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As we move towards the end of 2018, the world is a strange place but there are glimmers of real hope and activism, especially concerned with environmental issues. This festive season everyone we know is increasingly aware of the waste created from unwanted presents, fast fashion and that evergreen-evil plastic but, if you are gifting jewellery this year, have you thought about how ethical it is?

We caught up with Arabel Lebrusan, founder of the eponymous ethical jewellery brand arabellebrusan.com to learn more about ethical jewellery, creativity and new year’s resolutions.

HOC: Tell us about your journey to creating your brand, Arabel?

AL: My background is in fashion jewellery and accessories and I have worked for many years between the Philippines, Hong Kong and Europe. These experiences have allowed me to explore trends, cultural heritage and local techniques, but at the same time to learn from the fast paced commercial aspects of fashion jewellery. It wasn’t all a bed of roses, as this opportunity of travelling and visiting jewellery factories also showed me some of the darker sides of the jewellery industry and its practices. When I made the jump to fine jewellery, I wanted to have a more ethical jewellery approach, which lead to me focusing on making the jewellery world in itself, more ethical.

HOC: What is ‘ethical jewellery’ and what do we need to know about it?

AL: Ethical jewellery is jewellery that has been created respecting the earth and everyone on it. It is a simple concept but with incredible life changing repercussions. For me, the first step is always to know from start to finish, the whole “life” of that jewel.From the very beginning, where those materials come from, to how it was made and how it gets sold.

Ethical jewellery is made with materials that have been mined under sustainable standards (like Fairtrade and Fairmined Gold) and everyone and everything involved in their production has been treated respectfully – including the earth – as well as being paid a fair wage. Ethical jewellery is then manufactured sustainably, where the craftsmen and craftswoman responsible for creating the jewellery have been treated fairly and are proud of their creations.

To finish, ethical jewels are sold under a responsible brand that is fully transparent and communicates accurately this wonderful story to their customers. A jewellery brand, such as ours, who is leading the way on how to do things better in jewellery, how to source responsibly, and how to tell the story only using the truth. We don’t use ethics as the latest branding tool, or the latest fashion, but we use ethics because we care and we want to make the world a better place.

All in all, ethical jewellery is the most beautiful jewellery inside and out.

HOC: How did you come to doing a TED talk on this subject?

AL: I have been campaigning about ethics in the jewellery world for more than 10 years, and I was approached by TEDx Bedford, where I lived at that time, to talk about it. I was incredibly honoured to be asked, and I thought it would be a great opportunity to spread the word about the things that needed changing within this industry. Consumers don’t tend to know that there is even a problem with jewellery production, and the TED talk format allowed me to create a direct but thoughtful presentation to expose the issues in a gentle way.

HOC: Did you train as a jeweller?

AL: Yes, I was trained as a jeweller in Spain. After I finished my Gemmology degree at the university in Madrid, I thought it would be great to complement it with some jewellery training, so I went on to do a 3-year jewellery course. It was a very old-fashioned training program, taught by retired jewellers that had a wealth of knowledge. I spent 3 years at the bench, 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. We learnt from the very basic skills of cutting and soldering to advance mechanism for clasps and even how to make articulated diamond tennis bracelets by hand. Then, after working in the industry for 8 years, I went on to do my Masters at Central Saint Martins, in London, which really reinforced my jewellery design skills and style.

HOC: What is your favourite piece and why?

AL: It has to be my latest bespoke creation, a pair of Tahitian black pearl and sapphire earrings. It has a little bit of everything I love. They are made with ethical gold and blue sapphires, it includes some filigree work, made by an expert artisan in Spain and it has 2 gorgeous Tahitian black pearls which I have personally sourced from a small pearl farm in French Polynesia. It’s a piece that combines traditional techniques, excellent quality and ethical materials; my signature style

HOC: How do you keep your creativity flowing?

AL: I make sure I spend time “in the bubble”. This is time (2-3 hours) where I forget about emails, responsibilities, interruptions, and I concentrate on my design process. I need to be alone with my inspirational images from sourcing trips, fashion catwalks, historical snapshots or whatever theme I’m busy with, and my sketchbook. This is the time to draw and dream, to make unexpected connections between images and to create the world of Arabel Lebrusan. This world is full of textures, deep colours, is very feminine and embedded with traces of history mixed with contemporary fashion.

HOC: Can you tell us about a recent ‘Girl Boss’ moment?

AL: I have just created this amazing engagement ring for a client, with a 1.5ct diamond. When I asked him how he came to choose me instead of other designers (two actually very famous ones), he said that he really had a connection with me, loved the designs that I showed him, and was inspired by the wonderful customer experience.

HOC: Do you believe in New Year’s Resolutions and – if yes, what’s yours for 2019?

AL: Yes I do! It’s always a good time to reflect on the past year (the good, the bad, and the ugly) and to things about the new one coming. For me this year will have to be ‘do less’ and ‘settle down in Brighton’. We have just moved here and we are still very busy with practical things, so I need to streamline and do what is ‘important’ instead of the ‘urgent’.

Today’s interviewees started out running a popular jewelry boutique when they realised a dreadful leniency in trade regulations and how this impacted not only the quality of their products but also people with allergies. Here comes the science part – where Tarnish-Me-Not’s CEO, Tatiana, worked tirelessly to crack the formula that would stop all this, hearing plenty of ‘no’s’ on the journey but ending up with the perfect product and a case study in a popular Start Up business book.

Lead image: (Left to Right) Tatiana Tara Arslanouk, Sina Mamkegh, Tina Mamkegh. Wearing Tux Couture by Yansi Fugel.

HOC: Let’s start with the tricky stuff! What’s your elevator pitch for Tarnish-Me-Not?

Team: Tarnish-Me-Not is dedicated to providing revolutionary solutions that lead industry expansion, while positively impacting the lives of others through philanthropic efforts. Our patented formula replaces generations of jewelry care products with the most effective, accessible and affordable solution to preserve your jewelry against tarnish, while protecting your skin from irritation.

Dermatologist tested and approved, Tarnish-Me-Not is highly recommended for those who suffer from mild to severe skin allergies caused by Nickel. Spray Tarnish-Me-Not directly to jewelry for long lasting protection and a flawless finish. Tarnish-Me-Not is a proud partner of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, to which we donate $1.00 for each unit sold – all year long.

HOC: Tell us about your journey to be running this business? We understand you used to run a jewellery boutique?

Team: Yes, we did! It’s surreal to think about how our journey manifested into all of this. In 2010, we were creating handmade jewelry, headbands and jewelry boxes in our parents’ basements. Six months later, we opened the doors of our first business, Eye Candy Boutique. In 2011, our CEO, Tatiana Arslanouk was nominated as one of the ‘Top Six Young Entrepreneurs in the Country’ for Ernst & Young’s GSEA competition. The business was growing at a rapid, yet healthy pace. All was right with the world.

At Eye Candy, we carried unique statement jewelry, many of which, were hard to come by. In such a saturated market, our competitive advantage was our devotion to going above and beyond for our customers, in every way. However, it became increasingly difficult to satisfy our customer-centric standards when facing the inevitable issues related to metals. Jewelry is highly susceptible to tarnishing and discoloration due to various uncontrollable factors. More importantly, the most common metals found in jewelry are notorious for causing contact skin allergies and discoloration (i.e. irritation/redness/green-tinted skin). As terrible as this all sounds, we weren’t so worried at first. We always find a solution to help our customers, and this would be no exception to that rule. This was all true until we did some digging and realized that the problem was much larger than we thought.

Turns out, regulations of the global jewelry industry were nowhere near the standards we expected. Manufacturers and retailers can legally label their jewelry as ‘Nickel-Free’ if the item contains less than 5% of Nickel. Well, that 5% is more than enough to cause some allergy sufferers (like our COO, Sina) to break out in hives. It wasn’t just us; this was a problem that was affecting a billion-dollar global industry.

[Fast forward to 2013] We just returned home from a shopping trip, and Tatiana was trying on a brand-new set of rings that she just purchased. After stacking the rings across all her fingers, she held her hand up in admiration of the pristine condition that we all knew would not last. Tatiana sighed and said, “I LOVE these rings but it’s such a shame that they’ll be completely tarnished and turning my skin green in a few days. How is there no solution for this, yet?!”

…And that is the day that Tarnish-Me-Not was created! It’s been almost six years since, and Tatiana still has her perfect set of rings; all sprayed with Tarnish-Me-Not and looking just as they did the day she bought them. As for Sina, her severe Nickel Allergy qualified her as the perfect candidate to test Tarnish-Me-Not; needless to say… she can finally wear all the jewelry that she wants.

HOC: So fascinating! How on earth do you go about formulating and patenting something like Tarnish Me Not?

Team: I didn’t have access to a laboratory, a patent lawyer or the capital to attain them. Most of all, I didn’t have the patience to wait for these resources either. I always had a strong passion for Chemistry, so I wanted full involvement in formulating the product.

I filled my days and nights researching and teaching myself about metals, chemicals and patents – everything that I would need to bring this vision to life. I must have contacted over 50 chemists, including my college Chemistry professor; all of whom, could not create the formula we were looking for. While some didn’t have the capabilities, others flat-out said that it was impossible. Hearing the word ‘no’ quickly became a part of my daily routine.

I continued my research, regardless of the negative feedback. With all the extensive knowledge I gained, I was able to come up with three formulations that could produce the results I was looking for. I brought my findings to an incredible laboratory that helped create our prototypes, conduct testing and narrow it down to one formula. Finally, after years of research and development, Tarnish-Me-Not was born.

During the formulation process, I had studied hundreds of patents, consulted numerous lawyers and ultimately wrote the Tarnish-Me-Not patent. As the daughter of an engineer, I grew up watching my father turn his ideas into reality. He holds over 10 US patents, so I guess attaining my first patent was one of my ‘girl boss’ moments.

HOC: Your first patent definitely qualifies as a Girl Boss Moment! We heard that your start up story was featured in a business book, can you tell us more?

Team: Donatas Jonikas (Ph.D.) contacted us during his research for the upcoming book. In order to write the “Startup Evolution Curve,” he did a global research on startups surveying 1,447 startup founders and running close to 500 additional in-depth interviews. Being a scientist, a marketer, and a military commander makes him an extraordinary coach and mentor for startups where so much uncertainty exists in every step.

During our research and development phase, we quickly realized there were no existing market/industry reports available for our specific niche. However, this initial research is vital to ensuring that we’re addressing these significant problems with the right product offering. With great power comes great responsibility, right? We were creating an entirely new niche in the market, which means: if the research and data does not exist, then it’s our job to gather it.

Our team conducted our own primary market research study over the course of six months. During this time, we surveyed 6,000 women using a systematic sampling technique, asking them three conclusive questions. Through our study, we were able to measure the addressable market, market opportunity, and the impact the product would pose on other markets.

Donatas was impressed by our company’s approach to market research and overcoming a common obstacle that startups face in the research/development phase. After completing in-depth interviews with Donatas, he chose to include Tarnish-Me-Not as a successful case study in his book. It is such a rewarding feeling to know that our work is serving as a guide to help other entrepreneurs. It is also a reminder that we can all learn something from each other’s experiences – no matter what stage of business you’re in.

HOC: On top of this amazing start up experience, you’ve also partnered with Breast Cancer Research foundation through this business, what does that cause mean to you?

Team: When I was thirteen years old, my mother was diagnosed with stage four Breast Cancer; while she was pregnant with my younger sister. At that impressionable age, my world was falling apart. I watched the most beautiful woman I know, fight for life and struggle to feel beautiful. There are no words to describe the toll that cancer takes on a family.

Today, I am incredibly blessed to say that my mother is a cancer survivor. Cancer research saved her life; it saved MY life. That experience lit a fire in my soul, and it opened my eyes to all the ways I can contribute. When I chose the path of entrepreneurship, I was certain that I would dedicate my success to helping others. By partnering with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, I am able to support an organization that was such an influential part of my journey.

HOC: Very inspiring and what a fire for your onward success. What’s your vision for Tarnish-Me-Not?

Team: We’d like to improve on the lenient standards of metal manufacturing. Through government implemented regulations, manufacturers will be required to apply a coating of Tarnish-Me-Not on to their metal products. In our utopian jewelry industry, metals last longer and Nickel allergies are no longer a concern.

HOC: What advice would you have for our readers wanting to start a business but hearing a lot of ‘Nos’?

Team: “All you need is passion, and the rest will fall into place.” This has been our motto since the beginning of our journey – and we’ve consistently recited it through every ‘No’ and every hurdle. Entrepreneurship is one of the most challenging paths you may ever embark on – and for very good reason. Each day, your commitment, patience and sanity will be tested. Build a strong team with the kind of passion that does not take no for an answer. Whether, you are innovating old practices or presenting new ideas, there will always be someone uncomfortable with change; and they will try to tell you it cannot or should not be done. Take the constructive criticism and be on your way. You’ve got more important things to worry about!

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe

HOC: Can you give us an example of a ‘Girl Boss Moment’ you’ve had; a time you really felt you were in your element?

Team: Every day is filled with these moments that are constantly reminding me I was made for this. Being an entrepreneur is more than owning a business. You can be a business owner and still follow a set path that was carved out by someone before you. Entrepreneurship is setting your own path. Controlling your own destiny. Taking FULL responsibility for every aspect of why you are where you are. It’s unpredictable and requires your undivided attention. But you are rewarded everyday with knowing you aren’t living by someone else’s idea of what life should be. Feeling that freedom and independence is me constantly being in my element. I push myself harder than anyone could ever push me. I am by biggest critic. So, from the moment I wake up to the second I go to bed, everyday is a ‘Girl Boss Moment.’

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

Team: It may sound cliché, but we definitely have to say our mothers are a huge source of our inspiration. We were raised by such powerful, headstrong women that it was inevitable for us to turn out the way we did! They’re also best friends; and when they team up for a project, they’re unstoppable. Truthfully, they have always been a constant reminder to own who you are, don’t take shit from anyone, and always do what you feel is right.

Our company follows one internal ‘law’, and that is: Our customers are the innovators; We are the executors. Every choice we make is inspired by the needs and ideas of our customers; and we wouldn’t have it any other way. The most rewarding feeling in the world is to hear about their experiences with our product and how it has impacted their lives or business.
Last but not least, our team. This journey truly began over twenty years ago, the day we met. We became best friends in kindergarten, and from that day forward, we were always on a mission. Our friendship is the infrastructure of this entire business and the reason that Tarnish-Me-Not exists today. There is nothing greater than the joined forces of three, tenacious, and powerful women working towards the same goal. We look to each other for support, inspiration and drive each and every day.

HOC: If you ever have a hustle block / funk; how do you get yourself out of it?

Team: Drive! One of our longest running traditions is our ‘Collaboration Drives’. We get in the car, and just go. Sometimes with a destination in mind, and sometimes without. We spend our time in the car just collaborating on any and every topic that comes to mind. Sometimes working in the same traditional manner or place every day can drain your creativity. If we ever find ourselves in a hustle block, we like to change up our environment to get inspired.

We each love to be creative in our own ways and that’s what gets us back into our element. Sometimes we’ll do a joint project, and other times we each do our own. Tatiana is always writing, researching and designing; Sina loves to paint/sketch; and Tina assembles etched models. Regardless of the art, its always so inspiring to be surrounded by each other while we create.

Find our more about Tarnish-Me-Not over at TarnishMeNot.com

Follow the team on Instagram @TarnishMeNot

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

One of the things we love most about our career series is the ability to showcase that not everyone has the same path. Being entrepreneurial might be in your blood but a solid career foundation can be the perfect springboard to launching your own thing. That’s the case for Maddy, founder of MADLY Gems, based in Singapore…

HOC: Hello Maddy! Tell us about your journey to being an entrepreneur?

Maddy: The seed was planted in me by my dad who worked in a bank most of his life and was responsible for approving bank loans and helping many small businesses get a head start. Growing up, I’d hear stories of all kinds of business ventures, what he thought made a sound or not so viable one, and why some succeeded while others didn’t.

But it wasn’t until I met my husband 15 years ago that I felt that I was ready to take on the challenges of running a business, which I knew I couldn’t and wouldn’t want to do alone. Two businesses, in fact, when we were living and working in Bangkok, Thailand. MADLY is our 3rd venture together. He’s always been my advisor and confidante, and he’s great in areas I’m weak at (vice versa) so we make a pretty formidable team, complementing each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

I think it is important in any business to NOT do it alone and to find mature, like-minded people with complementary skills to plug all the holes and fill every gap. No one can do it all and everyone’s role is different, and this diversity should be embraced.

HOC: Amazing and when did MADLY come into being?

Maddy: MADLY came into being late 2014 and started with just myself and one designer working out of a bedroom/home office! I was the ‘hustler’ who got the word out, told everyone what we are about; and got every friend and family member to custom make something for themselves or loved one.

I don’t think I had any expectations for MADLY at that point, except to share my love for beautiful gemstone jewellery which the local market was, and still is very new to, and create a new shopping experience for jewellery lovers.

HOC: What else was happening for you when you started this business?

Maddy: I also hold a full time job as a breakfast show radio presenter, so it’s tough juggling 2 jobs and motherhood!

The business grew organically and just took on a life of its own and we had to put in more resources to cope with the growth. For instance, we had to upgrade our premises thrice to cope with the growth since we needed more space for more designers!

HOC: And how has MADLY grown since then?

Maddy: You could say MADLY just took on a life of its own and became larger than any one person or designer as it is with many bespoke jewellery outfits. I kind of like that, because that gives us variety and diversity – with each designer having their unique sense of style; and affinity to different fashion of jewellery designs.

So depending on a client’s style, we try to match the client to the designer so there in synergy. The more a client is able to tell us about his/her likes and dislikes etc the better we are able to pair them with a designer that shares similar style because jewellery is personal and totally subjective!

HOC: Sounds like an exciting place to be. What does being a Girl Boss mean to you?

Maddy: To me, it’s a mindset and attitude rather than a position or role. You don’t actually have to own a business to be a #girlboss. A great leader or manager who takes care of her team and takes ownership of her decisions, good or bad is a boss in her own right.

In my mind, a Girl Boss understands what is important to the success of the company (whether or not she owns it or works for it) and does not sweat the small things.

HOC: Business culture seems very important to you, what is the MADLY culture like?

Maddy: MADLY is not your average workplace. We work with only the finest gemstones and craftsmen in the world, meaning that we are very serious about what we do, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously! We know that you’ve got to have fun at work and we value this equally!

HOC: You clearly have an entrepreneurial soul, what advice do you have for them to start their own thing?

Maddy: To me, true success is being able to do what you love and use your strengths every day while being paid for it!

It doesn’t necessarily culminate in owning a business because not everyone is cut out for it. If starting your own business is what you really want, then you need to ask yourself which part of the puzzle are you?

Bearing in mind your strengths and weaknesses, are you comfortable to lead, because every business like an organisation needs a good leader. Or, are you better off finding a partner or hiring someone to run the business while you do what you’re really good at?

Almost every entrepreneur I meet forgets to ask that very crucial question and every company needs a leader but the fact is, not everyone wants or likes to lead, and there are brilliant people who make very lousy leaders, yet make/create the absolute best product. A business isn’t there for you to prove your worth but to serve a purpose and fill a need. It’s not about you, but rather about those you hope to serve.

HOC: Looking forward, what does 2019/2020 have in store for you and for your brand?

We are looking at bringing the MADLY experience overseas by next year and have a few locations in mind. I just need to decide where would be the first launch pad outside of Singapore and then see where it goes….

My plan is to over-prepare and then go with the flow! Now, I just need to find the time to make it happen and if it’s meant to be, it will be!

Follow Maddy’s business at @MADLYGems

& MADLYGems.com

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

Today (8th March) is International Women’s Day and, being a Brit, sat in California pulling together this article, after 4 days of adventure with female entrepreneurs I hadn’t met before I’d say that last week’s inaugural Girl Boss Rallyhas made waves amongst young women across the world.

SPOILER ALERT: we’ll touch on a number of the speakers from the event but, as it was a huge and multi-stream affair, we would recommend picking up a digital pass to all the content from the event at www.GirlBoss.com

In case you missed it Sophia Amoruso is the OG #GirlBoss; the woman behind the cult brand Nasty Gal, author of New York Times bestselling #GirlBoss and Nasty Galaxy. Sophia is a smart, passionate and driven business person who owns her failures on her sleeve. Since the release of the book #GirlBoss there has been a entrepreneurial podcast, a Girl Boss Grant founded and this event, a packed day of Girl Boss-dom for 50 speakers and 500 attendees in Los Angeles’ DownTown.

With tickets sitting at around 300 dollars the event had a barrier to entry that meant only serious entrepreneurs would be attending and also meant that attendees brought their A – game. We started our Girl Boss experience the day before by hosting a mixer for attendees in town at a space in Hollywood provided by the incredible Breather (breather.com), they even sprung for cupcakes so check them out when you next need working or networking space!

On the actual Rally day we arrived bright and early at the stunning and overwhelming Hudson Loft; a repurposed warehouse building nestled in DTLA that had be turned into the interiors that any Girl Boss would crave. After a power bowl breakfast which left us in no doubt as to what city we were in, we got the party started on a Saturday morning…

A mix of guest lead talks, panels and workshops sat alongside more technical support with Squarespace running clinics, Bumble hosting makeovers and professional head shots and healthy delights from cult LA faves Moon Juice and Sweetgreens.

After an emotive opening speech from Sophia herself we were all treated to Gaby Bernstein’s caveat to the day that success doesn’t equal love and that loving ourselves remained important over anything else we want to achieve. We chose the ‘Hustler Hall’ stream for the day and heard from cult speakers such as Jane Buckingham on millennials, Jess Weiner on vision achieving and Sallie Krawcheck on well, how to be generally badass and bounce back from being fired.

It was a long day spanning from 8am – 8pm but never fear, #TeamCoco held on until the end, being in the last 10 or so Girl Bosses to leave cocktail hour on the rooftop overlooking all of DownTown LA’s city of stars. But before cocktail o’clock was our favourite session of the day of @Kevin (seriously, check him out on Twitter and Insta, he got in there early for that handle! haha!) in conversation with our girl, Sophia about Instagram’s mission (to bring people closer together) and how it was his then girlfriend, now wife’s idea to bring filters into the app to break down the barriers of people feeling nervous to post their photography. You might be surprised to read that there were male speakers and there were a number who brought some balance to the day. If we were to give feedback, we would have loved more guys present to diversify things but, for a first year event, nothing to worry about.

The day wrapped with a panel discussion about the new Girl Boss series, coming to Netflix and we managed to steal a minute with Sophia (where we pledged to help bring the Rally to Europe, so watch this space!). Meeting our girl crush was sweet, and hearing all these amazing speakers was truly inspiring but what really lit a fire in our hearts was the pure connection with girls from across the world, our lives changing as one as we invested in ourselves at this event. Compliments were aplenty, strange kismet connections were uncovered by turning to the girl adjacent waiting for coffee, tears shed and plans made.

Our emotional cups full, we all dispersed into the night, this overachieving Girl Boss with a new friend on to a birthday party at a hookah bar, as you do.

The atmosphere was absolutely electric and we can’t wait to bring you Part 2 of our Girl Boss Rally review where we’ll share some of our favourite co-Girl Bosses’ stories, along with our top tips for navigating an event of this size! Clue: it involves buying a super recognisable, magpie-friendly piece of clothing. Could you guess what ours was?!

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

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

Throughout his illustrious career, René Lalique had always been a pioneer. During his time, his creative flair and his crystal know-how was second to none, earning him the title of ‘inventor of modern jewellery’ . A constant innovator, René Lalique carved out a special place for himself as one of the greatest names in the world of French Decorative Arts. Today, the name Lalique has become synonymous with the French art of living and evokes the brilliance and wonder of both jewellery and crystal.

130 years have passed since René Lalique opened his first boutique on Rue du Quatre-Septembre; and it is exceedingly clear that his modern day counterpart, Silvio Denz, shares in his pioneering spirit. Since acquiring Lalique in 2008, Silvio Denz has extended the world of Lalique into previously uncharted territories. In the last ten years, he has opened more than 30 flagship stores and boutiques, launched Lalique Art and Lalique Maison, opened the Lalique Museum in Wingen-sur-Moder, opened the Villa René Lalique, the Château Hochberg, and most recently, the Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey in the Sauternes region of France.

In conversation with Silvio Denz, we discuss his passion for creative excellence, and how this passion seeps through every one of his endeavours. We talk about his admiration for the creative genius of René Lalique, and the special legacy he has left behind. A legacy, that in the hands of Silvio Denz, will live on for generations to come.

In 2008, Art & Fragrance acquired the famed Lalique, which has become synonymous with creative excellence and the French art of Living. In what ways do you think Lalique has changed since then?
René Lalique was an innovator and worked in many areas during his career; gaining recognition as one of the leading designers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His work spanned jewellery, perfume bottles, tableware, decorative, and architectural objects. As we celebrate his 130 year legacy, we are really coming back to the true sense of the brand and building a bridge between past and future. Today, Lalique is a diversified brand that epitomises luxury lifestyle in all its forms: from decorative objects, glasses, decanters, jewellery, art, fragrances, interior design, hospitality, and gastronomy.

Lalique’s crystal know-how has been ongoing for the past 130 years and is unlike anything else in the world. How are you marrying Lalique’s heritage with the modern innovations of the future? How are you keeping this heritage alive?
René Lalique’s creative genius is at the centre of our inspiration. With admiration and respect for his artistry, we continue to innovate in all areas of our business. Since the acquisition of Lalique in 2008, well over 20 million euros has been invested in overhauling the factory and optimising processes. We keep our heritage alive by creating new collections as well as reinventing classic models (such as the legendary Bacchantes vase which was designed by René Lalique in 1927) in new colours and finishes.

Over the past ten years, we have opened more than 30 new flagship stores, boutiques, and showrooms worldwide. We also work with partners like Singapore International Airlines – which was just voted the best airline in the world for the 5th time in a row. We also work with different luxury brands, artists, and designers, who share the same values and standards of quality as we do, by using age old techniques and designs in new ways. All of these efforts keep our heritage alive.

2011 was a momentous year for Lalique. After the acquisition you launched the Lalique Museum in Wingen-sur-Moder and Lalique Art. What inspired you to expand the world of Lalique and what has the reception been like?
I acquired Lalique on Valentine’s Day, 2008. Prior to that, I was a passionate collector of Lalique and admired René Lalique, who in my opinion, was one of the greatest creative forces in the world of French decorative art. In July 2011, we opened Lalique Museum in Wingen-sur-Moder, Alsace; which is the site of Lalique’s only production facility even up to this day.

The Lalique Museum is owned by the French State; and I am proud to say that we worked closely with them to open the museum and enhance the collections. An exceptional architecturally designed building, the museum houses more than 650 objects created by Rene Lalique. It is a testament to his lasting legacy, that it now attracts around 70,000 visitors per year.

Lalique Art places the expertise of Lalique at the disposal of major contemporary artists, designers, and cultural foundations. In recent years, Lalique Art has created outstanding crystal artworks based on sculptures by Yves Klein and Rembrandt Bugatti, crystal architecture collections with Zaha Hadid and Mario Botta, as well as contemporary artists like Damien Hirst and Anish Kapoor.

This June you opened the new Lalique hotel and restaurant – Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey. Could you tell us more about the new hotel?
The Hotel Lalique at Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey is a sumptuous hotel and gourmet restaurant in the Sauternes region. This region has the greatest concentration of first-growth terroirs, particularly Premiers Grands Crus Classés. It opened its doors on the 400th anniversary of the estate and is a place where four worlds converge: wine, crystal, gastronomy and hospitality — all combining to serve the senses. Rising to the gastronomic challenge is our brilliant Head Chef Jérôme Schilling, who began his career working with all the great names of French cuisine. The Château’s four cellars are home to a collection of red and white wines and a heritage of 350,000 bottles, that include rare nectars alongside humbler vintages.

Offering three suites and ten rooms, the new Hotel Lalique ensures the highest standards of hospitality and gastronomy. I am delighted to share our unique heritage and evoke the emotions created by a Premier Cru Classé. The Château is Lalique’s third establishment, after Villa René Lalique in 2015 (a member of the Relais & Châteaux collection and five-star hotel) and Château Hochberg by Lalique in 2016, both located in Wingen-sur-Moder in Alsace.

Lady Tina Green and Pietro Mingarelli have been Lalique’s design partners for several different Lalique projects. How did this partnership come about?
Like all our partnerships, this was born out of a shared passion and standards of excellence and quality. In 2011, Green & Mingarelli created Lalique Maison, an interior decoration and furniture collection that was inspired by René Lalique’s passion for the Art Deco style. Back then, Art Deco was used to adorn ocean liners, glamorous trains like the Orient Express, as well as buildings and private homes — just as Green & Mingarelli do today with Lalique Maison.

Lalique Art started with a prominent collaboration with the Yves Klein Archives. How do you go about finding the right artists and foundations to partner with?
We partner with prestigious luxury brands and designers who share the same values and standards of quality as us, in order to create unusual objects which draw on this common savoir-faire and expertise. Collaborations with artists such as Damien Hirst are audacious endeavours, which René Lalique himself, who was both a visionary and trend setter, would no doubt have approved.

This year marks a significant milestone in the story of Lalique with the maison celebrating 130 years. Are there any special events and projects we should look forward to?
Aside from our new Lalique Hotel and gourmet restaurant at Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey in Bordeaux, the entirety of Lalique Art’s collaborations will be presented at the temporary exhibition at the Lalique Museum in Alsace until November 4, 2018. We have opened a new flagship store in Ginza, Tokyo and created new limited edition collection for 2018 to celebrate the 130th anniversary. In September this year, we will also be opening a new boutique in Bordeaux.

1. Hirondelles Grand Vase, sapphire blue, Platinum stamped
2. Muguet Bracelet, clear crystal, silver
3. Charmante Ring, clear and black crystal, silver
4. 1928 Between Finger Ring, clear crystal and marble glass, plated in 18k pink gold and silver
5. 1927 Necklace, clear crystal plated in 18k yellow gold
6. Hirondelles Clock, clear crystal
7. 1927 Double Wrap Bracelet, clear crystal, plated in 18k yellow gold
8. 1927 Earrings, clear crystal, plated in 18k yellow gold
9. 1928 Earrings, clear crystal and marble glass, plated in 18k pink gold and silver
10. Hirondelles Vintage Decanter, Vintage 2018, clear crystal and gold stamped
11. 1928 Bracelet, clear crystal and marble glass, plated in 18k pink gold and silver
12. Hirondelles Earrings, clear crystal, onyx, silver
13. Hirondelles Paperweight, gold luster

LALIQUE

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