PROPRIETRESS OF PLEASURE, AKA OWNER!

by Rob Hill

You started Coco De Mer in 2001 with the tag line, PLEASURE IS A GIFT AND GREAT PLEASURE DETERMINES THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE.” 10 years later did you envision the company would become a global sensation?
When Coco de Mer opened 10 years ago the dialogue about sex was all on the act and the function; there was absolutely no dialogue on sensuality, no dialogue on pleasure, no dialogue on consent.  I am so proud that Coco de Mer has been a leader and a ground-breaker in changing the dialogue about sex and sexuality from guilt and shame to pleasure and empowerment. My sister Sam and i are really on a mission to give people permission to express their sexuality with class, intelligence, humor and depth and i am ecstatic that people love Coco de Mer. Coco de mer is all about pleasure and education, we are here to put some sensuality, sexiness and humor into bedroom play…or as I like to say put some class into bedroom debauchery. Our pursuit of pleasure is underpinned by doing business in an ethical and socially responsible way.

How and where did the idea for Coco come about?
Seriously how screwed up is it that you can shop for cushions, shoes, candles, kitchen stuff, even bloody cigars in gorgeous stores, but the ONLY places open to purchase items for your sex life, are either sleazy ‘adult’ stores, that make you feel like you need a wash after being in them, or very the practical women focused stores. So the idea was born out of necessity. We were fed up with it, we wanted an alternative, to create the sexiest of spaces, a place that put some class, humor, debauchery and education into our sex lives. A place that was inclusive, not exclusive, so wherever you are on your sexual journey you could feel relaxed enough to peruse our gorgeous products and open your mind to something new, or not. A space that didn’t make you feel ashamed to be in there, but that made you feel curious, sexy and was all about pleasure. We have so many people coming into our stores who say “Thank you for being here.”

What was the first product you worked on?
One of the first was our personal lubricants. Lubes are quite simply the best little sex toy there is and we wanted to ensure we had a selection of the finest, lubes and we do, I haven’t used  another lube that even comes close to being as good as ours. We have such a loyal customer base for our lubes, maybe they should get their own Facebook Fan Page!

Who do you see as your consumer?
Our customers are a diverse bunch. We have a lot of women from 25 up to 70′s—the bulk of them being in their 30′s and 40′s—and we have women shopping for themselves, couples shopping together, men shopping for their partners/lovers, we have a lot of men shopping on our website buying gifts for their partners. We don’t have many gay men and we don’t have a lot of women under the age of 25.

What’s been your best selling items over the years?
Our top selling items always include our Ruby Sunrise lubricant (it has a touch of natural honey flavoring in it, which makes for a tasty treat!), but funnily enough we sell a lot of leather bondage fashion restraints and harnesses to the East Coast and we sell a lot of hand blown glass dildos and butt plugs on the West Coast. Currently, our naughty vintage print cushions with hand embroidered words like ‘Fucker’, ‘Sweet Cheeks’ and ‘Cock Lover’ are selling really, really well!

What about your salons?
Our salons are designed for both single people and couples, we provide a relaxed environment to learn more about sexual pleasure. Our classes cover a large range of topics, from role playing, spanking, tantra, burlesque, masturbation, female ejaculation and so many more. We work with the best experts (or sexperts) in their field to have them teach the salon and pass on their valuable knowledge, wisdom and inspiration.

You guys sell books now.  Do you have a favorite author?
Thomas Lynch, Marquis de Sade, Harper Lee.

Paris or NYC?
NYC.

Favorite smell?
Fresh sweet basil.

Favorite hidden treasure?
The treasures that are out on display in my home, disguised as beautiful art objects or everyday household items but that have another (usually bedroom related function)…..in other words that paper weight you think your holding? Think again!

If you could fly anywhere right now where would you go?
London to visit my dad and sister and then onto Morocco with my partner!

Depp or Pitt?
In a Pitt with Depp?

Spanking or tickling?
Spanking with some tickling in between….

Lust is…
Worth  nurturing!

One product you couldn’t live without….?
Coco de Mer Spill Lubricant.

My hair looks best when….
On the dance floor.

Most loved fictional character?
Atticus Finch. I love him so much I named my son after him.

Favorite texture?
Silk on skin.

Favorite room?
Kitchen.

Blindfolding your lover is…
A treat for you and for them.

Favorite treat?
Cadbury’s creme egg with a bottle of Puligny Montrachet wine!