Designer Spotlight: Cocos Heaven

Swim suits

 are traded in for school spirited tees,

The lake house becomes the dorm room &

The beach bag becomes the campus carry-all.

Break out the books, stylish students. School is back in session.

  Personally, the sun bathing to studying transition is incredibly rough. Even syllabus week has me singing the summer-farewell blues. In the early days of September, the sun still shines and the leaves begin to fall. Some days require distressed denim shorts, others call for a quarter-zip hoodie and yoga pants. While you’re stuck deciding between going to class and running through the sprinkler, find a fashionably happy medium with an ombre tote from JK’s shop, Cocos Heaven.

The Interview

Carbon Magazine: How would you describe the style of Cocos Heaven?

JK:  Our goal in our products is to keep simplicity. A lot of things these days seem to have way too many extravagant designs or decorations that take away from the beauty of the product.  Sometimes it can become distracting and too much. We try to avoid all the details and clutter and portray a clean look.

CM: What kind of stylish consumer do you design for?

JK: We create for anyone who craves unique style, be it a mother who just wants to carry around a nontraditional baby diaper bag or a student who uses it as a multifunctional everyday bag for hitting the beach or the books.

CM: What has been the biggest success when dealing with your company?

JK: Recently we were contacted by a representative from FOX Entertainment and she wanted to use our blue dip-dye tote bags as gifts for the American Idol VIP members. It was very exciting to have our product be their choice. It was also our biggest sale yet.

CM: Where do you see yourself and brand/store in 5-10 years?

JK: My wife currently has her own Etsy shop as well where she creates and sells handmade bedding sets and other home décor (etsy.com/shop/debbiesporch). We look forward to combining our efforts and skills one day into an offline store. We hope to open one much like the Parisian store, Merci, and like West Elm.  It will carry unique and simple home décor and other accessories.

CM: Favorite muse or fashion designer?

JK: My favorite designer would be Ralph Lauren. His designs and clothing always really classic with rich bold colors. R.L. always produces luxurious items be it vintage, simple, modern styles. Also, his use of patterns and color combinations are extremely trendy all the while maintaining the original Ralph Lauren classic.

The Product Review

Tote bags are an obvious style staple that should fall into every fashion forward student’s closet. As a student roaming from class to class on campus, carrying everything you need is clutch. While you need a good amount of space, an over-sized bag can be uncomfortable and unflattering. I was easily impressed with my Cocos Heaven aquamarine canvas tote bag for a number of reasons. The size is absolutely perfect; large enough to store books, yet small enough to make a statement with the rest of my ensemble. The construction of the bag is detailed and holds up extremely well. My aquamarine ombre bag has accompanied me from summer to fall semester, looking great and always useful. The trend of ombre continues into fall season, and with JK’s variety of colors, you can’t go wrong with picking out your own canvas tote from Cocos Heaven.