COCONUT LANE X SOPHIE ROSE BRAMPTON
We are so excited to announce our latest collab with super talented illustrator Sophie Brampton!
We wanted to work with Sophie as feminism, womanhood and mental health play such a big part in her designs and they are all things that our brand is passionate about and represents. Sophie has designed a Coconut Lane Phone Case to show support for anyone who might be struggling and to inspire them to take on the world.
"Mental health problems can affect anyone, any day of the year, but 10 October is a great day to show your support for better mental health and start looking after your own wellbeing." - Mind.org.uk
We caught up with Sophie and talked all things female empowerment, mental health and feminism.
1. We LOVE your designs - how did you find your own personal style?
Thank you! It started out as just doing what I enjoyed, creating artwork based on really strong womxn doing what they love, exploring mental health, sexuality, and generally bringing positive vibes! I’ve always loved bold, bright illustration that catches attention and feels empowering and strong. I love drawing womxn so this is always my main focus, art made for womxn to feel confident in themselves! I started to share my art and found that people resonated with it, so kept it up and gradually felt more confident to share and create work in a style that I enjoyed and felt natural to me.
2. Who is your biggest inspiration?
I don’t think I could name just one person, I think my biggest inspirations are the womxn I have around me in work, business and my life! It’s so important to surround yourself with amazing people who are going to support you and listen when you need help. You can find your squad by joining new clubs, taking up a new hobby or sport, or just asking someone for some advice and give them something in return – it could be the start of a really valuable friendship. I have some great friends that I’ve met since I’ve been posting my creations online, most of them I have actually met through Instagram! It can be a great place to find your friendship group and get chatting to similar people who will inspire you in so many ways!
3. Why are feminism, womanhood and mental health such important aspects of your designs?
I think that feminism, womanhood and mental health all intersect in certain ways, as we face a lot of different pressure as womxn, with our appearance and our behaviour, there is usually a lot expected of us, so this can really affect our relationship with our self esteem and confidence. I have suffered with different mental health issues before such as anxiety and depression so being able to create artwork is definitely a form of therapy for this, and the fact that my artwork can help others to work through their feelings is amazing. I think these issues are so important in my work as my experiences revolve directly around them so other womxn feel that they can relate and hopefully feel empowered too.
4. How does mental health influence your designs?
A lot of my recent designs are quotes influenced by times when I’ve not been feeling myself and I’ve needed an outlet. Some of the quotes are words that would have helped me through my own dark times, so I know the power they can bring to someone else who may be struggling. I find it helpful to create things that help me to refocus and hopefully these help other people too. Often as a female running a business I see a lot of illustrations and posts that tell you how to run a business and are all about being a girl boss and living ‘the grind’ and hustle life. I love the ‘boss’ attitude, but sometimes this can feel like so much pressure! Sometimes we need to take a break and realise that we shouldn’t be so hard on ourselves, so that we can feel inspired and believe in ourselves again. So creating affirmations and positive quotes really helps to re-programme your brain to think positively! Often we are the only ones standing in the way of what we can achieve, so we need to remember this at all times to stop holding ourselves back from our dreams.
5. What’s your fave quote to make you feel like you can take on the world?
My favourite quote is ‘You are exactly where you are supposed to be’ as it’s such a supportive message that helps you know that if you think you’re not doing as well as you wanted or falling behind, when everything is stacked against you and you feel like it’s all crumbling.. you’re actually doing your best and everything will fall into place. You are enough as you are!
6. What advice would you give to someone who might be struggling with their mental health?
You can’t have the good times without the bad - it’s these dark times and moments where we’re not feeling our best that allow us to feel fully happy and content in the good times. So please don’t be so hard on yourself and let yourself feel sad when you need to, your feelings are valid and shouldn’t be ignored. You can get through this. There are so many people who are there to help and listen to what you’re feeling, it really helps to speak to someone you trust. Also surrounding yourself with positive imagery and content on social media will help to direct you to the right places. Artwork about mental health can help – reading about other people’s experiences with their mental health is a great way to understand your own issues and not feel so alone, because you’re not alone! It’s important to remember that we are all human, we all have our struggles, but together we are stronger and can get through anything.
I’m so pleased to be working with Coconut Lane on this case with £1 of EVERY order going to mental health charity Mind for the first week of sale. You’ve got this babe!
Here are some of my favourite Instagram pages to support you with your mental health – get following for positive vibes your way!
@mellow.doodles
@mentalmovementmagazine
@the.positive.pineapple
@crazycreativecool
@theblurtfoundation
@theselfspace
@africabrooke
@bodiposipanda
@the.holistic.psychologist
@thy.self
@selfcareisforeveryone
@anxiety_wellbeing
@livrookyt
There is also support you can receive through the National Health Service, and this is nothing to be ashamed of! The first step is to reach out.
NHS mood quiz:
https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/your-mind-plan-quiz
Mental Health charities and organisations to help:
https://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk/crisis-contacts
https://www.mind.org.uk/ InfoLine: 0300 123 3393 to call, or text 86463
www.rethink.org National Advice Service: 0300 5000 927
http://www.samaritans.org/ 116 123 (free to call from within the UK and Ireland), 24 hours a day
