SHOP STORIES: COKO STORE
We continue to introduce you to the wonderful women behind some of the shops where you can find us. Fabiana is the owner of Coko Store , a shop located in Cogoleto, a beach town north of Milan. From her beautiful premises, she transmits Naguisa's values to all her clients and walks through the historic centre of the city wearing her Uga Bordeaux, which she has confessed to us are her crush this season. Today Fabiana opens the Coko Store shops for us and invites us to discover more about her world in the interview that you will find in our Magazine.
N.: Who is Fabiana? How would you define yourself?
F.: I am attracted by details, by the little things that often no one pays attention to. I look for them and value them, because they often hide the real value. “Unique” is perhaps the word I have always tried to associate myself with and I hope that this concept represents me. I studied art and the meaning of beauty for many years to find its role and purpose within our society. That is how I ended up in Milan, where I attended the Brera Academy. At first, my world was filled with turmoil, due to a city as fast-paced as Milan, where human relationships are constantly interchangeable. As time went by, I learned to find my space, to create my own place in that psychedelic world, taking a step closer to the person I am today. I think I pinned my first button when I was 4 years old. Already then I spent hours watching my grandmother sew. There was nothing that could fascinate me more, her hands, the thread, the needle were like a little spell for me. And then my mother... I would watch her get dressed on Sunday, taking care of every gesture with care and meticulousness, choosing every detail with love. As I grew up I realized that what I was experiencing was not just a magic spell, what I felt was not just admiration. It was the foundation of a passion, perhaps a vocation, that would become my world in my adult life. I understood that I could share this with other women, within a space (my store) where I could make women feel special and gift them with the same love and beauty that I discovered in my mother and in her Sunday routine.
N.: When did you open Coko ? Could you briefly tell us the history of your shop? What inspired you to take the step of creating your own business?
F.: Milan is still in the background of the person I am today. The city influenced me, allowed me to be even more curious and enthusiastic, gave space to my desire to experiment. At the end of 2014, I returned home after my years in Milan and some professional experience abroad. That's when I started working towards what, after a few years, would become "my place". Coko is not only a store, but also a lifestyle, something that reflects who I am, and at the same time a space where other women can also feel represented. I love to call it a great little project that is constantly evolving, like me. We try not to follow trends, but our goal is to create them, to be an inspiration, a clue, a positive idea for whoever chooses us. At the center of everything are, of course, women, whom I always think of when I make any decision... from brands to decor; from my color palette to my communication strategy.
N.: A moment you will always remember.
F.: What a beautiful and difficult question! I have many memories connected with Coko , for me it is “my home” and I spend more time here than anywhere else. For me, it has been the setting for many moments that remain imprinted in my mind and with which I associate important emotions and feelings. If I have to choose, the moment that immediately comes to mind is when Zadoc, four legs, a tail and a big heart who would soon become my best friend, came running through the door like a hurricane. And then I remember another… in Coko ’s tiny bathroom I took the pregnancy test. Joy and fear together. My concern was how to be able to raise a child while managing my professional life with the same energy!
N.: What do you think our philosophy brings to Coko ? And to your clients?
F.: I chose Naguisa because their philosophy fits perfectly with my store. “Why have nice shoes if you can’t walk in them?” I love having a product with a unique, chic and, above all, comfortable design to offer my clients. For a long time I looked for a shoe brand that could match the style of clothing I choose, and I finally found it in you. My clients have been impressed by the retro atmosphere and the feelings that Naguisa’s collections inspire.
N.: How would you define working with the Naguisa team? For you, what makes us different?
F.: My adventure with Naguisa started recently, but I am very excited to have been chosen to be part of this sophisticated community. This project is characterized by its attention to materials and craftsmanship, and by its empathy with the stores that distribute the brand. This interview is proof that everyone who is part of the team is valued equally.
N.: Of all our designs to date, which is your favorite?
F.: This is my first summer collection and “ UGA ” is the design I fell in love with! I think it is the design I feel most represented by. When I think of UGA , I imagine myself taking a walk with my husband and daughter through the small historic center of the city where I live, looking for some good local food.
