Samantha Roddick (born 1 July 1971) is an English business executive who is the founder of Coco de Mer, a British lingerie brand and retail store.[3] She is the daughter of Body Shop founder and activist Anita Roddick.
Sam Roddick | |
|---|---|
 Roddick in 2008 | |
| Born | 1 July 1971[1] Rustington, Sussex, England |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Businesswoman, founder of Coco de Mer, and Bondage For Freedom |
| Children | Osha, daughter[2] |
| Parent(s) | Gordon Roddick Anita Roddick |
| Website | coco-de-mer |
Early life and education edit
Roddick is the younger daughter of Anita and Gordon Roddick.[3] She was educated at Summerlea Primary School and then at Frensham Heights in Surrey until she was asked to leave at age 16.[1][4] She gained only two O-Levels due to having undiagnosed dyslexia.[1][4] On leaving Frensham, the mother of a schoolmate suggested she work with her in Nepal, which is where her activism began.[3][4]
Early activism edit
Roddick's early activism included talks, fundraisers and projects worldwide.[1][5][6] In addition, she set up Cockroach, a youth magazine; and taught art in Vancouver.[1] Roddick backed the Women's Equality Party's campaign to encourage women to vote in the UK's 2016 referendum on its membership of the EU.[7]
Coco de Mer edit
In December 2001, Roddick opened Coco de Mer in Covent Garden's Monmouth Street with an evening hosted by Dave Stewart, and a fly-poster campaign by Saatchi and Saatchi.[2][3][8][9] In 2004 Roddick was prevented from registering the Coco de Mer name as a trade mark by French fashion designer Coco Chanel, the lawsuit citing the similarity in product range and name.[10][11][12]
In 2011 the brand was purchased by British sex shop Lovehoney.[4][13] In April 2014 former La Perla brand director Lucy Litwack was appointed as managing director of the company. Cristina Ceresoli was also brought on to be interim Chief Marketing Officer.[14]
The name comes from the coco de mer palm tree of the Seychelles, which has the largest seed in the world.[2] The seed is said to resemble a woman's buttocks.[2][9]
Bondage For Freedom edit
Bondage for Freedom was founded in 2008, focusing on fighting for human and environmental rights.[15] It had worked on a number of projects, including the 1994 Rwandan genocide; the release of the "Angola Three"; preventing sex-trafficking; and colony collapse disorder.[15][16][17][18]
Television edit
Roddick is an advisor on The Joy of Teen Sex.[19]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e Macalister, Terry (14 January 2005). "Interview: Sam Roddick, owner of Coco de Mer". The Guardian. EnglandLondon. ISSN 0261-3077. OCLC 60623878. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- ^ a b c d Steele, Jemima (10 October 2011). "Sam Roddick". The London Magazine. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
- ^ a b c d Smith, Andrew (8 December 2001). "Interview: Sam Roddick | The Observer". The Guardian. EnglandLondon. ISSN 0261-3077. OCLC 60623878. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- ^ a b c d Stanford, Peter (8 March 2013). "Sam Roddick: Mum's work is finally done – I'm delighted". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
- ^ Macalister, Terry (15 January 2005). "Ethical erotica". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
- ^ Cavendish, Lucy (17 May 2004). "Fair trade kinky cuffs". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
- ^ Samantha Roddick (10 June 2016). Samantha Roddick wants you to vote on 23 June (Video). Women's Equality Party via YouTube. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ Slowe, Kat (10 August 2011). "Interview: Coco de Mer founder Sam Roddick". Lingerie Insight. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
- ^ a b Jay, Adam (12 November 2001). "Roddick's daughter tunes in to a different body business". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
- ^ "The Chanel Sex Case". Vogue. 18 May 2004. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
- ^ Wigham, Helen (11 May 2011). "May 11 – On this day in history..." Vogue. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
- ^ Murray-West, Rosie (11 May 2004). "Sex shop loses its battle with Chanel over Coco brand". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
- ^ Goldfingle, Gemma (22 November 2011). "Lovehoney acquires erotic retailer Coco de Mer". Retail Week. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
- ^ Geoghegan, Jill (30 April 2014). "Coco de Mer appoints former La Perla brand boss as managing director". Drapers. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
- ^ a b Sevier, Laura (14 March 2009). "Q & A: Sam Roddick, activist & founder of Coco de Mer". The Ecologist. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
- ^ Szu Ping Chan (7 January 2011). "Sex and the sitting room". Financial Times. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
- ^ "Just Add Stock winner, Reports". Eye Magazine. 16 October 2009. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
- ^ Pool, Hannah (24 July 2008). "Question time: Sam Roddick". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 November 2014.
- ^ "Sam Roddick". IAI TV - Changing how the world thinks. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2019.