With the rise of fast fashion in recent decades and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the rest of the small business faces challenges in an oversaturated, fast-moving consumer landscape. Despite the challenges, people like Courtney Rivenbark, owner and creator of Cocole, continue their small businesses with a focus on sustainable and ethical products that positively impact the fashion world. As a plus-size, made-to-order clothing brand with all fabric prints designed by Rivenbark, her work is truly unique to her.
Courtney Rivenbark, a 2020 UNCW studio art student, began her large-scale swimwear career before attending UNCW. This decision was based on her desire to surround herself with creative people. She wanted to expand and refine her artistic skills, focusing on ceramics as well as exploring classes in costume design and art history.
The idea for the cocktail came about in 2018 when Rivenbark took on a 100-day art challenge. To ensure a finished painting each day, she began making repeated sketches. Rivenbark realized that the designs would be good for textiles, and when she tried them on, she took up sewing again.
“I don’t want to just have a clothing brand, I want to design the fabrics,” says Rivenbark. “I don’t know, I just feel more like that.”
Rivenbark uses her fabrics primarily in swimwear because she sees a niche where size doesn’t exist.
“There’s a huge gap in the bodysuit market that’s not very neutral,” she said. “If you’re not one size, there are a lot of swimsuits that don’t fit a lot of body types. So I wanted to challenge myself in that way, to do better.
To create the best possible situation, Rivenbark works extensively with models of all shapes and sizes, fine-tuning clothing styles to fit as many bodies as possible. In addition, she works with customers to create custom orders.
In this new age of technology, fast fashion trends and a world of consumers, she is one of many small business owners who have taken full advantage of social media. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram play a vital role in Rivenbark’s success. Her social media focuses heavily on her artistic process, showcasing techniques and scale of patterns. This openness is one of the main reasons behind her success online.
“I think I don’t have this big ego about teaching myself, keeping things secret or keeping things in a bubble,” says Rivenbark. There is still so much I don’t know that I wish people would share.
When Rivenbark is clear about how her business works, she hopes, “Maybe if I share, someone else will share.” With her platform and honesty, she was able to create a community of fellow artists, clients and like-minded people, entering a new business sector as “artificial”.
As an artist and business owner, her presence on social media, striving to create more inclusive swimwear, has given her the opportunity to hear the stories of people who don’t have swimwear made for their bodies.
“I’m very grateful that they’re open with me,” Rivenbark said. “I think people feel comfortable enough to share their experiences with me because they see that I’m trying to change things.”
Another aspect of Rivenbark’s success, in her own business, is the variety and humor of her publications. She also regularly works the “opposites attract” mentality into her art. Whether it’s making seemingly contradictory objects with poetic names or playing with the representation of shapes, Rivenbark loves the diversity of everyday objects.
“I don’t really know, it’s kind of stream-of-consciousness, and trying to make connections with shapes and words or colors,” she said.
Her artistic inspirations range widely but really show in the vibrancy of her prints. Using subjects such as Apple computers, she is interested in looking beyond the original interpretation, placing the subject in humorous and humorous prints.
Rivenbark added: “I think I’m also inspired by advertising, and definitely by vintage prints, bright colors, graphic art and pop art of the 60s and 70s, and very critical advertising.”
Her prints feature Swans and Tampons, Angelic Almond Milk with Demonic Whole Milk and Holy Hygiene, all with the aim of “trying to look beyond what’s out there”. The openness and playfulness of her prints have led to her swimwear being featured in publications such as British Vogue.
Owning a small business that strives for sustainability does not come without its challenges. As a one-man show, Rivenbark has to do a lot of work. She is in charge of illustration, design, production, marketing and more. These are all full-time jobs in themselves. One of the biggest challenges Rivenbark faces is the small size of its business and the impact it has on budgets and access to resources.
“Because North Carolina is such a big textile center, there are these huge factories with amazing sustainability initiatives,” Rivenbark said. “When you’re such a small business and you don’t have access to really amazing technology, it’s hard to work with and work with these textile mills. You don’t have a lot of money up front to pay for high minimums.”
As someone who stirs up a lot of potions, another challenge Rivenbark faces is time.
“I hope to get to a place where I can take my time and let people in on my vision,” says Rivenbark of one of her main goals.
Now based in the Durham area, Rivenbark is looking to hire people from local university design programs, such as NC State University. She hopes that bringing in employees with new skills will improve her company and give her time to invest in her creative process.
She shares valuable information for all studio artists and aspiring business owners dealing with these struggles.
“Don’t just quit and don’t be afraid to make mistakes, and if you feel like quitting, that’s a sign you should,” she said.
As with most things, however, the challenges of being a small business owner come with great rewards. Ravenbark’s face lit up as he was asked what these were with Kokokalm.
“You really get a high,” she said. “I want to say TikTok because I’ve created such an incredible community there and I’ve learned so much about designing for different entities. I am truly blessed to be able to solve problems but also to use my wisdom to solve other people’s problems. I think it’s really the greatest joy.
Despite the challenges, Courtney Rivenbark’s vision of inclusiveness, conscious publishing and sustainability brings a positive light to many people’s lives. As she expands her range to include items for all seasons, including a fun new collection of printed socks, the brand’s future looks brighter than ever.
