Designer - House Of Coco Magazine

Arts July 17, 2019

Women Worldwide: New York Collections by Lindsay Nicholas

Lindsay Nicholas New York is a fashion label run by Lindsay Nicholas herself and her small, mostly female team, which includes her sister. Lindsay is famed for her simple, stunning, sophisticated clothing designs for women who want to look effortlessly chic from day to night.

Lindsay focuses on attention to detail and flattering fits for all shapes of a woman’s body, and her aim is for women to be able to wear her clothes through different time zones and countries!

Let’s find out what makes Lindsay Nicholas tick….

Q. HOC. At what point did you realise that you were destined to be a fashion designer?

A. Lindsay. I spent my childhood drawing clothes and I have always loved everything fashion, but I didn’t actually think of it as a possible career until I was in my 30’s. At that point, I decided to get a design degree from Parsons School of Design in NYC at night while I worked my advertising job during the day. And then it was another 12 years before I started my label!

Q. HOC. Is your background in the fashion industry and clothing design?

A. Lindsay. I worked in advertising and then marketing for almost 20 years, working on Madison Avenue in NYC, then in Sydney and most recently in Singapore where I was the Executive Director of Retail Marketing for Marina Bay Sands. All of that experience has really come in handy with running my business.

Q. HOC. You are living between Melbourne in Australia and New York in the United States, has this influenced your design style?

A. Lindsay. I am very influenced by women with incredible style that I see on the street, and I think great style is something that has no geographic boundaries. That said, there are nuances as to which items women will wear to work. In NYC, for example, women in creative fields have no problem wearing a short suit to work (one of our signature looks), where it’s a harder sell in Melbourne. And reversely, Australian women embrace a drop-crotch trouser, which isn’t yet a “must-have” piece in the US (but we’re hoping to change that).

Q. HOC. You are making your designs in both America and in Australia, do your international teams work in the same way or does each country have a different method?

A. Lindsay. We have been producing our collections in NYC, but our next collection is currently in production in Melbourne, so it’s a whole new team on the ground here for things like pattern-making and cut and sew. Outside of production, our team has been internationally focused from the beginning. I was working in Singapore when I launched the business, so we started with a global mindset and we shipped worldwide from day one.

Q. HOC. Your designs are known for being super flattering and luxuriously stylish, how do you manage to keep your designs informal yet with a distinct structure?

A. Lindsay. I was a certified image consultant and on the board of The Association of Image Consultants International, so I know how to make a woman look her best. When my customer walks in to a room, the first thing I want people to think is “wow, she has such confidence”, not “I love those pants” (that can be the second thing). It’s creating pieces that are super stylish, and always with amazing fabrics and construction, but the main focus has to be “will this piece make my customer feel great; will this become her uniform”.

Q. HOC. Where do your design ideas come from?

A. Lindsay. Everywhere! Truly! It’s from sitting in a café and watching people walk by, traveling through Europe, Asia and the US, reading every single fashion magazine under the sun, and I am very inspired by menswear and menswear fabrics. Recently, I was in Sydney where we had a pop-up store and I saw the most amazing floral wrapping paper as I was walking to work, and that inspired part of our next collection.

Q. HOC. If you weren’t a fashion designer, what would you be doing right now?

A. Lindsay. I loved my career in advertising and marketing, and the only thing that could get to me to leave it was pursuing my passion to have my own clothing line. So if I wasn’t doing this, I’d probably still be working for one of the great companies I have worked for in the past.

Q. HOC. Your brand is already big in New York and in Melbourne, are you looking to expand into any other markets or cities?

A. Lindsay. We’ve been global from day one, but there are definitely places where our brand seems to resonate more strongly than others. One of our biggest markets is the UK. We ship to London at least a few times a week. I think it might be a nod to our menswear influence and high quality fabrics. And most of our pieces are trans-seasonal, so you can wear them in a London winter and an Italian summer, so the cost-per-wear is exceptional.

Q. HOC. Were you offered any business advice before launching Lindsay Nicholas New York, or did you do everything by yourself?

A. Lindsay. I started my business while I was still working (lots of 4am starts!), so I was quite quiet about it at the beginning. As I have grown, I have certainly been given lots of advice, but what’s most important is figuring out what advice really pertains to my brand. If I listened to everyone and tried to please everyone, I think I would have a very bland product. I love feedback and I am a great listener, which has made our product better season after season, but I always have to love what I create, because if I don’t, how can I expect you to?

Q. HOC. What piece of advice would you give someone looking to get into the fashion industry?

A. Lindsay. Without a doubt start small and find a mentor. I created so many pieces my first season thinking I needed to give people lots of choices. No…make one piece. Make a dress and sell it to your tribe and see what feedback you get. Then grow slowly from there. And if you can find someone who has done it and can guide you away from some of the mistakes you’re destined to make, that would be great. But you will make mistakes and you will learn from them, and it will make you a better designer and a better businesswoman.

Thank you for taking the time to answer all our #WomenWorldwide questions for House of Coco Magazine online.

Visit Lindsay Nicholas New York for more information.

Designer July 16, 2019

#GirlBossesofGreatBritain: Sustainable and Regenerative Fashion with Sarah Krause

Sarah Krause is the Founder of Esfera, an upcycled, recycled, revamped, reworked fashion label that is possibly the most eco-friendly clothing store you would have ever heard of. Sarah and her business partner and designer Sarah Seb have together built a unique sustainable and regenerative fashion brand based in London.

Not only did Sarah Krause create Esfera in the wake of the rising fashion revolution, but she has created a brand that helps to build the bridge between shoppers buying new fashion that isn’t ‘throw-away’ and using recycled items to be more sustainable.

#TeamCoco are interested to know more about Sarah’s background, her own fashion choices, and where the name Esfera came from. Let’s get started…

Q. HOC. Is your background in the fashion industry, or did you arrive from another sector altogether?

A. Sarah. Esfera is actually my first business venture, so my entry into the fashion industry has been been quite the baptism of fire! I’ve previously worked with different Startups, largely related to sustainable energy and technology, which is really what kick-started my interest in sustainability. And although I’ve worked with one Fashion Tech startup, this is my first real nose-dive into the fashion industry. It’s been both incredible and overwhelming!

Q. HOC. At what point did you realise that fashion was for you and when did you think about running a sustainable clothing brand?

A. Sarah. I’ve always loved fashion and I think it’s one of the greatest forms of self- expression; but I have to say, I never anticipated that I would actually create a clothing brand. I had known for a while that my dream was to run a business but the way that this particular idea manifested felt almost accidental…and serendipitous. At the time, I’d been reading a lot about sustainable energy and climate change and I stumbled across this documentary called “The True Cost”. It opened my eyes to the reality of the fashion industry and just how much harm it was causing both people and the environment. Then and there, I made the executive decision to only ever again shop second-hand or from a sustainable brand. When I realised that, at the time, there were very few businesses offering responsibly-produced, fashion- forward womenswear, I saw it as an opportunity. The rest is history!

Q. HOC. Where did the name Esfera originate?

A. Sarah. “Esfera” means “sphere” in Spanish, which is the mother-tongue of my parents. It’s supposed to evoke the image of our planet, which now more than ever we need to protect!

Q. HOC. You work with local artisans in South India to create your handloom crafted organic fabrics, can you tell us a little more about this?

A. Sarah. Of course. Working with independent artisans, local to Erode in South India, is a really important part of what we do. Handloom weaving is such an incredible technique to witness in action and it creates the most stunning, durable fabrics. The technique barely uses any power, so it’s super energy-efficient in that regard and instead relies on the expert handling of the weavers. Sadly, this tradition is dying out and being replaced by mechanisation. You can see how important this tradition is to the artisans, not just because it’s their livelihood, but because it’s such a big part of their culture and has been passed down for centuries now. It’s really important for us to support these artisans and ensure that this remarkable tradition endures!

Q. HOC. Do you have a favourite piece from the new collection, and is this the style of clothing you would personally wear?

A. Sarah. The new collection is 100% my style. If it wouldn’t hurt my business and my purse strings, I’d buy one of everything for myself! My favourite piece is probably the Klimt Bandana Top (coming out mid July). And the blazer…it makes me feel classy on my worst day.

Q. HOC. You design solely for women, was this a conscious decision, and will you stick with women’s clothing or will you expand into menswear?

A. Sarah. Creating womenswear felt like the most natural place to start, but recently more men have been asking when we’re going to start offering clothing for them! So who knows? It could very well be on the horizon.

Q. HOC. You design dresses, trousers, shorts, tops, jackets, jumpsuits and more, do you have a specific piece that your customers will go to first and that sells out first?

A. Sarah. The beauty of it is that every person I encounter gravitates towards totally different pieces. But generally, people are most drawn towards the classic pieces that they know will endure the test of time. So far with the new collection, our yellow sun dress seems to be getting the most love!

Q. HOC. If you weren’t running Esfera right now, what would you be doing career-wise?

A. Sarah. Probably working for another sustainable fashion brand!

Q. HOC. What are your immediate plans for the business, are you thinking of entering new markets overseas or will you stay with your London base and online store?

A. Sarah. The plan is to gain a strong foothold in the UK first and then, with luck and hard work, enter the global marketplace. It would be so great to see an increased audience from abroad; after all, our ultimate aim is to create sustainable clothing with a global appeal.

Q. HOC. Did anyone offer you any good business advice before you launched Esfera?

A. Sarah. Don’t be afraid of failure. It’s almost certainly going to happen at some point and that shouldn’t stop you. Learn from your mistakes and keep going until you make it work. You only really fail when you stop trying.

Q. HOC. What advice would you give someone looking to get into sustainable fashion as a career?

A. Sarah. The more you know the better. Go follow the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Common Objective & Fashion Revolution. Research is your best friend and there’s always new findings and innovations popping up. Make sure you’re clued in so you’re one step ahead of the game. But most importantly, you learn by doing, so just go for it! You won’t regret it.

Thank you for taking the time to answer all our #GBOGB Girl Bosses of Great Britain questions for House of Coco Magazine online. Visit Esfera for more information.

Accessories July 9, 2019

Women Worldwide: An insight into the jewels of Chelsea McMinn

We are swooning over earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, which are all brought together with unique design by Chelsea McMinn of Anna Molly’s by Chelsea. The Anna Molly’s by Chelsea collections are beautifully stylish with a distinct flair towards a carefree bohemian woman.

From neon favourites to rainbow pearls, and tassels to gemstones, Chelsea’s jewellery is a classically casual collection to lust over.

Let’s find out more about Chelsea’s covetable collections, how she started out, and where her designs are taking her in the future.

Q. HOC. Tell us how you first got into making unique jewellery?

A. Chelsea. My earliest memory of making jewelry I think I’m about 11. I always loved making beaded friendship bracelets. This is also about when my obsession for up cycling and DIY developed. My family didn’t have a lot and my mom taught me to sew and make my own doll clothes. I would make jewelry, home decor, doll houses- all kinds of things from my mother’s sewing scraps. A huge part of AnnaMolly’s is up cycling and repurposing fashion “waste”. I wanted to create a brand that makes you feel good, from beginning to end.

Q. HOC. You are known for your boho style collections, have you always been drawn towards the bohemian?

A. Chelsea. I guess you could say that my style has always been somewhat bohemian. I love bright colors and eclectic patterns. I include a lot of seed beads and feathers in my desings to reflect my Native American heritage.

Q. HOC. We are loving your neon styles and your rainbow pearl styles, do you have a favourite from your current collection?

A. Chelsea. My current fave? Probably the cluster pearl and braided hemp necklace. They take me a while to make- about 17 hours each. But I really love how the braided pearl ropes and seed beads compliment each other.

Q. HOC. How did you choose the name Anna Molly’s?

A. Chelsea. Actually the name of my brand came from the title of a song by my favorite band! I have always loved music and thought of it as the easiest way to convey how you feel. The song is titled “AnnaMolly” and it s performed by Incubus. It’s a song about a girl that’s the one exception to the rule. That’s how I feel about my jewelry. It’s the one exception. Only ethically sourced or second hand materials. Only compostable shipping materials. Each purchase spreads love to another and supports a non profit organization.

Q. HOC. There is a hashtag on your website, #BraceletsForLove, it looks exciting, can you tell us more about it?

A. Chelsea. The #BraceletForLove is a movement that started with AnnaMolly’s My mom was traveling to Stockholm, Sweden to work with refugees there and she needed help with funds. I dreamt of bracelets for love one night. Imagine if women could support causes they’re passionate about and send love to their fellow woman that could really just use a hug- simply by shopping for new jewelry online! Each purchase made in my shop gifts a bracelet and note of love. I’ve been blessed to gift and make bracelets for over 500 women and children in 6 countries. Breast cancer patients, Hurricane Michael victims, homeless children in Wyoming, and refugees all over the world have received these little bracelets- “a hug for your wrist” as I like to call them. The hashtag makes it that much easier for women to see who receives their gifts and other women in their communities that are passionate about the same humanitarian efforts.

Q. HOC. Do you have a ‘go to’ piece of jewellery that your customers request to be made by you time and again – and is this your best selling item?

A. Chelsea. The “bracelet for love” are definitely my top sellers! I make them custom or I have an array of color choices on my website. Each color and charm supports a different nonprofit! These are of course made with fair trade beads and organic hemp.

Q. HOC. Do you remember your first piece that you made and sold?

A. Chelsea. My first piece ever sold was a braided hemp and seed bead necklace. The original was light blue and white pearl on white hemp. A lady named Julie in Alabama purchased it. A similar style is still available in my shop. currently offered in mustard yellow and coral pink.

Q. HOC. How long have you been running Anna Molly’s by Chelsea, and was there ever a point that you thought it was too difficult to get the business off the ground?

A. Chelsea. I officially founded AnnaMolly’s in April 2018. There have definitely been hard times but last August was the worst. My doctor discovered a cyst in my abdomen that had been growing there for he guessed about three years. I was immediately put on bedrest because the cyst was damaging my organs- with my kidneys getting the worst of it. I was in bed for 6 weeks- unable to do even the smallest task- like sitting up- on my own. There were a lot of days where I didn’t think I’d ever get back to my craft room. I thankfully have a great group of friends and family that helped me get well and kept cheering me on throughout the ordeal.

Q. HOC. Did anyone offer you a good piece of advice before launching Anna Molly’s that you still remember to this day?

A. Chelsea. I don’t remember any solid advice that someone gave me specifically. There is one thing I learned from my dad that I’ve always kept at the front of my mind. Ask everyone their name. My dad’s number one rule is ask someone their name, shake their hand, make eye contact as you introduce yourself. People like to know they matter and just because she’s making your coffee today doesn’t mean she’s not changing the world tomorrow. Get to know her.

Q. HOC. Did you have any knock-backs or set backs before launching, and if so how did you bounce back from them?

A. Chelsea. I can’t put my finger on one specific thing but I will say this. I started making jewelry on the floor of the bedroom I shared with my daughter. I was a single mom, working two jobs and trying to chase my dreams at the same time. I remember there being times when customers would place orders and I couldn’t ship the merchandise until their payment came through because I didn’t have the $4 to pay for shipping myself. I stayed honest and transparent with my customers- that’s truly key.

Q. HOC. If you were to offer one piece of advice to someone thinking of getting into the jewellery business, what would it be?

A. Chelsea. My one piece of advice- grow everyday. Even if it’s just a little 10 minutes to reach out to people via social media. Taking steps daily towards your goal has been my key to success.
Thank you for taking the time to answer all our #WomenWorldwide questions for House of Coco Magazine.

Visit www.annamollysbychelsea.com for more information.

Designer July 9, 2019

#WomenWorldwide: Surfing The Waves With Valeria Donati of Adalù Swimwear

The backstory to Adalù Swimwear is exciting and heartwarming! Valeria Donati who owns Adalù, launched her swimwear company in order to design and produce beautiful Italian surfwear that would be both adventurous and contemporary. Valeria wanted to have her designs ‘made in Italy’ as there was a lack of Italian surfwear across the industry, and she knew the world would welcome Italian-made swimwear.

The heartwarming side to Valeria’s story is that she used both of her maternal and paternal grandmother’s first names (Ada and Luciana) and joined them together to produce her exciting brand Adalù.

People all over the world associate excellent quality Italian made products with the best of the best, and Valeria makes sure that all her swimwear is made in Italy, so that she is following in the traditions and heritage of world-famous designers who believe that Italian materials are the cream of the crop.

We surfed into Valeria’s life for an afternoon of questions about her life and her swimwear brand for our House of Coco Magazine #WomenWorldwide online series.

Q. HOC. We know that you are a passionate surfer through and through, at what point did you leave the surfboard behind for a drawing board and head into designing surfwear?

A. Valeria. From the very start of my surfing experience I felt the necessity to wear something both comfortable and feminine. I just didn’t find the right swimwear for surfing so I decided to try and create one by myself. Since I learned sewing with a friend of mine, and thanks to the help of my mother who is a great sewer and crochet maker, I made my first surf one-piece long-sleeved suit. Then I tried it while surfing and all my surfer friends just felt in love and asked me to make one for them. So it started, Adalù.

Q. HOC. Once you started designing your swimwear collections, did you always know that you would name your business Adalù?

A. Valeria. At first I didn’t know what to call it. When it was the time to think about my business name I wanted to dedicate it to my grandmas as they are everything in my life, and all that I do is down to what they thought me. Ada & Luciana are so important to me, and that is why I named my company Adalù, as it’s inspired by them.

Q. HOC. At Adalù you have a full range of swimwear: from beachwear and fitness wear, to surf gear and accessories? Can you tell us the difference between your beachwear costumes and your surfwear costumes?

A. Valeria. Adalù is focused on surfwear costumes which are properly made for women with water attitudes in mind, so that they are comfortable and it feels like they are wearing as a second skin on their body, embracing all type of silhouettes accompanying them in any kind of water sports, such as surf, windsurf, kite surf or wake board. I decided then to complete the collections with also a line in bikini’s that is perfect for sports but also nice to wear in any kind of beach life experience. They are both made with the same lycra which is 100% made in Italy and top quality. This year I started using an eco-lycra which is made from recycled nylon yarn recovered from the ocean and from landfills, improving the eco-sustainability of my brand.

Q. HOC. Do you have a personal favourite from any of your current collections?

A. Valeria. This year my favorite costumes are the ones from the Mediterraneo collection, which I found perfect to wear both inside and outside the water. I love to wear the Mediterraneo bikinis on the beach while playing beach volley, and I have found that the Mediterraneo one pieces are perfect for surfing or stand up paddling.

Q. HOC. Where do you sell most of your swimwear, is it mainly Italy, across Europe, or elsewhere, and do you have a best selling item that sells out quicker than any other?

A. Valeria. Luckily Adalù is doing very good worldwide. The Japanese market is the best at the moment, but also in Italy my designs are very appreciated, which makes me very happy. The best sellers are the Mezzaluna and the American models that’s why I replace them each year with different patterns and colors.

Q. HOC. How do you market your brand differently to other independent swimwear designers?

A. Valeria. I’m focused on eco sustainability. I try to make the smaller impact possible, so no plastic packaging and all created and produced with low pollution impact.

Q. HOC. What has been the biggest learning curve since you launched Adalù?

A. Valeria. I faced many difficulties as normally happens with small companies. Each time I get into a problem, I see it as a challenge to overcome and to help me grow from a business stance. Luckily I learn a lot of lessons everyday and it is something that makes me happy, as it because it means that I’m growing daily step by step.

Q. HOC. What was the best piece of advice you were given before you launched your online swimwear company?

A. Valeria. Many people who own businesses come from families who do a similar job, it wasn’t like this for me, but my biggest luck was to have the trust of my parents who believed in me and have always supported me, telling me to do what makes me happy and to follow my dreams. This was the best advice ever.

Q. HOC. What advice would you offer someone who is embarking on a career designing swimwear, or any form of fashion?

A. Valeria. First of all to focus on their idea. It is important to have a clear and realistic project in mind, and just follow their heart.

Q. HOC. As you are busy running a successful business these days, can we ask – do you still have time to visit the beach and surf?

A. Valeria. Surfing is a real passion for me and it gives me lot of energy and it helps to push my creativity forward. So, I manage to find the time to do it whenever possible, and I have become very good in scheduling my day without overlooking any surf sessions. I wake up very early, and also I become very productive after sports activities.

For more information visit www.adalu.it Check socials for @adalubikini.

Thank you for sharing your interesting business story for House of Coco Magazine’s Women Worldwide series.

Beauty June 26, 2019

#GBOGB Girl Bosses of Great Britain with Jolanta Mikalauskaite of J Phoenix London

J Phoenix London is a company which design beautiful modern clothing aimed specifically at today’s urban chic woman that wants to look and feel stylish, sophisticated, elegant and of course sexy. Jolanta Mikalauskaite, owner of J Phoenix gives us an insight to her background and her standout feminine designs.

HOC. How did you start out in the world of fashion and design, and was this the career path you knew you would work towards?

Jolanta. My mother was a seamstress and she was teaching clothing construction and pattern making. When I was little I was designing clothes for my barbie dolls and we used to make them together with my mother. I watched her work and I was eager to learn everything she knew. So I did. I took in her level of perfection. She said ‘clothes have to look as beautiful inside as they are outside’. This philosophy I implement in every piece I make.

When I got older I started designing clothing for myself, then for my friends and slowly transitioned into creating this brand. Since the age of 15 I was a model. Then I worked in famous designer brand stores. All my life I am surrounded by fashion so I couldn’t imagine anything else I could do better. I knew the industry inside out, it was so natural to me.

HOC. We love the name of your brand, J Phoenix where did this originate from and is there a story behind the name?

Jolanta. Thank you. When I decided to create this brand i was at the lowest point of my life, just after my father passed away and few years of not being able to find my path I felt trapped and destroyed. I knew I must follow my passion in order to have purpose. That’s when I decided I needed to take steps to create this brand. Phoenix name came into my mind when I had a conversation with my friend about planning to start my company and how it gives me hope and purpose at the same time. He said, ‘‘you are like phoenix’. I envisioned myself rising after what felt like destruction, becoming stronger than ever.

HOC. You are known for using only the best quality materials for your designs, and we can see that leather, silk, and chiffon are used throughout your current collection, which is your favourite fabric to work with and why?

Jolanta. The centrepiece of the brand are leather leggings. Idea was to create the most perfect leather leggings as, in my eyes, it’s a ‘little black dress’ in mega city, busy lifestyle living woman’s wardrobe. They look chic in almost any occasion, just by changing tops it can transition from daywear to evening wear seamlessly. Such a versatile product! I love to work with leather mostly. It almost molds onto every curve and takes personal shape of individual, its beautiful! Longevity of leather product is fascinating. It will serve you for many years and will just get better with time. I love contrasting fabrics and how featherlight silks contrast with leather. Almost like feminine and masculine for the perfect balance!

HOC. Do you have a core clientele, or does your customer base vary season to season?

Jolanta. My clients are mostly busy business women that love fashion, have unique style and don’t compromise on comfort.

HOC. The fashion industry can be cutthroat at times, was there ever a point that you thought Jo Phoenix London may never make it off the ground?

Jolanta. At the beginning everything seems exciting and a vision shines like a bright star that keeps you going without looking back. However there are moments when setbacks come in and it seems like a dead end. It’s not in my nature to give in to these setbacks. But it’s good to step back and evaluate your work at times, hence I believe that those setbacks are necessary to keep you in the right direction. Time is essential to prove your value in this market. It takes years of relentless work to become truly established.

HOC. Do you remember the very first piece that you designed and then sold, can you tell us about that piece?

Jolanta. That happened before my brand. I was 19 when I designed a dress to wear to my best friend’s wedding. It was a nude colour knee length dress that I embellished with 3D colourful butterflies all over. Everyone loved that dress. I wore it on another occasion and this beautiful model girl came up to me and asked if I would sell that dress to her and I did. It was an amazing feeling.

HOC. Do you design all the pieces yourself or do you work with a team of designers who help with your collections?

Jolanta. I design everything myself at the moment.

HOC. Now that J Phoenix London is going from strength to strength, can you see yourself designing anything other than clothing?

Jolanta. I am testing myself in interior design. I have a creative mind and feel in my element when designing.

HOC. Did anyone offer you invaluable business advice that stuck in your mind before you launched J Phoenix?

Jolanta. ‘If you can improve people’s lives, you have a business’. Richard Branson said it. It’s all about problem solving. For many years it was in my mind that I would like to create a brand that would solve the never ending ‘what to wear’ problem, especially for a woman living in a big urban city. With the demands of meetings, lunches, various events, dinners, parties -all in one day. Keeping pace with a busy lifestyle requires pain free transformations from daywear to evening wear. Idea was- keep the leggings and just change the top and you don’t have to go home to change from day wear to evening wear.

HOC. What business advice would you give to someone who is looking to start in design and fashion? And, is there anything you would suggest that they don’t do when launching a clothing company?

Jolanta. The key is being you. Even though it might have been done before, if you stake your claim on a specific look, and deliver it well every time then eventually it will become yours. Get experimenting with different styles out of your system before you start your brand. Find your perfect look and stick to it. Your aesthetic has to be instantly recognised by customers.

It’s one of the hardest businesses to succeed. You need to love what you do and be good at it! Market is overfilled with cheap products that are worn once and get thrown away. Fast fashion is ruining the environment and not only that. It takes away the appreciation of hard work that really is put into creation of clothing. Don’t take that path.

Thanks for taking the time to answer the House of Coco Magazine Girl Bosses of Great Britain #GBOGB questions.

Visit J Phoenix London for more info – www.jphoenixlondon.com

Business June 25, 2019

#Womanworldwide : Jacklyn Kelley tells you how to plan the paper details of a perfect wedding

Jacklyn Kelley is the founder, owner and designer of Luna Lynn Creative, your one stop design experience for meaningful, bespoke, custom-made wedding invitations and stationery featuring clean design and typography, handcrafted embellishments and custom poetry.

We caught up with Jacklyn to find out why she thinks handmade is so important, how she set up her business and exactly what you need to add to your wedding preparations to make it that extra bit special.

House of Coco: What inspired the creation of Luna Lynn Creative?

Jacklyn: After studying graphic design in college, I always had an inkling that I wanted to start my own company. I just wasn’t quite sure what it was I wanted to do yet. For years, I bounced from job to job, searching for my place in the design world.

I worked at t-shirt and textile companies, a website design company, a local news station and a photography studio, all of which were great learning experiences and stepping stones along the way. Each led to my personal and professional growth in many different ways. However, I never truly LOVED what I was designing, and I always felt myself longing for more.

I began to write poetry on the side as a creative and mental health outlet. It started off a bit depressing, as most popular modern poetry is. I received great feedback and began exploring other ways that I could use my poetry as a creative outlet, in a more positive way.

I discovered that I had a niche for ghost writing poems. I wrote for those who wanted to give their loved ones a meaningful gift, whether they were celebrating an anniversary, birthday or wedding. I would then create a poetry greeting card or a print they could frame.

Shortly after I dove into this experiment, I decided to finally leave my 9-5 and begin working for myself. I am a Sagittarius after all. You can’t keep us free spirited folk contained in a cubicle.

I started my company in January of 2018. At first I took a variety of freelance jobs, but I quickly discovered that I was putting myself in the same position I had been in for years. Working for other people, designing things I did not want to design.

Then came my first wedding client. My mother’s friend was getting married and she trusted in ME to design her invitation suite. As I began designing mock ups, and searching Instagram for inspiration, I immediately fell in love. I remember following so many stationery designers, and filling my feed with pretty paper. I was addicted. I was no longer interested in everyone’s selfies and food pics.

Instead, I filled myself with as much knowledge and inspiration as I possibly could from vendors in the wedding industry. As I was creating my first suite, I knew in my heart it was what I was meant to be doing. I then had the brilliant idea of combining my poetry and design skills to create poetic stationery that tells unique love stories and brings an extra bit of romance to my couple’s special day.

When brainstorming names for my company, I wanted to make sure it was truly a part of me. I wanted to feel a deep connection to my company, to really show how much I believe in what I’m doing. My pen name as a poet is Luna Lynn. I gather a lot of inspiration in my designs through the poetic side of me. I consider it my better half. It’s the part of me that takes my clients’ love stories, analyzes the words and paints a picture that will bring their story to life. I thought it would only be fitting to include that significant part of me in my company name. And so, Luna Lynn Creative was founded.

Hoc: What products do you create and what options do clients have to play around with?

Jacklyn: I create a variety of stationery products for weddings and special occasions. This includes save the dates, wedding invitation suites, special occasion invitations, table numbers, place cards, menus, vow books, programs, signs, personal stationery and greeting cards.

All of my stationery is custom designed and hand crafted in house. Essentially, this means the possibilities are endless. I love dreaming up new and unique ideas that will speak to my clients’ love stories. Anything is possible here. If you dream it, I can create it. No two designs are alike and I never repeat designs.

Although some day, I will have a semi-custom collection, for those who don’t have as much time to dive into the intimate experience with me. Even so, all designs are original. Once I receive the photos for inspiration, I think of ways to take that idea and make it poetic.

When dreaming up new ideas, I use a simplistic design approach with elegant typography. This leaves room for beautiful embellishments and custom poetry. Embellishments can include silk ribbon, wax seal, thread wraps, vellum wraps or overlays, monograms, belly bands and envelope liners.

I then ask some questions about my clients’ relationship in order to write a custom poem and use it as a design element. I’m not afraid to get intimate with this part. I love knowing the adventures they’ve taken together, the places they’ve explored, their favorite memories, their honeymoon plans, etc.

It really helps me to get to know them, and ultimately write a beautiful poem that speaks to their unique love story. Custom poetry can be used as a design element on the details or rsvp cards, on a belly band, envelope liner or even table numbers! I’m always dreaming up new ways to add poetry.

Hoc: For our readers planning their weddings, what are the items people often don’t think about having made?

Jacklyn: When I’m going over all of the details for my clients’ weddings, many of them aren’t thinking about the special sentiments, such as vow books. I always suggest vow books, because I believe in the beauty of an heirloom piece they can cherish for years to come.

Think about that first anniversary. They can pull out their vow books and exchange them with each other, reminding each other of their special vows and the intimacy of their day. It’s so much better than writing them down in your phone and letting that get lost in the thousands of notes, for all of time.

My clients are also not usually aware that I can make thank you cards for them as well. I always suggest designing them, because I love implementing their design aesthetic from start to finish. It unifies the stationery for the entire celebration and reminds their guests of the beauty from that special day.

Thank you cards are such an important sentiment, and their quality should not be overlooked after your wedding has passed. They are just as important as your other stationery, if not more. Your guests will appreciate you taking the time to personally thank them, using beautiful handcrafted stationery.

HoC: Why do you think hand embellished or written stationary has the edge over print?

Hand embellished stationery is one of a kind. When you choose to buy stationery from an independent designer as opposed to ordering online from a large company, you are guaranteed to receive a beautiful product made with love and care.

Independent designers, such as myself, care deeply about the quality and craftsmanship that goes into our work, and even more so, we care about your happiness. We love being a part of the special adventures that life is taking you on. I, for one, pay special attention to every detail in the design and production process, to make sure my clients are receiving an end result that exceeds their expectations.

I keep close communication throughout the process via text and email, sending updates and photos along the way. This is also the beauty of choosing an independent designer. You aren’t just buying a product, you are buying a service, and an experience.

HoC: Do you have a favourite style of stationary to create?

I love creating elegant and romantic designs. Typically this involves a custom poem, hand deckled (or torn) edges, and a silk ribbon or wax seal. In my world, less is more.

I love letting the words have their moment together on beautiful textured papers. I find so much joy in taking romantic, elegant fonts and marrying them together. You don’t always need graphics on the invitation itself.

I love finding creative ways to incorporate your story into your stationery by designing envelope liners, choosing the right envelope colors, and adding beautiful embellishments. I believe in the power of words. Let the beauty of your names becoming one speak for themselves.

HoC: What do you think are some of the challenges of running a creative business in 2019?

Jacklyn: I think the hardest part of running a business as a creative are the tedious tasks that come with the business side of things. I started my company, picturing days filled with designing and crafting, and that is just not always a reality.

As a one woman show, I have to keep up with emails, marketing, social media, bookkeeping, quoting and invoicing to name a few. All of these tasks take up a lot of brain power, each in a different way, and it can feel daunting at times. It’s hard to juggle design work with these tasks, and occasionally I put them off to the side for a little too long.

There’s still plenty to learn, and I am finding new ways to work smarter and not harder. I ask for help wherever I need it. The beauty of running a creative business is that there are so many resources, workshops and like-minded individuals willing to collaborate or lend a piece of advice. It helps us to learn and grow with our companies, and makes us feel less alone in the process.

HoC: What piece of advice would you give to our readers who want to set up their own business?

Jacklyn: My advice is to just go for it. If I would have known in the beginning what I have learned in my first two years of business, I may not have ever started. It would have scared me away.

“Because honestly, sometimes it can be terrifying.”

There are so many fears involved with entrepreneurship. Am I keeping up with my QuickBooks properly? Did I pay my taxes on time? Who do I choose as my accountant? What if people don’t like my designs? What if I don’t have enough clients in a month and I can’t pay rent?

There are so many things going through our heads, that if you knew, you would immediately hand us a large glass of wine and say “Here, you’re gonna need this.”

But I wouldn’t trade it for the world. It is so satisfying to wake up every day, knowing I am doing something I love. I am finally creating something beautiful.

My stationery has a powerful meaning and a purpose, and I love making my clients happy. It feels so good to create something from start to finish, with my own ideas, and to have created a company on my own. It’s empowering. And I think everyone should do it. You can create your own happiness, and write your own destiny.

HoC: What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given in setting up your business?

Jacklyn: The best advice I’ve received was from my Father. I was feeling down and defeated during a slow period, trying to figure out what was working, what wasn’t and what I should do next. And he simply said, “Just don’t give up. Do not give up on your dream, because you are on to something big, and you WILL succeed. I can see it.”

Of course, coming from my Father, this means the world to me. And it may possibly be the only reason I haven’t given up at times when I might want to throw in the towel. But it’s true.

“As entrepreneurs, we can never give up.”

We know deep in our hearts that this is who we are, and we’d never be happy giving up our passion. Always remember, it’s okay to fail.

Failure is a part of growth and learning, and it is necessary in order to succeed. But failure is never really considered failure, when you learn from your mistakes and use it as leverage to grow. Failure is only failure when you give up.

Visit Luna Lynn Creative

Photo Credits: Interviewees own, Jolene Siana Photography, Ivy Bee Weddings and Chris and Becca Photography.

Accessories June 24, 2019

#Womenworldwide: Katarina Ziak talks all things jewellery and tells how she turned her dreams into reality after graduation

Katarina Ziak is a jewellery maker and artist from Slovakia designing and making beautiful and unique pieces.

House of Coco: What inspired the creation of your jewellery and art brand?

Katarina: My art journey began with a decision to go to university in order to study art and become an art teacher. At the university I learnt of various materials, their implementation in art and art history. Gradually, I explored the principles of creating ornaments across history, and then I found my own style of creation, which I try to apply to my designs.

I think I dreamt of my own brand from the very beginning, when my first designs were made for real and I could hold them. However, I didn’t have the courage to turn a dream into reality until after graduation. I have created hundreds of designs and dozens of prototype designs, which I introduced after I graduated from university in 2016 under the brand name jewellery by Katarina Ziak. I started to create more items just for myself and I continued to do it with the belief that one day I would be successful.

HoC: How do you approach designing new jewellery pieces?

Katarina: Creating a new piece of jewellery is a daily challenge for me, because every design requires many hours of work to make the jewellery just the way I want it to be.

Of course, to be able to produce it physically is another challenge. I am a designer and also a jewellery maker, so all the work goes through my hands, from the first idea, through graphic design, production itself, and finally I also photograph all my work for my website and social media accounts.

I think I’m a perfectionist … that’s why I found myself in designing and manufacturing jewellery. The process of creating a design from the initial idea into a finally finished metal piece of jewellery is unique and I just love it.

Of course, it’s not an easy process and it is impossible without continuous re-drawing and many subsequent changes to the original design. Nevertheless, with every subsequent change, I am gradually discovering new possibilities, and very often the final product is a completely different pattern from my first idea or design.

It is very exciting and fascinating for me to see this process and be a part of it. Sometimes it is literally a game where I do not dare to guess at the beginning what the final product will look like.

HoC: Why do you work with yellow, white, rose and black gold in particular?

Katarina: My domain in creating jewelry is surgical steel. The surgical steel might be later galvanically plated with 23.5 carat gold in different color shades.

I use yellow, pink and black gold, 99% rhodium (also known as white gold) because I create jewellery in order to make it an elegant addition for any woman to wear.

Regardless if she likes distinctive pieces that immediately catch your attention or prefers minimalist jewellery. Therefore, I design each pattern in a variety of sizes as well as color options.

HoC: Horses are prevalent in your work, why is that?

Katarina: Since my childhood my life has been interlaced with horses. I have spent my youth years doing dressage riding – not just for fun but I took part in many competitions. Simply put, horses are still big part of my life.

Therefore it was no surprise that the horse, as a symbol, has appeared as one of the first designs in my creation. I currently have 17 collections, which represent together more than 400 patterns. When designing jewellery, I am inspired by nature, architecture, geometry, but also by traditional Slovak ornamentation and customs.

Thanks to the details of the past hidden in the new modern design, we can recall a fragment of history which for many people is already a forgotten part of our national identity. An interesting reference to history as well as traditional folk technique is, for example, a collection of jewellery named “The fineness of lace in the metal”, which is dedicated to the unique art of bobbin lace.

HoC: What do you think are some of the challenges of running a jewellery and art business in 2019?

Katarina: My biggest challenge at the moment is to introduce the jewellery brand “KATARINA ŽIAK”, not only to Europe but also to the world.

The most difficult task is to find business partners whose vision is the same as mine, partners who would be interested in introducing “Slovak jewellery” to the world and helping me to build a stronger international brand.

HoC: What are your favourite pieces in your current collections?

Katarina: Selecting only one is extremely difficult. Every new pattern, every new collection I create or have created, has helped me to move me further, has given me a new look at what I am doing and where I am going.

With every idea and design I seem to have lived through a bit of “life”, reflected in what influenced me, how I felt at that time. The process of creation will always produce a unique piece of jewellery, which is why every piece of jewellery I design is unique.

A good example of this are the pendants from the collection “SLOVANSKÉ BÁSNICKÉ MÚZY” – The Glory of a Daughter, Marina, Hájnik’s Wife … As the names suggest, I was inspired by Slovak literary works, more precise poetry.

At first glance, you can only see girls in folk costumes, but when you know their story, the poetic muses will not just be a nice pendant – a piece of metal, but for many, they will become a nice memory of childhood, relatives, native land, or first love.

HoC: What piece of advice would you give to our readers who want to set up their own business?

No beginning is easy. It is important to think positive, because every failure must be taken as a new challenge that will eventually help you to move you forward.

But never forget your journey – where you came from and where you have been already, respect people who stand by you, and do not be influenced by opinions that you do not “share” yourself, don’t identify with them. Trust yourself.

HoC: What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given in setting up your business?

All the right decisions need their own time so don’t try to speed up anything. Take your time. Only hard and honest work leads to success. It is important to perceive your work as the life path that you want to walk on.

Visit Katarina Ziak

Accessories June 24, 2019

#GBOGB: A Gem Of An Interview With Erin Parnell of Eternally Cherished – Family Keepsakes

Breastmilk, locks of hair, and baby teeth were the reason behind Erin Parnell launching her bespoke jewellery business, Eternally Cherished – Family Keepsakes.

We have interviewed many successful women for our Girl Bosses of Great Britain series here at House of Coco Magazine, but we can honestly say that this is one of the most unusual businesses to date, yet we now wonder why no one else had thought of it before Erin Parnell, because it is something that is both beautiful and ingenious!

Let’s find out more about Erin’s unique and exquisite jewellery making business, and why it differs from all the rest.

HOC. Tell us the reason why breastmilk, locks of hair, and baby teeth were at the forefront of your mind when you embarked upon launching a jewellery enterprise? And, how do they now fit into your design process?

Erin. As a first time mother I was determined to breastfeed. Throughout my pregnancy I had planned and planned and planned. I knew I was returning to work at 4 months, due to financial constraints and my partner would take shared parental leave for 5 months after this. In order to facilitate this I knew from even before my daughter was born that I would need to express breastmilk to continue our journey.

I worked hard to express a large amount which was both physically and mentally draining but I wanted to ensure my daughter could continue the have breast milk when I returned to work. I was very proud of this and started to wonder what I could do/get/buy as a small token/reward for this (other than a healthy happy baby of course). So I did a google search and discovered a small niche market for breastmilk jewellery. I was amazed and really intrigued by this and really wanted a piece for myself. I couldn’t afford one due to being on maternity leave and thought, well I have some spare time on my hands let’s see what I can make for myself.

I did a bit of research into how they were made, although the specific process for treating and encapsulating the milk is different for each supplier and they rarely share their technique, I started attempting to make some items. Initially the only silicone mould I had was a Darth Vader ice cube tray so my first attempts were not very elegant! It took me a few months but I finally perfected it and managed to create the purple heart that is on my website, this is actually the first piece I made for myself and the inspiration behind my logo. I was so proud of it, people couldn’t shut me up talking about it and before long my friends wanted something made. Not all of them breastfed and asked if I could incorporate baby hair into pieces instead, so I tried and managed it. Word got around and after some encouragement from friends and family I started Eternally Cherished – Family Keepsakes.

HOC. Your concept for adding personal keepsakes into your jewellery designs makes Eternally Cherished a very special business, did you know of any other businesses like yours before you set up?

Erin. I had done some research to find out what was available and saw a few other businesses however I choose to focus on my business. It is always important to be aware of the market however my focus is on ensuring anyone that orders from me gets a personal experiences, from start to finish. I don’t outsource any work and always respond to every enquiry on any platform, from email, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc.

HOC. We love all your designs, especially the rings and necklaces that you hand make the gems for, are there any that are your personal favourites?

Erin. Other than the purple heart I also made myself the Artemis Ring to match the pendant. I love big bold jewellery and it came out so beautifully, I love showing it off and seeing people’s reactions when I tell them that my breastmilk is inside! Although I hand make all of the breastmilk gems I do actually use experts who are reliable and of the highest quality for the findings or ring settings.

HOC. Which is your biggest selling item to date, and do you know why it’s the ‘go to’ Eternally Cherished product?

Erin. My biggest selling and most popular item is the Gaia Mama Bead. It has so many variations which are possible, from colours to metal leaf inclusions and also a variety of real flowers. Every single one is totally unique. Every woman’s breastmilk is different and even if it is the same pigment added it will always be slightly different which helps represent every woman’s different breastfeeding, motherhood or just a journey, which I love. It fits Pandora and this style bracelets perfectly. There are lots of photo’s in the reviews section which shows mama’s wearing their beads with pride, and this makes me so happy.

HOC. You add many unusual items into your jewellery designs from breastmilk to animal fur and everything in between, have you ever been asked to add something too unusual that you weren’t able to work with?

Erin. So far, no. I will always try to do anything someone asks me and try to make it work, after all it is what is important for them not me. The whole purpose of these keepsakes are for someone to be able to encapsulate something so precious (whatever that is to them) in something beautiful that they have had a hand in designing, and keep forever.

I sometimes craft items which are very hard emotionally, for instance when I use ashes, especially children’s ashes. It does affect me somewhat but I know I am creating something so special for someone to have forever.

HOC. How long have you been running Eternally Cherished and was there ever a point that you thought it was too difficult to get the business off the ground?

Erin. I started Eternally Cherished in the Spring of 2018. I have always worked full-time alongside running my business. As much as I try to manage my time sometimes it is really really difficult. If my daughter is ill, I am working and the business is very busy I find it a struggle. This business is my passion and I enjoy making these pieces so much, even when it gets tough I always find joy in creating these pieces.

I think because of my career, outside of being a mother and running my business, I am quite disciplined with time management. I do find it hard to switch off and I get a lot of queries at all times of day or night; but I have a customer promise to always respond to each and every enquiry myself as quickly as I can.

HOC. Did anyone offer you a core piece of advice before launching your business that you still remember to this day?

Erin. Actually no, I didn’t really ask anyone. Perhaps there was some element of imposter syndrome or shyness about it. Even now I find it really difficult talking about my business and I am not sure why. I am in a number of different forums and groups for women in business and try to contribute where I can to support other businesses. But for me, I just research, practice and do what I do. I taught myself how to do this and continue to self-learn each and every day. I didn’t really intend to embark on this small business venture, but now I love it and can’t imagine my life without it.

HOC. Have you ever made any bad business decisions, and if so how did you come back from them?

Erin. Wow what a question, yes! I think one of my strengths is resilience and I utilise this in my career and my business. I ran a Christmas promotion and also started a new job at the same time. This meant that I was extremely busy in the business and in my new job. I made a few mistakes but worked so hard to sort them out and improve them. It is so important to me that anyone who orders from me is as in love with their item as much as I am and if they are not then I have to sort it out!

HOC. If you were to offer one piece of advice to someone thinking of getting into the jewellery business, what would it be?

Erin. Find love in what you do and everything else will fall into place. Join some women in business forum groups, the sisterhood is amazing for support, asking questions and generally just being in touch with amazing women! Be fearless, be brave, be bold!

Thank you for taking the time to answer all our Girl Bosses of Great Britain questions for House of Coco Magazine.

Visit Eternally Cherished for more information.

Designer June 19, 2019

#WomenWorldwide: Blazing To Glory With Janice Trayes of Connecticut Country Clothing

The moment Janice Trayes realised her much-loved, much-worn blazers were destined to be replaced with new ones was the pivotal turning point in starting her own clothing company.

After searching everywhere for the perfect day to night blazer to take her from desk to dining, it became apparent this blazer was impossible to find, and that existing blazer designs were either too structured and office-like, or they were too casual. Janice knew at this point that she would have to design the perfect blazer herself.

House of Coco Magazine wanted to delve deep inside the pockets of Janice’s blazer company, Connecticut Country Clothing, to find out more about her career path into fashion.

HOC. What was your background before embarking on fashion, design and clothing?

Janice. For some time now I’ve worked in the legal industry, with an emphasis on corporate legal work. This knowledge base has been helpful with structuring and organizing my current business, but I also draw on other work experience as well as having owned and managed two small clothing businesses.

At 22 I moved to NYC and landed an entry level job at IZOD. Not a glamorous job, but I learned a little about the internal workings of a large fashion business. From IZOD I went to a small, well-funded fashion start-up of preppy casual clothing. Later, I worked for a large international advertising firm where I had the opportunity to learn and observe.

My first fashion endeavour was launched when I was 24. I repurposed men’s used white cotton tuxedo shirts (purchased from a tuxedo rental company); hand dyed them, hung them on a clothes line in my apartment, and sold them on Sundays at “The Grand Bazaar NYC.” This essentially is a pop-up, and my little line was surprisingly successful.

Fast forward to 2000. I launched an on-line surf shop selling water wear, and sponsored a nationally competing surf team. E-commerce was a new thing then (and so very different from today). Just imagine – no social media!

HOC. We’ve learned that it was your personal search for the perfect blazer that nudged you back into fashion, can you remember the first blazer that you made, and was it everything you hoped for?

Janice. Well, we are a new brand, so our current blazer, The Kate, is our original, signature style. And yes, it fully embodies everything we set out to achieve, which was fusing form, fit and function with comfort and style. Our design motto is: Professional Plus Chic, meaning, the blazer is professional enough for the office, chic enough for social engagements, and “plus” is a play on being plus size inclusive.

We incorporated many design objectives (such as a pop-up collar and inside breast pockets), but above all else, an exceptional, comfortable fit for a variety of body types, with a truly transitional day to night design were critical. I had owned two blazers which I could wear anywhere and not look like I was heading into a meeting (although they were perfectly appropriate for the office). I wore these blazers until the linings disintegrated. A search to replace them ended in frustration, and culminated with the launching of Connecticut Country Clothing.

Living in Los Angeles proved advantageous since the city is now a fashion mecca. I worked with two seasoned design technicians to bring my vision to life. One has designed for Hollywood red carpets, and the other studied and worked in Paris at name fashion brands (oh-la-la).

HOC. At Connecticut Country Clothing you stock blazers for all sizes of women from the smallest US size zero to a larger US size 24, did you always intend on including blazers for plus size women?

Janice. Absolutely! Because I’m a plus sized woman. The quest to find quality plus size clothing is real. Most clothing brands begin their designs on a size 6 woman. A style designed on a size 6 woman usually doesn’t flatter a size 16 woman. So, we begin by designing on a plus size woman to ensure the fit and style works on a larger frame, and then we make a new pattern in the style for smaller (missy) sizes. We do the exact opposite of what the industry typically does.

This is a point of pride, that our styles look great on a variety of body types at different sizes. We put a little extra room through the upper back. This makes for a more comfortable fit. Busty women said that if a blazer fit them across the chest – it probably didn’t fit anywhere else. We made this a challenge to conquer, and are delighted by the results.

By the way – we don’t stock inventory, instead we use sustainable manufacturing called on-demand manufacturing. This means we only sew a blazer once a person has ordered it. This allows us to individualize the blazer’s lining if desired, and prevents wasteful stockpiling of inventory – one of the major causes of pollution/waste in the fashion industry.

HOC. How do you market your brand differently to other independent clothing designers, and does social media play a part in the marketing of Connecticut Country Clothing?

Janice. You’re asking me for our secret sauce! I will say that it is important for every brand to find it’s unique authentic voice and stay true to it, and to not copy other brands. In this regard – we are cultivating our unique, authentic voice. It takes time.

We do advertise some, but mostly because U.K. Conde Nast invited us and, well, who says no to being in Vogue?

We use select social media, but don’t see it as the be all and end all of marketing. It’s important for brand awareness. We have built a small, loyal following – many of whom share our social and environmental values.

We’re a socially and environmentally conscious brand, and are strongly connected to our fair trade, eco-tribe. The wonderful thing about the eco-tribe, is that fellow eco-brands often support each other however they can – even when in direct competition, because we’re about achieving something bigger than providing stylish garments – we’re about revolutionizing the fashion industry for fair wages and a cleaner earth.

Our number one sustainability goal is for our blazers to be as close to 100% biodegradable as we can possible get them. If our garments’ fibers are going to make their way to the ocean, then let them be edible! Synthetic microfibers are now found nearly everywhere – even at the bottom of deep ocean ravines. We are passionately opposed to this.

HOC. You are currently crowd sourcing in order to be able to launch your new styles, can you tell us anything about the next collection and what styles we can expect to find?

Janice. Well, not to let the cat out of the bag, but the next style grouping will have a more traditional “town & country” look and be offered in completely different fabrics, from a gorgeous supple fabric in luscious warm colours, to a washable black wool. We already have a prototype and I’m excited!

HOC. As Connecticut Country Clothing is a relatively new business, what has been the biggest learning curve you have come across?

Janice. That’s a good question. I think understanding, interpreting and applying the marketing analytics, along with learning the email automation platform are my steepest challenges. There are wonderful tutorials, but they require time – and time is limited.

HOC. What was the best piece of advice you were given before you launched your clothing company?

Janice. “Have faith, it’s a marathon not a sprint.” The fashion business is one of the toughest businesses to break into – and even if you do establish your brand, will it endure? Being a fashion entrepreneur is like climbing Mt. Everest in high heels. It’s not for the faint of heart. So, best advice was to have faith; to just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

HOC. What advice would you offer someone who is embarking on a career designing clothing?

Janice. First and foremost, you need to be a business person. Actual time designing is minimal. Most new businesses fail within the first couple of years, and very few make it to the five year mark. So, before you embark – take your time, do extremely thorough market research and learn as much as you can about business processes before your days are full of obligations. One of the best designers I know is completely held back by inefficient business processes.

Yet, don’t let a fabulous idea slip through your fingers. Back in 1989 I backpacked around Europe, and spent an inordinate amount of time in lovely comfortable cafes sipping coffee. When I returned to NYC, I realized my neighbourhood (and most of Manhattan) didn’t have lovely comfortable cafes for sipping coffee – we had Greek diners or Jewish delis. I and a friend began planning to open a comfy cafe, but didn’t see it through. Now how sad is that, because today it could be JaniceBucks instead of Starbucks. Sometimes you just need to persevere with your great idea.

Visit www.ctcountry.clothing for more info

Thank you for sharing your fascinating business story for House of Coco Magazine’s Women Worldwide series.

Designer June 6, 2019

Turks and Caicos: Inside Donna Karan’s villa

In collaboration with Donna Karan herself, designer friends Enrico Bonetti and Dominic Kozerski teamed up with Singapore-based architect Cheong Yew Kuan to create DKNY’s homely Turks and Caicos complex of three villas and just as many pavilions for each.

All parts of the property, which sits beside homes owned by Keith Richards and Christy Brinkley, are open air, ensuring those who stay in the main house or accompanying guest villas lap up all the Caribbean breeze they can get.

Based on a private island owned by Como Hotels, fashion fans and luxury holiday makers alike rent out the abodes when Karan isn’t in Turks and Caicos.

With special touches including African arts pieces she collected on her travels, and items from her Urban Zen interiors brand, you won’t forget whose home you’re in any time soon.

Karan’s personality is evident throughout; from coffee table books featuring her face to Bali-style beds that serve as a reminder of her love for the Asian country.

As if that’s not enough a pavilion overlooking the beach was built from intricately carved stone shipped all the way from the island.

Perhaps the best thing about the duplexes are their vantage points which allow guests to see sunrise from one side and sunset on another. Rarely something you’d get from staying in a hotel room.

Check out the pictures and dream about staying at the fashion designer’s Parrot Cay pad.