IndependentBoutique.com is proud to welcome luxury cashmere brand Cocoa Cashmere to our site.
The design duo behind Cocoa Cashmere are Susan and Catherine, Fashion Designer and Retail Expert, who share a genuine passion for cashmere. They decided to launch Cocoa Cashmere as they felt that as consumers they weren’t being offered contemporary design and superb quality. They want to create a range that appeals not only to themselves but every other fashion conscious woman like them.
Susan is an expert in designing knitwear and has previously worked for a wide range of brands from Top Shop to Maxmara. Catherine’s background is in sales and buying, specialising in knitwear and in particular cashmere. She’s worked for some iconic labels including Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren.
Here is Susan to tell a little bit more about the Cocoa Cashmere story.
How do you describe to people what you do and your design style?
We would describe ourselves as having understated personality and timeless style.
What sort of comments do you get about your designs?
Our designs are considered unique and flattering.
What is your background?
We are a collaboration of cashmere experts who are passionate about style and quality.
Which designers do you rate highly and why?
Cocoa Cashmere - Snood
We admire DKNY due to their subtle handwriting and also visionary knitwear brands Theory and Vince – we like how their ranges are purely about knitwear, like us.
Tell us about your design process from concept, production and to the shelves…
I look for inspiration in Italy, London and New York. The trends are always tempered with what I understand our customer would wish to wear, and this thought process is translated into sketches and colour. Meanwhile high quality fibre is sourced from the grasslands of Inner Mongolia from the artisan growers and spinners. We pass our designs to the artisans in Inner Mongolia where the range is produced, and thence onto the UK.
How do you think your brand has developed?
I have embraced colour for AW12 and this has made the whole range more accessible and vibrant than previous seasons. I have also introduced stripe to give the whole range a lift.
What do you hate most about your job?
There are many late nights and it can be a very demanding and stressful running a brand – fortunately we are a small supportive team who are all passionate about what we do.
Cocoa Cashmere - Embellished Batwing Jumper
What are your main achievements and what do you aim to achieve now? Past present and future
We have had press in Elle and Grazia, Sadie Frost has been photographed in our clothes and Alexa Cheung has personally requested items from the range, so we have had an amazing reaction to the collection. We now need to consolidate our success so far and intend on expanding Cocoa Cashmere overseas.
What advice would you have for anyone starting out in (your field)?
To remain passionate and confident about what you do – everyone has a different opinion, it is fashion after all – but if you have a unique handwriting you will find success will come to you.
Why do you think British design stands out on the global stage?
Our culture celebrates the individual which means we Brits are more tolerant of unique style.
Shop the Cocoa Cashmere collection here.