Ocio: Loungewear You Can Live In, and Learn From

Ocio was a pandemic passion project, created by founders Tayler Coffin and Samantha Meyer. The two wanted to create clothing that was not only cozy, but low-impact and positive for the environment. Ocio’s entire supply chain comes from within a 10-mile radius in Los Angeles. Their products are especially soft due to the unique blend of Organic Cotton and Tencel that was formulated specifically for Ocio (the Organic Cotton is created in IOAS certified factories, to avoid any human right violations that can coincide with the cultivation of Organic Cotton). Good things come in green packages too, as Ocio uses completely compostable and recycled materials to ship out their products.

Ocio shared some exclusive photos with office, which can be viewed below, along with the interview with co-founder and creative director, Tayler Coffin.

What was the original inspiration behind Ocio’s first loungewear launch?

After a long chat about what our *ideal* sweatpants would be, we realized that there weren’t any loungewear companies that checked all the boxes - sustainable (no greenwashing allowed), size-inclusive, comfortable (re: super soft with a little bit of stretch) & tailored in a way where we’d feel comfortable wearing them to grab lunch or head out on a walk. So, we created Ocio.

What was it like creating a small business in the midst of a pandemic?

Starting a clothing line involves so many different moving pieces and each one of them had unforeseen delays due to the pandemic, so it was excruciating at times! But, because of those delays, we also got to take the time to rethink and improve areas of our line that we didn’t see before. We spent so much extra time sitting with our samples, we were able to create new product features, like a pocket panel that prevents bunching and a hidden, internal drawcord that helps you adjust our shorts and joggers to a custom fit without those unsightly strings dangling on the front of your clothes.

Comfort is clearly one of the most important factors of Ocio’s vision - how exactly did you come up with the unique blend of materials that makes Ocio’s clothing so cozy?

Our team tested fabric sample after fabric sample for years (I know, it took forever), and found ourselves loving the softness and cooling properties of Tencel Lyocell (made from natural, sustainable materials), and the structure and eco-friendly processes of Organic Cotton. Our goal was to balance the properties of both these materials in our own blend, and we added a little spandex for stretch to accommodate a variety of body types and sizes.

Ocio is characterized by its “low-impact” classification - what does low impact mean?

Low-impact means that we’ve considered every element of Ocio’s environmental impact and we’ve tried to reduce that impact as much as possible. We’ve chosen to keep our supply chain local to LA to reduce our carbon footprint, we use Bluesign® certified dyes to eliminate toxic chemicals from the dying process, we recycle all of our fabric scraps so that they don’t end up in landfills, all of our packaging materials are either compostable or recyclable… and that’s not even the half of it - our sustainability page lays it all out. 

The first launch was extremely size-inclusive - ranging from XXS to 4X; was inclusivity an important part of the original vision for Ocio?

Absolutely. We believe the future of fashion should be completely inclusive for men and women. Size inclusivity has been a pillar of our brand from the beginning, and it has inspired us to add features to our loungewear that elevate our fit standards across all body types. We have plans to continue expanding our size range, as well as goals to further refine our fit for each current size offering.

Why do you think cultivating a more sustainable, environmentally-friendly space in fashion is important?

Today, many people see sustainable fashion as its own niche, a small subsection of the massive global fashion industry. We believe that in the future, all fashion will need to be sustainable fashion, and equally as important, accountable fashion. With the fashion industry being one of the largest polluting industries in the world, it’s important to create more awareness around the impact of these huge industries, and take actionable steps to reducing that environmental impact in a meaningful way.

What are your future plans for Ocio, as a brand?

We’re currently working on a Fall/Winter collection with new styles and colors in a structured, ultrasoft fabric blend for our next collection (you heard it here first). Longer term, we plan on expanding into new categories so that everyone has a sustainable, comfortable and quality choice when it comes to all pieces in their wardrobe.

I think Ocio has the potential to change the game when it comes to combining loungewear and sustainability. Do you think you are setting a good example for other brands to come?

We hope so! We’ve tried our best to simplify our approach by being both honest and accountable. Our sustainability is grounded in our commitment to making decisions we are proud of, and ones we are eager to share with our community. Nothing would make us happier than seeing other brands follow suit to make more conscious decisions about their environmental impact.

You can shop Ocio’s first Classic Collection online at ocioleisure.com.

Fashion

Luis De Javier's Puta Takeover

April 25, 2024

Last night with Luis De Javier, guests were overheard confirming this generation's most vital conundrum: “If I’m cunt, I can still be pussy.” “And if you’re pussy, you can still be cunt.” This sentiment echoed throughout the night as we celebrated De Javier’s first-ever streetwear collection, "Puta". We spent seven hours at Ella Funt at a dinner turned party that only he could’ve thrown (co-hosted by emcee). It was too dark for even the most aspiring-to-look-mysterious of us to wear sunglasses inside. Under the semi-oppressive flash of party photographers, we danced as much as the space would allow, drank tequila out of teacups and kissed each other on the cheeks with a vaguely European intimacy. “I’m doing streetwear!” De Javier could be heard exclaiming — whether it be in disbelief or excitement, we couldn’t tell you.

Words and photos by Izzy Capulong

The Spanish-born London-based designer has been well-loved for his genderless tailoring, latex mastery, and overall message of empowerment. Dressing everyone from ravers to A-listers, De Javier’s latest drop pushes his design repertoire to a new level. “While designing for my celebrity clientele and showcasing my creations on the runway has always been my dream,” he notes, “It’s equally important to me that my brand resonates with a wider, more diverse audience.” While this collection’s medium has shifted from corsets to sweatshirts, the classic LDJ avant-garde sensibilities remain. Bikinis and booty shorts are shamelessly emblazoned with “PUTA,” blazers are constructed with ample shoulder padding, and I had my eye on the cheekily-named “Faguette Bag.”

The Puta collection will be available exclusively on emcee.

Fashion

Nadia Lee Cohen Celebrates Paris Texas Launch at the Chateau

To celebrate the launch, Cohen and founder and creative director of Paris Texas, Annamaria Brivio hosted an intimate dinner at the Chateau Marmont pictured below. Arman Naféei entertained guests throughout the evening with a special playlist he curated for the occasion.

Fashion

Dating Olympics

April 23, 2024

In the wake of significant challenges including the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war which has heavily impacted production and logistics, Syndicate continues to innovate by integrating themes of survival, resilience, and the complex emotions involved in modern relationships. The collection features bold, thematic elements such as textual prints derived from real-life break-up phrases embodying the irony and emotional depth of contemporary dating narratives.

Some of the collection prints were created in collaboration with Magalie Heroux — a London-based graphic designer, the "Dating Olympics" collection employs a mix of early 2000s aesthetics with simple, impactful fonts and ironic slogans, capturing a nostalgic yet fresh vibe. The use of heat-reactive techniques further enriches the tactile experience, emphasising the warmth and connection that are essential to human interaction.

Text Alex Blake
Photography Vidar Logi
Styling Ira Vasylevska & Magalie Heroux
Casting & Production Andriy Zozulya, Taras Schevchuk
Hair Ruth Javy
Makeup Martina de Rosa
Models Sleeze McQueen, Dylan Proudfoot, Olive Harvey
Assistant Tony Poly

Shot by the Icelandic photographer and frequent Björk collaborator Vidar Logi, who's known for his distinctive style that blends natural landscapes with human elements, the “Dating Olympics” campaign is the perfect visual ode to the creative vision of the Syndicate founders Taras and Iryna.

With this collection, Syndicate not only addresses the hardships faced by many due to the current geopolitical situation but also celebrates the enduring human spirit to love and connect, even in times of adversity. The "Dating Olympics" is more than a fashion statement—it's a testament to the resilience and adaptability of love.