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 the existential challenge of socio-economic oppression.
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.