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5 Sustainable Swimwear Brands to Add to Your Summer Wardrobe

Is it me or is February onwards when I start thinking of new swimwear to add to my wardrobe? January was a trial month so it’s now game on for getting fit and healthy – but the fun part that comes with that is choosing a whole new bikini attire. This year I’m trying to be super sustainable; realistically all my old bikinis and swimsuits will do just fine. But I am a girl who is into fashion and, if I’m honest, I do want a new bikini for holiday. My way of doing this slightly more ethically? Buying from sustainable brands and sellers. I’m not talking buying second-hand (although there is nothing wrong with this AT ALL) but through upcycled swimwear. How are these recycled pieces made? ECONYL is a high-quality, eco-friendly material created from recycled nylon found in discarded fishing nets and marine waste. There are so many brands designing sustainable swimwear nowadays that we’re definitely all spoiled for choice.

Tucca Swim

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7WwOnjFGzx/

Sibling duo and all round girl bosses Helaina and Chloe Thomas founded Tucca Swim, aiming to bring unique designs that were sustainable to the swimwear market. The bright prints and clashing colours are made more wearable by the multiway designs of the swimwear, making it easier to make your pieces last.

After realising how much plastic and polyester particles are released into the water, the sisters wanted to fix this and came up with their designs. With their collection being made from eco-friendly fabrics (78 per cent recycled polyamide and 22 per cent elastane), the recycled nylon lasts on average three months longer than normal swimwear fabrics. It also is better protected from sun cream and chlorine – how cool is that? Even the brand’s packaging is biodegradable and plastic-free!

Tide + Seek

https://www.instagram.com/p/B72zLAug4Ow/

All Tide + Seek swimwear is sustainable; made from Repreve which is a polyester fibre completely made out of recycled plastic. The ocean racks up so many discarded bottles and with each piece of swimwear meaning there are five less plastic bottles in landfill – that’s a huge success by our books. Tide + Seek also cuts out the use of new petroleum in the process of swimwear-making so there are fewer greenhouse gas emissions too. The pieces are handmade in Bali and come in pretty, mermaid-esque shades and patterns. The all-in-ones are our favourites!

Finisterre

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzGQbByFDq0/

More so known for its outdoor gear, British brand Finisterre has pledged to only using ECONYL in its swimwear (and jackets). You won’t find any single-use plastic in the packaging either. Finisterre uses Neoseed (a durable water repellent) instead of fluorine, which breaks down naturally without affecting the environment. Sustainability is at the heard of this brand; turning plastic problems caused by discarded fishing nets and other nylon waste into high-performance fabrics.

Perhaps a less ‘instagrammable’ brand, this one is where fashion meets function – and is perfect for those of you who are more into surfing, sailing and serious swimming (as opposed to the ten minutes we tend to spend in the sea).

Pursuit The Label

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5axreDJs2s/

You might recognise this standout ‘sports luxe’ style from last season’s Love Island but these swimsuits are here to stay – even outside the villa. Pursuit the Label promises a solution to the problem swimwear production causes the environment; the London-born brand uses the highest quality recycled fabrics to create every piece in the collection. Not only is the entire range designed and manufactured in London, but it is all created from ECONYL (that recycled nylon fabric that we’ve been banging on about throughout this article!)

Not only are the actual swimwear garments sustainable but the production side of things is ethical too. All packaging is made from 100 per cent recycled cardboard and is fully recyclable and production is done in small batches, to limit any clothing going to waste. The founders, Annabel and Hannah, are even involved in the entire production process, meaning that they’re there to observe and ensure ethical the work force.

Marble Swimwear

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8FUDaCDPXT/

Ethically-made swimwear could not get cuter. Marble Swimwear offer their customers these adorable printed, candy coloured pieces – most of which are reversible, meaning it is also incredibly useful come a week-long holiday. Both flattering and supportive for both the sun loungers and the more active ones among ourselves, the brand uses 78 per cent ECONYL so you can have your conscience clear, knowing you’re supporting the recycling of ocean plastic. What makes us at ease a little more is knowing that the brand has individually chosen and vetted every single element of their production to ensure that it’s environmentally conscious – we’re impressed.

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Arts

A Guide to Toronto’s Distillery District

It’s often said that a city is defined by its neighbourhoods, each one brimming with the culture and character of those that inhabit it. The Distillery District in the heart of Toronto is a neighbourhood well worth a visit, jam-packed with creativity and style.

The site, former home to Gooderham & Worts distillery, has been transformed into an inspired blend of Victorian Industrial architecture and stunning 21st century design and creativity. The result is an internationally acclaimed, pedestrianised village of one-of-a-kind stores, shops, galleries, restaurants, studios and cafes.

Check out Team Coco’s best places to visit in The Distillery District:

Soma
Calling all chocolate lovers, for a truly rich chocolate experience you need to visit Soma. This factory store has expert chocolatiers on hand to point you in the direction of some the finest chocolate treats. Make sure you try their Spiced Mayan drinking chocolate, its got a real kick!

The Ordinary
This cult beauty brand is anything but ordinary. The Ordinary’s products are described as “Clinical formulations with integrity” by the company itself. The brand is completely vegan and 100% cruelty free which is why their budget skin and make up collection is one of the hottest ranges on the market. Products often sell out within hours of hitting the shelves because they work and don’t break the bank. Invest in one of their $7 foundations and $5 Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum.

El Catrin
This Mexican restaurant has a lively and fun vibe. El Catrin offers authentic, traditional and modern Mexican dishes all created by Olivier LeCalvez, one of Mexico City’s top chefs. It took three Mexican artists almost 100 days to create the dramatic floor to ceiling murals that fill the walls. The cocktails here are off the hook and a fully stocked tequila and mescal bar occupies the length of the restaurant. It’s well worth the visit.

The Spirit of York
This craft distillery specialises in producing a gin, a vodka, a whisky and an aquavit. Visitors can settle into the cosy round bar in the centre of the room and sample the products. All of the spirits are made from 100% rye grain and expert distillers are on hand to talk you through the process and flavours. The most impressive part of the Spirit of York’s cellar door is the huge glass wall at the back where you can view the working distillery. Settle at the bar with a drink and watch the spirits being made.

Arta Gallery
Arta Gallery offers an impressive collection of contemporary work by both Canadian and international artists. Under the leadership of Director, Fay Athari the vision is to bring art to our daily lives and make talented artists accessible to the Toronto community. Art consultants are on hand to help you find the latest emerging artists and recommend some of the finest artistic works to accommodate your taste and style. The gallery also boasts an art bank where you can rent an outstanding collection of art works for your home or office.

Team Coco travelled to Toronto courtesy of Tourism Toronto www.seetorontonow.com

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Business

GirlBoss: The Heraia’s Shireen Juma and Lee-Anne Solomons, on creating activewear for women by women

Co-founded by best friends, Shireen Juma and Lee-Anne Solomons, The Heraia (The Her-ai-yah)is an activewear brand made by women for women. The name ‘Heraia’ was inspired by the first ever recorded women’s athletic competition, held back in 6th century B.C. The competition was made up of sixteen fierce female athletes, and held in honour of the goddess Hera.

Today, this powerful inspiration translates into The Heraia. Successfully launched last November, their sleek monochromatic activewear exudes the same quiet strength and confidence that those early Olympians represented, but for the modern woman. We catch up with Shireen Juma and Lee-Anne Solomons and talk about their journey into becoming full fledged Girl Bosses, and how their friendship has lifted them up along the way.

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

We have been best friends since we were little and have grown up with similar interests and values. I (Shireen) have built a long career in HR within financial services and have a more of a business background, while Lee-Anne’s focus and vast experience has been in Fashion andBuying. About 3 years ago I was made redundant which lead us to reflect on our life choices. Lee-Anne and I were having a tea and natter in bed one day (as best friends do lol) when we started discussing what we would do instead of our ‘traditional’ careers. We decided we both would love to try and start our own project and ‘The Heraia’ was born. We chose activewear as we both enjoy taking time to focus on our fitness and wellbeing.

Lee-Anne actually got made redundant a short while after that and so we had some time to put some of the wheels in motion before we both went back to work. We pumped our redundancy money into the business and we haven’t had any outside investment as of yet. 

We have worked so hard (while working full time jobs, because the bills keep coming even when you are trying to build an empire lol) to try and build a brand and finally launched last November. So we run The Heraia evenings and weekends and have tough day jobs too.

Lee-Anne and I do everything; from design, fabric and trim selection and development, to working with the factories to produce the garments, to finances and marketing, and also managing social media. We do it all —just the 2 of us. Although we are lucky to be surrounded by an amazing group of friends and family that have supported us from day one.

Where did the inspiration for the name THE HERAIA came from?

We actually spent a long time thinking of our brand name and we originally landed on different name. Then Lee-Anne came across a really cool article about what was essentially the first women’s Olympic event — it was held in honor of the goddess Hera and the event was thus called ‘The Heraia’.

The Heraia was the first recorded women’s athletic competition held at Olympia in the sixth Century BC. 16 amazing women ran races in honour of the goddess Hera. The winners were crowned with olive branches and legend says they were then blessed with strength from the goddess herself — this is the vision that we want to express through our brand.

Where do you get the inspiration for your designs?

We want create activewear to last, for women, by women. We are not about fast fashion and instead are more focused on quality, the best construction, and finishing. We handpicked the finest fabric, created bespoke luxury trims, and tried to create a chic and modern collection that will make women feel amazing. We have tried to be super thoughtful about shape, support, and silhouette and tried to consider every detail. (Even down to the gusset to eliminate the dreaded camel toe!)

Our style is simple yet stylish and we went for a monochrome palette. We made sure the black stay black no matter how much you wash them. So we really have tried to think of everything and create a product women can love and wear over and over again.

We also tried to create product that you’d be happy and comfortable to wear in life and not just at the gym. So you can mix and match or dress certain things up or get them super sweaty in a workout.We also chose to support local and manufacture in the UK.

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

SJ: We are still growing and learning all the time and our business is still very small, but we have certainly learned some important lessons along the way. My advice would be to start building your brand early, even before you have a finished product. As soon as we decided on our brand name we started to think about what we stood for and what our brand ethos and aesthetic would be. We started to build our following from day 1,so that people could buy in and begin to understand what we were about as quickly as possible. I think we now have a clear brand identity and that we are unapologetically us. We are all about girls supporting girls and honouring other women just as they are — whether you go smash workouts everyday or drink wine and eat pizza in your undies. We understand the importance of balance and created a collection with that in mind too. Something for everyone.

LS: My advice would be to try and stay positive even when things don’t seem to be going your way. People will inevitably let you down (sometimes in a major way) but try and stay focused on what you are trying to build and why you are doing what you do. Take a moment to feel the feelings (its ok to be upset or angry or frustrated) but always learn from it and keep going. We are friends first and foremost, so we always try and be kind to each other and remember that everything comes from a good place. When you are as close as sisters, its easy to lose patience with each other, or when you’re tired and over worked you can read a short email or text message the wrong way. On top of The Heraia, we naturally each have our own personal stress from high pressured day jobs or just life. So we actually need to just sit down and remind each other that we are ALWAYS on each others’ sides. When in doubt, we always try to remember the best in each other and assume the most positive intention.

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

We have honestly come up against every possible challenge and speed bump in existence. It’s been tough. People who over-promise and under-deliver, end up completely setting our process back. Creating so much extra work as well as wasting so much time and money. We didn’t have a lot to begin with so small loses/let downs actually feel like a big blow. We have persevered though and we see it as a learning curve.

We’ve had wobbles and tears, but of course we’ve had wins. Ultimately we are so proud of what we have been able to achieve on our own and that we have been able to launch product that we’re proud of this past November. Small business, Big dreams!

WWW.THEHERAIA.COM

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Accessories

Best Dressed Royal Wedding Guest

Just like you, Team Coco are sat at home on this glorious sunny Saturday, watching and waiting, with bated breath, for all the dreamy grandeur of the Royal Wedding in Windsor. We excitedly watch our screens in earnest anticipation for Prince Harry to take Meghan Markle as his lawfully wedded wife — and of course, to meet the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

As the world lays in wait, we watch crowds of well-dressed celebrities walk down in front of the crowds of well-wishers who have camped out to secure the best view of the procession. We ask ourselves — what colourful frock will Her Majesty be donning today? Will Prince William be paying a sartorial homage to the late Princess Diana? All questions soon to be answered by one of the most highly anticipated weddings in years. Oprah Winfrey, Amal Clooney, and the Beckhams (of course) are all in attendance giving us some serious occasion-wear inspiration. And while we may have lost our Save-the-dates in the mail, here’s our top five picks for Royal Wedding inspired dresses for the season. So you can be the best-dressed guest for any upcoming nuptials – royal or not.

1. Riviera One Shoulder Dress by Temperley London
2. Powder Blue Dress by Malene Oddershede Bach at Fenwick of Bond Street
3. Celestina Dress by Erdem
4. Asymmetric Dress by Layeur at The Modist
5. Meret Blue Satin Florence Dress by Erdem

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Accessories

#GirlBoss: Kay Reed on Raising Conservation Awareness through Jewellery

In the face of overconsumption and mass consumerism, Kay Reed’s commitment to conservation is resolute. With the aim of using her art to change the world we live in, Kay’s mission is to use jewellery to turn every one of her customers into Conservation Ambassadors. Kay Reed also uses recycled gold, silver, and gemstones — which means that you can wear every piece of jewellery with pride, knowing that it didn’t have a negative impact on the environment.

We chat with Kay Reed and chat about the philosophy of her brand, and how it is inextricably linked to the environment. Every piece of jewellery features an endangered species, and so Kay Reed is slowly changing perceptions about conservation, one beautiful piece of jewellery at a time.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what inspired you to start Kay Reed?

I spent my childhood years searching for fossils, wildlife, and ‘pretty’ stones along the wild and windy beaches of the North east coast of England. Leaving there in the early 1990s to complete a degree in silversmithing at Birmingham City University.

I was inspired by an Antony Gormley interview that I saw. I can’t remember his exact words but he said that, as an artist, you change the world slightly by placing something in it that wasn’t there before. I thought, well I’m an artist, and if I could change the world I would make everyone aware of how important it is to support animal and habitat conservation. So I set about with my silversmithing to do just that.

Jewellery is such an emotive media to work with. When a beautiful piece is completed, it can spark a conversation; ‘It was a birthday gift’ or ‘it was bought at a little market on holiday’. I thought that I could use that conversation to create awareness for animal conservation, and to spread the word of the plight of our planet.

How important is sustainability and conservation to the ethos of your brand? Could you tell us more about your responsible production process?

My designs represent different endangered species safely encased in a circle of habitat, made from recycled gold, silver, and reclaimed gemstones. The packaging is from sustainable resources and each piece comes with an information card (made from recycled t-shirt rags) to encourage the wearer to talk about the plight of the endangered species in their piece, and how we can help. Not to mention, 10% of profits are donated to wildlife charities. Even my workshop was put together from reclaimed building salvage that destined for land fill. My work is about making jewellery, my jewellery is about my passion.

We are faced with so many problems concerning the planet and its survival that it sometimes seems like there is too much to do to fix it. Where do we start? We start by pulling in the same direction, spreading the word about the poaching, raising awareness on the destruction of habitats, and about just how many species are on the critically endangered list. These animals are not just there for us to look at, they are part of an ecosystem that we are destroying, and their decline is our alarm bell — we need to take action now.

What advice do you have for women who want to become more conscious consumers?

Consumers have the power! As a manufacturer, we need consumers to ask for goods that don’t damage the environment. Recycled gold and silver should be a choice in all high street jewellers but it will only get there if consumers ask for it. We need to work together, every one of us can be part of the solution.

kayreed.co.uk

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#WomenWorldwide: Kelli Shaughnessy adds shimmer to your ‘Shoe-drobe’ with SSY Designs

Every woman deserves a little bit of shimmer in their closet, and this is what SSY Designs and Kelli Shaughnessy are all about. A passionate creative, Kelli started SSY Designs with a revolutionary idea that would change shoes forever — and that idea was ‘Shoe Jewelz’. A shoe accessory like no other, that can literally transform your shoes into anything you want them to be.

But Kelli doesn’t stop at adding shimmer to your ‘shoedrobe,’ because her business ethos is all about giving back. From supporting countless charities, to starting the ‘Love Me, Love U— Collection’ — wherein 100% of proceeds will be donated to charity; Kelli Shaughnessy exemplifies that being a GirlBoss isn’t just about success (although that is something she has aplenty) but also about using your success to make the world a better place.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background — what inspired you to start SSY Designs?

My background is in the arts however I took a hiatus and went to the corporate world to secure my future. (my financial future that is). I thought that was going to be my future so at night I would paint, dance, draw and even restore furniture that I found in second hand stores.

SSY Designs started as a single product, called shoe jewelz that we have patented and trademarked globally. We have over 100+ designs that we create and manufacture in our studio. I ended up buying my own industrial sewing machines and hired a talented seamstress to help my ideas come to life — and boy did they! I am so happy with our line. Its a slow moving process but we are enjoying every minute. Plus everything is made in our studio right here in NYC.

What are ‘Shoe Jewelz’ and how is it going to change our shoe game forever?

Shoe Jewelz take your shoes to the next level. All you do in slip them over the ball of your shoe and voila… a brand new pair. You can honestly have one pair of shoes but as many styles as you want just by adding shoe jewelz. Fringe for that flapper night, bugs for a picnic, studs for your rock and roll days, fur, hearts, rhinestones, beads, snakes, butterflies, you name it!

SSY Design is all about social responsibility as well. Could you tell us about the soon to be launched ‘Love Me, Love U’ collection?

SSY is grateful for its amazing opportunities, and we are constantly working to give back. Whether its global or interpersonal we strive to make peoples days or lives easier. The SSY Team has put together a huge sewing kit for a young Haitan child in the Turks and Caicos after we found out that he loves to sew and design clothing but doesn’t have access to a machine or fabrics. When their government shut down, we posted an ad and hired a furloughed employee. We paid her daily, so she could keep food on her families table and not fall behind. The job was over as soon as our government reopened but we met the best person and honestly miss having her. We have sales just for minimum wage workers and price things at 5 dollars and give them a 10 dollar coupon. Our cups are definitely not running over but we feel better when someone does too.

As for Love Me Love U, we just filled for a 501.c3 and we are currently designing pendants and t-shirts with its amazing logo. We are praying it comes back accepted for a trademark. We will launch Lovemeloveu.org as a platform to learn about our charitable endeavours and who we support. Basically, 100% of the proceeds of whatever we sell on that site will go straight to a charity. We haven’t decided if we will partner with specific organisations or allow the customer decide where to donate.In any case we are extremely excited, the first line will be priced to buy at under $100.

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

I think the biggest challenge I still struggle with, is instant gratification. If I design something I need it made right away. Unfortunately, it can get costly and it may not be the best design after all.

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

The GirlBoss title feels so cool! Ive created this business organically, and I let my instincts lead the way (MOST of the time). I may not do it all but I know how to do almost every aspect of my company. If I don’t know it, I research the heck out of it. I have made a lot of mistakes however I can say that I pretty much let them roll, Iearn and move on. My team are also an amazing group of young women who are all Girl-bosses in their own right.

WWW.SSYDESIGNS.COM

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Designer Spotlight: Patcharavipa & Nature inspired Jewellery

Founded in 2014, Patcharavipa Bodiratnangkura has transformed her passion for jewellery into one of the industry’s most exciting up and coming brands. Featuring stunning handmade geometric pieces with unique materials like coconut shells and stones, Patcharavipa’s pieces celebrates the legendary craftsmanship of Thai expertise and combines contemporary design with natural textures.

Patcharavipa actually started her journey into entrepreneurship at the tender age of thirteen, with a small costume jewellery store “crystallising” phones in Bangkok; and what a journey she has been on since then. With degree from the Central St.Martins and a collaboration with Swiss Fine-Jewellery brand Adler on her belt – Patcharavipa celebrates two years of her label with a prestigious launch on Matchesfashion.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background, what made you fall in love with jewellery design?
I was born and raised in Bangkok and found myself fascinated with gems from a very young age. I think it was when I used to play around with my great grandmother’s jewellery and also my mother’s hand-me-downs. Both women are strong characters with a passion for collecting. The history of gems, diamonds, metals from ancient times, and everything that jewellery symbolises in human history has always fascinated me. So, when I started playing around with crafting, I really enjoyed the process of making the jewellery itself and retracing the journeys of how each and every material is sourced.

I actually started with a tiny shop in Bangkok when I was thirteen years old called ‘All That Glitters’, selling costume jewellery to my friends. I also offered services where I crystallised phones (at the time it was Sidekicks and Blackberrys) One month we had around 500 phones to do and I remember thinking wow I could make this a proper business! It was such a fun experience to have the opportunity to dabble into the jewellery world at such a young age. Luckily my ideas have developed a lot further from then.

I came to the UK for most of my secondary school years then decided to enrol into Central Saint Martins for jewellery design. It was certainly the experience at CSM that made me want to turn my passion into a career; so after graduating I launched Patcharavipa in 2014.

Before launching Patcharavipa, you’ve had a very impressive collaboration with Swiss haute jeweller Adler. How has this experience influenced your own brand?
This collaboration was very inspiring. I think when you are a twenty year old walking in to a prestigious jewellery house — it’s easy to get overwhelmed. I approached them because I admired their work and wanted them to host a pop up in Bangkok for Adler. Working on that partnership was priceless. The opportunity to learn from such a great house was an amazing experience. It’s something I will never forget.

Tell us about your Gingko Metrics collection? The inspirations behind it and if you have a favourite piece?
A lot of our work in Patcharavipa focuses on three important factors; materials, texture, and the sculptural aspect. I like toying with contrasting notions, whether this be in using different materials, or contrasting design concepts.

For Ginkgo Metrics, the collection stemmed from a pressed ginkgo leaf that I picked up in Hippo-en Garden in Tokyo. I found it months after my trip and was then inspired to look into further forms of art in Japan. I became fascinated with Oshibana which is the art of flower pressing. Oshibana inspired this new technique where we take the direct texture of the leaf and hand press it into our gold. The results are these beautiful imperfect linear lines that really captures the moment. It’s also the first time I’ve worked with more restrained silhouettes and geometric shapes. I am really excited about this collection. There’s a beauty in the subtleness, slight imperfections, and restriction of it. If I had to choose, my favourite would be the hoops. I just think that hoops really represent today’s modern women.

Congratulations on your recent launch with Matchesfashion! What was it like reaching this milestone in your career?
It’s been an amazing two years since I launched Patcharavipa in 2016 to international markets. Almost everything is a milestone for us right now. The opportunity to have my designs reach a wider group of people is amazing; and I’m learning new things along the way.

Since launching Patcharavipa in 2014 – what was the biggest challenge you’ve had to face as a businesswoman so far?
I think everything in the first year was a challenge because it was so new. I think the long term commitment to your ideas and designs, and also your sheer determination and willpower is what you need to get you through. It’s hugely competitive out there and nothing ever turns out the way you would expect. You just have to ride the wave, learn, address and then be flexible.

What is next for you? Any new & exciting projects or collaborations in the pipeline
We launched our flagship store in Bangkok back in January which was an amazing experience. For a small brand to have that platform to really express our ‘universe’ has been really great. We put a lot of effort in to all the details within that space and I can really say it represents us in every way.

The next project for us is to launch our own e-commerce platform and build that side of the business. We want to be closer to customers in our own way.

Check out Patcharavipa’s latest collection now on matches fashion.com

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#WomenWorldwide : Finding Your Path With Gulnoza Dilnoza Milano

Sometimes life takes us in unexpected directions. It take courage and heart to follow those new paths and perhaps realise that the new path is truer to you than the one you were on before – the one you were supposed to be on.

That’s certainly true for our interviewees today, Gulnoza and Dilnoza who are fabulous designers and owners of Gulnoza Dilnoza Milano who deviated from their paths to becoming lawyers to find a career closer to their hearts.

HOC: Hello ladies! Tell us about your journey to being designers?

Gulnoza & Dilnoza: We have always loved and been interested in fashion, styling and visuals. It is our passion! We have always loved dressing up and styling our looks. Our earliest role model in fashion is our mom. We remember loving watching our mom getting ready. She always looked, beautiful, classy, elegant and sophisticated.

Later in our teenage years, we started watching “Fashion TV” and reading fashion magazines. We were fascinated by world famous designers collections and their runways.

We had this desire to express our creative ideas and vision…. After graduating from the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, International Law faculty in Tashkent we moved to New York. While living in Manhattan our close friends encouraged us to follow our dreams and passion. So instead of applying for a Masters program in Law, we decided to study International Marketing.

Later we transferred our Master Degree course in Marketing with specialisation in Luxury Goods Management at the European School of Economics by Buckingham University from New York to Milan. After finishing the study and training through internships in showrooms of international fashion houses in Milan, we launched our own luxury ready-to-wear brand. Each collection is entirely Made in Italy by amazing Italian artisans to guarantee authentic luxury.

HOC: Wow, what an incredible journey; I’m guessing it was hard work…

G&D: Haha, yes! It was not easy in the beginning, but hard work, dedication, staying focused and willingness to learn new skills helped us to realise our dream to become fashion designers.

We launched our brand without any fashion education, only based on our vision of beauty and elegance, good taste and intuition. Thanks to our degree in Law and Economics, we have strategic thinking and discipline as well, which is very helpful business-wise.

We work very hard on each piece in the collection. Starting from designing by hand with the sketches, choosing the very best Italian fabrics, linings, buttons, zippers, controlling the stitching and fit. We spend hours doing fittings, because high quality, perfect fit and comfort is very important for us.

HOC: When did you launch the brand?

G&D: In 2015 we founded our own fashion company, Gulnoza Dilnoza Milano brand, which offers luxury ready-to-wear womenswear.

The general vibe that characterizes the Gulnoza Dilnoza Milano brand: chic, timeless, sophisticated, elegant, classy-sexy and perfect fit designs.

HOC: You both must be incredibly busy; how do you balance the varying demands on your time?

G&D: We always write down a list of things to do and then we choose tasks by priority. We like to do everything perfectly, so we focus on one thing until it’s done and then focus on the next one!

HOC: With your fashion creations; who would be your ideal customer?

G&D: Strong, sensual, sophisticated, a dreamer, independent. She’s a combination of all those women, of all ages, who share an innate passion for living intensely in the name of beauty.

HOC: Why, in your opinion, is good design so important?

G&D: Good design and quality create the first impressions and differentiate you from other brands. It shows you customers who you are as a brand.

HOC: For our creative readers, what advice would you have for them to grow their artist practices and get their work seen?

G&D: Our advice would be to be always curious! Be a dreamer, use your imagination, stay true to yourself and dream big. In terms of getting your work seen; be patient, work very hard and always believe in yourself.

HOC: Such useful advice! I’d love to know, which of your designs means the most to you and why?

G&D: It’s got to be our debut collection!

We were accepted to participate and present our first collection at Altaroma in Rome. We got the opportunity to showcase our collection to the fashion press and Silvia Venturini Fendi, the curator of Altaroma and get her positive feedback. Right after that we were featured in Vogue Italia Emerging Talents section. That positive experience meant a lot to us, it was also a sign that we are on the right path!

HOC: Who / where do you get your inspiration from?

G&D: Anything can inspire us, a movie we saw, books we are reading, architecture, art, nature, our fantasies of what we want to wear to dinners, cocktails or some events.

We both have a very strong imagination and are always, always curious!

HOC: We skipped over this at the beginning but you are sisters, what’s it like working together?

G&D: It’s amazing! We are blessed to have each other and work together. We are identical twins and we have a special connection, same vision and taste. We spend every working hour together, so every brand decision we make together. Besides we are best friends.

Find out more about Gulnoza Dilnoza Milano here

and follow their journey over on instagram at @gulnozadilnozamilano

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Designer Spotlight: Emilee Troulan on capturing breezy Barbados Style

Waking up to the pristine coastlines and white sandy beaches of Barbados is an absolute dream; and it is from this island paradise that Emilee Troulan has taken inspiration from for her brand – Tru. Team Coco catches up with Emilee right off her latest pop-up at Topshop in Oxford Circus. In conversation with Emilee, we chat about her love for Barbados, the fantastic support she gets from the local community, the inspirations behind her latest collection – and of course, what it takes to kill it as a GirlBoss.

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

Growing up in Barbados has made me always think bigger, because although life here is great, there is so much more out there and so much more room for growth as an individual. I always had a thing for retail, so I started work at age 16 in the UK and thats when I learned that I loved the retail world and I wanted to own my own store one day.

Coming back from the UK after three months, I managed a new boutique here in Barbados and that lead to meeting a Bajan designer, who I then opened a store with in Barbados a year later. After meeting her, I realised that maybe I should take a swing at creating my own brand because I always found myself looking but never finding clothes that really suited my lifestyle here. There was a void in the market that TRU has now filled. The great thing about TRU is that nobody wears the same pieces in the same way.

What is it like living in Barbados? Tell us about what an average day is like for you?

Living in Barbados is like nothing else! I haven’t travelled as much as I’d like to yet, but from the places I’ve been, there is really nothing like Barbados. Life here is the definition of being on ‘island time’ — which can be good and bad.

An average day for me is waking up and having a coffee on my balcony which looks out to the west coast. (yes, I see the sea from my home, yes it’s amazing and yes you can be jealous) I sit and enjoy my coffee and think about what I have to do that day, I say some morning affirmations and have some alone time to just wake myself up, get into the right mindset, and inspire myself to see beyond Barbados. It’s very easy to just settle here, but I’m not like that – I crave more for myself and my brand.

I also meet up with fellow business/brand owners for a coffee and have a brainstorm session on growth, brand identity and everything in-between. I am so grateful to be surrounded by like minded people, it has really helped me grow as a person and a brand. No day is the same for me, because one day I may feel super creative and bang out a new collection, new blogpost, plan my social media for the month, plan an event, plan the next pop up. I’m always on the look out for something new and exciting that can better TRU. I usually end my day with some exercise and at night I like to make my list of things that I need to do the next day. Other nights I binge watch Netflix until my eyes burn, it’s called balance!

In what ways does island life in Barbados inspire your designs?

I would say I get inspired by the way people feel and look when they’re on vacation here. There’s a certain style for a Barbados holiday, it’s effortless and laid back. There is something about dressing minimalistic but making it look so clean and put together, like as if the outfit was thought about the night before. For example; the MARI tank — this tank top is in the colour Coconut Milk – which already makes you feel like you’re on holiday, pair with our denim shorties and a lace bralette, and head to the East coast to explore. It’s just pure island style, no doubt.

Congratulations on your recent pop-up with Topshop! What was it like working with such a big high street giant like Topshop?

Thank you so much! It was such an amazing experience, and I’m still lost for words. It was so interesting to see how people shop in London, because it’s totally different to how people shop in Barbados. In Barbados people want your opinion, they want to learn about the brand — in London however, everyone had their earphones in and were simply just buying things that they liked! It was great to watch people just come and pick up my designs. I was a bit nervous when I was first faced with how people shop, because there is a story behind each piece and so many ways to wear everything. I did however meet many people who were shocked at the fact that I designed everything and it was my own brand. Most people just thought I was hired to work the booth! So this was fun to see their jaws drop as I talk about TRU and how it all started and life in Barbados. I will definitely be back, it was so amazing and really opened my eyes on how TRU can grow internationally.

Talk us through your latest collection, the inspiration behind it, and if you have a favourite piece?

From a personal level, I designed this collection to have a bit more variety. Yes, TRU is known for luxury tees because that is how the entire brand started, but it was time to grow the portfolio and create a collection that really touched every part of what you will need on your Barbados holiday.

That is how I designed Island Breeze. I wanted to create a collection that included pieces that you could wear so many different ways, to make packing an Island Breeze (see what I did there? Yes, I’m super cheesy) — plus when I travel, I take an absurd amount of shoes, so this creates even more ways to wear everything! I would say from the entire collection that my favourite piece is the TESSA dress — this dress is like, wow, it can be worn so many different ways and it’s not just a holiday essential, but a life essential! When I got the sample, I played with it so much and came up with so many ways to wear this piece.

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

1. Set goals. I start with writing down a major goal and then I write a list of things I need to do in order to make that goal/dream become a reality. Also make sure to add a timeline — this keeps you on track.

2. Be careful who you share your goals and plans with because not everyone will be supportive, you’ll be told that it’s not possible, to proceed with caution, or that it’s too risky. But one thing that I’ve learned is that I can reach any goal that I set my mind to, I just need to keep at it and work towards it.

3. Always believe in yourself – I know this all sounds very cliché but it’s the honest truth. Girl, if you don’t believe in yourself, who will?

4. Another important tip is to always have a backup plan — if one way doesn’t work, don’t give up, just find another route — there’s always a way and trust me you can do it!

5. Be prepared to work, all day, everyday, work towards your goals. I have been running this brand solo from the start so that I learn about every aspect of the business so that I know what’s going on and what should be done and how it should be done. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had many breakdowns when it all becomes too much and I want to just give up, but persistence is my friend. It’s important that when it all becomes too much, to take a step back, go for a run, a walk on the beach, a swim, anything that can distract you for a bit and come back. Work will always be there and although you set a timeline, it’s okay and sometimes it’s actually best to sometimes have to reschedule, you’ll feel a hell of a lot more productive!

What is next for you and Tru Wear? Any new & exciting projects or collaborations in the pipeline?

I have so many plans and goals for TRU – some things are a little too soon to share details but I will say, you’ll be seeing us doing more pop ups around the world in the coming year! We are also going to be working with a really cool company from the US which actually specialised is working with micro brands to help them stand out and start strong with wholesaling their collections! This will be coming in 2019 and I am so excited about this. We have connections with some brands from Barbados that we are always collaborating with like Something Samarah, The Loft, & Sea Reinas. We always have ‘meetings’ that turn into brainstorm sessions on how we all can grow the ‘Barbados Brand’ name and image. I can’t explain how great it is to be surrounded by like minded people who think bigger than Barbados.

Catch up with Emilee and Tru on trubarbados.com
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Girl Bosses of Great Britain: Talking Feminism and Jewellery with Elina Farschou of PHINE

Strangely enough, Elina Farschou’s passion for jewellery began in her father’s dentist’s office. After a few years working as a lawyer, she eventually realised her true calling and started her Scandi-inspired jewellery brand – PHINE.

Team Coco sits down with Elina to talk about her inspiring work with The Girls Network along with her latest Feminist collection — and how this was inspired by empowerment, equality, and lionesses.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background, what inspired you to start PHINE?
I was born in Stockholm, and up to today it is still the place where I can relax and recharge. Ever since I was about five or six years old, my dad taught me how to make small jewellery pieces in his dentistry office; and since then it has become a huge passion of mine.

After high school however, I studied law and even became a lawyer for a while. In a meeting with my former boss, I didn’t get the promotion that I wanted. I realised, while still in that meeting, that I couldn’t actually see myself working in this company anymore or even being a lawyer at all — so I quit right then and there. Within three weeks, I applied to study jewellery design and moved to London. During my studies, people kept asking me where my own personal jewellery came from, so I thought that there was something there — and so PHINE was born.

PHINE is a London based Swedish jewellery brand. How do your Swedish roots influence
PHINE’s design aesthetic?
The minimal and versatile aspect of the jewellery stems from my Swedish roots and are PHINE´s
DNA.

Talk us through your latest collection. Do you have a favourite piece?
I wanted to create jewellery that symbolise empowerment and equality. Usually, I start a piece by taking inspiration from geometric forms, and then work around it. This time, I took inspiration from symbols of strength.

For example, with the Lioness Necklace and Earrings; Lionesses do must of the hunting while also caring for the pride. Lionesses are a symbol for strength, courage, and royalty — a great symbol for feminism. In fact, I would say my two favourite pieces of this collection are the Lioness and Feminist Necklaces – I actually love wearing them together.

Tell us about PHINE’s Feminist Collection and your work charitable work with The Girls
Network?
The Feminist Collection is all about empowering women through Jewellery. The pieces symbolise
strength and courage — all attributes that we embody as women in 2018. The Girls’ Network is an organisation that inspires and empowers girls from disadvantaged communities, by connecting them with valuable mentors and a network of professional female role models. I believe that opportunities should not be limited by gender or background, so partnering with the Girl´sNetwork and setting out to help them fulfill their amazing vision feels like a perfect match.

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced as an entrepreneur so far?
This is quite a tricky one, as there were actually quite a lot of challenges in the beginning. I think for me personally, the biggest challenge has been starting from scratch. I started the business with just an idea of creating Scandi statement jewellery from fair-trade and sustainable materials; and then evolving to that business by building awareness around it.

What advice do you have for women who would like to become a GirlBoss like yourself?
Be passionate in what you do, and never stop believing in yourself!

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