Coconut, discovering another culture!

In 2009, Doris Margel discovered Burkina Faso and fell in love with its landscapes, culture, and fashion. Back in Switzerland, she embarked on an entrepreneurial adventure and founded her own handbag brand in 2016. In her workshop, she creates handbags, travel bags, backpacks, and satchels with a commitment to quality. The name kokoso pays tribute to Bobo Dioulasso, the city of production. "Kôkô" refers to an old neighborhood and "so" means "house" in Dioula, the language spoken in Bobo Dioulasso, hence the translation "Koko's house".

Le projet kokoso

Doris Margel

Doris Margel-Hoppe, a German artist trained at the Berlin University of the Arts, initially focused on engraving and crafts before exhibiting across Europe.

In 2008, her encounter with African dance in Paris connected her to Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, where she forged strong ties. Inspired by wax fabrics, red earth, and human warmth, she developed a multicultural and spiritual artistic approach.

Her expertise in printing techniques from her experience as an engraving artist fuels her passion for textile creation. Today, she designs unique bags, reflections of her journey, her curiosity, and her love for life.

The Couturiers

Zoumana SANOU

Sacs à Main: L'accessoire incontournable de votre style.

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zoumasab_24_10

CHF 79.00

Zoumana Sanou, a master tailor and exceptional artisan in Bobo Dioulasso, has been collaborating with Doris since 2020 on the creation of kokoso collections. From the drawings and measurements she provides him, he brings the first pieces to life, meticulously crafting samples and prototypes.

As Doris makes her visits, their exchanges become more refined and the designs are perfected, leading to the development of confidential series, designed to be tested directly with customers.

Today, thanks to kokoso, Zoumana works from his workshop, equipped with an industrial sewing machine, and fully embodies the richness of an artisanal dialogue between local savoir-faire and international vision.

Moussa Issa Dembele

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Japanese totebag 002

CHF 39.00

Moussa Issa Dembele, a tailor from the Bwaba ethnic group, joined Kokoso in 2016. His workshop is located near Doris's host family, where fabrics and materials are stored. Coming from a tradition where craftsmanship and music are intertwined, he contributes to the creation of bags with expertise and cultural grounding.

Drissa Diao

kelendao_10

Sale

kelendao_10

CHF 25.00

~~CHF 45.00~~ CHF 25.00

Sale

Drissa Dao, a musician from Bobo Dioulasso and a couturier by trade, met Doris Margel when he was looking for a music teacher for his niece. A passionate stylist, he participated in a fashion show at the French Institute with his own creations. Since 2011, he has been faithfully collaborating with Kokoso, creating his first fabric bags alongside Doris. Dedicated and persevering, he does not hesitate to work day and night to finalize the models, while also experimenting with her on new techniques to strengthen the bags' durability and shape.

Issiaka Diarra

Sac de voyage recyclé - Gafreh_voyagebag_01 - kokoso

Gafreh Travel Bag

CHF 150.00

Baobab pocket 010

CHF 12.00

Issiaka Diarra is a talented tailor from Bobo Dioulasso, specializing in making custom bags from GAFREH fabrics and recycled plastic bags. He made history with Kokoso in 2009 by creating the very first small series of bags. In addition to his profession, Issiaka plays an important social role as a griot, actively participating in community life, especially during ceremonies such as funerals. The eldest in his family, he moves in an artistic world surrounded by musician relatives who have even toured in Europe. His family resides in Dogona, where two small sewing workshops have been set up, serving as places for creation and artisanal transmission.

Bobo Dioulasso

Where it all began!

From her very first visit to Burkina Faso, Doris was deeply captivated by the world of the red African earth, the simplicity of life, and the remarkable people who live there.

She had the opportunity to share life with a local family, which allowed her to experience firsthand daily family life, the creation of bags, to observe the faces of the people with whom they live and work, to explore their environment, and to understand their way of facing their specific challenges.

The Kokoso team offers you a range of bags made from wax fabrics and traditional weaves such as Faso Danfani.

New models are developed constantly.

Our seamstresses work independently and freely, thus guaranteeing a completely transparent production chain.

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