HOW DID YOU FIRST BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH JONATHAN COHEN?

Heloise Van Eeghen (HVE): I think I met Jonathan for the first time in an elevator at Parsons in 2007 or 2008? Yikes, my memory is a bit fuzzy! I was in NYC for a term, interning with a few designers, and a friend asked me to help out at the Parsons junior show. When I moved to NYC in 2009, Jonathan, Sarah and I immediately became fast friends and the rest is history!

Glenn Robinson (GR): Heloise has been friends with Jonathan and Sarah for a long time now. When we first started dating, she would talk about her friend who was a designer. Then she showed me Jonathan Cohen’s garments and I was blown away by how beautiful they were! When I finally met Jonathan and Sarah, they were both so sweet and I became an instant fan.

FOR YOUR PHOTOSHOOT WITH THE STUDIO, YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO STYLE YOUR OWN LOOK. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE PARTICULAR OUTFIT YOU WERE PHOTOGRAPHED IN?

HVE: The thing I love so much about Jonathan Cohen’s clothes is that they are full of color and life! These prints are asking to be played with and mixed, so I just went for it!

GR: It’s not every day that I get a chance to wear a shirt named after me! Was truly an honor.

THE FASHION INDUSTRY IS CHANGING AT SUCH A RAPID PACE. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE OF FASHION? ADDITIONALLY, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE MOST EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FUTURE OF FASHION?

HVE: Mass brands need to find better, more sustainable ways to do business that ACTUALLY make a difference. They have so much power in the industry and impact on our planet. I do however see a big push around me for wearing local brands and vintage – I’m trying hard to do the same!

GR: I feel like sustainability, representation and connecting with customers are some of the biggest challenges facing brands. With fast fashion and over-hyped luxury streetwear crowding the marketplace, I feel like there is an opportunity for designers that put care and consideration into their clothing to stand out. The quest for “newness” has become so exhausting, that, for me, a designer that is making beautiful, thoughtful and well-crafted clothing becomes very exciting! I feel like it’s also these designers that are often stepping up to the challenges of the industry by leading the way in sustainability, diversity and building a loyal following of supporters.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TOGETHER AND HOW DID YOU TWO MEET?

GR: We’ve been together for two and a half years. We met through our mutual friends Carie and Fern. I was playing basketball with Fern and Heloise was having a day out with Carie. We all sort of arrived back at Carie and Fern’s apartment at roughly the same time. I was sweaty stinky and disgusting while Heloise was a beautiful graceful angel. We met and I scurried out of there so as not to scare her off… However, things really came together when Heloise came into my work as my shift ended. We went out for a night and soon after became inseparable.

WERE YOUR PERSONAL STYLES DIFFERENT PRIOR TO MEETING EACH OTHER? HOW HAS BEING TOGETHER INFORMED EACH OTHER’S STYLE?

HVE: Glenn is a vintage genius and has really influenced me to shop consignment and vintage. One of our favorite things to do together is hunt for gems at Beacon’s Closet or Housing Works on a Sunday afternoon. We’ve both found some pretty incredible things!

GR: I feel like Heloise has introduced me to even more fancy things! She has a deep knowledge of fashion that she’s been introducing me to.

WHAT DOES YOUR RELATIONSHIP LOOK LIKE WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR CAREERS — HOW DO YOU SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER?

HVE: I just started my own business in the summer of 2019 and couldn’t have done it without Glenn’s support. He is my rock and provided so much comfort and security while we were getting the business off the ground. Now that we are up and running, he often jumps in to help with events and graphic design needs. He’s a jack of all trades (and a master of all).

GR: Heloise has been so supportive of me finding and following my passion. She gives me the space to search and try things out while also giving me the support and security necessary to feel comfortable taking risks. I feel very lucky to be with someone who is as supportive as she is, and I try to do the same for her. I feel like we share a mutual respect and that makes all the difference in the world!

HELOISE, THIS PAST YEAR YOU LAUNCHED YOUR BEAUTY AND WELLNESS PR FIRM, NOTE PR. WHAT SPURRED YOUR INTEREST IN WELLNESS AND WHAT ARE BOTH OF YOUR PERSONAL WELLNESS ROUTINES?

HVE: I sure did! I’ve got Note PR on the brain most hours of the day but I do try to take a few long baths during the week to wind down. It forces me to not look at my phone (the fear of dropping it in the tub is real) and clear my mind. If my brain is overstimulated, I sometimes take a notebook in the bath and write down all the things that are swirling around in my mind to help manage stress.

GR: In NYC it’s sometimes so tough to treat yourself right, but I try to run regularly to sweat out all the stress. Soaking in a good bath always does the trick as well. I also try to cook as much as possible. Simple meals with fresh ingredients are our favorite and help us both feel good!

GLENN, THE SHIRT YOU ARE WEARING IS NAMED AFTER YOU BECAUSE YOU WERE THE PERSON TO URGE US TO MAKE SOMETHING FOR MEN! WHAT DID YOU SEE IN THE JONATHAN COHEN BRAND THAT YOU KNEW COULD TRANSLATE TO MENSWEAR?

GR: Jonathan’s personal style is great, and I feel like we share a love of the short sleeve button down. To me, it was only natural that Jonathan Cohen would design the perfect men’s shirt… and in all those patterns too!

GLENN, YOU HAVE A LOVE FOR FINDING VINTAGE MENSWEAR. WHERE DO YOU GO TO LOOKING FOR IT AND WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR?

GR: I look far and wide! But, because of the internet, the vintage landscape has changed, so I’ll use every website out there. A bit of advice is to not be afraid of purchasing from overseas. That being said, nothing can replace digging in a thrift store. I still love sifting and sifting through endless racks until I find that gem. I look for 80s to 2000s designer pieces from the likes of Issey Miyake or Jean Paul Gaultier. I like the construction, creativity, and materials used by these iconic designers.

WHY IS NATURAL SKINCARE AND MAKEUP IMPORTANT TO YOU?

HVE: Your skin is your largest organ, need I say more?

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE INIKA PRODUCT? (FROM THE PRODUCTS USED AT THE SHOOT)?

HVE: I was having the hardest time finding a clean mascara that worked until I came across INIKA Organic’s Bold Lash Vegan Mascara! All you really need is that and a little bit of their Certified Organic Lip & Cheek Cream and you are good for the day.