About Us | Our Story
COCOA: Where timeless charm meets contemporary flair.
We are a couture label crafting handcrafted designs in trend-setting silhouettes that blend elegance, precision, and soulful artistry.
Our Story
COCOA was founded by Ritu Mathur, a woman whose journey from civil rights law to couture design is as bold and inspiring as the clothes she creates.
Born into a family of lawyers, Ritu was raised to follow in her father’s footsteps as a civil rights attorney — articulate, assertive, and compassionate. Yet, whenever she had a moment to herself, she would escape into the world of sketching dresses and creating patterns. By the time she turned 18, her sketchbook had filled more than 5,000 pages — and her dream of starting her own fashion label had quietly taken root.
At 22, life took another turn. Marriage and motherhood meant stepping away from law school. But Ritu never let go of her creative fire. From her home, she continued designing tirelessly, eventually freelancing for fashion houses around the world. Her designs went on to grace global magazines and mail-order catalogues, worn by icons like Cindy Crawford and Carla Bruni.
Finally, at the age of 48, Ritu brought her lifelong dream to life with the launch of COCOA — a brand built on the belief that craftsmanship, detail, and passion create fashion that resonates far beyond the surface.
Our Craft
Ritu’s specialty in embroidery design laid the foundation for COCOA’s distinct aesthetic: every piece is handcrafted by gifted artisans, guided by a sharp eye for detail and a deep respect for heritage craft.
In an age of mass production and digital embroidery, COCOA proudly stands apart — championing slow fashion and artisanal excellence. Each garment is a canvas of curated fabrics sourced globally, transformed through hours of meticulous handwork into something truly timeless.
Our Social Mission
While COCOA is firmly rooted in fashion, its soul is steeped in purpose.
Staying true to the values instilled by her father, Ritu has built COCOA around a strong social mission — to preserve traditional craftsmanship and support the artisans who bring these pieces to life. In a world chasing speed and scale, we choose to slow down — to uplift, employ, and empower.
Every COCOA product supports the livelihood of one or more artisans — many of whom are women and part of endangered craft communities. From sequins to patchwork, dori to thread embroidery, each stitch tells a story — of talent, dignity, and legacy.
We currently employ a team of full-time and ad-hoc handcraft artisans across various embroidery specialties, each personally mentored and supervised by our Founder & CEO.
Our Designs
At COCOA, we believe that no machine can replicate the soul, finesse, and individuality of human hands.
Our garments are lovingly handcrafted by skilled artisans — often incorporating detailed, delicate embroidery work. The fabrics used are of premium, globally sourced quality, brought to life through techniques that celebrate Indian craftsmanship with a modern couture twist.
Every piece you wear from COCOA is a labor of love, made not just to look good — but to feel meaningful.