Images by Zeko Eon
Interview by Malaya Velasquez

What’s your AMMO?
I would say being creative, in like living our dreams. Waking up knowing you’re doing what you love. There’s a sense a send of no compromising. Not being comfortable where you are striving for more till the end. And knowing that.

With that said, what can you say about having to shift from these private moments say between shopping for supplies with each other and public moments at interviews and shoots?
I think we’re good at separating. We have our moments for the most part it’s been like we enjoy it. We love talking and sharing and knowledge and its great to hear people’s support. Um I guess it’s not separating it. We are still us and we don’t go out and about as much we used to, on a personal level we LOVE food and bikes. We ride our bikes!

Do you think this shift from public and private is reflected in the idea of artist personas? For example you there is Corianna & Brianna, and there is Coco & Breezy: can you describe if there is a difference between the two identities? Or are they unanimous?
There isn’t a difference. We’ve been Coco and Breezy since age two a lot of people don’t know us but our brand. We want people to know us, many people know us for our sunglasses. Our personas are a personal thing. It’s not a creation that came about recently, it’s not separation we are ourselves the whole time. There are many people who don’t know us.

The idea of identity is such a huge part of the ‘art scene’ since following the Renaissance and heightened in the 1900s. Is there any advice, or observations you see peers or up and comers making when trying to craft personas or market themselves in the creative fields?
Oh definitely. I would totally say for people to stay true to themselves. It’s easier than ever to make yourself a product and many people want to be famous.. I mean there is a sense of longevity, and importance to stay organic, stay true to yourself. In the end everything is a product and everything is an equity that can be sold. Just never give up whether it’s whatever: as an artist it’s not easy, and it’s hard but I don’t want to say it in a discouraging way. You have to have passion. It takes mindset and that is a huge factor you have to stay strong no matter how many times you feel like you failed. I heard this quote yesterday at church, they said, “past success is not to win all the time…” Once people win or feel successful they get into this groove and feel like they have to win every day. But you have to stay strong, and remember your goals. Goals include business. Without business there’s no product to sustain the art.

Like mentioned earlier I feel that anyone who has been lucky enough to meet you both in person can attest to having a ‘first Coco & Breezy experience’ where does this inherent joie de vivre come from?
If you look at the designs, you can see it. Being able to use our creativity is fun. Waking up knowing you’re doing what you want. Also traveling, like, going different places makes you happier. You can utilize everything in your art. Coco and I like to be positive. We like to look at it in positive way.

How do you keep positive?
For example there’s always two ways of looking at things way: Good and bad. You have a choice, you make a decision and many don’t get that. Why be all pissed off and upset? You can’t be mad at something you can’t control. There’s been tons of times we don’t get what we want. If something is bad, it makes the good better. If you’re in that mindset, you’ll be happy, no grudges it’s a waste of energy: it’s contagious. Bad energy can affect your friends around you too, but so can good. It’s all about perspective in life. You need to challenge yourself, we freak out in routine we hate it. There is always a need for change.

Who else’s work, or person has inspired you?
I haven’t thought about that in a minute. Coco? Coco? Is there anyone’s work you’re inspired by? Karl Lagerfeld. I think it shows in our aesthetics, I love him. People love him. He could do a lot of things people can’t do. I love that he travels a lot. He exposes himself and has a big community; it takes a big person to do what he does.

We know how interconnected everything in the creative world is, what has influenced your designs lately?
Travels for sure, the plane! The plane inspired us! In Toronto, we took the bus cause we need a new scenery, yeah it was great! Taking the bus through Toronto to see the XO, and we did a popup shop out there. Also we did a party, and they were really helpful. They’re really awesome, the XO guys. They’re like our brothers now. We’re like a family of creatives in Toronto. Lots of people were out there The Weeknd, and more people. They all showed us a lot of love, it was like networking too.

There is also a flip side to being independent creators that many do not see, and that is the side that keeps the artist afloat in the worldly realm: the business side. How have your experiences in that been?
I would say at the beginning we knew ZERO about business. Now we know business: Coco and I don’t like to be called a models, take pictures but really we are an entrepreneurs and business women. We learned a lot a lot through our meetings, through our journey. The key thing is don’t act like you know something when you don’t. Ask! Some people are too proud but we’ve learned a lot through it. These last couple of years we’ve been shaped into business women. There’s a lot of pressure but I love it.

Too often young women artists are too quickly peg-holed or allow themselves to be controlled by the land of patriarchy, you seem to have transcended that. How?
Being a twin, and our parents. Our parents have helped us a lot and raised us well. Our parents exposed us to art stuff, and always encouraged us to be independent and our own people. They supported us to be different. When other parents would ask why they were letting us do things the other kids were not allowed to do (say get piercings). My parents still let us be ourselves. If your kid is not getting into trouble and still doing good why not let them shave their hair. Who cares, why so generic? So afraid? Who says who’s right or who’s wrong? I feel bad for other kids that are restricted. That’s why those kids go crazy, because they were in a box.

Any advice for the youth who like you come to NYC with a vision? Any trap holes to avoid or signs to lookout for?
Yeah! I would say stay strong. We’re from the suburbs it was scary! Everyone was so mean, have to build a tough skin. Also too they use the phrase ‘I have to save up for NYC” there’s a gut feeling to get up and move and have faith! Just do it. Sure I mean there are setbacks and costs but your dream is more. You never know until to you try. I would tell them don’t let the party take over, just utilize for networking! Networking you never who someone is.

What’s next for you?
Our next step is taking our brand to the next level were only 2.5 years in setting long term goals. Where we want our brand to move next. Our logistics adding a cut and sew line. Egyptian inspired… CoCo and I love music and fashion. Art. We like Egyptian.

For more from Coco+Breezy go to, www.cocoandbreezy.com