money. It’s different from how I operate but it’s interesting to see a different perspective. You can learn a lot from other people’s experiences and take aspects to shape your direction.

HOC: There’s a lot of work that goes into having your own fashion brand and you work and study alongside! How do you manage it all?

EA: My savings have given my business life and I do work when I can to top it up. I’m lucky to have a committed intern, Krezsend, who comes to the Yemzi HQ in Dalston to help out with whatever is on the agenda.

For blogger outreach I was working with a friend with a PR company but it is all in-house again. Outside of contacting bloggers I reach out to photographers, models and musicians who may want to collaborate. A big part of the search is for the ‘Yemzi Girl’; the girl that embodies my brand and can influence others on social media. For instance, I connected with a model from NYC who I had been fangirling for a minute and sent her a ‘Spbra’ bralet which she showcased on her Instagram.

I’m not shy to get exposure. Sadiq Khan visited my studio the other month and he said he was heading to Ben TV next and would shout me out. I held him to it and sure enough he co-signed me on international television. I’m all over my google analytics so I know what generates traffic to Yemzi.com so I always keep and eye on activity and plan accordingly.

HOC: You mention the Yemzi girl influencer, tell us more about her and how you find her?

EA: As I mentioned earlier I do a lot of tracking through analytics, I find the girls that have influence through looking at their follower to interaction ratio, who are the kinds of people who follow them and like their content. Yemzi girls have natural hairstyles, they tend to be creative and positive. I’ve got a #GirlBoss tip for you actually, check out Talia Wolf (Taliagw) and Mark Suster (msuster) on snapchat for snapstorms where they gives quick strategies on how to get more engagement online and other killer marketing and business tips.

HOC: So it sounds like social media is incredibly important to Yemzi at the moment?

EA: Absolutely, although I have had some not so great experiences. The other month a photographer was indirectly trashing me on twitter to his few thousand following. It was really unfair as I respectfully approached him about a shoot with an influencer (a beautiful model with 45k followers and 3k likes per post) but because there was no budget he was airing our direct message conversation in his public timeline rather than politely declining. I don’t care though, we all have to start somewhere and the most successful hustle hard to get things popping. If in 2016 Kanye West can ask for a billion dollars for his ideas then I can ask for a TFP (time for print) photoshoot from a local photographer!

The fashion industry in London is small, you really have to be aware of this.

I successfully approached a fashion photography graduate a few years ago via Twitter, we’ve done some amazing (unpaid and paid) collaborations, and she currently works at Net-A-Porter. The creative team are an important part of any shoot and the photographer needs to be as excited about your work as you otherwise the passion won’t be translated to the consumers.

HOC: You’re achieving so much, is there anything you wish you could spend more time and energy on?

EA: Visiting the spa? Jokes aside, networking more, my schedule does not priorities it. It’s on my list of activities to make regular but I have very little spare time. I need to just dedicate some time to finding events through friends, eventbrite and twitter and go. You can make some amazing contacts and even if you just walk away from an event with one decent contact it’s worthwhile.

Thank you Elizabeth for a whirlwind tour of your world and we cannot wait for your new SS17 collection. If you, dear reader, like what you’ve read do check out Yemzi. This #TeamCoco writer can vouch for how awesome they are, our hubby wants to nick our unisex green/blue print silk sweater!

Arts November 9, 2023

All aboard the Bombay Sapphire Express!

When House of Coco was invited to step aboard the good train Bombay Sapphire for The Grand Journey we could barely hold our excitement – cocktails and travel?! Now that’s the ticket!

The Grand Journey is a spectacular celebration of ten of the key ingredients in the sparkling blue Bombay Sapphire bottle, taking us around the world to sample the ingredients and hear the stories behind them.

The train passed through London in mid-October before carrying on to other European destinations like Berlin, Barcelona and Amsterdam. We were lucky enough to jump onboard for the ride and grab a classy G&T with the culinary masterminds behind the experience – The Robin Collective…

Upon arriving at London’s Bike Shed we were welcomed by a nicely dressed chap called Gerald with what can only be described as a goblet of gin and tonic and then ushered onto the Bombay Sapphire train by the conductor. Seated in a gorgeous art deco style banquette with our fellow travellers we weren’t at all sure what to expect when the ‘train’ embarked on its journey – complete with sound effects and the very clever use of screens acting as the train windows, taking us through the countryside of Italy, the volcanoes of Java and finally the great british fields on our quest to learn about Bombay Sapphire’s ingredients.

Each of our Grand Journey stops was accompanied with a culinary trick, alcohol treat or immersive sketch to keep traveller’s fatigue at bay. The edibles by The Robin Collective immersed us in the ingredient’s location; a vegan lemon pate for lemon peel from Spain, a stunning floral jelly (that takes 20 minutes to make by hand!) and savoury almond churros that were to die for. Alongside tasty tricks and were quirky cocktails by Happiness Forgets’ Geoff Robinson that were served next to smoking volcanoes and in a Chinese tea-set. Our ever-so-slightly camp train staff kept us amused with shadow puppet stories, slight of hand magic and even a little floor show that got some of our fellow travellers a little hot under the collar!

We absolutely adore a fun evening out with a few tipples and this was no exception – the cocktails were delicious and really showed another side to gin, just in time for the autumn and winter season where a crisp G&T just doesn’t quite cut it anymore!

Disembarking from the train we ended our journey in Laverstoke; the distillery location for Bombay Sapphire, nestled in rural Hampshire and shared a cheeky cocktail with Robin and Brandy, Co-Founders of The Robin Collective to learn more about vegan surprises, chefs favourite moulds and jelly technique…

HOC: We loved the treats on offer tonight and were bowled over that they were all vegan, how did that come about?

Brandy: Vegan food is accessible to everyone and you can’t say the same for meat dishes! Plus we work with an amazing chef who runs a vegan restaurant in Glasgow. Alongside the food we had a lot of fun working on the aromas in the train to help take you on your journeys.

HOC: That lemon pate (shaped like a lemon) was incredible and the jelly was a masterpiece – we almost didn’t want to eat it!

Robin: The moulds for the lemon pate were made from real lemons and our chefs have their favourites to work with, it’s so funny! The jellies are a labour of love; it takes 20 minutes to make each one as we paint them by hand. The idea for it came about in one of the ‘Inspiration Afternoons’ we held in our office. Now we’re making 1,000 jellies per location and having to send out one of our team to Berlin to keep an eye on the jelly production!

HOC: Well, they are worth it! We love what you guys do but it’s got to be tricky sometimes- what’s some of the biggest challenges you come up against?

Brandy: Kitchens are always a challenge but we’ve designed our own set up to be as mobile and efficient as possible. Running water can also be a challenge, depending on where you are working from. We love to travel and be a part of everything we work on – we’re only a small team and we like to be close to everything and make sure it all goes amazingly!

With that we let Robin and Brandy get back to painting their jellies and escape in a VR headset tour of the Bombay Sapphire distillery – looking to all onlookers as if we’d definitely had a few too many!

The Grand Journey has now departed for mainland Europe but fear not, you can enjoy a Bombay Sapphire cocktail at The Gilbert Scott, Cahoots and The Cocktail Trading Company in London until 6th November. The Bombay Sapphire distillery is nestled in rural Hampshire and open 7 days a week, perfect for a day out – we’ll see you there?

France November 9, 2023

#WomenWorldwide: Taking the Leap with Leanne Silverwood

Sometimes the stars align and situations converge, giving you the opportunity to step up and take a leap into something you know will benefit so many people, not least yourself. Our interviewee today, Leanne took that opportunity with both hands and her company Local Care Force is always popping up on awards lists for the work that they do and also how they treat their employees. Read on and be inspired…

HOC: Great to meet you, Leanne. Let’s start with the tricky question… what’s your elevator pitch for Local Care Force?

Leanne: Sure! Have you ever had to step in to prevent someone from harming themselves in the worst possible way? Unfortunately, I have. Whilst working on a secure psychiatric ward, a worker responsible for providing one to one care and support for a suicidal patient fell asleep – I was horrified.

I loved my job on secure psychiatric wards, but I was appalled at the standard of some of the workers and it wasn’t uncommon to experience the wrong attitude or a lack of training. Because of this, I took a leap of faith, acting on something I knew was wrong, I was certain that I could do better, so led by a mix of gut feeling and passion I set up on my own.

Since establishing Local Care Force, I have trained thousands of care workers, creating new career paths for many and teaching a deep understanding of what is required to be a vigilant, passionate and safe care worker. I work with trainers who are so passionate, that two out of four have saved people’s lives in their own time, and we now have government quality accreditations.

My team includes nurses who have created award-winning Mental well-being projects, who have won ‘Nurse of the Year’ and Patient Safety awards. I have a team of empathetic passionate managers who go the extra mile for the clients they provide staffing support for. Some great examples of this include booking vintage war-time singers, dancing with care home residents and providing virtual reality experiences to Dementia homes!

My leap has created a safe, exceptionally well-trained supply of workers to an industry that is notoriously short of staff. We provide a consistent and ethical service which is delivered with passion every single day.

HOC: So inspirational and an amazing positive business! How did you make this leap?

Leanne: The leap to running my own business took a lot of confidence, experience and knowledge. All of which was gained whilst working in a mental health hospital for years, often alongside agency staff, and also within a large agency where I established and ran two department,. It was however, because of this hands on experience, that I knew I could offer a better service myself. I could see the failings clearly and had first-hand experience of what not to do, so I knew that if I was in control, it would be a success.

HOC: Love it! It must be tough when you have such a passion for your job and have to make sacrifices to get it started / keep it going….

Leanne: I am the most loyal person you could meet, my motto is ‘treat people as you want to be treated’, how you treat people resembles the rest of life, you truly do get out what you put in. Because I live this way, I am fortuitous to have an amazing team that I consider family. But there are people who you work with, have invested in (not just financially, emotionally too) who don’t give the same back, don’t respect the ethics or culture and/or take advantage of my generous nature. The most difficult aspect mentally is to not let those people affect you, the ones who you help the most who take advantage – it says so much more about them as a person than you. It’s a hard lesson but you mustn’t let it change the way you are, you have to rise above it and continue running your business and treating people as you always have.

Choosing when and if to remove someone from the business are also the most difficult choices. I am a good person and have had to fight to retain as such. Not letting the ‘few’ spoil it for everyone else is a conscious choice I have had to make. Because we are such a close-knit team, the most difficult choices have been severing relationships because it’s not in my nature to do so. I respect people who work to support our business, I see the best in people and try to develop the rest, but sometimes in a business such as ours, inefficiencies are so transparent and the damage one person can do to an culture, environment and the teams wellbeing cannot be underestimated. Ultimately it is always me who has to make the most difficult decisions.

HOC: That’s so very true! What does your team look like?

Leanne: I have attracted a team of steadfast ethical professionals. They say you recruit in your own image and that’s exactly what has happened. In addition, they all bring a wealth of knowledge crossing all sectors of our industry, which makes us a force to be reckoned with. The majority of my senior team have been with the business for eight years and above. The respect, the responsibility and autonomy I give them, is returned week in and week out with their loyalty, consistent level of work and passion. When we applied for the Times Top 100 companies, we came 21st and the feedback from my team was exemplary. All of our core values were scored highly, and because the feedback came from my team, it meant so much more – and all the hard work and intricacies over the years paid off. 95% of our employees said I was inspirational, 99% feel supported, 93% have fun with their colleagues and 91% loved their roles – we were ranked the highest small business in Yorkshire to work for! I personally received the highest leadership score across all the businesses assessed. As a reward – many of my team have been made associate partners with a ‘say’ and ‘stake’ in the business for their loyalty.

The support we provide our staff team goes above and beyond the usual. We are lucky to have such professionals in our business and we have introduced innovative mental health first-aid training for all. Our designated mental health nurse lead and senior trainer developed a program to provide support and signposting for all of our staff, and a ‘buddy’ mentoring system has been introduced to ensure there is always someone for my staff to talk to.

This initiative has already been shortlisted as a finalist for two Nursing Times Workforce Awards for Diversity and Inclusion, and Wellbeing and Staff Engagement. We’ve also been recognised by the HSJ Awards for creating a positive staff culture. Following this success, we plan to roll this out as a training and support package to other businesses so they too can support their workforce.

HOC: I’ve got goosebumps just hearing that, what an exciting story! In addition to all this, how has your business grown?

Leanne: My business has grown an average of 35% year on year since its inception in 2004 because of our team, their reliability passion and loyalty. We have grown approximately 70% by word of mouth and recommendation, and the consistency of our service has ensured client and worker loyalty. We have clients who have been with us since inception – which is unheard of for an agency and a transient workforce.

I really believe in engagement as a business growth tool. We have a people business and so if our team isn’t engaged, don’t love their workplace or feel appreciated then we truly have nothing. Visitors to our offices regularly comment on the positivity and happy nature of the team. Our culture really is everything and our ranking in the Times Top 100 stating 99% feel supported, 93% have fun with their colleagues and 91% loved their roles, proves that our success and growth is down to the happiness and wellbeing of people.

Some examples of what we do include;

Our innovative ‘Legends’ peer feedback app shows how different from other companies we are. We are proud to be a supportive family business. We collate feedback positively on each other throughout the month, and on the first Monday of the month we all receive our anonymous feedback by email. Positivity in the workplace is an absolute must in maintaining positive mental wellbeing in the team. The monthly crowning of the LCF Legend is a date everyone looks forward to. The winner receives a glass award, digital character, free meals, bar tab for the team, clothes vouchers, a sleep in and early finish, massage and a drawer full of their favourite treats.

Every year we also throw two special events to ensure engagement and celebrate all the hard work. These events grow in notoriety each year and are fully paid for, luxury, all you can eat and drink affairs. From a Gin development & marketing day and night to Local Care Fest which was a self-organised music, food and booze filled glamping festival. We look after our staff and this supports our growth and their commitment to the business as a great place to work and be part of.

HOC: Absolutely amazing. What a huge – but exciting- responsibility you have to your teams! How did you set yourself up for this? Can you…?

Leanne: I believed in myself.To succeed you must be able to motivate yourself, be consistent, dust yourself off and begin again each day., if you are someone who tires easily, and find it hard to motivate yourself, then it’s not for you! Be prepared not to have a day off until you are properly established – which can take years and the right people. You have to be prepared to take a gamble, risk a steady income, and accept a blip on your cv whilst you’re doing all the groundwork…… I remember Tony Robbins made a fabulous statement – If you want to take the island – burn your F***ing boats! Great analogy.

HOC: How do you take time out, do you ever find it difficult?

Leanne: I am not very good at relaxing; my mind is very active and there is always so much I want to do! I love a challenge and my husband and I are currently renovating three separate properties in our down time. One is a stunning five bed Winemakers home with a separate cottage, heated pool etc in a beautiful village in the south of France. The others are in The Dales and North Yorkshire #Yorkshirelass ). The luxury property in France will soon become a rental for a few weeks each summer.

I have a fabulous friend who is an outdoorsy personal trainer at All change PT, who I run with. This is the best way to get me out of the office and into the fresh air – we have even been known to do HIT sessions by the canal which gets some interesting looks, I also enjoy pilates with her and it is the only thing that calms my mind and keeps me focused, but that’s mainly because I have no coordination!

HOC: Hold the phone, we need to know more about that Winemakers home…

Leanne: Haha, of course! The luxury property is in Languedoc, called ‘Bois D’argent’ which means ‘Silverwood’! It’s a 1869 six bed winemakers home with an independent cottage converted from the original stables,. It also has a heated pool and a summer kitchen, it’s dreamy. We bought it from the family that owned all the vineyards surrounding the village and it hadn’t been lived in for 20 years so had no suitable water, drainage or electricity but we fell in love with it anyway!

It has been a real labour of love, but we are now finally at the exciting part – finishing it off and selecting furnishings, so I am currently obsessing over hand finished kitchen handles by The Period Ironmonger, taps from Perrin and Row, Rudge & Co and Jim Lawrence light fittings…

If you love a bit of a renovation project – be sure to check us out over at @LeBoisDArgent. The house is in Puissalicon, one of the famous ‘circulade’ villages where the ancient houses constructed in a spiral fashion outwards from the centre, which is full of charming and unique restaurants and bars. It’s in the heart of the Languedoc vineyards and has multiple wine domains in the village itself…..who also conveniently allow for wine tasting.

HOC: Okay, back to business ; what’s next?

Leanne: My ambition was to avoid the label of ‘recruitment’ due to negative connotations and so much bad practice in the industry. We are a Nursing and health specialist provider, we are professionals in that industry and we have stood tall and fought since day one to be respected. Something I feel we have achieved. Examples of this include being asked to display our projects at the Department of Health Patient Safety Conference, to working on pilot projects with the NMC (Nursing Midwifery Council) and RCN (Royal College of Nursing) resulting in being named as one of the RCNs Top 100 Nursing Innovators 2018. I believe we are pioneers; we have removed ourselves from the shadow of ‘recruitment’ and deservedly stand proud alongside Commissioning Groups, Independent care providers and the NHS. Being inducted into the Royal Collage of Nursing library of best practice as the gold standard for agency Nursing last year was a testament to our professionals and the hard work they invest in this business.

Immediately on the horizon for me is a slot as a guest speaker at this years Business Insiders 42 Under 42 awards dinner. I was crowned overall winner at last year’s event, so this is a real honour. I will be up on stage infront of everyone so wish me luck!

HOC: And finally, a classic question; the ’10 years ago’ challenge is all the rage on insta at the moment, what advice do you have for the 2009 you?

Leanne: I think it’s the other way round, the 2009 me was smarter with her work life balance, less sensible and far more frivolous – she bought far too many expensive shoes, travelled the world to some of the most luxurious hotels ….. !

I would say, keep it up girl – LIVE LIFE!

By the time my niece / goddaughter is 18 she is going to have a seriously extensive, luxury vintage shoe collection! 2019 Leanne needs to take the time to buy more shoes and take more holidays for sure…especially with the big 40 rapidly approaching! Visit https://www.piciandpici.com.

To find out more about Leanne’s business visit www.LocalCareForce.co.uk

Follow the restoration of Leanne’s French property on instagram @LeBoisDArgent.

Fashion November 9, 2023

Lauren Stevenson Virginia Norris on PR in the digital world

For those on the fringes of the fashion industry, the perception when it comes to fashion PR’s are often inextricably linked with images of Absolutely Fabulous. Let me tell you “darling” that over-the-top, flamboyant, PR woman of the nineties is a thing of the past.For those on the fringes of the fashion industry, the perception when it comes to fashion PR’s are often inextricably linked with images of Absolutely Fabulous. Let me tell you “darling” that over-the-top, flamboyant, PR woman of the nineties is a thing of the past. Instead, contemporary PR professionals like Lauren Stevenson Virginia Norris on PR are reshaping the industry with a more nuanced, strategic approach.

Enter Virginia Norris & Lauren Stevenson, looking towards the future of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty, with their agency Aisle 8 Communications. Fully embracing the power of digital has set Aisle 8 apart from other agencies; and their deep understanding of the fast-paced needs of that digital world has enabled them to elevate brands like Manu Atelier and DCL Skincare to a global scale. We chat with Girl-boss Lauren Stevenson, about what it takes to start your own business, and how the future of fashion pr can be found on your screen.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background, what inspired you to start AISLE8?

I’ve worked in PR for 15 years in large and small agencies, as well as two major in-house roles. Every role gave me valuable experience in the impact that PR can have as part of the wider marketing mix. I was privileged to be fully immersed in the digital world from the beginning, and I saw how a dynamic entrepreneurial young team could build a world-class business. After a year as the Head of PR & Communications at Harrods, I missed that nimble and dynamic approach to PR. I saw a gap in the market for an agency that understood the changing face of PR and communications, being able to bridge the gap between digital marketing and traditional PR. Aisle 8 could do just that, understanding the importance of how PR could deliver retail sales and build a business from the ground up.

How did you two meet? What made you decide to start this business together?

Virginia and I had met while I was the head of PR for my-wardrobe.com and she was the head of PR for Whistles. Two fast-growing British fashion retailers, carving out a unique position in the market with clever, creative PR tactics and strategies that stood out. We were at the same events with our CEOs and often said, we should start a business together. We were regularly pitched to by digital and PR agencies but none of them seemed to understand the nuances of our retail business and how we approached digital in a 360 way.

In 2014, I called Virginia from Miami and said I’m going to resign, let’s start the agency we always talked about. Within a week we had both resigned, drafted our business plan, and registered Aisle8.

What makes Aisle8 Comms different from other agencies in the industry?

We have a deep understanding of retail and e-commerce, understanding how fully integrated PR and digital communications can build a brand. We understand the frustrations of working with agencies when you’re an in-house team, offering a service that goes far beyond a traditional PR agency. We have a track record for taking brands such as Manu Atelier to become a globally sought-after name, to securing retail for DCL Skincare in one of London’s leading department stores.

How do you go about finding the right brands and businesses to partner with?

We have been in a privileged position that so far, brands have always come to us and we have been able to be selective on the right brands to work with. We look for businesses with an authentic story and interesting products. We are storytellers. Introducing new brands, services, and products, so we have to fully believe and be incredibly passionate about those stories.

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

Nothing can prepare you for running your own business. I’m very lucky to have Virginia by my side and I couldn’t have done this without her. You know how to do your job as a PR professional, but growing and running your own business — well that you learn on the job every day. The biggest challenge has been cash flow. You no longer just receive a pay cheque at the end of every month. You have to wait for your clients to pay their invoices to be able to pay your suppliers, team, and office costs. It’s the one thing that keeps us awake at night.

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

Today’s digital world has allowed us to have a much more flexible approach to work. We all have phones, laptops, social media, and global marketing channels that enable us to market to a worldwide audience with one image or sentence. The opportunity to launch a brand or start a business has never been more readily available. It’s just having the courage and belief to do it. Virginia and I gave each other the courage and belief to do this and without each other, the dark days would be a lot darker and the bright days, less bright.

AISLE8

Business November 9, 2023

#WomenWorldwide: Tricia Scott leads a community of female entrepreneurs with The Female CEO

Here at House of Coco, we’re all about women empowering other women, and this is exactly what Tricia Scott and The Female CEO are all about. With a background in business coaching, Tricia has created a community of women all over the world, whose only goal is to help female entrepreneurs further their businesses.

Through mentoring, coffee break catch-ups, and informative blog articles at her very own CEO Magazine, Tricia Scott and The Female CEO are changing the world by lifting up one world changing woman at a time. In this latest #WomenWorldwide interview, we caught up with Tricia Scott and talked about what drives her passions, personal mantras, and the importance of having a kick-ass support system. Because with Tricia Scott and The Female CEO, ‘you are never alone’.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background. What inspired you to start The Female CEO?

Looking back now, working towards the inclusion, success, and empowerment of others is always something I’ve held close to my core. I’ve always held a deep rooted (somewhat rebellious) nature at heart. Growing up, I’ve always gravitated to people who were different. As soon as I was able, I left my school days behind and was quickly and easily swept into the corporate world, climbing every ladder of every job I was ever presented with.

I was never happy to stand still, and was always looking for a higher position, higher learning and more to do. My free time was spent with people who preferred to stay outside of the norm, with different ideas and inspirations. This is probably where my love of entrepreneurship came from, I think entrepreneurs are creative people who view the world a little bit differently. My mantra was always (and still is), to never judge a book by its cover. Some of the most beautiful and interesting souls I’ve ever had the pleasure of spending time with, were people I met through following this mantra.

Over the years and like so many of the women I speak to today, I’ve faced my own personal hurdles, family tragedy, divorce, and debt to name just a few. Eventually I paused and looked around I realised that I really wasn’t alone. Women everywhere were stalled, scared, and hiding under layer upon layer of life experiences. I started to work with small groups of women at first, creating topics to start or further their businesses. Confidence, support, empowerment, focus and passion became the foundation of our work. This eventually led to bigger groups, large scale speaking engagements, interviews, videos and eventually the birth of The Female CEO & CEO digital magazine.

What is The Female CEO all about and how does it help aspiring GirlBosses the world over?

I have worked with women from all walks of life both as the Female CEO and in my previous role as a business coach and mentor. Watching women come together and work through their struggles, as well as celebrating their wins. Knowing that working as a solo-preneur can be lonely, these groups and support systems have become a lifeline to many. The mantra? ‘You are never alone here’

The Female CEO and CEO magazine aim to offer support and guidance to entrepreneurs through various methods. This includes specific training, a community-based Facebook page, In The Spotlight Interviews, and coffee break catch ups with inspirational people from across the world. We also offer printables, blogs, support, and ideas and it’s open to anyone. You don’t have to have your own business to be part of it, far from it in fact. I’m a firm believer that incredible things happen when women come together in solidarity and that’s what this business is all about – community driven empowerment and world-changing women.

As a CEO yourself, how important is having a strong support network to achieving your goals?

I believe that a strong support network is vital to achieving pretty much anything. It’s one of the reasons when I created The Female CEO I handpicked a team of fabulous Guest Editors, all with different skill-sets to work alongside and share their collective knowledge with our readers. I am the first to put my hand in the air and say that I don’t know everything. That is the amazing thing about a community like ours. Everyone is unique and at different stages of their journey therefore we all have so much to offer to each other!

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a female CEO?

Oh my goodness, there have been so many! If I had to choose just one I’d say overcoming the ‘disease to please’. I spent so many hours listening to everyone else’s opinions but my own about how I should set up and run my business. I was trying to please everyone else rather than tuning into my own gut feeling and going with it. Looking back it was a tool for procrastination too. The longer I listened, the less I put myself out there for fear of judgement. I don’t do that anymore!

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

Just do it. Don’t wait for the time to be just right, trust me you’ll never get there. Seek out communities of people with similar interests, ask for help (people really love to help) and be brave. It’s not impossible to set up on a minimum budget either, there are so many free resources out there from building your own website (I created The Female CEO from scratch with literally zero experience or knowledge) to taking payments and protecting the privacy of your customers, it all just takes a little bit of research. Finally, believe in yourself and your capabilities.

I wish you all of the success in the world.

WWW.THEFEMALECEO.COM

Australia November 9, 2023

#WomenWorldwide: Hannah Terziu captures wedding moments with Love Story Events

Someone’s wedding day, is probably the most important day in most peoples’ lives. It is an unforgettable experience that marks the beginning of a new story, shared with the couple’s closest family and friends. To be a part of a wedding is truly a special experience, but to plan the magic of a wedding, is a whole different story.

Hannah Terziu has built her business around capturing unforgettable wedding moments. Not to mention, capturing them amidst the stunning backdrops of the Amalfi Coast. A love for events and wedding planning led her to leave London and jump headfirst into her passion. Love Story Events is a testament to her talent and willpower as both a wedding planner, and an entrepreneur. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and if these photos say anything, it’s that Hannah certainly made the right choice in pursuing her dreams.

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

I tend to think of myself as having 3 children — my actual two children, Benjamin who is 2 years old and Serena my 5 months old baby — but also my third baby which is my business! Every day is a struggle to balance my time between these 3 commitments. They keep me busy — but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Whilst I was born in the UK, I moved to Sydney 4 years ago and live in Sydney with my husband and kids. We travel back to Italy each year to deliver the seasonal weddings, which is a great excuse to also visit family and friends in Europe at the same time.

I remember the moment I knew that event planning was for me – I was evaluating different career options following my degree. (which was in Law, not events!) There were about 4 different roles I was thinking about. However, the only thing that kept “sticking with me” was event planning. I decided to pursue it.

My first role was at the Ritz Hotel and this cemented my passion for wedding planning – I loved meeting couples, exploring their vision and seeing the wedding day unfold. I then moved into the field of private events working for HM The Queen’s Household at Buckingham Palace. I loved every moment of my time there and was privileged to be involved in some of the big historical events. However, I missed working with the public and especially with couples; and that’s when I moved to Italy to pursue destination wedding planning.

What made you decide to move to Italy?

My career in London spanned 5 years and by then I felt I had experienced the best that London had to offer. As a person, I like to continually grow and challenge myself. I had always LOVED Italy as a location — so when I was thinking about the next step for my career, moving abroad, learning a new language and working in destination weddings, sounded like a good fit for me. The concept of Love Story Eventswas born, but I knew I needed to get hands on experience in Italy before I could fully launch the company.

When I got to Italy, there were a number of challenges. At first I worked in Rome – it wasn’t the best experience as I ended up not being paid for the 6 months I worked and having to sleep in the office. But by then I had already invested and was determined not to go back home without having gained the experiences and insights into destination wedding planning that I needed.

I moved to the Amalfi Coast and was fortunate enough to connect with the right people there and so my destination wedding planning experience began. The language took me a good 6 months to pick up — it was helped by the fact that I met my (now) husband there, which was certainly all the motivation I needed to learn quickly! After 2 years delivering destination weddings in Italy, fluent in Italian and having married myself, I was ready to move into the next phase.

In your expert opinion, what are the essentials to creating an unforgettable wedding?

In my opinion having a destination wedding it makes it unforgettable — it sets the wedding apart as an experience of a country, especially as guests tend to make a holiday experience out of it. I love seeing both the Bride & Groom’s reaction when they first see their wedding venue and also the guest at the wedding — they are often rendered speechless as they step into the venue and see the views (especially on the Amalfi Coast).

Another essential to an unforgettable wedding is the delivery — what I mean by this is how it flows on the day, how relaxed the couple are and the guest perception. The key to the success of this is in the planning. It ensures that all the details you have put into the day come to pass and that the celebration runs smoothly. It is important the wedding is a true expression of the couples styles, personalities, ideas and vision, so that the day feels genuine not a like putting on a show — making for an authentic, unforgettable wedding for all.

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

Being discovered has been the hardest thing. Whilst I was confident I had the passion and skill to create destination weddings, I needed to learn a lot about how to reach my target audience and thus about social media. Marketing is always evolving, it is a constant learning curve to keep up with. Persevering with getting the brand out there is still challenging, but I am beginning to see real growth in the company and so I am encouraged to see that my efforts are starting to pay off.

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

The best advice I can give is not to over think things in the start-up phase and to deal with problems or challenges as they arise. It is easier to find a solution when you are “in motion” rather than thinking about it being static. Honestly, before I set up Love Story Events, I found myself wondering how living in Australia and having a baby (I had just given birth to our son at the time) was going to work logistically with planning weddings in Italy. But I also knew I had worked too hard to give up on my dream. So I started the company. — and solutions presented themselves as I went along. So my advice is to get started! ?

www.lovestoryitaly.com

Fashion November 9, 2023

#GIRLBOSSESOFGREATBRITAIN – The One With The Empowering Dresser

House of Coco grabbed a drink with Aga Moodley, founder of I A.M the Brand, a personal stylist consultancy with a very personal approach. We spoke about childhood memories of amazing, handmade outfits, Kim Kardashian and becoming a mother.

HOC: Great to speak with you Aga! We’d love to start at the beginning, how did you come to being a stylist?

AM: Hello, I guess let’s start right at the beginning! I come from Poland and when I was a child it was under the Soviet dominance and there was nothing in the shops. At that time I lived in an all-generation house and my Mum and Grandmum used to make clothes. All the time sewing and knitting. Sometimes I couldn’t sleep at night because of the sewing machine noise! Even while there was nothing in the shops, my sister and me always looked different. Everyone would look at our clothes confused and ask ‘how is this possible?!’. The usual way to get new clothes would be when people brought things over from other countries or bought from import shops and we weren’t that family with dollars to spend.

So, growing up we had lots of clothes and they were always different that anyone else’s. My mum would always say that it was good to be unique and she’d say the same about toys. Like, when I wanted a Barbie my mum would ask, why do you want a Barbie, everyone has a Barbie! I learnt that it’s good to express yourself through clothes and it’s okay to look different.

HOC: It’s amazing that you can trace your love of clothes back to being a child! Can you talk us through how you work with your clients now?

AM: I offer a number of services to my clients. Some I work with regularly on a number of things and for others, it can be more of an ad hoc set up or coaching on where to shop, how to shop, how to build a capsule wardrobe, how to define a personal style… I offer Personal Shopping, Wardrobe Makeovers and Styling for particular events and I customise these to clients’ specific requirements. Of course, some of my clients do have the funds for high-end designer shopping, which is a lot of fun and can be an amazing experience for my client to get great service at a store! However, some of my clients have a defined budget and I teach them how to manage their finances and always look amazing. We work with what they have and a defined budget. One thing I see very often, no matter who I’m working with, is that people buy things impulsively, the bigger bargain, the better, even it doesn’t suit them! When I do wardrobe makeovers, I go through huge amounts of items of clothing that people keep and never wear!

HOC: I’m sure that we are guilty of that! Why do you find that people work with stylists?

AM: Some people just don’t have time to shop, I have a few clients who ask me to pick up things for specific events and, because I know them well, I can find them something great without going shopping with them. Some want to learn what to wear, some want to develop a new image. No matter what the reason, there’s always a massive self-development aspect of the process. Other people just aren’t into clothes that much, it’s not their top priority. I find, as well, that as women get older many seem to think less about what they are wearing. As my mum says: “ When you’re my age, you won’t care about clothes. You will appreciate other things in life”. But soon after that she’ll happily talk about what someone else is wearing.

I really believe that a person’s look affects and reflects their life; all aspects of it. It surely affects our mood but also our mood dictates what we will wear. What we wear and how we look is a key part of our brand, and this message I wanted to convey through the name of my business –‘I A.M the Brand’. I believe we’re unique and fashion is such a great tool to use when defining ourselves.

What I also pride myself on is that I have deep empathy and really do understand people. I’ve been through my fair share of things… This empathy helps me to be a good stylist as a good stylist is not only a fashion guru but a great psychologist. I “cure” the causes of overspending, not looking after oneself, hoarding, wrong fashion choices and I very much aim to give people confidence to value themselves and show that value through what they wear.

HOC: You are a new mother, how has that changed your life and your work?

AM: Yes, finally! It took a long time for our little girl to come to us. It was actually a pretty hard time to get to this point. I know many people don’t feel this but I have always wanted to be a mother. It has always felt like the most natural thing for me. So, when we weren’t conceiving easily it made me very, very upset. I did fall into a depression and, at times, it was hard to even leave the house for work. My husband was very supportive and helped me through but it was a really dark time.

Now that she’s here it’s so wonderful. Not to say that it’s not exhausting and sometimes me and my husband wish we had more time for us! We always have to think about what to do to keep her occupied and happy. But she goes to work with me sometimes too. When she was very small I did bring her to my events and to some of my regular client appointments.

HOC: If any of our readers wanted to explore a career in styling, what training would you recommend they look at?

AM: I have done some formal styling training (Fashion Marketing Elective – ‘London College of Fashion’ & Stylist Course – ‘Style Me Academy’) and there’s all the classic theories about body shape etc. but what it’s really about is knowing what looks good on people and how to work with people and understand what they need. Rather than worry too much about trends my approach to styling focuses on the background personality characteristics of an individual and using this as a frame of reference when applying styling techniques with clothing. I want to empower my clients.

HOC: How do you market yourself?

AM: Since the beginning of the year I’ve been running styling events. I bring 20 women to one place and they get to meet me and speak to me about their personal style. I find a face-to-face interaction very important. A client must get to know the stylist they decide to work with. They invest a lot of money and they need to take the most out of such a session. I really love making people happy. In the future I’d like to do such events also for men as I don’t believe its just women who want this!

There’s so many topics that I want to run events on. There will be some events that are just stylist specific and more open events incorporating more lifestyle things. In June I’ll do a celebrity style experience, catwalk, photos and my guest speaker is a plus size model, who will teach the group about how to feel confident. I don’t know if you’ve seen the Social Network, well Mark Zuckerberg says in it ’the biggest successes come from our insecurities’ and I really believe that, you need to change your insecurities into something positive.

At these events I also love to promote other businesses, people and ideas I believe in. It’s important to experience things for them to work for you. For instance, reading about some diet that Kim Kardashian lost a lot of weight on doesn’t mean anything, you need to personalise the service.

HOC: How do you find these complimentary brands you partner with and make sure they will represent your brand well?

AM: When I meet a person I naturally always want to know what they do! At a recent event I ran there was a nutritionist who I had met a few years ago at another event and then she recommended the chef who also joined us. I always want to know a person before I want to relate them to my business. So, I meet the person, I see what they do, I hear how they speak and I get to know them.

HOC: The way that you talk about styling and clothes makes absolute sense. What are you planning for the future of I A.M the Brand?

AM: More events, definitely and I do really want to work more with men, maybe even with couples. There are a lot of people who I can help and make happy through what I do. That’s why I enjoy what I do!

Thanks for taking the time to speak with House of Coco Aga, we love your mission to support others to express themselves through what they wear at I A.M the Brand. We know that Sophia Amoruso, who made the phrase #GirlBoss so popular would love it too!

Beauty November 9, 2023

#GIRLBOSSESOFGREATBRITAIN: The One With A Holiday That Turned Into A New Life

House of Coco had a chat with Kristina Spionjak, (spionjak.com), a publicist specialised in helping creative minds ‘tell their story’ to their target audience in the most compelling, distinct and relevant way, about wanderlust (a girl after House of Coco’s heart!) and how to make it with only £200 in your pocket.

HOC: Kristina, tell us about your business and the journey that got you here?

KS: I came to London in 2009 with just £200 in my pocket. I didn’t speak any English and I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I had come for London for a two week holiday, went back to Zagreb and then moved over!

The first thing I did was to work as an au pair which really helped me to learn the language and understand your culture. After that I was unsure of what to do next. I was over qualified to work for free and didn’t want to take a job where I’d be scraping £6 an hour, so there was no other option than to start my own business.

Back home in Croatia I worked in Political PR and a friend of mine there was a fashion designer and asked me if I would promote them in the UK market. I gave it a go and really enjoyed it, so I decided to start offering PR services.

HOC: That’s amazing, how did you go about building a name?

KS: The first obstacle was to find clients so I could make money! I started running PR workshops and teaching people how they could do their own PR, but my workshops were structured in a way that once they were over, they would realise they still needed my help to navigate the ins and outs and shoals of PR. I gained my first two clients shortly after by only charging £200 a month, which is now ridiculous! I put together my portfolio and then it started rolling in earnest.

We have our 5th anniversary this March and I have a small team and very capable team now built around me!

HOC: How did your friends feel when you came to the UK?

KS: It was wasn’t a great surprise to most of them. I’d already lived in three different cities! Croatia is very small, so after two years in its capital Zagreb it felt like you knew just about everyone and especially in the Media industry. The city felt small and I wanted more.

I remember when I came here on holiday. I was in Camden market and there was a mad mass of energy and rushing people. I knew then that I wanted to move to London for sure. Now that I live here, more people live near me in North West London than in the whole of my country! I took a leap of faith and it has paid off.

HOC: It must have been full of challenges, any tips to share?

KS: Yes. It was a rollercoaster, and even now I still have ups and downs. You need to have patience most of all!

You should also surround yourself with people who are informed and are hungry to keep learning. I read three books a week (I use an app that neatly summarises a book I’m interested in to decide if I’ll read it) which really helps me to manage my time well. In most cases, books can be written in twenty pages! I like to read psychology, behavioural sciences, economics and self-development books — the standard fare for PR where you need to know and understand your audience.

As a consultant, I often need to know about lots of different areas and background that I wouldn’t necessarily normally come across. I always like to be prepared before a consultation and will always recommend them to other professionals if I see that I’m not the best person or match for them or their project.

HOC: I think people forget how, while running your own business is an education in itself, you have to keep learning alongside it. You mention surrounding yourself with great people, do you have any mentors?

KS: I have a couple of mentors whom I unexpectedly discovered by chance! While I was still figuring out what I wanted to do, I taught Croatian and made a friend who is a property developer. He runs an old fashioned business and it was so useful to get his perspective and insight on my business; it’s great to discuss ideas with someone from a completely different industry. It really opens your eyes and helps you see from outside the bubble, in.

Another friend of mine is a marketing and PR manager who helped me define my brand strategy. I also have a number of people I work with like my creative copywriter and others who are fantastic to talk to and bounce ideas off. The people around me are mostly male, which is a coincidence.

HOC: Interesting that your mentors are mostly male! How do you find working in the industry as a woman?

KS: This industry is actually very female orientated with not many male clients! That said, I feel there are lots of differences between men and women in business. Women seem to be more caring of what’s going on but men just want to get it done!

HOC: What’s the next adventure then?

KS: I’ve already bought a place here in London so I’m trying to make this city my home and let it settle in. I’ll definitely be travelling somewhere or living elsewhere for a few months when the opportunity occurs and to check it out!

We love your attitude and approach to life, Kristina and can’t wait to see what you will do next! We don’t know about you but Kristina’s story has got us wanting to pack up and move abroad in search of adventure…

Beauty November 9, 2023

GIRL BOSSES OF GREAT BRITAIN: A CATCH UP WITH THE QUEEN OF BLOW DRIES

How do you stop your business from drying up? According to Duck & Dry’s Yulia Rorstrom, you make sure it can be duplicated time and time again. We spoke to the founder and entrepreneur about making her business work all over the captial.

“I am always nervous. It is really hard to predict success.” Duck & Dry founder, Yulia Rorstrom, opens up about finding each and every one of her launches just that little bit nail-biting. You’d think her reaction to new projects would be the opposite with four years’ worth of glistening business decisions under her belt, but her modesty just leads me to admire her more. This is not the first time I have met her, and every time I do I am taken aback by her bundles of knowledge and passion. She is remarkable, really.

Soon after Yulia’s first blow-dry bar opened on the much sought after Kings Road, London, it became clear she was destined for big things. We dubbed her the Queen of the Blow Dry, not for effect (at least not only for that), but because she just is. She knows all there is to know about blow dries and up-dos, plus how to make good money from them, and all of that comes despite a background in a completely unrelated field.

Yulia started her career when she graduated from the London School of Economics. She began as a management consultant (and a very successful one at that), advising commercial banks and insurance companies. It wasn’t until a business trip to Japan, a country that had totally nailed the then-unheard-of concept of the blow dry bar, that she realised there was a gap in the UK beauty market.

“It really inspired me there”, she said. “They have a really high concentration of salons per square meter, and I hadn’t seen anything like that before.” Each of the salons had bags of character and personality, Yulia remembers, whether that was due to the interior design, the stylists’ uniforms or the music they played.

Yulia’s journey continued in the USA, where she noticed that similar bars had a real buzz about them. She continued: “When I went, the girls were really excitable and happy to hang out and chat. It was their weekly spot before going out and that kind of buzz and energy was lacking in London. I decided I wanted to combine the two with a strong distinctive brand and a great experience. I thought, I’m just going to go for it and try it out.”

Having seen the wonderful salons Yulia has created over the past four years, we are lucky she bought the concept to the UK, but she is the first to admit it was a scary career jump over to the world of beauty.

She said: “When you’re setting up a business, especially in an industry that you’re not familiar with, you might spend a lot of time thinking about the big picture – the brand, the experience you want the client to have, interiors and look books. What you don’t spend as much time on is the day to day operational grind.”

She continued: “That’s tough at first because you’re not prepared for what it’s going to bring you. Everything from suppliers and staff to clients and landlords. All of that stuff is not particularly sexy or glamorous, but it’s what makes up the business and takes up 90% of your time”.

It was that operational grind, and creating a business model which was actually going to work (whilst holding down a full time job, may we add) which took the entrepreneur by surprise. The business model Yulia created is about expanding the brand and making it work time and time again. She said: “My business model needs a lot of people coming through the doors: visitors, tourists and businesses. We need to capture both regulars and one-offs.”

With stores in Chelsea, Soho, Spitalfields and Oxford Circus, Duck & Dry is now spreading like wildfire; it is interesting to note how Yulia and her team have ensured these people are constantly going out of their way to visit.

Perhaps it has a lot to do with her love for, and knowledge of, the capital which has informed many of her business decisions along the way. “I’ve lived in London for 15 years and I have a very good feel for the city. The places I pick are very iconic. Carnaby, for example – the ‘Welcome to Carnaby’ sign. I saw it when I was at school and now I have a shop there!”

Yulia and her team adapt their concept to suit the demographic of each one of these iconic areas, and to suit the character of the commercial units they fall in love with. The Chelsea store has a town house feel, and Carnaby Street branch is part of a concept lead store in collaboration with Sweaty Betty and Farm Girl Cafe. The Oxford Circus store plays on the fact that you’re surrounded by Fitzrovia and the West End (there are many galleries in the area, so it has a fitting New York loft feel), and the Spitalfields store has a bit more edge thanks to its central market location.

This Spitalfields store is Yulia’s latest venture: a gem hidden within the famous market which opened its’ doors in September. The original brick work has all been retained, but brand colours have been used alongside lots of wood and lots of marble. It has been a huge success so far, but since each pocket of London is very diverse, it was very difficult to predict whether it would be. “I’m not a pessimist but I’m pragmatic”, Yulia explains. “I set expectations lower and I don’t just assume people will find out about my new ventures. I do lots of social and campaigns to give everything a push.”

She continued: “We do a bit of everything, from cocktail nights to gallery takeovers.” To date, Yulia has enjoyed collaborations with the likes of Adidas, Barbie, Boden and Batiste (to name a few), and it is one of her dreams that the list will never stop growing.

The recipe seems to be working a treat: choose your locations wisely, don’t just expect your ventures to work and push them on social ’til you’re blue in the face. Do you have a favourite store, we asked? “Chelsea was my first, so I have a certain attachment to it. But it’s not my favourite. That’s like choosing a favourite child!” Spoken like a true businesswoman.

Head to the new Duck & Dry Spitalfields store now, or stop by Duck & Dry Oxford Circus on 16th October for a free Elan Cafe hot chocolate with every blow dry.

Beauty November 9, 2023

#CocoBeauty: Want a celebrity smile?

Our teeth are the first thing that someone sees when they are talking to us, and if our smile is wide and our teeth are white and bright then they light up our entire face.

The look for 2018 is to have a perfect ‘celebrity’ smile and we at #TeamCoco HQ are wholeheartedly into looking after our teeth, we follow some hard and fast dentistry rules to get that all-important bright smile.

We spoke to dentist to the stars Dr Richard Marques about how to look after our teeth correctly, what we should be using to achieve perfect white teeth, any trends we should be in to, and also who his famous clients are.

How long have you been a dentist to the stars?
It’s been around five years now, and with each year, more talent seem to be stepping through my door, which is fantastic.

Where is your surgery/clinic based?
It’s on Wimpole Street in the Harley Street District of Central London.

What is your most requested treatment?
At the moment, a lot of my customers are chasing the ‘Meghan Markle’ Hollywood smile. We offer the Enlighten Teeth Whitening Treatment that can whiten up to 16 shades both easily and safely so that’s a really popular one. After the initial appointment, whitening can be done at home so it’s super convenient.

What is your number one tip for cleaning teeth correctly at home?
I always recommend people to use an electric toothbrush. Ultimately, they make brushing easier meaning you can worry less about technique. They help you to maintain consistent pressure so you’re not brushing too harshly and many have timers so you know when you’ve brushed for the optimum amount of time!

Is there anything we shouldn’t be doing when we brush our teeth?
Never brush too aggressively as it can be really harmful to gums and actually start to damage the precious enamel coating of the teeth.

Can you suggest any foods to stay away from that stain the teeth?
Any highly pigmented food can stain the teeth. The biggest culprits are blueberries, beetroot, tomatoes and dark sauces such as balsamic vinegar and soy sauce. Dark drinks like tea, coffee and red wine can also stain, so always follow with a good swish of water!

What product(s) would you recommend to get perfect white teeth?
Depending on the level of results you’re looking to achieve, it’s always best to consult with your dentist and look at a professional whitening program. But day to day, a consistent oral health routine is genuinely your best bet at maintaining a naturally white smile!

What product(s) do you use personally use from your own range?
I regularly take my Co-Enzyme Q10 supplements to help maintain the strength and health of the gums, and I always use the 100% Natural Whitening Peppermint Charcoal Paste to polish my teeth before a night out or TV appearance etc.

How long should a professional whitening last?
This depends on how well you look after your teeth and the condition they’re in when the whitening is done. It also depends on the type of treatment you have – it could last 12 months or it could last a few years – everyone is different.

Are you developing any new products that we can expect to see in the future?
This year we launched the Peppermint and Strawberry Charcoal Toothpastes in the By Richard Marques range so that’s been a big focus, but we’re always looking at new product ideas and developing the range to fit consumer demand, so watch this space!

Dr Richard Marques products include Natural Whitening Peppermint Toothpaste (£24), Natural Whitening Peppermint Charcoal Toothpaste (£29), Natural Whitening Strawberry Toothpaste (£24), Super Strong Natural Whitening Mouthwash (£24), Co-Enzyme Q10 Supplements (£34) plus a number of bundles/collections from the above including toothpaste bundles (£44 – £58) and more. All available online from Dr Richard.

Well-known names that are clients of Dr Richard include Rita Ora, Nick Grimshaw, Olivier Proudlock, Binky Felstead, Pete Wicks, Louisa Johnson, Jamie Redknapp, Russel Tovey, Tom Daley, Sinitta, Rosie Fortescue, Eyal Booker, Alex Bowen, and Olivia Buckland.