I feel a bit stupid. I've been aware of the designs of Coco Fennell for a while, as seen on the likes of popstrel Pixie Lott, stylish chef Gizzi Erskine and all-round-beautiful person Daisy Lowe. But I'd assumed that meant it wasn't meant for the likes of me. Or certainly for the budget for the likes of me. Oh, how silly - I've been missing out. While Coco's designs aren't Primark prices, they are equivalent to French Connection, say, and definitely cheaper than Whistles. And I think they'd look gorgeous on mere non-celeb mortals too.
The website blurb describes them as "Clothes that you’d be happy to bump into your ex-boyfriend in, that make the local builders whistle and make you feel happy and gorgeous day and night." While my local builders certainly don't need any encouragement, the rest I can certainly get behind. These are clothes you're going to feel like a goddess in.
Take for example the Tulip dress above, taken from the Autumn/Winter Coco Fennell collection. Made from crepe with a gorgeous tie-dress, it's the perfect dress if you've ever wanted to be Celia Birtwell slinking around in an Ossie Clark design. It's got that whole sexy 70s does 40s look going on. And it's far more affordable than a vintage Ossie number too, priced at £98.
There's more along the same lines in the new collection too, such as this wrap dress, if - like me - you're hankering for a wrap dress after Friday's Wishlist, or this scarlet stunner.
There's lots of playful designs if you prefer a shorter length dress. Predictably I'm drawn to this sailor dress, priced at £79, a very wearable interpretation of this perennial trend. All of Coco's dresses seem great fun to wear - check out the gorgeous girl gallery if you need more proof.
Best of all, these designs don't take themselves too seriously. Silence of the Lambs inspired-dress, anyone? Yes please, if it turns out as pretty as this Black bee dress. Again it's £79.
These dresses are perfect if you like having a bit of a character or look in mind when you get dressed in the morning. Let's all be Hitchcock Blondes tomorrow in this seriously sexy dress (the belt's not included), which is reduced to £95 in the sale.
There's plenty more bargains to be picked up in the sale, though a few of the designs are only left in the teeny tiny sizes. This gorgeous Mexican flower dress is reduced to £65.
This isn't a dress but I wanted to show you how colourful Coco Fennell's designs can be. This Lipstick on your Collar shirt not only has a wonderfully vampy 70s shape but is decorated with a fabulously bright lipstick pattern. It is currently a mere £30, and is perfect for the wannabe popstar/celeb cook/supermodel who is still working the 9 to 5.
I love Coco Fennell's dresses! My only gripe is they are made on the small side, so my size 14 behind struggles to fit into her largest size.
ReplyDeleteOh thanks for that information Roo - I'll bear that in mind when I actually decide which of her gorgeous dresses to buy.
DeleteDo you own some already? I'm very envious!
She was on the Apprentice as a supplier, and they failed to sell her dresses in Shoreditch, which just made me realise how crap the Apprentice contestants must have been!
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, really? That's probably the one Apprentice task I might - thanks to the loveliness of the dresses - have just about done okay in!
DeleteHmmm....they are absolutely bloody gorgeous. But making your range to fit only one side of the average UK woman's dress size is more than a little short-sighted. It's a real shame as most of her designs are perfect for flattering 16+ sizes. Let's just hope the usual happens and the highstreet rips off higher end designers to clothe those of us that are more blessed in the bumpy regions.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's necessarily short-sighted, although I understand the frustration. Designers starting out don't always have the funds to create their designs in every single size. Hoping that the highstreet rips off these gorgeous pieces would then take money straight out of the designer's pocket - money that could have been used to expand the range in the future.
DeleteYes, well put Siany. I agree completely. I hope she is able to grow her business to be able to include more sizes.
DeleteI understand your frustration but I am continually frustrated at the amount of big sizes I find in shops these days, which I am sure is due to the fact we as a society are just getting bigger and bigger. I am a size 8 and I think going up to a size 14 is totally acceptable. It's nice to find an online shop where they do cater for what once was the average size.
DeleteWhat Siany said! I make my own dresses so I know how expensive fabric is, unless you're buying in huge quantities.
ReplyDeleteAdd to this the fact all these dresses are made by just ONE woman, and you can see why the size range is limited at the moment.
It's a toughie - we want to see every woman being catered for but running a business on your own is tough, every single penny has to be justified. I'd love to see her do a bigger range, though. Especially that maxi dress, it's perfection.
DeleteDeffo some stuff i'd buy there if i could fit into it. Will keep an eye on her! xx
ReplyDeleteJust saw on Facebook that Karen Mabon (the amazing silk scarf lady) is going to be working with Coco Fennell on some dresses; fabulous squared
ReplyDeleteOh that is exciting! I actually bought Frances a Karen Mabon scarf for her birthday. It has a greyhound track on it.
DeleteTwo of my most prized possessions: the allotment rabbit scarf, and the pear/fruitflies. I <3 Karen! (And I'm sure Frances will agree, they are the PERFECT present)
DeleteI checked out the Facebook page - that photo is BEAUTIFUL. Really excited for this range.
Delete