COCO + BREEZY = Fashionably Fearless Designer Duo
Corianna and Brianna Dotson aka “Coco and Breezy” are 19 year old identical twin accessory designers from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Already making a name for themselves on the underground and online fashion scene, the twins have always defined themselves by their collective individuality. Coming from a city not known for its contributions to the fashion world, the twins accidentally fell into designing. After being outcasts for years growing up, they began to rock store bought shades to block themselves from taunting peers. On a whim, they decided to create their own custom eye wear (Gemela Amor), which created an overnight uproar. Soon the inseparable sisters, they’ve never been a part for more that 24 hours, found themselves quitting their jobs, selling their car, and moving to New York city to bravely pursue their dreams. FULL INTERVIEW ➬
TEEN DIARIES: Why sunglasses?
Coco and Breezy: We wanted to do eye wear because it is something different. Glasses are a big accessory and we wear glasses everyday.
TEEN DIARIES: Why the names Coco and Breezy?
Coco and Breezy: We have had the names Coco and Breezy ever since we were babies. We have had those nicknames all of our life. When we were younger, we used to be embarrassed for our parents to call us “coco and breezy” in front of our friends, but once we started building our image, and got more known, we stuck with Coco and Breezy.
TEEN DIARIES: What does Gemela Amor mean?
Coco and Breezy: Gemela “twin” and Amor “love” – Gemela Amor is spanish for “Twin Love.” We are half Puerto Rican so we thought it would be cool to use Spanish when we thought of the brand name. And of course we are twins that love each other.
TEEN DIARIES: What established and emerging designers inspire you?
Coco and Breezy: Honestly no particular designers really inspired us.
TEEN DIARIES: Do you pull inspiration from other sources in life?
Coco and Breezy: Yes, us designing eye wear is a big part of our life story. We have always been different. and looked like outsiders. We used to just rock regular glasses to cover our eyes, but with the artistic minds we have, we started to design glasses. We felt like since people were staring, we really gave them something to stare at. Wearing our “Gemela Amor” glasses, we feel like we live in 2 different worlds. With our glasses on it gives us the confidence to do and say anything, but without glasses, we are really shy. It’s a big part of our image, us wearing glasses, and we hardly ever show anyone our eyes. When people ask for us to take our glasses off we say “no!” So we guess we use our glasses as a shield from the “others” that don’t understand us & our style.
TEEN DIARIES: Were you self-taught on how to manufacture your sunglasses or did you both get training? Are they hand-made?
Coco and Breezy: Yes we taught ourselves everything about fashion. Designing to us is a way of expressing ourselves through art. We feel like you are born with art, and we live in our own art world. And yes, all of our eye wear pieces are what we call “custom couture” which is another way of saying hand-made.
TEEN DIARIES: What celebrities have been wearing your shades?
Coco and Breezy: Well so far Ashanti wore them on the red carpet of the “VH1 Hip Hop Honors.” Vanessa Simmons has a pair. We also just met Amber Rose and personally got to give her a pair, and there’s more to come. [Kelly Osbourne wears Gemela Amor too. Check out the video below.]
TEEN DIARIES: It must be amazing to have a sister/best friend that looks exactly like you. Have you ever switched places in life to trick someone? If so, please share your story.
Coco and Breezy: Yes it is so amazing to be sisters/twins/best friends. When we didn’t have anyone, we had each other. Being outsides in Minnesota we always were each others best friends. We have a crazy twin relationship and we have never been separated from each other for more then 24 hours. We love each other so much. People ask if we ever get tired of each other, but we feel like we are 1 person in 2 different bodies. And YES! LOL we have switched places before. Back in Minnesota we used to work at the same places, then they said that family members can’t work together anymore so 1 of us had to quit. So… now just “Breezy” had a clock-in number. But we switched off going, so Coco clocked in as Breezy. HA HA, no one could really tell us apart.
TEEN DIARIES: Some people say it’s wise to never mix family with business, how do the two of you make it work?
Coco and Breezy: We make it work because we always have the same visions, and we are in it together. We are different from others because like we said earlier, we feel like we are 1 person in 2 different bodies. Also we both can do other things better. Coco is better at being more responsible, and Breezy is good at doing all the emails, and …so on. The list goes on. But we work amazing together.
TEEN DIARIES: Have you both ever disagreed on a business move or design? If so, how did you resolve your conflict and come up with a fair compromise?
Coco and Breezy: We actually have never disagreed, we feed off of each other. One of us starts a design and the other finishes it up.
TEEN DIARIES: How has your family supported your dream?
Coco and Breezy: WOW, our family supports us 100 percent! we couldn’t ask for anything more. They just told us to GO FOR IT! and don’t look back.
TEEN DIARIES: What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs that want to follow in your footsteps or open an alternative business?
Coco and Breezy: Well we started working at a young age and have been independent with money since we were 15, so we know what hard work is. All that hard work paid off, because now we are 19, and we are our own boss. We wanna tell all the young entrepreneurs that, it doesn’t come easy. You have to start from the very bottom and work your way up. Making goals and going for them is very important. Also, taking risk! We are very hard workers and we do whatever it takes to reach our goals. We want to show the younger crowd that it is possible! Another important quote we say is there is no such thing as the “top” When people say they want to go to the “top” we say we wanna go beyond the top. A lot of people get too comfortable with the “top” and they start falling down, we always are steps ahead.
If you are dying to have a pair of Coco and Breezy’s Rihanna-ish shades, you can buy a pair at CocoandBreezy.com. They’re the perfect Christmas gift for yourself or a friend! Prices range from $50 to $125.
Tags: Accessories, Coco & Breezy, Fashion, Gemela Amor, Sunglasses, Teens
