Through the Lens’ of EyeWear Designers Coco & Breezy
Has being a family business worked to your advantage? If yes, how so?
Breezy: It has worked to our advantage because we have a great relationship, it’s amazing. We compliment each other so it works out perfect.
Who is more business savvy of you two?
Coco: Breezy usually takes care of the business. She is more aggressive and tells it how it is. She facilitates communication with clients through e-mail and performs most of the business-related duties. I start the designing process.
What is the process of getting your products to celebrities?
Coco: It’s simple. Typically, their stylists call us and let us know what products they want.
Best moment since starting your business?
Breezy: I don’t think there is one single moment, but the ongoing reminders that we inspire people is the best part of having the business.
Coco: For me it has been, going places and into different states and seeing people wearing our products.
What crowds or types of people do your products most appeal to?
Coco: The people that are not afraid to be different. If there were 100 people in the room, they are that one person that would stand out.
Breezy: We get a lot of emails from clients, thanking us. Oftentimes, they will express that they have never gotten so many compliments. The fact that we can make other people feel good makes us feel the same way.
Who are your mentors and what is an important lesson you have learned from them?
Breezy: Duane Baker has been a great mentor of ours, as designers and entrepreneurs. He has taught us a lot about the business aspect of things. He is also our business manager, and we learn something new from him everyday. We all inspire each other and work hard everyday.
What do each of you bring to the table that compliment each other?
Breezy: I’m the aggressive one
Coco: I keep us both focused!
What celebrities have endorsed your products?
Coco: Ashanti, Michelle Williams, Kelly Rowland, Amber Rose, Nivea, Serena Williams, Sammie,
Are their any plans to have a physical store?
One day, but considering the state of the market, the popularity of online shopping is working for us. We would love to have our own store in the future. Today, our products are available in stores in NYC, LA, France and Italy.
What differentiates the two of you from the rest of the crowd?
We are example, that its OK to be different. The way we dress is a lifestyle and an around the clock thing. A lot of people just have their “nightlife” looks, but the look is our lifestyle. We love what we do, we don’t do it for the money. We feel like if you love what you do, you will never feel like your working a day in your life.
Will you all be active this year at Fashion Week In New York?
Breezy: We are working on our third collection for Spring 2011 and that’s what we will be showing during Fashion Week.
What’s next for you?
Coco: Getting more store placement in more stores and boutiques. We have also been doing a lot of modeling lately and hope to continue with that. We also have plans on going to London to capitalize on the market there. Once we have branded ourselves [with eyewear],we plan to expand into clothes and shoes and become a household name.
