Meet Crystal Richardson | Creative director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Crystal Richardson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Crystal, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Firstly, I felt like we weren’t being celebrated enough. People are often mocked and ridiculed for being different and I wanted to bring a change to that. Each person has a uniqueness to them that I wanted to put into perspective. Whether it be the type of hair you have, freckles, your skin is dark or a person with albinism; it should be recognized with pride. I wanted to do research on different types of people and cultures and somehow showcase this.
For example: Moody people, afropunks, hippies, empaths, and the label-less just to name a few.

How could I possibly represent an Assertive MOOD for example? Someone that is confident and has a forceful personality. She knows what she wants and is comfortable in her skin.
Assertive is confident and firm. She’s also powerful and direct in claiming her rights or putting forward her ideas. Her peers may perceive her as aggressive, overbearing, and dogmatic, but she can’t be phased by their opinions, because she’s self-assured and determined to achieve her goals. She’s also feisty, strong-willed, insistent, and in-your-face. How does she live? What does her interior look like? What car does she drive? Her day to day schedule, eating habits and hobbies also played a role. Then I chose her colors; red, yellow and black. Created a pattern that gave off exactly this.

As for recognition of natural hair. I wanted to resell art on products in the Caribbean but I couldn’t seem to find exactly what I wanted. When I did find an example, they didn’t do wholesale.

I wanted people to be able to relate and hold on to something. Celebrating their identity and their unique togetherness. Creating concepts and sharing them with the world. Doing what you love on your own time has always been the goal.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What makes me most proud is when people can relate to their mood, rootz or character.

If you look closely, in “Global rootz” the shape of each land is drawn in the shape of the hairstyle. Wear your rootz wherever you go in style! The colors you see on the dolls were inspired by the flags of each (is)land.

In “Moodville” each Mood is represented by colors and a pattern that showcases that mood.

The guys felt left out, so we created characters for them.

In Live by vibe; You can choose your vibe and live by it. We have candles to set the sfeer and interior products to transform your space.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to Sunset Bar in Maho on St.Maarten to have a cheese burger and a ginger ale and watch the planes land and take off. Capture pictures and videos and enjoy the sunset on the beach. It’s always a vibe.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents, because they have always seen my vision and have not once doubted me. Aishira Cicilia, because I was afraid to start out alone and she has continued to speak confidence into me which led to me being able to do it on my own now. Stephanijl has helped me with my marketing up until a certain point, she’s awesome! All the people that have supported me from the jump, did my photography and video graphics with the understanding of my tiny budget. I have a select few that continues to show up for me and support me when times get rough. It’s hard to not give up sometimes and I appreciate them for that!

Website: www.cocomoodsc.com

Instagram: Cocomoodsconcepts

Facebook: Cocomoods Concepts