Monique Davis’ homewares brand, Coca Mojo, won the Life Instyle Gala award for best designer product in February and is now preparing to launch a new range of shirts at the August fair.
The women’s collection includes three designs in four batik fabrics and are styles Davis says she wears a lot herself. “They are comfortable, casual and multi-purpose—two can be worn as shirts or dresses,” she explains. “They’re also great for travel, which I do a lot of.”
Coca Mojo textiles are produced in a variety of ways from hand painting and stonewashing to silk screen printing, traditional batik artistry and bespoke dyeing.
“I use my own aesthetic as a guide and design products with myself in mind as the buyer,” Davis explains. “I always ask myself if I would buy it because it has to be pretty special for me to want it. I love functionality, natural fibres, generosity and uniqueness, and that is what I offer.”
Along with the clothing range that will debut at Life Instyle, Coca Mojo offers cushions, throws, and pillowcases in a variety of patterns and prints. “Though I get inspiration from many different sources and my creative interest is vast, I am most inspired by the colours and textures of nature” says Davis.
Coco Mojo started by accident in 2014, after Davis moved to Bali and found herself working in textiles. “I was ready for a challenge and my blind enthusiasm gave me self-belief,” she says.
“Everything is a big challenge as a start-up, particularly if you have no business experience and no creative experience…Once I got over the start-up, the next biggest challenge was building the team I have today, which requires 100 per cent trust to operate well.
“Becoming a good boss and building an exciting, talented and loyal team that is my engine room [has been the best thing].”
On winning the Gala award, Davis says she was shocked but also very proud. “I won an award because the product is beautiful and the industry recognition was wonderful.
“However, for me, the win was an achievement on a personal level; coming from nowhere and following my own rules and doing things my own way.”
By Ruth Cooper
