FASHTALKS WITH THE KOOZY

FASHTALKS WITH THE KOOZY

Designer Interview

By: FashWire
Nov 29, 2024 06:19 PM

What motivates you as a designer?

Our design is driven and inspired by a body silhouette, providing movement, comfort, and support. Every piece is consciously crafted, creating an exclusive, functional, and ultimately high-quality timeless collection. In each collection, we collaborate with young designers to showcase the possibilities of modern activewear construction techniques and innovations in natural fabrics.


"Every piece is consciously crafted, creating an exclusive, functional, and ultimately high-quality timeless collection."


How did the name The KOOZY come to be?

The KOOZY name was inspired by the founder’s family nickname, which is lovingly used to convey comfort and coziness.


Where do you find inspiration?

We find inspiration in nature and human talent to enable us to make our world a better place. The KOOZY is based on research regarding how synthetic materials affect human health and identifies two main areas of concern, including sportswear and underwear (due to sweat and high friction). We analyzed the industry and identified a significant gap in sportswear production, primarily based on synthetics. We traveled to Portugal to find innovations in natural textiles and discovered innovative solutions that we applied to the core of our brand. We have successfully created a collection of stretchy garments made with 95% natural materials.


How would you describe the style you aim to achieve for your brand?

We want to show that sustainable sportswear can be driven by design. We believe true sustainability comes not only from choosing natural materials and opting for sustainable practices, but also from showcasing the multifunctional nature of our collection by taking activewear from sports activities to daily life. 


“Inspiration comes from the human body, its movement, and nature itself."


What sets your brand apart from the rest?

The KOOZY is distinguished by our commitment to well-being through our dedication to creating skin-friendly performance wear made from certified sustainable materials. Our products are designed to offer therapeutic benefits, including breathable, antiallergic, antibacterial, and smoothing properties, setting us apart from traditional synthetic-based activewear. Additionally, The KOOZY serves as a wellness platform that unites the community in pursuing a healthy lifestyle


What brand values are most important for The KOOZY?

Skin-friendliness, sustainability, and design-led innovation are our core values. We prioritize using natural materials, adopting eco-friendly production methods, and creating products that care for both the body and the planet. Our motto is 'Be Your Activist,' which means that when you are kind to yourself, you are kind to our planet.


What did the beginnings of The KOOZY look like?

The KOOZY began with extensive research into the impact of synthetic fabrics on health. Launched in 2021 in Spain and sustainably produced in Portugal, the brand evolved from a mission to create skin-friendly, innovative solutions using natural materials. Our commitment to sustainability has shaped every aspect of the brand from the very beginning.


What was the toughest circumstance you overcame when starting your business?

One of the biggest challenges was finding high-quality natural materials that met both performance and sustainability standards. Building up a like-minded team of highly motivated and skilled people was the biggest achievement over the years.


If you could go back and tell yourself one thing before beginning your career, what would it be?

One thing I would tell myself would be to listen carefully to the advice of people from the industry, and continue trusting your instincts about the business direction. 


Do you have a passion other than fashion or design?

As The KOOZY is a team of creative people, we are passionate about the opportunity for everyday learning in such innovative operations. We love the process of creation, involving craftsmanship and human talent.


What does sustainability mean to The KOOZY? What initiatives does the brand take to better the environment?

We understand sustainability as a full-cycle business operation model. The KOOZY collection is strictly made in Europe, under the highest quality control standards. We collaborate with local producers and best-in-class industry innovators to deliver an excellent quality product. We follow ethical manufacturing processes throughout the product life cycle. We are committed to using natural, certified sustainable materials in our production. Our packaging is fully biodegradable, compostable, and Forest Stewardship Council certified. By promoting sustainability and innovative methods in slow production cycles, we encourage focusing on personal well-being and the wellness of our planet.


What is the one piece of advice you would give to a new or existing brand?

Stay authentic and make sustainability your priority from the start. No matter the difficulties along the way, keep going. The result of hard work will come.


What is the most important thing you would like your brand to be recognized for?

We want The KOOZY to be recognized for its dedication to redefining performance wear through skin-friendly and sustainable innovation. Our goal is to offer not just functional products, but also garments that are truly good for our customers’ skin and overall well-being. We want to become an essential part of everyone’s daily life.


What should consumers expect to see next from The KOOZY?

We are excited to showcase new innovations in natural textiles and our next collaboration with a talented designer. We are also expanding our collection to include new customer categories and geographical markets. Our focus next year is to continue building strong collaborations, across both digital and physical platforms.


What do you envision for the future of your brand?

We envision The KOOZY becoming a leader in the sustainable well-being market. Our focus will remain on expanding our presence in the world while continuing our research in innovations in well-being products and services.