SOK-O

From Head to Toe, These Plush Animals Have It Covered

Founded by three Los Angeles-based designers and one Taiwan-based designer, Sok-O produces products with an eye for high-quality design and a flair for playful ingenuity. Inspired by a deep-seated passion for toys, the Sok-O artists make dolls that convey their excitement and ultimately inspire others.

Will TDmonthly follow Sok-O with its documentary Toy Frenzy! as the designers debut their new line at Toy Fair? Check back and see! Here’s what the Sok-O creators say about their journey thus far:

Sok-O is a new line of designer plush toys. They all started out with socks, and that’s why we call it Sok-O. Each Sok-O is unique and special because they are all handmade; no two are alike.

Sok-O started with a few designer, named Caleb, Angie, Marcela and Daniel. Together, we share the vision of making quality toys with a unique touch and sharing them with the world.

Each 100-percent handmade Sok-O is created by one sock or pair of socks and produced in limited runs, making each piece unique and special. Hopefully, when you give a Sok-O to someone in your life, he or she will feel special, too.

HOW IT ALL STARTED

It took us about six months from an idea (we were serious about this from the very beginning)to getting it manufactured. It was a very long, hard, and yet exciting six months of planning and researching. Our backgrounds in packaging design and industrial design definitely came in handy at that time and helped tremendously in making our vision a reality.

It cost us about $50,000.00 and to be honest, we did not have any money to start with. All three of us got laid off about the same time as we began working on the Sok-Os. Tired of working hard for other people, we decided to try something our own — something we were all incredibly passionate about.

We all got freelance jobs and worked day and night to earn money for the company. Of course, we were also forced to borrow some money as well (what business owner doesn't?!). Although, financially, it's still a struggle being a brand new company, we enjoying the challenge, having a blast and get complete fulfillment out of seeing the joy that the toys bring to the faces of people who see them.

We hope our first Toy Fair show will give us that big break and we are successful in getting our product out there. We're confident that when people see the Sok-O line they will instantly fall in love.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Daniel: With 20 years of experience in advertising, in 2005 I finally decided to leave the industry as a creative director and search for something I could create with my heart — something that could blend in with my life. I began by learning how to sew with thread, needle and leftover socks. Today, those materials serve as a canvas to create what’s near my heart.

Marcela Rojas: Madonna and Frida Kahlo are my two girls for inspiration and the reason I continue not to give up. I live by the motto: Our greatest triumph is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall. And, believe me, I’ve fallen numerous times and have the scars to prove it. Ever since I can remember I have always been drawing and making stuff for others. Never wanting to grow up, I have always had a huge inclination to design for the kids’ market throughout my life. I am excited to see the world’s reaction to our brand, Sok-O. This is only the beginning.

Angie Wang and Caleb Perng: With backgrounds in graphic design and product design, we have teamed up to create something fun and unique. It is great to see someone smile when they pick up your product. We want to create something that is special, like each one of us is special. We both graduated from Art Center College of Design. We enjoy and are inspired by many artists and designers around us; they add color to our life. We wish to continue to be inspired and, hopefully, inspire someone else someday, too.