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Face Mask Honeypot Helps Cocorose Create a 2020 Feel-good Story

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Read Time: 5 mins

One of the most uplifting feelgood stories of 2020 may well have sprung out of the Covid-19 crisis and the efforts of one London-based micro-business to simultaneously support the mental health of children in the UK and a family business based in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

As owner of the business, Janan Leo, says: “When the nationwide Spring lockdown was imposed, I felt passionate about wanting to support the mental health of children, as I could see the devastating impact Covid was having on them. I could never have imagined that, by Christmas, we would have supported The Honeypot Children’s Charity to raise £16,000 during the Christmas Big Give, through the sale of our Hoxton Rainbow trainers and face masks.”

The story goes like this.  Women’s designer footwear brand, Cocorose London, entered the first UK lockdown with an army of loyal ‘Cocorosers’, all of whom were fans of its range of trainers, leather flats and signature foldable ballerina shoes. The brand purely focused on superior comfort, stylish designer footwear and had done so since its foundation in 2007.

But it also entered lockdown with Janan thousands of miles away from her parents, who live in Chiang Mai, Thailand and who run a sustainable jewellery studio, providing work to a significant number of employees within a local community. When the pandemic struck, they, like so many, had to pivot their business in order to help ensure the livelihoods of their team. From fine jewellery to face masks, the team have highlighted the strength of positivity and optimism, and how a 'can-do' attitude is vital during the toughest of times.

Janan was equally set on helping children living around the UK (rather than just focusing on London) not as fortunate as her own two-year-old daughter, Elin. Working closely with her parents, Janan introduced a face mask range to her Cocorosers, whilst also setting herself the mission of finding a lesser-known charity supporting children’s mental health, with a view to donating profits from the face mask range and £20 from each pair of Hoxton Rainbow trainers (designed over lockdown and symbolising Hope, Love and Peace) to this as-yet undiscovered charity.

The search for the charity eventually uncovered a smaller yet active charity.  This was the Honeypot Children’s Charity, which provides respite breaks to children who are full-time carers for their parents or other siblings and who miss out on a normal childhood and its pleasures.  An initial chat with the charity revealed the extent to which lockdown was making things even tougher for these children.  The idea of being able to raise a bit of money that would enable even a few children to enjoy a break in one of the charity’s three centres – in the New Forest, Mid-Wales and Central Scotland – appealed to Janan, and so the partnership was formed.

The first face masks arrived in the UK and were a range of bright florals and silk masks.  They sold like wildfire and another order was quickly placed.  The trend continued, particularly when the Government advised that face masks were advisable and then, later, made them mandatory in some situations.

More beautifully made and stitched, carefully shaped and attractively patterned cotton masks arrived, with an extension of the silk range also taking place.  Cocorose London was benefiting from a unique facet with its masks – the fact that every single one has a matching pouch, into which to pop the mask when not being worn.  With echoes of the matching purses that accompany its foldable ballerinas, these, plus the interior pocket into which to slot a filter paper, proved a huge hit and it became necessary to keep re-ordering masks in, as well as asking customers to pre-order their favourites.

The mask sales have grown like Topsy and, with it, the funds raised for Honeypot. To date, Cocorose London has supported Honeypot to raise £16,000 during the Christmas Big Give and the aim is to reach over £19,000 by the end of the year. 55 children are set to benefit.

Janan says: “It seems like pure serendipity at times and I am enormously proud of having been able to support Honeypot to such a great extent, as well as providing work for my parent's business.

“None of this would have been possible without the loyalty of our Cocorosers and their phenomenal support this year.  They have loved the face masks and trainers and bought multiple purchases, to help support the charity, whilst also keeping loved ones safer.  They have bought for themselves and gifted many times over.  They have been incredible and, for me, this has proved the reason for creating a strong brand, backed by customer loyalty.  Nothing would have happened without them.”

Within this band of Cocorosers has been Pippa Middleton and Suranne Jones - both fans of Cocorose shoes – Chrissy Teigen and, most recently, Prince William, all photographed with Cocorose London face masks, distinguishable by their fine stitching and little details.  

Within this feelgood story, there is just one disappointment.  Due to the ravages of Covid-19, it has not been possible for children to travel to the Honeypot centres, to have their vital respite breaks yet, although virtual sessions and support groups have been put in place for the children. Honeypot also points to the fact that donations of gifts for Christmas, which it would also normally receive, have very much dried up this year, providing it with little with which to raise a smile in the households where children are providing such parental care.

Janan’s wish for 2021 is for everyone to keep wearing her – and other – face masks, and following guidelines to the letter, so that those who are suffering most can have some semblance of a normal life.  Cocorosers have proved that there are so many selfless people out there, thinking about others.   The country just needs many more, right now.

Ends

Editors notes

Cocorose London is a brand making exquisite flat ballet pumps, sandals, boots, loafers and trainers, all coming with exceptional levels of comfort due to the features built in to them, the leathers and textiles used and handcrafting at every stage. Some are also hybrid shoes, which fold, if required, so they can be carried in a zipped purse and worn when the foot need a little luxury.

Pleated cotton plain navy Cocorose London face mask

Pleated cotton plain navy Cocorose London face mask

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Pleated cotton plain navy face mask with matching pouch, from Cocorose London.
  • Online from http://www.cocoroselondon.com

Credit: www,cocoroselondon.com

Pleated cotton face mask from Cocorose London in Autumn Tartan

Pleated cotton face mask from Cocorose London in Autumn Tartan

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Pleated cotton face mask from Cocorose London in Autumn Tartan, with matching pouch.
  • Online from http://www.cocoroselondon.com

Credit: www.cocoroselondon.com

Grey Pearl sculpted silk face mask from Cocorose London

Grey Pearl sculpted silk face mask from Cocorose London

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Grey Pearl sculpted silk face mask from Cocorose London, shown with its matching pouch.
  • Online from http://www.cocoroselondon.com

Credit: www.cocoroselondon.com

CRFM046 Children's Cotton Face Mask and Pouch - Yellow Rabbits.jpg

CRFM046 Children's Cotton Face Mask and Pouch - Yellow Rabbits.jpg

Colourful elephants children's face mask from Cocorose London

Colourful elephants children's face mask from Cocorose London

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Colourful elephants children's face mask from Cocorose London, with gentle ear hoops and internal pocket for filter paper insertion. Face mask shown with its matching pouch.
  • Online from http://www.cocoroselondon.com

Credit: www.cocoroselondon.com

Blush pleated silk mask and matching silk pouch from Cocorose London.

Blush pleated silk mask and matching silk pouch from Cocorose London.

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Blush pleated silk mask and matching silk pouch from Cocorose London.
  • Online from http://www.cocoroselondon.com

Credit: www.cocoroselondon.com

Navy Unicorns children's face mask from Cocorose London

Navy Unicorns children's face mask from Cocorose London

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Navy Unicorns children's face mask from Cocorose London, with gentle ear hoops and internal pocket for filter paper insertion. Face mask shown with its matching pouch.
  • Online from http://www.cocoroselondon.com

Credit: www.cocoroselondon.com

Pleated and wired face masks from Cocorose London

Pleated and wired face masks from Cocorose London

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Pleated and wired cotton face masks from Cocorose London L to R: Blue Flowers 2.0, Laura Blue, Navy Polka Dots, Black. Each costs £11.99.
  • Online from http://www.cocoroselondon.com

Credit: www.cocoroselondon.com

:Range of cotton face masks from Cocorose London

:Range of cotton face masks from Cocorose London

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:Range of cotton face masks from Cocorose London: Laura Pink, Laura Blue, Pink Flowers, Sakura Grey. All have internal pocket to make double cotton protection triple, by adding a filter paper. Gentl...
  • Online from http://www.cocoroselondon.com

Credit: Cocorose London

Hoxton Dove Grey with Rainbow

Hoxton Dove Grey with Rainbow

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Product Code: CR0962 Super-comfy Hoxton Dove Grey with Rainbow low-top trainers from Cocorose London, made in the softest leather and with a rainbow design (a symbol of hope and kindness) on the out...
  • Online from http://www.cocoroselondon.com
Hoxton White with Rainbow

Hoxton White with Rainbow

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Product Code: CR0961 Super-comfy Hoxton White with Rainbow low-top trainers from Cocorose London, made in the softest leather and with a rainbow design (a symbol of hope and kindness) on the outer si...
  • Online from http://www.cocoroselondon.com

Credit: www.cocoroselondon.com

Cocorose London lavender face mask

Cocorose London lavender face mask

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Cocorose London lavender silk face mask, worn by Cocorose London founder, Janan Leo.
  • Online from http://www.cocoroselondon.com
Young carer on a respite break thanks to the Honeypot charity

Young carer on a respite break thanks to the Honeypot charity

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A picture of a young carer on a respite break at one of the Honeypot charity's centres.

Credit: www.honeypot.org.uk

Logo of the Honeypot charity

Logo of the Honeypot charity

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Logo of the Honeypot charity, which organises respite breaks for young carers who look after parents and siblings round the clock.

Credit: www.honeypot.org.uk

Janan Leo - Cocorose London - 03_240 - resized 2.jpg

Janan Leo - Cocorose London - 03_240 - resized 2.jpg