Interview: My Morning Routine, Comfort Food, Sustainable Fashion + Simple Pleasures
What began as infatuation with the glamorous side of fashion quickly turned into a full blown love affair that enabled Agatka Kozak to not only carve an industrious career in fashion design, but would lead her to pioneer industry change towards eco fashion.
Agatka was born and raised in Poland, later moving to Barcelona to complete fashion study at ESDi and then to Istanbul to attend the prestigious Mimar Sinan. After successfully graduating from her fashion education, she moved to London, a city recognised as one of the world’s fashion epicentres.
In 2014, after working for both high end and high street labels and with some distinguished designers for LFW, and witnessing fast fashion’s destructive influence in the industry she loves, Agatka decided to launch her ECO-HOT label, COSSAC.
Designed in London and made in Europe, COSSAC promotes the minimalistic concept of Capsule Wardrobes, and offers a curated selection of contemporary threads and redefined basics with a sass edge. Sustainably designed and ethically produced, each quality garment is intended to be transeasonal, with the aim of minimising wastefulness and maximizing usefulness.
I love everything COSSAC is about and was super excited when asked to do an interview with them this month! Check it out below and grab this oversized tee dress – it’s seriously the most comfortable dress I own!
There are some women that just embody everything that COSSAC is about.
They are clever, sophisticated and above all, advocate the conscious cause in effortless style.
It’s why in our new series, we’re interviewing some remarkable #COSSACwomen to learn more about who they are and what makes them tick.
And we think you’re going to love our next interview… with wellness warrior Tara Mackey.
Tara has high energy, is multi-talented and wise beyond her years. This effervescent woman is the founder and CEO of wellness brand The Organic Life, is a soul singer, motivational speaker and the bestselling self-help author of ‘Cured By Nature’. She been featured in publications such as Forbes, Teen Vogue, Glamour Magazine, Vice and Well + Good. And if that wasn’t all, she’s been honoured with several awards for her business leadership and achievements in the health and wellness industry.
We adore Tara for her passion to make a difference and the positivity that she brings to each of her projects. Through this quick interview, we can see why she’s a woman going places. Her warmth and sincerity really stand out!
COSSAC: Describe your morning routine.
Tara: Morning stretches, tea, smoothie and breakfast. Followed by a hike with my two rescue pitbulls, Raelie and Ruca. They love getting their energy out first thing in the morning – and I love starting the morning moving. Normally lots of silly dancing while I’m cooking. Then – I start work!
COSSAC: Do you remember the moment you “converted” to ethical fashion and became ‘conscious’ of the negative impacts of fast fashion?
Tara: I honestly become more aware of the truth behind the industry every single day, but my first “a-ha” moment was in 2012 when I was first reinventing all my personal choices. I realized when I started working with eco, sustainable and ethical clothing companies. I was like, “Wait, if they’re doing it this way… what is everyone else doing?” Then, when you start your research and education, you’re flabbergasted. I was just floored.
COSSAC: Sweet tooth or savoury tooth? And what comfort food do you turn to when “it’s one of those days”?
Tara: Sweet tooth for sure! I love dark chocolate – it’s a serious mood booster because of the high magnesium levels.
COSSAC: Name three of your ‘simple’ pleasures.
Tara: Warm tea, spending time with my family, swimming in the ocean.
COSSAC: Most exciting thing that’s happened to you in the past 3 months?
Tara: I was featured in Forbes in June, which was a huge dream come true. I also recently got started on some final edits for my second book, which is another dream come true. I’m so excited to share that in the coming months! I’ve been able to travel down to Tahiti, where I’m doing my November retreat, for the first time. So life changing! There’s a lot to be thankful for recently!
COSSAC: As an ethical style influencer, what’s your top advice for sustainable fashion designers and ethical fashion brands looking to grow their businesses?
Tara: Social media is one of the most powerful tools you have to influence your business now-a-days. Your message has the potential to be seen by millions of people – overnight. Keep learning and keep sharing. The eco message will never get old. People always want to learn more.
COSSAC: Which fact about the fashion industry still shocks you today?
Tara: I think the amount of waste, human rights violations and pollution that goes into making clothes. Millions of textile factories around the world are still violating environmental regulations, including discharging wastewater from hidden pipes and disregarding the health of their own workers. Also, I am shocked at how many of America’s favorite companies including Nike, Esquel, Walmart, H&M Levi’s, Adidas, and Burberry – have all been slapped with violations and shut down because of their treatment of the environment and their employees. Definitely a wake-up call to research where your money is going and what its truly paying for.
COSSAC: Who is your style icon and why?
Tara: Janelle Monae, for sure. SUCH a style star. Edge, feminine, masculine, sexy, demure, symbolic, ironic. She just does it all so well and always looks like a goddess!
For more of Tara’s musings and track her health and wellness adventures, make sure to follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
Photos by Arielle Levy.
