As you may know, we are rooted in slow fashion; which means that this transition has been a mindful choice, and our products will be crafted with the highest of quality and intention.
Thus, we are so excited to introduce our first home product design, The Woven Rope Stool.
This stool is made with %100 cotton rope and hand woven. It includes a high quality and sturdy, custom hardwood design that inspires both simplicity and uniquity.
This stool was inspired by cultures within our community. Two of our team members from Afghanistan happen to be skilled wood workers, and when speaking to them about their love of the craft, we knew it was time to grow and embrace their skill sets.
Every refugee deserves the opportunity to find empowerment and feel safe. One of the most effective ways to lift someone up is through financial independence.
This has opened our eyes to even more possibilities than we could have imagined. We recently took a trip to Fiji where we learned more about how a single item can include deeply rooted cultural values, and made with intention.
Keep up to date with our journey by subscribing to our newsletter. You can be sure of more beautiful items coming soon.
We will never stop building our NEOCOCO community.
XO Neococo
]]>FIJI AND ITS PEOPLE
Over the Holiday break I had the privilege of safely traveling to Fiji with my family in order to reset, refresh, and reconnect. After 2 years of not being able to see my family, my cousin and I decided to meet in Fiji for 10 days. I was so excited to meet with them that I didn't have much on my agenda besides hanging out with her, but on the second day we drove to a close by village that was home to the Biausevu Waterfall (also known as Savu Na Mate Laya Falls). What I didn't anticipate was how inspired I would feel while I was there, by the people and the place. When one thinks of Fiji, what probably comes to mind are staged instagram-able hi-definition images, resort-like simplicity, but we quickly realized that it is so much more than that. The lush green mountains and the dense forestation is home to resources that heal and sustain thousands of villages.
After being on the dirt road for 20 minutes we were ushered into a nearby village by an incredibly welcoming local. He seemed happy to see us and somewhat relieved. We learned later that we were the first to visit their village in the last 2 years. Feeling somewhat special, we followed him into the community room to meet with the other members of the village who seemed ready to greet us as they each sat in front of a display of wooden cava bowls, wooden masks and trinkets which looked hand made and for sale. We patiently waited while they explained the hike to the waterfall and how a small fee to access the falls allowed the village to maintain their land. We agreed and they went on to perform a small cava ceremony for us. After our walk to the falls which was an unforgettable experience we landed up having lunch with the village and that is when I totally fell in love with the people. Their homes were simple but what I respected most was the way they used their resources, and how giving they were with whatever little they had, knowing that nature will always provide in abundance.
After that encounter I was hooked. I wanted to connect with more villages and see how they lived. Meanwhile at some resorts I found out that the staff was paid 30 Fijian dollars for the day which is 15 US dollars. Bullshit, I thought. I traveled to more remote villages, some that had access only by boat. As we navigated upstream the dense forest around me felt much like Jurassic Park. The highlanders live simple lives. With access to endless sources of spring water they eat what they grow and fish from local waters. The plants around them provide them with food, shelter and heal ailments. Making the best with what you have means that nothing goes to waste. Whether it be medicine, food or a household item they have figured out how to use their resources to live a simple and happy lifestyle.
The creativity and joy woven into their lifestyle was what inspired me the most. Many of the women from the villages who are skilled in weaving and pottery also make mats and bowls to sell. But no matter the demand, their priorities will always lie within the community, their culture, family and their connection to nature.
As we continue to support our outreach we would love for you to stay connected with our work and subscribe to our monthly newsletter.
Stay true!
Xo,
Amrita | Founder
]]>-Based on an African Proverb
Through thick and thin our priority has remained the same, to support our impactful operations and advocate on key issues affecting displaced persons.
Even though in 2021, the stress of unknown circumstances created challenges around every corner, our tribe of customers and community support has made us stronger than ever.
But - 2021 has been a hard year for the people of Afghanistan, Syria and Sudan, amongst other African countries. It has made us all the more grateful to be alive and be able to assist communities in need of help, now more than ever.
It has also been the year that you have shown up in a HUGE way!
By buying our products, you continue to support our artisans through your purchases. Your support creates sustainable and equitable jobs. You are supporting refugees as they assimilate into American society, and work their way towards being financially independent.
As we look forward to 2022, we choose to embrace our new strength we feel after overcoming each challenge and celebrating every success.
Neococo is stronger than ever before.
We are excited to share with you that this year we are working on an exciting creative shift. Our products will not only reflect the diversity within our Neococo culture, but we will also be expanding our products into home and design. This will allow us to work with both local and international artisans, supporting the economy in disadvantaged communities by bringing incredible handmade items to you.
Not only will Neococo continue to release new creative collaborations, we will be working with more organizations and community programs to hire women.
There is a depth to the issue of the refugee crisis, displaced and oppressed people, that we will never be able to fix alone. Together as a community, we can shift the way business can make an impact. By empowering economies through craftsmanship, education, and embracing cultural diversity. Together we can aim to redefine the purpose of business in 2022.
Thank you for being a part of our Neococo Tribe!
Cheers to looking forward to 2022!
XO,
Amrita Thadani (Founder)
]]>
The Holiday season is among us, and at Neococo we love to use this time to reflect. We are proud to say that every decision we make as a company reflects our values and holds purpose. Which is why this year, we decided not to participate in a Black Friday sale.
Since our founding in 2017, we always love to find ways that will incentivize customers to join the Neococo community. We are a slow fashion brand, but we know that investing in slow fashion is not always accessible, especially when it comes to producing handmade items. From bundling our apparel together, to sending out Mother and Child scarves with your purchase, we love to share our artwork with the world. However, we believe that hyper incentivized sales like Black Friday encourage a hurtful cycle of consumerism, thus continuing to contribute to the fast fashion market over all and allowing it to persist.
Fast Fashion is responsible for over 92 million tons of waste a year, yet the average middle class consumer often finds themselves relying on items to go on sale in order to be able to afford them - especially items that are higher quality, or made using sustainable production methods.
We know the struggle. Organic fabrics tend to cost more to source, paying employees an ethical wage adds another cost, prioritizing professional education and community support adds another layer. How can an ethical small business support itself while accounting for these practices, and also make a profit?
Small businesses like ours often feel a pressure to participate in sales like Black Friday in order to attract more customers. But - this year we asked ourselves...what is the true cost of a sale?
We wouldn’t expect to take a lower wage during the holiday season - so why should we expect to pay less for these items? Unless, the system was willing to change. You have to wonder, why do these companies have so many excess stock items in the first place? And, if they don’t sell, where do they go? … well, we know that answer unfortunately.
We find ourselves at a crossroads - where these systems no longer have a choice but to make a change. The earth, and the humanity that inhabits it, can no longer tolerate these inequalities. Neococo is ready to be a part of that change, starting with empowering the individual - from creating an item, to the person who wears it. We will never lose sight of that goal.
This Holiday season, we will certainly continue to find ways to make our Neococo Tribe feel like they are loved. Because we do love each and every one of our customers who continue to support our mission, and we want you to feel empowered by our designs.
We are thankful for all of the hard work of our team, and we feel more passionate than ever to keep forging on - to help redefine business ethics and to set a new standard for social impact business.
XO Neococo
]]>Upon arrival, you are immediately aware that the city of Edinburgh is buzzing with people who came to attend the conference from all around the world, and from many different sectors. From start-up tech companies to diplomats, to activists and news media, all eyes were on the city as two weeks of energetic negotiations and activism ensued all around.
NEOCOCO was lucky enough to attend as an observer. We sat in on panel discussions of industry leaders, attended demonstrations and protests, and met with some incredibly passionate and hardworking people.
COP has been widely criticized for many different reasons, like a lack of accessibility to the general public and sluggish movement on key policy issues. Regardless of your opinion, it was incredibly clear to us how complex the global market truly is when it comes to addressing climate change. Each country has a different agenda, but most countries agree that it is one of the most important issues to address.
There was one particular thing that we noticed however, and that was the discussion of the key intersectionality between human rights issues and the effects of climate change. According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, “the climate change link to displacement is clear, citing that 90 percent of refugees now come from countries most vulnerable and least ready to adapt to the impacts of climate change.”
Other than an incredible group of Native American activists who proudly rallied attention around their cause, as well as some other incredible voices, there were no large plenary sessions covering things like climate change affecting underdeveloped communities, or namely - how extreme weather is displacing people and contributing to the refugee crisis. From our perspective, the focus was mainly on policy and high level negotiations.
According to Climate Refugees Founder, Amali Tower, “climate change destabilizes entire existences, it marginalizes people who are already oppressed, and it erodes their rights, their abilities to feed themselves, to work, to withstand disasters, to survive increasing costs of living. This is a failure to not recognize all of that in your policy prescription.” According to their website, they claim that climate justice is also a financial issue. High-emissions countries, who acknowledge the importance of climate finance, but fail in commitments, must compensate communities on the front line for irreparable losses and damage and help resettle displaced people. “This is a woefully low amount of funding to address both what is needed for climate adaptation and mitigation as well as what is owed from those most responsible for the world’s accelerating climate crisis.” (Climate Refugees).
As a social enterprise, we left COP with more questions than answers. How does an effort like ours fit into a solution? If governments and institutions aren't willing to provide adequate financial solutions to address the root of the problem, then we feel a calling to responsibility to use the same tactics to get as close to the root as possible.
The more NEOCOCO can grow, the more we are able to provide jobs to marginalized people, thus creating a circular economic system within our own profit structure. Profits and financial longevity would first lift people, then a community, and so on. Slow fashion rethinks how we consume the individual product, and make conscious choices in our consumption.
Slow fashion is not a new concept, but it is a redefined standard of the future. It encourages us to buy less, and at a higher quality. This makes ethical wages more accessible, environmentally friendly practices more possible, and in the case of Neococo - a platform that empowers marginalized women to reclaim their independence, find financial freedom, and professional achievement.
We are in the business of people before profit.
Learn more about how climate change affects refugee issues here:
https://www.climate-refugees.org/spotlight
The concept of sustainability and ethical fashion can often seem like broad ideas, with unclear standards. Oftentimes even if we make an effort to shop more ethically, it is hard to know for sure if a product or brand is meeting the right standards.
We wanted to share some of our favorite platforms and brands that we believe are worth your attention.
“Founded in Los Angeles in late 2014, The Good Trade is a leading resource and community for sustainability, slow living, and self-love.”
The Good Trade keeps it real by sharing incredibly helpful shopping tips and recommendations. If you take a scroll through their website, within seconds you will find a new recommendation for music, or even best practices for thrifting! Subscribe to their Daily Good!
The Good Trade is a platform highlighting new brands and artists that aim to grow their own platform in meaningful ways, oftentimes whose art would otherwise fly under the radar.
“We are a community of fashion lovers, women rights advocates, and environmentalists on a mission to change the industry’s harmful practices on people and our planet. We make sustainability accessible and inclusive across our three pillars of work: education, advocacy, and transparency.”
Take a look at their fast facts to learn more. The coolest thing about remake is how they get people involved through their Ambassador program.
Even better - you can find Neococo on their website too!
Good On You has “done the work to read between the seams for you… We use expert analysis to give each brand an easy to understand score. With Good On You, you can discover the very best fashion from around the world and learn everything you need to know about ethical and sustainable fashion.”
“Certified B Corps are a new kind of business that balances purpose and profit. They are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. This is a community of leaders, driving a global movement of people using businesses as a force for good.”
The B Corp movement is leading the standard-setting-standard in the ethical and sustainable business markets. If you find yourself shopping on a website with the B Corp seal, you can rest assured that this organization has done its due diligence in the right areas. Find out more about B Corps on their website.
“Good Good Good brings you stories and tools to help you feel less overwhelmed and more capable of being a helper in the world. Together we celebrate good news — and become good news.”
]]>According to Sustainability academics and institutions like UCLA - Sustainability is “the balance between the environment, equity, and economy.” In order to create a sustainable world with sustainable positive impact, change must happen in a multilateral way.
]]>According to Sustainability academics and institutions like UCLA - Sustainability is “the balance between the environment, equity, and economy.” In order to create a sustainable world with sustainable positive impact, change must happen in a multilateral way.
Our priority in contributing to this balance is to promote sustainability by affecting equity.
NEOCOCO started with just one refugee woman to begin production on our hand embroidered designs. Each woman on our team (which now includes 10 inspiring refugees) who embroider our products are paid above minimum wage, trained and supported by NEOCOCO, and work with other embroiderers with similar backgrounds. Together they support each other, build community, and help one another navigate obstacles.
To create our Mila Crop Top, we used 100% Cotton manufactured and sourced in the US at a factory which engages in labor ethics and sustainable practices. It is an easy to wear crew neck with a unique design. It was created through slow fashion, embroidered by refugee women, who have been passed this skill through generations of strong women from around the world. The design itself in both production and artistry, represents women and feminine freedom.
( Mila Crop Top in Electric Yellow | Lilac )
By empowering someone through financial prosperity, you can begin to chip away and redefine one of the biggest challenges within the idea of sustainability - fair wage and oppression.
There are many definitions of what makes a business sustainable. Additionally, new standards for measuring this impact are becoming more widely accepted and demanded by consumers.
We believe that the most sustainable way to make a difference in the world is to put people before profit, and that is what we are founded on.
]]>Many women who seek asylum are young mothers who come from cultures where women are tied to certain expectations or boundaries. Oftentimes these gendered practices can travel with them, continuing to prohibit them from fully participating in their new society.
For a refugee woman, the journey to find true independence might never end. Many will never actually receive the right psychological, social, and cultural support they deserve. Every woman deserves the opportunity to find their version of self empowerment. A real change, and a new chance. One of the most effective ways to lift someone up is through financial independence.
Women need equitable and sustainable job opportunities.
NEOCOCO is here to do that.
We know that an informed consumer is an empowered one. Together as a community we can disrupt the industry by setting a new standard for business as usual. Slow fashion makes ethical wages more accessible, environmentally friendly practices more possible, and in the case of Neococo - a platform that empowers marginalized women to reclaim their independence, find financial freedom, and professional achievement.
Our Neococo team members had landed in LA after an arduous journey of seeking asylum as a refugee. They left behind their homelands, ridden with violence or war conflict, throughout Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa.
After building relationships with each woman, we discovered that Hand embroidery was known to each of our team members in uniquely intimate ways. So when the creative process began, there was no question about how we would make it work.The process is slow, creative, therapeutic, highly skilled, and embroidery looks different in every country.
Through color, design, and culture, this ancient practice is like a global road map leading to beauty and individuality - It is the fabric that unites a community. Incorporating that into our framework we have created products that speak of human rights within communities for women as well as the trans community.
(Our Trans Community : Ines-Left / Sandra-Right)
We proudly represent and support members of our team, who are refugees from around the world identifying as transgender. They share their stories with each other, and help build our Neococo community.
Slow fashion is not a new concept, but it is a redefined standard of the future.
Through our mission, slow fashion takes on a whole new meaning - when it means that building a for-profit business can help rebuilding a person too. We aim to be a brand you can truly believe in. We hope that our customers feel confident when wearing our designs, and inspired by our mission. Your purchase makes a positive impact and builds community and prosperity through ethical craftsmanship, sustainable initiatives, and fair wage.
Together we can put people before profit.
]]>Embroidery, art of decorating material, primarily textile fabric, by means of a needle and thread (and sometimes fine wire). The basic techniques include crewel work, needlepoint, cross-stitch embroidery, and quilting, as well as quillwork and featherwork. (https://www.britannica.com/art/embroidery)
Before factories and machines, the fabric of our global history and culture was slowly and meticulously sewn into existence, by some of the most hardworking and skilled artisans around the world.
The practice of embroidery can be found in evidence from the Ancient Egyptians, Persians, and Greeks. Ornate golden embroidery was used in expensive textiles dating back to the Byzantine, while delicate silk was woven into the robes and clothing of royalty in Ancient China. Then, it became more popularly recognized thanks to the European Renaissance, and largely due to trade.
Embroidery looks different in every country. Through color, design, and culture, this ancient practice is like a global road map leading to beauty and individuality. It is the fabric that unites a community.
As a young girl in India, our founder Amrita grew up with an intimate knowledge of hand embroidery from a young age. Hand embroidery is an incredibly popular practice in Indian textiles, and can be commonly found in every household. From everyday clothing to bedsheets, diverse embroidery designs showcase the vibrancy of many Indian cultural identities. The teaching of this skill is typically passed down through generations, uniting women through the art of hand embroidery.
NEOCOCO was founded in 2017 in an effort to unite a community and uplift marginalized people in need of ethical work. Our Neococo team members had landed in LA after an arduous journey of seeking asylum as a refugee. They left behind their homelands, ridden with violence or war conflict, throughout Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa.
When the creative process began, there was no question about how we would make it work. We discovered that hand embroidery was known to each of our team members in uniquely intimate ways. The process is slow, creative, therapeutic, and highly skilled.
Our main vision for Neococo is to use these creative and therapeutic techniques such as hand embroidery, block printing, weaving, and more modalities for artisanship, as a way to showcase more products made by the women of our team, and under the Neococo Collective.
This Collective will include a team of Necoco artisans in every state, as well as independent creators. Shopping at The Neococo Collective will make supporting your local small business, and local artisan community that much easier. In conclusion, our dream is to be a part of a shifting culture - one that both challenges and redefines ideas in consumption, financial equity, business ethics, social justice, slow fashion, and sustainable development.
We may just be one small business with big dreams, but we know that we are not alone, and we are so excited to make the future a better place together.
Come with us.
XO
NEOCOCO
Things we will never take for granted: Slowing down, recharging, and practicing gratitude.
For many people, this summer has felt like a big turning point in so many ways. Life now seems like a balancing act between the possibility of a return back to normal, and a globally collective experience of socio-cultural and structural resets. Sometimes, it seems like feelings of stress and confusion continue to loom over us no matter what - as if this is the ‘new normal’ that everyone is talking about.
Nevertheless, humans find a way to persist through hardship, and come out even stronger than before.
In order to move forward in the most meaningful way, at NEOCOCO we used this pivotal time to check in with ourselves and our brand, created the space to re-think, make strategic plans and dream big. Our community model has been incredibly impactful and rewarding. It gives us the opportunity to work intimately with our team in LA.
Additionally we are so excited to be preparing new product drops that represent our evolving brand identity. We are so excited to tell you about it.
Consumers are continuing to become more educated about ethical business practices, and we are prepared to be a brand at the forefront of this movement, where a for profit structure with roots in ethics and social responsibility is the new standard.
NEOCOCO was founded on the principle that everyone deserves a life of happiness and prosperity - no matter where they come from, their gender, or the color of their skin. Every human on earth is on a journey.
Our reflections also fall under the reality that we have a duty to represent the incredible women to make up our team.
Our evolving styles and colors will aim to empower the beauty and individuality of every body. When wearing Neococo, we want our customers to feel like they are not only investing in themselves, they are investing in a lifestyle - for themselves, for our team, for the future of the industry.
NEOCOCO:
We ARE our team, we are our community, we are passionate about PEOPLE, and we are just a small part of making a difference.
Our priorities are clear: Provide equitable work to marginalized communities, lift others through financial independence, promote long term prosperity through ethical business practice.
And most importantly - to never stop learning and doing the work to make every human with a human body to feel empowered, be empowered, and to empower others.
To acknowledge the feeling of responsibility to make a difference, is to also acknowledge the position of having to do so as a result of privilege. Let us not forget that we are fortunate ones, even in our darkest moments of isolation.
Let’s grow together.
XO
NEOCOCO
]]>My name is Joya (they/she) and I am a Non Binary, Trans Femme identifying writer, model, and activist. I was born and raised in Brockton, MA. While my childhood was incredibly special, there was a lot of confusion and instability that made navigating this world, and my existence as a trans child incredibly challenging.
During my early childhood, I grew up on the east side living with my mother, father, and two older brothers. My memories include very early morning soccer games on the weekends and sleepovers with my cousins. My parents separated when I was eight years old and soon after, my oldest brother moved away for college and the middle moved in with our father. My household quickly went from two parents and two siblings, to just my mom and I. For as long as I can remember, my natural feminine expression and seamless relationships with girls/other femmes was so concerning to my parents (more particularly my father). I was constantly being told to make friends with the “boys” at school and could never play with the toys, activities, or people that I desired as a young child. I couldn’t understand why I was being pulled away from the things that brought me such joy and affirmation. Just to be pressured into making friends with the people that were constantly harassing and bullying me at school. While this brought such pain and question to my life, I’ve always been very strong-willed and have known what is good for my spirit. I never gave in to my parents’ requests, so I was just forced to navigate this aspect of my life on my own. It wasn’t until my father left that my mom eased up. She would sneak around my father, buying the dolls I so badly craved and allowing me to have sleepovers with the girls. My mother never had the answers for me, but she allowed me the space to figure it out for myself.
I always had a longing to explore the world and discover life outside the city that raised me. Before I even knew what Los Angeles had to offer, I talked about wanting to move there once I graduated high school. To this day I couldn’t tell you if I was running from something or running towards it. After spending one semester at the University of Tampa, I transferred home to care for my mom’s mental well-being. I commuted locally and ended up graduating from Bridgewater State University with a Bachelor’s in Psychology. My ceremony was held on a Friday, my party was that Saturday, and I moved to Miami that Sunday. I had always been putting others before myself but that intrinsic desire to see and feel the world never left me. I was always planning my escape. Since finishing college I’ve lived in Miami, DC, and LA. I began my journey on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) on May 8, 2020. The next stop on my journey is NYC. I have larger scale dreams of editorial and fashion modeling internationally, having a house/center where trans youth can find refuge and discover family, and writing a memoir to detail the most intimate life moments that lead me here today.
I’m currently unlearning and relearning, healing open wounds, forgiving myself and others, and finding my place in this world. "Queer people don't grow up as ourselves, we grow up playing a version of ourselves that sacrifices authenticity to minimize humiliation and prejudice. The massive task of our adult lives is to unpick which parts of ourselves are truly us, and which parts we've created to protect us." - Alexander Leon (@alexand_erleon).
I love my community and feel indebted to Black Trans women and femmes that lead the way, that lit the first match. The trans experience is very different for everyone; very personal and too often isolating. I wouldn’t have made it to this moment without the love and support from my chosen family, and from my ancestors who so relentlessly demanded our rights, who demanded our place in this world. Pride was never a party; it was a riot. The revolution was birthed by Black Trans women and femmes, and gender non-conforming folx that had enough. I feel guided by the spirits we lost during the AIDS epidemic during the 80’s and 90’s. When HIV/AIDS first came about in the US, it was disproportionately effecting the LGBTQ+ community, and more specifically gay men. And because of this, the administration was doing nothing to understand or fight the disease; they watched thousands of lives be taken. It wasn’t until our community took matters into their own hands and created organizations such as ACT UP to combat and bring awareness to the epidemic. An entire generation of my community that was very strategically wiped out by the United States government. Not only during Pride month, but everyday of my life I am constantly imagining the love, art, stories, and families of those who never stood a fair chance in this world. We owe them more than we could ever possibly give.
And to the Black and Brown trans women and femmes, and gender non-conforming lives that are being taken from us still to this day – this is all for you. The life expectancy for Black Trans women is just 35 years old. This year alone, we have already lost 28 lives to senseless acts of violence that plagues my community; and more specifically violence that disproportionately affects Black trans women. This number has already surpassed 2020 and is continuing to rise every day. We must continue to say their names.
Tyianna Alexander, Samuel Edmund Damián Valentin, Bianca “Muffin” Bankz, Dominique Jackson, Fifty Bandz, Alexus Braxton, Chyna Carrillo, Jeffrey “JJ” Bright, Jasmine Cannady, Jenna Franks, Diamond Kyree Sanders, Rayanna Pardo, Jaida Peterson, Dominique Lucious, Remy Fennell, Tiara Banks, Natalia Smut, Iris Santos, Tiffany Thomas, Keri Washington, Jahaira DeAlto, Whispering Wind Bear Spirit, Sophie Vásquez, Danika “Danny” Henson, Serenity Hollis, Oliver “Ollie” Taylor, Thomas Hardin, and Poe Black.
These are just the names of those who we know and were reported. They often go unreported and/or misgendered and dead-named in media outlets. Pride wouldn’t exist without the Black trans women and femmes that came before me. It is important we honor their legacy as the revolution continues and burn down cities in their name.
And through all of you, we will continue to burn.
- writer - model - activist -
-----
References & Resources:
https://www.nyclgbtsites.org/site/act-up-demon
Donate & Follow:
@mpjinstitute
@bftacollective
]]>What is slow fashion? To answer this question, perhaps you might ask instead: what is fast fashion and why is it so important to disrupt the fast fashion industry?
Fast fashion consumerism is the wearable result of instant gratification. You’ve heard the terms before - monthly fashion hauls, buy one get one, low prices…
Large fast fashion brands have quickly picked up on the consumer demand for more ethically made products, effectively washing out the concept by over using these terms. This creates even more confusion among consumers about what practices are truly acceptable when defining a sustainable or ethical business practice.
Slow fashion rethinks how we consume the individual product, and make conscious choices in our consumption. Over the past few years these key terms have become fast growing trends, as more people become aware of ethical business practices and environmentally sustainable options. These key concepts include priorities like eco-friendly production, ethical practices, fair wage, mission driven and more. All of these practices fall under the larger idea of sustainability - a structure that fosters longevity, business ethics, and human prosperity.
Here is why we stand out.
Not only do we strive to be a brand that consumers can believe in, we ensure full transparency with our audience by using our reach to open a dialogue about these interconnected issues, and promote important information. We believe in the importance of empowering women through our designs, we know that an informed consumer is an empowered one, and that together as a community we can disrupt the industry by setting a new standard.
Slow fashion is not a new concept, but it is a redefined standard of the future. It encourages us to buy less, and at a higher quality. This makes ethical wages more accessible, environmentally friendly practices more possible, and in the case of Neococo - a platform that empowers marginalized women to reclaim their independence, find financial freedom, and professional achievement - possible.
We are in the business of people before profit.
To learn more about the slow fashion movement, take a look at some of these resources we love:
https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/what-is-slow-fashion
https://ethicalfashioninitiative.org
https://goodonyou.eco/what-is-ethical-and-sustainable-fashion/
This month, we want to highlight an incredible organization and impactful effort that we have been working with since Neococo began. The Program For Torture Victims is based in Los Angeles, is an organization that helps “rebuild the lives of immigrant survivors of torture and persecution, from over 70 countries who have stood up for freedom, democracy, and human dignity.” Their work helps refugees and immigrants reclaim their identities, find empowerment, and work toward a new life in the United States.
Since Neococo began working with them to offer employment opportunities, we have trained and hired 5 amazing womxn to join our team. Before last year, we cherished the opportunity to help them build community, find dignity and confidence in their work of hand embroidery, and would create a space for them to exchange ideas and learn from each other. We were able to utilize a space offered by PVT to run a weekly workshop together, and eagerly look forward to the day when we can safely do that once again.
We are so delighted to share with you, an amazing upcoming Virtual Theatre performance with TeAda Performing Artist Impact Fellows and community members from The Program for Torture Victims.
“In collaboration with the Program for Torture Victims, TEADA PRODUCTIONS presents Theater Across Borders: Resilient Migrant. This is the culmination of a storytelling circle and theater workshop series intensive. Hear directly from the asylum seeking community in Los Angeles as they share poems and stories inspired by their journeys.”
This performance will take place on Monday, March 1 at 4:00pm PST.
Sign up for your FREE ticket to get the Zoom link at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/theater-across-borders-resilient-migrant-tickets-141201370099
We will be there, and hope that you will be too!
XO
Neococo
After escaping Iraq in 2013, Ibtisam and her family fled to Turkey. For 3 years she worked hard in a restaurant while her eldest son, then 18 years old, worked in construction. Both did whatever they could to support their family while they waited to be granted asylum to the United States.
At NEOCOCO, we are a mission first brand. We believe in the strength and beauty of all womxnkind. Our designs aim to showcase the essence of strength in femininity, and how it exists in many forms. Most importantly we aim to serve as a brand that you can believe in - where every dollar spent has meaning.
Since we began in 2017, NEOCOCO has become a mighty group of women behind our hand embroidered designs. Each woman who embroiders our product is trained and supported by NEOCOCO. Our team supports each other as they navigate the challenges of living as a refugee in the US, and take pride in their creative work.
We love our team so much, and want to share their impactful stories with you.
Her story: Ibtisam
After escaping Iraq in 2013, Ibtisam and her family fled to Turkey. For 3 years she worked hard in a restaurant while her eldest son, then 18 years old, worked in construction. Both did whatever they could to support their family while they waited to be granted asylum to the United States. Then in 2016, they were finally able to with the help of the International Rescue Committee (IRC).
Ibtisam describes her fondest memories of life in Iraq as sunny skies and green grass surrounded by a community of welcoming people. Growing up she was lovingly encouraged by her family to gain an education, and eventually went on to study at university. Soon after, she started a family and enjoyed a peaceful life.
Until, war began in the 80’s and political unrest and pressure from foreign agents created what she calls “a mess, it tore my country apart”. It seemed like the life she once knew in Iraq was no longer there. The grasses were no longer green. Her biggest worries were for her children. Some days if they had to leave the house even for a quick moment, she would fear that they might not come back. Iraqi families were losing their young children to what seemed like endless violence without reason. The water turned cloudy and resources began to dwindle. Ibtisam knew they had to leave. How could she raise her children in a place like this? Like many other families, they fled the country to seek asylum and to start a new life. She knew she needed to find a way to give her sons the life they deserved, so she travelled to Turkey to seek asylum.
When looking back, she chooses to remember the beauty of her time growing up in Iraq, and tells her boys stories of love and light.
Ibtisam has now been in the United States for 5 years, and with Neococo for 2 of them. We first met her through the International Rescue Committee, and have treasured her kindness and creativity as an integral part of our Neococo team since she started.
Ibtisam describes her experience working with Neococo as life-changing. Since she began working with us, wage security has allowed her to go from living in a studio apartment with her two sons to renting her own space and working from home. Hand embroidery is a skill she that she has been familiar with since childhood, so getting back into it "felt therapeutic", she loves the ability to be creative and work with her hands. When she sees people wear a Neococo T-shirt, she says it gives her "the biggest smile."
Through our forward integration model, Ibtisam is a beautiful example of women supporting women, empowering each other through Neococo’s growth structure. After just a few years Ibtisam is now part of training new hires, and communicating with them to understand their unique situation and needs. We are so proud to see her training new team members, who have gone through a similar experience. Through her natural warmth and compassion, she brings our team closer together. Her guidance offers the feeling of safety and community to a new arrival, and her creativity inspires others as we grow. The ability for a new refugee womxn to be trained by someone who has been through the same experience creates a deeply impactful connection.
Even though she misses the place she grew up in, she knows America is her home now because it has provided her and her children safety. Her memories of her childhood remain etched in her memory, however she knows that the new reality of her home means that she likely will not go back.
There is a depth to the issue of the refugee crisis, displaced and oppressed womxn, that we will never be able to fix alone. But, together as a community, we can create a platform for women that makes a difference.
Even though this past year has been unpredictable, we saw more and more people supporting our mission, eager to learn. We have big goals for 2021 and you can help us accomplish them.
By shopping at Neococo, you can help us support more womxn.
XO
NEOCOCO
]]>Wow, what a year!
There are many different words that come to mind when trying to describe how we feel about this past year, many of them we will just keep to ourselves :)
As a small business we struggled with the constant stress of the unknown, unpredictable shifts in consumer trends, topped with one of the most politically topical climates of our generation. But - as we reflect even deeper on what it meant to go through such an unprecedented time, we choose to remember and embrace, the new strength we feel after overcoming each challenge. Neococo is stronger than ever before. Next year will be a big one, we can feel it.
Through thick and thin our priority has remained the same, to support our team of refugee women and advocate for issues such as the refugee crisis, racial equity, and gender disparity. Throughout this year we did everything we could to ensure that our team of women could continue to work in safe environments from their home, and feel supported by Neococo. Whether we were working on face masks, new styles, or our signature female form, our team continued to work together even when we were apart.
Take a look at how our work measures up:
In 2020 we grew to a small but mighty team of 10 women who love the Neococo mission. We have started new collaborations like never before and we are eager to see how they grow. We partnered with other non-profit organizations like Choose Love, and donated part of our profits to support their mission. Most importantly, we have continued to be able to pay our team members more than an equitable wage. Neococo is committed to raising the bar for supporting women.
Even though this past year has been unpredictable, we saw more and more people responding to our platform and supporting our mission. We have big goals for 2021, and you can help us accomplish them.
Not only will Neococo continue to release new creative collaborations, we will be working with more organizations and community programs to hire women. There is a depth to the issue of the refugee crisis, displaced and oppressed women, that we will never be able to fix alone. But, together as a community, we can create a platform for women that makes a difference.
By shopping at Neococo, you can help us support more women.
XO
NEOCOCO
About Choose Love
Devastated by images of families arriving on European shores to be met with barbed wire, borders and batons, a group of friends used #helprefugees to organize a van full of donations in August 2015. Since then, Choose Love has reached over one million displaced people and worked with over 35,000 volunteers and currently supports over 120 projects across Europe, the Middle East and the US-Mexico border.
This Holiday season, we are collaborating with Choose Love in an incredibly meaningful way.
The Choose Love + Neococo Collab
Our collaboration with Choose Love is especially meaningful, because it allows our team of women to pay it forward to other refugees like them, to those who are currently facing many of the challenges that our NEOCOCO team has been through before.
Our Choose Love T-Shirt brings things full circle for the refugee experience. With your purchase, 25% of the proceeds will go directly to supporting Choose Love projects, and additionally your support makes our NEOCOCO team that much stronger.
With the cold weather approaching, and uncertainties waiting around every corner around the world, your purchase will empower the safety and livelihood of those who need it most. Choose Love provides essential services and support to refugees and displaced populations facing the harsh realities of our current global climate. Naturally, we feel incredibly honored and inspired to contribute part of our proceeds to furthering these important efforts.
This Holiday season, buy something that counts.
XO
Team NEOCOCO
]]>On November 3rd our nation has the chance to blast through the end of this (long) tunnel, it will be our chance to let the light back in.
As a NEOCOCO team we make sure that we understand the reality of the refugee experience, and what the future holds for our amazing team of women. Each refugee has been on a journey, has a story, and has felt the heavy effects of what has changed in the past few years.
If you are wondering about how your vote will impact the lives of refugees, look no further. We believe that it is important to share important information with our community, so that you can learn about all of the reasons why we are so passionate about our mission. Here is a great list of digestible resources to help guide your understanding of how important your vote truly is.
NEOCOCO Loves Resources:
Human Rights Watch: “Voting For Human Rights: A guide for 2020”
“In every election, human rights matter. From local school board elections to presidential ones, voters have the chance to choose candidates who will fight for all people’s human rights, not work to undermine them. In the upcoming 2020 United States elections, fundamental human rights are at stake ... As candidates seek your vote, make sure they’re putting basic human rights front and center….”
Read More Here: https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/11/20/voting-human-rights-guide-2020#
Refugees In America:
“The United States has a long tradition of offering refuge to those fleeing persecution and war. However (the current administration) citing unfounded security concerns, put a travel ban in place, slashed refugee arrivals to their lowest levels ever, and separated families while criminalizing desperate people seeking asylum….”
Read More Here: https://www.rescue.org/topic/refugees-america
“Refugees and their families have woven themselves into the fabric of American society. They are our neighbors, our friends and our colleagues. They are teachers, business owners and contribute positively to communities across the country…”
Read More: https://www.unrefugees.org/refugee-facts/usa/
Women Refugee Commission:
“Migrant, stateless, and refugee women and children around the world routinely face legal and human rights violations. From the US border with Mexico, where asylum seekers are refused entry, to countries where women are denied the same nationality rights as men, the Women's Refugee Commission holds governments accountable to their obligation to respect women and children’s rights, so they can find safety, access justice, and rebuild their lives....”
Read More Here: https://www.womensrefugeecommission.org
Suggested Opinion Piece, The New Yorker:
“The United States almost had its first female President, who, however flawed as a candidate, would certainly have protected the fundamental rights of women, among other now newly vulnerable groups…”
Read More Here: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/12/19/the-future-of-women-under-president-trump
We hope to see you at the polls!
XO
We are constantly amazed and inspired by other brands that maintain a unique and powerful mission behind their work, and that keep positive impact and sustainability in mind in everything they do. NEOCOCO Loves is our effort to highlight companies and people who share a passion for the business for making a difference.
]]>At NEOCOCO, we are driven by our mission first mentality. Our products highlight strength in femininity both in production and design.
We are constantly amazed and inspired by other brands that maintain a unique and powerful mission behind their work, and that keep positive impact and sustainability in mind in everything they do. NEOCOCO Loves is our effort to highlight companies and people who share a passion for the business for making a difference.
1. Feed (NY)
After traveling with the World Food Programme, FEED founder Lauren Bush Lauren started this effort in 2007 as a way to combat hunger. With every FEED purchase, you help provide meals to school children around the world. Each product has a unique number on it representing the amount of meals provided based on the purchase made.
Providing children with meals not only incentivises them to attend school, it aids them in their learning process by nourishing their mind and body. Since its beginning, FEED has provided over 100 million meals through product purchases.
At The Giving Keys, every product purchased helps support job creation for people transitioning out of homelessness. Founded on three ‘Keys to Unlocking Potential’, through their social enterprise model The Giving Keys provides stability, community, and identity to its employees.
Each key is engraved with an inspirational message, echoing the foundations of founder Caitlin Crosby’s original mission of spreading positivity.
Tight Knit Syria works with collectives in Northern Syria and Lebanon to work with displaced women and artisans who have fled war-torn areas, and who face the extreme challenges of living in refugee camps and extreme living conditions. This non-profit organization embraces the traditional knowledge of embroidery and crochet passed on through generations, selling handmade and sustainable products to support these women.
Founded in 2013 by Dana Kandalaft, after visiting a camp for displaced persons in Northern Syria, she realized that by selling these products she could help inspire financial wellbeing and create educational programs.
4. Epimonia
Founded by a Somali-American entrepreneur whose own family fled from civil war in the 1990’s, Epimonia was founded on a mission to make the world a better place, to spread hope and love, and to support refugees. Epimonia is a fashion apparel company that donates 50% of all profits to support this mission.
“Everything you see is handpicked, designed and/or produced hecho a mano...{by hand.}” Born on the belief that we should stand on the shoulders of those who stood before us, Petra De Luna connects with Mexican artisans and families to design and source a variety of fabrics and textiles.
Yolanda founded Petra De Luna as the namesake of her grandmother. She embraces her heritage by honoring Mexican culture in each design. “Through connecting people and cultures we hope you feel our passion and the love we have for the Mexican culture and all people...including you.”
6. Adiff NYC
“ADIFF is a female-founded design label that empowers refugees and upcycles traditional "waste" materials to create clothing and accessories.” Need we say more? As NEOCOCO is on our slow but steady mission to combine our social impact work with our passion for environmental stability - we look to brands like Adiff that are doing just that! One of their earliest and most well known item of clothing is their tent-jacket combo, designed to provide assistance to homeless and refugee populations. Better yet, for each one sold one is given to a person in need.
Adiff has been featured on numerous platforms like Business Insider, The NY Times, Forbes, CNN, and more - for a good reason. As the weather gets colder, consider going for a statement piece from Adiff for form, function, purpose, and a positive impact.
Founded by Fay Grant and Michele Chavez in 2013, The Tote Project makes ethically manufactured products crafted by survivors of exploitation, and at risk women. They also partner with manufacturers who uphold fair trade values, and who pay their workers an equitable wage in order to eliminate slave practices in the workforce.
By purchasing their products, you are supporting their mission to provide ethical work, support, and education.
Fair Trade LA is a brand on a mission to end poverty through equitable job creation. Each purchase through Fair Trade LA “improves the lives of global farmers and artisans while enriching the lives of local consumers with quality and sustainable products.” This brand and platform works to educate and empower consumers to buy sustainably and consciously.
Fair Trade LA sells a variety of different every-day products with function and style in mind. They also offer a monthly subscription package if you are interested in receiving ethical and fair trade products every month.
Click here to learn more about the Fair Trade Movement.
Ethical consumerism is the future! Join us in supporting a healthy and equitable world by supporting these amazing brands.
Sincerely,
The NEOCOCO Family
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A refugee is someone who is fleeing from civil unrest, violence, oppression, or poverty - the list goes on. Like many other countries, the United States admits refugees every year, granting asylum to a certain number of displaced persons over a fixed time.
Some of the biggest challenges for a refugee in the United States are finding housing, adjusting to an entirely new culture, supporting a family, surviving on food stamps and learning a foreign language - just to name a few. But, in order to do any of that, refugees and displaced people need equitable and sustainable job opportunities with a fair wage.
According to a UN Study, Women represent almost 10 million refugees worldwide [1]. Statistically, a refugee woman will be underpaid and undereducated, further contributing to a socio-economically oppressed demographic.
NEOCOCO is here to change that.
If you find yourself shopping on our website, we invite you to join our mission to support the effort in ending this cycle. Let’s work together to support women. (Subscribe to our newsletter for annual updates and information).
We believe in the strength and beauty of womankind. Our designs aim to replicate the essence of strength, femininity, and how it exists in many forms. Most importantly we aim to serve as a brand that you can believe in - where every dollar spent has meaning.
(1) https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/women-refugees-and-migrants#notes
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