FASHTALKS WITH COBALT & TAWNY

What inspired you to name your brand Cobalt & Tawny?

Juliana and I wanted our brand name to be unique. "Cobalt" refers to Jody's striking blue eyes, and "Tawny" refers to Juliana's rich, chocolate-brown eyes. We thought referencing Pantone colors would add a playful and memorable twist to the name while sparking great conversations with new customers.

When did you know you wanted to become a designer?

At 17, Juliana worked at a boutique in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she is from. It was during that time she discovered her love for the fashion industry. Cobalt (Jody), on the other hand, has always loved picking up unique pieces while traveling and wanted to bring her passion for travel to life by designing a brand inspired by her adventures.

What is your favorite piece in your latest collection?

Tawny's favorite is the lovely Eden Dress in the Lush Pantone, made of cotton linen. Cobalt's favorite is the Paradise Dress in Agave—it’s the perfect travel maxi.

Where do you find inspiration?

We both find inspiration while traveling—sometimes in our own hometowns of Brazil and Canada, and other times by seeing how old trends come back to life.

How would you describe the style you aim for with your brand?

Our style is easy to wear yet sophisticated. With our different body types, we aim to create pieces that flatter all shapes and sizes.

What sets your brand apart from the rest?

Since we are both very involved in the design stages what sets us apart is our backgrounds and cultures. Juliana's Brazilian upbringing and fashion sense, combined with Jody's Canadian roots and style, create a unique flair that’s unlike most brands today. 

"Juliana's Brazilian upbringing and fashion sense, combined with Jody's Canadian roots and style, create a unique flair that’s unlike most brands today. "

What brand values are most important for Cobalt & Tawny?

Brand values are more important than ever. For us, sustainability, fair pay, quality, and uniqueness are at the heart of everything we do.

What was your previous work experience before launching?

Tawny (Juliana) has been in the fashion industry since 2002 with her own brand, Makena Collection, and has private-labeled for other Hawaiian brands. Cobalt (Jody) ran an online retail store, curating brands she loved at the time. Eventually, she decided to create her own brand rather than continue buying wholesale.

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

Some of the toughest challenges we faced included finding a factory willing to work with us as a new brand with smaller order minimums, building brand awareness, and navigating the patience and time required to grow a business from the ground up.

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

We would tell our younger selves that it’s okay to make mistakes. Mistakes help us learn, grow, and build a stronger business. Trusting ourselves more from the start would have made a big difference.

What passions do you have outside of fashion or design?

Tawny’s passion is surfing—she’s lived in Maui, Hawaii, for 20 years, where this lifestyle has become second nature. Cobalt loves soccer and, coming from a business background, enjoys following the stock market and staying up to date on current affairs.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to someone just starting their own brand?

Advice we would offer someone just starting their own brand would be to set clear goals, follow timelines, allow for mistakes, and learn from them. Growth comes from persistence and flexibility.

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

We want Cobalt & Tawny to be recognized for our unique custom prints, high-quality fabrics, and intricate embroidery. Our Hawaiian-based brand strives to offer something special—pieces that feel like keepsakes, capturing memories of travel and adventure, almost like wearable art.

"Our Hawaiian-based brand strives to offer something special—pieces that feel like keepsakes, capturing memories of travel and adventure, almost like wearable art."

What should consumers expect to see next from Cobalt & Tawny?

We’re so excited to share our next collection, Jet Setters, launching this fall. It’s a complete mini-collection that you can literally pack in your suitcase and not worry about needing anything else.

What do you envision for the future of your brand?

Our vision is to continue creating small, boutique collections while expanding our presence globally. With momentum on our side, we’re excited to see where Cobalt & Tawny goes next. Come along for the ride!

Aloha,

Jody & Juliana