In the female intimates industry, you can find two bubbles: everyday comfort (think M&S and SKIMS) and feel-good lingerie (like La Perla and Boux Avenue). Enter Coucou Intimates, the best of both worlds. Rose Colcord, the founder, wants to create a new bubble entirelyācombining comfort and elegance. I love brands that innovate, and I think Coucou is on the path to greatness. What stands out is their focus on community, thanks to Rose's genius use of Instagram as her canvas. Coucou isnāt just selling intimates; itās building a lifestyle.
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If you havenāt heard of Erewhon, itās because it's an LA cultural icon that you unfortunately won't find in London. Celebs and influencers canāt get enough of their smoothies and organic goodies. What makes Erewhon work is their demographic and the lifestyle of their demographicāhealth-conscious, affluent, and always in search of the next big thing. Itās like matchmaking. Erewhon and Angelenos couldnāt be a more perfect match made in heaven. Their visibility on social media, boosted by celeb collabs, keeps them top of mind.
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If you're under 25, I'm 99% sure you know about Adanola. The athleisure brand is everywhere. Seriously, itās like a uniform. Their secret? Basics done right. High-quality, stylish, and affordable pieces that fit seamlessly into everyday life. Adanola gets it: we want comfort and style without the fuss. Their clean, chic aesthetic has made them a staple in athleisure. On days I donāt know what to wear, Adanola is my go-to.
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Thereās a big misconception about logosātheyāre not the be-all and end-all of your brand. Sure, a good logo is nice, but people donāt care about it as much as you think. What matters is recognition and how it fits into your overall visual identity. Think McDonaldāsāwe see the logo and think, āThereās a McDonaldās,ā not āWhat a nice logo.ā So, yes, get a good logo, but remember, itās just one part of the bigger picture.
Starting a design business from scratch can be difficult for creatives because, annoyingly, we happen to be perfectionists. My advice? Focus on what youāre good at and what you love. Donāt wait for perfection; just start. Create an Instagram account and post consistently. Authenticity and consistency will build your brand.
If you want to charge higher fees, integrate research and strategy into your process. A solid brand strategy can transform your rates from low to premiumāthink 3k, 5k, even 10k for a project. Understand your clientās needs and deliver tailored solutions. Thatās how you position yourself as a valuable expert.
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Hereās a social media hack: content pillars. Identify 3ā5 key themes and brainstorm content for each. It helps in planning and batching, ensuring a balanced mix. Maybe 50% educational, 30% personal, and 20% entertaining. Use data to see what works best and double down on it.
Iām currently obsessed with deep sailor blue paired with sunset orange. Itās tropical and summer-appropriate but works in colder seasons too. The blue adds depth, making it a versatile combo.
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Work ethic is everything. Be reliable, dedicated, and disciplined. Stay organised and productive. Good work ethic isnāt about toxic hustle; itās about consistent, high-quality output. Remember, determination leads to success.
Right now, Iām loving a modern serif with a classic feel. High contrast and geometric proportions give that sophisticated, timeless look. Perfect for a clean, elegant design.
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Iām surprisingly into anti-design right now. Usually, Iām all about clean, minimal designs, but thereās something exciting about the edgy, limitless feel of anti-design. Itās a playful yet controlled approach that adds a unique touch to any project.
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