Today we’d like to introduce you to Coco.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I don’t know if I was born with it, but I would say my affinity for fashion started with me modeling in local fashion shows in Chicago when I was about 5 years old. As I got older, I innately started sketching, putting together outfits, and modifying clothes for myself and friends. After graduating with a B.A. from Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA, I moved to Los Angeles to attend the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising for Fashion Design.
While at FIDM, I saw a random posting and submitted to volunteer for a fashion show; honestly not really having any idea for what I signed up for. But, as it turned out, I was so glad I did. It was pure fun and total organized chaos– I loved it!
After the show, Marissa Mills, a fashion show producer and owner of the event production company ask me if I worked backstage before, told me I did a great job, and literally hired on me on the spot. That was pretty much my start in the industry.
From that point, I started figuring out and carving my career. I worked backstage steaming, prepping looks for the models, organizing models and looks, dressing models, packing up, whatever needed to be done. I eventually transferred to Parsons School of Design, and while at Parsons I started interning at Dolce & Gabbana.
After about 2 years in New York, I moved back to Los Angeles and started to work for various corporations, designers, and publications as an independent fashion stylist and creative director.
Has it been a smooth road?
There are times when the road is smooth and there are times when the road is uncomfortable, rough, bumpy and lumpy. Just like with any business there are always pros and cons. Some of the struggles along the way was the transition from interning and being a “starving artist” to becoming a key stylist. Learning which types of styling I wanted to do was a period of trial of error, and really learning the business side of the industry was a struggle, but all the aforementioned were necessary growing pains for success within the fashion industry.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the COCO CHXC story. Tell us more about the business.
COCO CHXC is a fashion style house. We provide fashion and personal styling, brand consultation, and photoshoot coordinating. Our clients range from corporations, to designers and artists, to publications, to your everyday business executive.
I always factor in the psychology of fashion, whether I am styling someone personally or creating looks for promotional materials for a company. Providing each client individual and customized attention is paramount. No one client is alike and I love executing each clients’ visions. My process always starts with a consultation. After the consultation, I develop a personalized style board to further solidify the client and I are on the same page visually.
Ultimately, as an individual or a company, you want people or your potential/current consumers to think and feel a certain way when they see you or your brand. Clothes are not simply garments that are used to cover your body, they embody an attitude and persona –they are your introduction to your environment. Whatever advancements or changes you want in your life, be it stepping into a career or looking to be more adventurous, you dress the part. When you look good, you radiate poise and confidence. I bring that same personal touch to corporations, designers and publications.
What role has luck (good luck or bad luck) played in your life and business?
Luck is interesting concept… it’s known to be 5 states of mind that improve luck. I will say I believe in the universal law of putting out good vim; projecting good into everything you do. And I’m not saying by any means bad things or “luck” won’t happen, it’s a matter of being in a healthy mind state and able to respond accordingly to the good and bad things in life and business.
When I moved to New York, I interviewed with Dolce & Gabbana and Giorgio Armani corporate, both offered me the position I interviewed for the same day. Maybe that’s good luck… maybe that’s the results of the effort and sacrifices I made for those opportunities to arise…
I just know there has been a lot of hard work, a lot of strategic planning, and a lot of getting it wrong to get it right… and along the way I have definitely had godsend situations and people. I think those crazy good, organic interactions that happen within the planning and hard work can be viewed as the best of luck in life and business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cocochxc.com
- Email: hello@cocochxc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cocochxc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/cocochxc/about/?ref=page_internal
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/COCOCHXC
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