Screen Shot: Cobalt
Website: Cobaltcollective.do.uk
City Based: Bridlington
Instagram: @cbltcollective
What inspired the brand name?
The main inspiration for the brand name was simply my favourite colour, and cobalt was a shade of blue. This pairing with loving how it looked as a stand-alone word.
At what moment did you realize you wanted to start a brand?
Since I was about 14 I knew I wanted to start a brand, it was just the matter of creating a brand identity and sourcing all of the materials etc.
What helps you get over creative blocks?
The best way to get over a creative block for me is to just stop trying to force something, creativity for myself just comes at random times. Forcing it doesn’t result in genuine creativity personally.
What is the biggest mistake you have made?
The biggest mistake I’ve made would be underselling myself, and I’m still in the process of working on this. I always felt as though people wouldn’t buy my items unless they were rather cheap, so that’s how I began, however that’s not sustainable. But in time I’ve realised that my customers are happy to pay for my product, so I’m working on pricing my items as a reasonable price for both my customers and myself.
What is the biggest success you have had?
The biggest success would be this year, I’ve managed to maintain better sales than the previous year with less releases and more delays due to COVID, so that’s my biggest success I would say.
A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION PEOPLE MAY FIND WEIRD?
I wouldn’t say it’s weird but I take heavy inspirations from all sorts of art forms such as photography, art and poetry, so my work tends to be a combination of multiple art forms which may not be as common.
Favorite color to use?
I would say blue, I’ve used it multiple times through the last 2 years. It stands strong with the name and is personally one my favourite colours.
ARE THERE ANY RETAIL SHOPS YOU WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU BRAND IN?
I would love to see myself in some independent stores in cities such as Manchester and London and also potentially Urban Outfitters. I like the aesthetic that they bring to their clothes and feel mine shares similarities.
ANOTHER BRAND THAT INSPIRES YOU AND WHY?
The Hundreds inspire me a lot, their creativity and constant drive to create is a major influence.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AND THE BRAND IN 1 YEAR AND 5 YEARS?
Within 1 year I want to be doing all of my embroidery in house, allowing me to have a better turnaround time and to also enable me to experiment more. In 5 years I’d love to be able to do this full time and have a small retail environment.
IN 5 WORDS OR LESS DESCRIBE YOUR BRAND?
A depiction of youth