Our Story

Hi, I’m Courtney, the artist, designer, and founder of Coco Clem. I started this brand in 2018 after falling in love with surface pattern design. I taught myself how to make repeating prints, turned them into custom fabrics, and started sewing swimwear out of my 100-square-foot bedroom. I was doing everything myself: illustrating, designing, pattern-making, fit-testing, sewing, and packing orders.

Naturally, I burned out. I didn’t have the space, tools, or support to keep going, and my body started to show it. I developed severe gut health issues, lost a lot of weight without meaning to, and felt anxious, depressed, and exhausted all the time. I knew I couldn’t keep running a business at the cost of my health, so I stepped away from Coco Clem for 9 months.

In my free time, I became obsessed with learning how to manufacture responsibly. I wanted to figure out how to make things without compromising people, the planet, or my own well-being. As my body and mind slowly healed, my creativity came back. One day, a playful idea to turn a mini hair claw into a functional earring sparked something in me, and that tiny "what if" brought Coco Clem back to life.

Our Mini Claw Clip Hoop Earrings sold out multiple times, and from there the brand kept growing. Since then, we’ve had multiple viral designs, completely sold-out launches, and now have two patent-pending earring styles. These days, I get to focus on what I love most: dreaming up weird, playful, thoughtful designs and working with trusted partners to bring them to life. Now we’re expanding into apparel and continuing to follow the curiosity and joy that inspired Coco Clem from the beginning.

At its core, Coco Clem mixes joy and intentional design. I want you to feel a little more in love with who you are when you wear my work, and to be reminded that inspiration is all around us when we are willing to follow our curiosity. Learning to trust my gut, both physically while healing and creatively while rebuilding, is what led me to the idea that brought Coco Clem back to life.

I care deeply about how and where things are made, and I believe in making good design more accessible. I think about design constantly, how it works, how it feels, and how it can bring meaning and connection into everyday life.

I also believe that making the world more creative shouldn’t come at the expense of our health or the planet. I care just as much about the people wearing our pieces as I do about the people behind the seams.

And because I know that sustainable fashion isn’t always affordable or within reach, I share everything I can for free. On the blog and YouTube channel, you’ll find small business tips, DIYs, and calming studio vlogs made to support and inspire other creatives and curious customers.

I’m so happy you’re here :)

Be sure to follow us on tik tok, instagram, and youtube @cococlemshop