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Simplify your Mornings with Filippa K

Here at House of Coco, our team is always on-the-go, jet-setting from one dreamy destination to another. So, we all know that here is no better way to recharge after a busy work week, than having a Saturday morning lie in — and this is exactly what Filippa K’s latest campaign “Simply Slip Into” is all about.

Founded in 1993 in Stockholm, Filippa Knutsson began her brand on her kitchen table, and is now redefining Scandinavian fashion through her clean cut approach to style. Filippa K has taken her unique aesthetic, and sustainable approach to the curated wardrobe to a global stage. Her latest campaign emphasises the simplicity of Filippa K’s garments throughout various stages of undress. Featuring fellow GilBoss Nike Felldin, stylist and co-founder of world-renowned Space Matters, and her boyfriend Elliot Gillström, as they spend a lazy morning together talking about reducing the stress of getting dressed, and how to make time in the morning for what really matters.

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Arts

A Guide to Toronto’s Distillery District

It’s often said that a city is defined by its neighbourhoods, each one brimming with the culture and character of those that inhabit it. The Distillery District in the heart of Toronto is a neighbourhood well worth a visit, jam-packed with creativity and style.

The site, former home to Gooderham & Worts distillery, has been transformed into an inspired blend of Victorian Industrial architecture and stunning 21st century design and creativity. The result is an internationally acclaimed, pedestrianised village of one-of-a-kind stores, shops, galleries, restaurants, studios and cafes.

Check out Team Coco’s best places to visit in The Distillery District:

Soma
Calling all chocolate lovers, for a truly rich chocolate experience you need to visit Soma. This factory store has expert chocolatiers on hand to point you in the direction of some the finest chocolate treats. Make sure you try their Spiced Mayan drinking chocolate, its got a real kick!

The Ordinary
This cult beauty brand is anything but ordinary. The Ordinary’s products are described as “Clinical formulations with integrity” by the company itself. The brand is completely vegan and 100% cruelty free which is why their budget skin and make up collection is one of the hottest ranges on the market. Products often sell out within hours of hitting the shelves because they work and don’t break the bank. Invest in one of their $7 foundations and $5 Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 serum.

El Catrin
This Mexican restaurant has a lively and fun vibe. El Catrin offers authentic, traditional and modern Mexican dishes all created by Olivier LeCalvez, one of Mexico City’s top chefs. It took three Mexican artists almost 100 days to create the dramatic floor to ceiling murals that fill the walls. The cocktails here are off the hook and a fully stocked tequila and mescal bar occupies the length of the restaurant. It’s well worth the visit.

The Spirit of York
This craft distillery specialises in producing a gin, a vodka, a whisky and an aquavit. Visitors can settle into the cosy round bar in the centre of the room and sample the products. All of the spirits are made from 100% rye grain and expert distillers are on hand to talk you through the process and flavours. The most impressive part of the Spirit of York’s cellar door is the huge glass wall at the back where you can view the working distillery. Settle at the bar with a drink and watch the spirits being made.

Arta Gallery
Arta Gallery offers an impressive collection of contemporary work by both Canadian and international artists. Under the leadership of Director, Fay Athari the vision is to bring art to our daily lives and make talented artists accessible to the Toronto community. Art consultants are on hand to help you find the latest emerging artists and recommend some of the finest artistic works to accommodate your taste and style. The gallery also boasts an art bank where you can rent an outstanding collection of art works for your home or office.

Team Coco travelled to Toronto courtesy of Tourism Toronto www.seetorontonow.com

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#WomenWorldwide: Blythe Leonard on making a mark with her label

There are very few people in the world as determined and focused as Blythe Leonard, and it is undeniably inspiring. Unfazed by any challenge, she started her own namesake label straight out of graduating from University. Fashion, design, and manufacturing are in her blood — and she takes constant inspiration from her family’s textile mill, with the goal of reinvigorating America’s Manufacturing Industry and reducing her business’ own carbon footprint.

Aside from managing her own successful business, Blythe also contributes to her local community through a variety of social and charity work. At the very least, Blythe Leonard is a very inspiring woman indeed, but I think she is gearing up to take over the world — one fabulously made leather good at a time.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background. What inspired you to start Blythe Leonard?

You could say that my passion for fashion and design began even before I could walk. Even from my stroller, I would snag any velvet garment and jolt my mother to a quick halt. My professional career started at the age of ten, when I established my own jewellery company, The Blythe Collection. Designing bespoke pieces for clients has been in my blood for a long time. Wanting to further develop my design skills, I attended the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia, where I graduated in 2015 with a B.F.A in Fashion Design and a minor in Accessory Design.

As a student, I was able to season my skills, follow my heart and ultimately pursue the American dream, to own my own company. I established Blythe Leonard because of my desire to create, and my need to explore different textures, shapes, styles and aesthetics on a daily basis. I am a very hands-on artist. Being able to develop clients bespoke luxury accessories is such a gratifying feeling. Each leather good is a work of functional art. I could not see myself doing any other line of work. It’s my love.

How important is the ‘Made in USA’ label to the ethos of your brand?

I grew up in my family’s textile mill, seeing first-hand how important it is to keep manufacturing jobs in my community. By supporting other American Made companies for supplies, it ultimately provides jobs throughout the town, county, and country. By sketching, patterning, and sewing everything myself, I get to experience the joy of walking through the design process eloquently while satisfying my passion for hands on creating. Not to mention a heightened awareness of attention to detail and quality. I also feel it is very important to reduce our carbon footprint.

You’re all about community and philanthropy. How does your brand help your own local community?

Blythe Leonard LLC gives back to the community in many different ways, first through my talents and second through my time. I serve on a local emergency services non-profit and food pantry board, raise funds to purchase design equipment and software for local design clubs, collect toiletries for the homeless and toys for under privileged children at Christmas, and continue to fight for the restoration of our once vital manufacturing city. My company also donates regularly to hundreds of silent auctions throughout the year helping to raise funds for various causes.

Sustainability is also a very important foundation for your brand. Could you give us some insight into how your handbags are produced?

Building on the foundations of my great-grandfather’s textile dye house, I was able to repurpose the manufacturing plant into a beautiful, creative, and productive design workshop and flagship store. Each BL leather good is handmade, one at a time, and always one of a kind. They are constructed without the use of harmful chemicals and adhesives, while being free of various stiffeners such as cardboard and Styrofoam. This makes our products very lightweight and long-lasting. It is also very important for us as a company to use the entire hide, not just parts of it. We utilise every square inch of leather to manufacture various smaller items to accompany each BL bag.

You started Blythe Leonard straight after your graduation. What has been the biggest challenge you have faced as an entrepreneur so far?

Owning your own business means that you wear a lot of hats, usually all at the same time. The hardest thing for me is to relinquish tasks because I have had to do it all myself for so long. Trusting those you work with and loving them like family makes it much easier to surrender some of the daily tasks that owning your own business requires.

What advice do you have for women who would like to become a GirlBoss like yourself?

My biggest piece of advice to anyone wanting to start a business is to follow your instincts and your heart. Don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot do something; it just takes hard work, long hours and strict dedication to go towards your goal. As my mother has always told me, “You always go towards what you focus on.”

www.blytheleonard.com

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Business

GirlBoss: The Heraia’s Shireen Juma and Lee-Anne Solomons, on creating activewear for women by women

Co-founded by best friends, Shireen Juma and Lee-Anne Solomons, The Heraia (The Her-ai-yah)is an activewear brand made by women for women. The name ‘Heraia’ was inspired by the first ever recorded women’s athletic competition, held back in 6th century B.C. The competition was made up of sixteen fierce female athletes, and held in honour of the goddess Hera.

Today, this powerful inspiration translates into The Heraia. Successfully launched last November, their sleek monochromatic activewear exudes the same quiet strength and confidence that those early Olympians represented, but for the modern woman. We catch up with Shireen Juma and Lee-Anne Solomons and talk about their journey into becoming full fledged Girl Bosses, and how their friendship has lifted them up along the way.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background, what inspired you to start THE HERAIA?

We have been best friends since we were little and have grown up with similar interests and values. I (Shireen) have built a long career in HR within financial services and have a more of a business background, while Lee-Anne’s focus and vast experience has been in Fashion andBuying. About 3 years ago I was made redundant which lead us to reflect on our life choices. Lee-Anne and I were having a tea and natter in bed one day (as best friends do lol) when we started discussing what we would do instead of our ‘traditional’ careers. We decided we both would love to try and start our own project and ‘The Heraia’ was born. We chose activewear as we both enjoy taking time to focus on our fitness and wellbeing.

Lee-Anne actually got made redundant a short while after that and so we had some time to put some of the wheels in motion before we both went back to work. We pumped our redundancy money into the business and we haven’t had any outside investment as of yet. 

We have worked so hard (while working full time jobs, because the bills keep coming even when you are trying to build an empire lol) to try and build a brand and finally launched last November. So we run The Heraia evenings and weekends and have tough day jobs too.

Lee-Anne and I do everything; from design, fabric and trim selection and development, to working with the factories to produce the garments, to finances and marketing, and also managing social media. We do it all —just the 2 of us. Although we are lucky to be surrounded by an amazing group of friends and family that have supported us from day one.

Where did the inspiration for the name THE HERAIA came from?

We actually spent a long time thinking of our brand name and we originally landed on different name. Then Lee-Anne came across a really cool article about what was essentially the first women’s Olympic event — it was held in honor of the goddess Hera and the event was thus called ‘The Heraia’.

The Heraia was the first recorded women’s athletic competition held at Olympia in the sixth Century BC. 16 amazing women ran races in honour of the goddess Hera. The winners were crowned with olive branches and legend says they were then blessed with strength from the goddess herself — this is the vision that we want to express through our brand.

Where do you get the inspiration for your designs?

We want create activewear to last, for women, by women. We are not about fast fashion and instead are more focused on quality, the best construction, and finishing. We handpicked the finest fabric, created bespoke luxury trims, and tried to create a chic and modern collection that will make women feel amazing. We have tried to be super thoughtful about shape, support, and silhouette and tried to consider every detail. (Even down to the gusset to eliminate the dreaded camel toe!)

Our style is simple yet stylish and we went for a monochrome palette. We made sure the black stay black no matter how much you wash them. So we really have tried to think of everything and create a product women can love and wear over and over again.

We also tried to create product that you’d be happy and comfortable to wear in life and not just at the gym. So you can mix and match or dress certain things up or get them super sweaty in a workout.We also chose to support local and manufacture in the UK.

What advice do you have for women who would like to become a GirlBoss like yourself?

SJ: We are still growing and learning all the time and our business is still very small, but we have certainly learned some important lessons along the way. My advice would be to start building your brand early, even before you have a finished product. As soon as we decided on our brand name we started to think about what we stood for and what our brand ethos and aesthetic would be. We started to build our following from day 1,so that people could buy in and begin to understand what we were about as quickly as possible. I think we now have a clear brand identity and that we are unapologetically us. We are all about girls supporting girls and honouring other women just as they are — whether you go smash workouts everyday or drink wine and eat pizza in your undies. We understand the importance of balance and created a collection with that in mind too. Something for everyone.

LS: My advice would be to try and stay positive even when things don’t seem to be going your way. People will inevitably let you down (sometimes in a major way) but try and stay focused on what you are trying to build and why you are doing what you do. Take a moment to feel the feelings (its ok to be upset or angry or frustrated) but always learn from it and keep going. We are friends first and foremost, so we always try and be kind to each other and remember that everything comes from a good place. When you are as close as sisters, its easy to lose patience with each other, or when you’re tired and over worked you can read a short email or text message the wrong way. On top of The Heraia, we naturally each have our own personal stress from high pressured day jobs or just life. So we actually need to just sit down and remind each other that we are ALWAYS on each others’ sides. When in doubt, we always try to remember the best in each other and assume the most positive intention.

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced as an entrepreneur so far?

We have honestly come up against every possible challenge and speed bump in existence. It’s been tough. People who over-promise and under-deliver, end up completely setting our process back. Creating so much extra work as well as wasting so much time and money. We didn’t have a lot to begin with so small loses/let downs actually feel like a big blow. We have persevered though and we see it as a learning curve.

We’ve had wobbles and tears, but of course we’ve had wins. Ultimately we are so proud of what we have been able to achieve on our own and that we have been able to launch product that we’re proud of this past November. Small business, Big dreams!

WWW.THEHERAIA.COM

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Best Dressed Royal Wedding Guest

Just like you, Team Coco are sat at home on this glorious sunny Saturday, watching and waiting, with bated breath, for all the dreamy grandeur of the Royal Wedding in Windsor. We excitedly watch our screens in earnest anticipation for Prince Harry to take Meghan Markle as his lawfully wedded wife — and of course, to meet the new Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

As the world lays in wait, we watch crowds of well-dressed celebrities walk down in front of the crowds of well-wishers who have camped out to secure the best view of the procession. We ask ourselves — what colourful frock will Her Majesty be donning today? Will Prince William be paying a sartorial homage to the late Princess Diana? All questions soon to be answered by one of the most highly anticipated weddings in years. Oprah Winfrey, Amal Clooney, and the Beckhams (of course) are all in attendance giving us some serious occasion-wear inspiration. And while we may have lost our Save-the-dates in the mail, here’s our top five picks for Royal Wedding inspired dresses for the season. So you can be the best-dressed guest for any upcoming nuptials – royal or not.

1. Riviera One Shoulder Dress by Temperley London
2. Powder Blue Dress by Malene Oddershede Bach at Fenwick of Bond Street
3. Celestina Dress by Erdem
4. Asymmetric Dress by Layeur at The Modist
5. Meret Blue Satin Florence Dress by Erdem

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Beauty

#CocoBeauty: 6 Beauty Subscription Boxes to Sign Up For

The world is totally going cray over all the different subscription boxes that are available to order online these days. Resident #TeamCoco beauty writers are into every kind of box from make-up to haircare, skincare to scents and every other beauty box around.

We have compiled a dinky list of our fave top 6 subscription boxes for you to cast your eye over, maybe one will be perfect for you!

Glossybox

Glossybox is one of the more well-known subscription boxes and it has a huge following both in subscription numbers and across social media channels. Glossybox arrives through your door in an iconic pink box, packed with beauty products ranging from makeup to skincare to haircare and more. Priced from £10 per month.

Secret Scent Box

Secret Scent Box is a little black box with three surprise fragrances (each 3ml – 30 day supply), which arrive each month. The scents are tailored to your preference, whether male, female or as a gift. The scents are guaranteed to be 100% authentic designer and brand name fragrances. Priced from £13 per month.

The Natural Beauty Box

The Natural Beauty Box is a natural, vegan and cruelty free subscription box filled with natural skincare brands and eco-luxe artisans products. Each month the box is themed and will include details on every product and how to use correctly. Priced from £12.50 bi-monthly, or £24.95 monthly.

Awebox

Awebox is a build-your-own subscription box and can include anything from a number of categories including; beauty and haircare, food and protein, sweet treats and vegan, alcohol and animal treats, to stationery, candles, coffee and more. And, best of all is that you can chop and change your preferences monthly. Priced from £20 to £28 per month.

Birchbox

Birchbox is the UK’s number one subscription service for beauty boxes. This subscription service offers collections, exclusives, plus special limited editions and so much more, they even have an online shop to purchase the products that you’ve fallen in love with once you’ve sampled them through your subscription box. You can expect to receive 5 products each month per box including; make-up, hair care, skincare and body care. Priced from £10 per month.

Skinbox

One for the skincare lovers. This subscription beauty box is filled with natural MONU British made skincare products that help to transform your complexion. Each box is tailored to your specific skin type and can be matched for a man or a woman. Priced from £14.99 to £29.99 per month.

Search online for each subscription box by name.

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#GirlBoss: Kay Reed on Raising Conservation Awareness through Jewellery

In the face of overconsumption and mass consumerism, Kay Reed’s commitment to conservation is resolute. With the aim of using her art to change the world we live in, Kay’s mission is to use jewellery to turn every one of her customers into Conservation Ambassadors. Kay Reed also uses recycled gold, silver, and gemstones — which means that you can wear every piece of jewellery with pride, knowing that it didn’t have a negative impact on the environment.

We chat with Kay Reed and chat about the philosophy of her brand, and how it is inextricably linked to the environment. Every piece of jewellery features an endangered species, and so Kay Reed is slowly changing perceptions about conservation, one beautiful piece of jewellery at a time.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what inspired you to start Kay Reed?

I spent my childhood years searching for fossils, wildlife, and ‘pretty’ stones along the wild and windy beaches of the North east coast of England. Leaving there in the early 1990s to complete a degree in silversmithing at Birmingham City University.

I was inspired by an Antony Gormley interview that I saw. I can’t remember his exact words but he said that, as an artist, you change the world slightly by placing something in it that wasn’t there before. I thought, well I’m an artist, and if I could change the world I would make everyone aware of how important it is to support animal and habitat conservation. So I set about with my silversmithing to do just that.

Jewellery is such an emotive media to work with. When a beautiful piece is completed, it can spark a conversation; ‘It was a birthday gift’ or ‘it was bought at a little market on holiday’. I thought that I could use that conversation to create awareness for animal conservation, and to spread the word of the plight of our planet.

How important is sustainability and conservation to the ethos of your brand? Could you tell us more about your responsible production process?

My designs represent different endangered species safely encased in a circle of habitat, made from recycled gold, silver, and reclaimed gemstones. The packaging is from sustainable resources and each piece comes with an information card (made from recycled t-shirt rags) to encourage the wearer to talk about the plight of the endangered species in their piece, and how we can help. Not to mention, 10% of profits are donated to wildlife charities. Even my workshop was put together from reclaimed building salvage that destined for land fill. My work is about making jewellery, my jewellery is about my passion.

We are faced with so many problems concerning the planet and its survival that it sometimes seems like there is too much to do to fix it. Where do we start? We start by pulling in the same direction, spreading the word about the poaching, raising awareness on the destruction of habitats, and about just how many species are on the critically endangered list. These animals are not just there for us to look at, they are part of an ecosystem that we are destroying, and their decline is our alarm bell — we need to take action now.

What advice do you have for women who want to become more conscious consumers?

Consumers have the power! As a manufacturer, we need consumers to ask for goods that don’t damage the environment. Recycled gold and silver should be a choice in all high street jewellers but it will only get there if consumers ask for it. We need to work together, every one of us can be part of the solution.

kayreed.co.uk

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#WomenWorldwide: Kelli Shaughnessy adds shimmer to your ‘Shoe-drobe’ with SSY Designs

Every woman deserves a little bit of shimmer in their closet, and this is what SSY Designs and Kelli Shaughnessy are all about. A passionate creative, Kelli started SSY Designs with a revolutionary idea that would change shoes forever — and that idea was ‘Shoe Jewelz’. A shoe accessory like no other, that can literally transform your shoes into anything you want them to be.

But Kelli doesn’t stop at adding shimmer to your ‘shoedrobe,’ because her business ethos is all about giving back. From supporting countless charities, to starting the ‘Love Me, Love U— Collection’ — wherein 100% of proceeds will be donated to charity; Kelli Shaughnessy exemplifies that being a GirlBoss isn’t just about success (although that is something she has aplenty) but also about using your success to make the world a better place.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background — what inspired you to start SSY Designs?

My background is in the arts however I took a hiatus and went to the corporate world to secure my future. (my financial future that is). I thought that was going to be my future so at night I would paint, dance, draw and even restore furniture that I found in second hand stores.

SSY Designs started as a single product, called shoe jewelz that we have patented and trademarked globally. We have over 100+ designs that we create and manufacture in our studio. I ended up buying my own industrial sewing machines and hired a talented seamstress to help my ideas come to life — and boy did they! I am so happy with our line. Its a slow moving process but we are enjoying every minute. Plus everything is made in our studio right here in NYC.

What are ‘Shoe Jewelz’ and how is it going to change our shoe game forever?

Shoe Jewelz take your shoes to the next level. All you do in slip them over the ball of your shoe and voila… a brand new pair. You can honestly have one pair of shoes but as many styles as you want just by adding shoe jewelz. Fringe for that flapper night, bugs for a picnic, studs for your rock and roll days, fur, hearts, rhinestones, beads, snakes, butterflies, you name it!

SSY Design is all about social responsibility as well. Could you tell us about the soon to be launched ‘Love Me, Love U’ collection?

SSY is grateful for its amazing opportunities, and we are constantly working to give back. Whether its global or interpersonal we strive to make peoples days or lives easier. The SSY Team has put together a huge sewing kit for a young Haitan child in the Turks and Caicos after we found out that he loves to sew and design clothing but doesn’t have access to a machine or fabrics. When their government shut down, we posted an ad and hired a furloughed employee. We paid her daily, so she could keep food on her families table and not fall behind. The job was over as soon as our government reopened but we met the best person and honestly miss having her. We have sales just for minimum wage workers and price things at 5 dollars and give them a 10 dollar coupon. Our cups are definitely not running over but we feel better when someone does too.

As for Love Me Love U, we just filled for a 501.c3 and we are currently designing pendants and t-shirts with its amazing logo. We are praying it comes back accepted for a trademark. We will launch Lovemeloveu.org as a platform to learn about our charitable endeavours and who we support. Basically, 100% of the proceeds of whatever we sell on that site will go straight to a charity. We haven’t decided if we will partner with specific organisations or allow the customer decide where to donate.In any case we are extremely excited, the first line will be priced to buy at under $100.

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced as an entrepreneur so far?

I think the biggest challenge I still struggle with, is instant gratification. If I design something I need it made right away. Unfortunately, it can get costly and it may not be the best design after all.

What advice do you have for women who would like to become a GirlBoss like yourself?

The GirlBoss title feels so cool! Ive created this business organically, and I let my instincts lead the way (MOST of the time). I may not do it all but I know how to do almost every aspect of my company. If I don’t know it, I research the heck out of it. I have made a lot of mistakes however I can say that I pretty much let them roll, Iearn and move on. My team are also an amazing group of young women who are all Girl-bosses in their own right.

WWW.SSYDESIGNS.COM

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Designer Spotlight: Patcharavipa & Nature inspired Jewellery

Founded in 2014, Patcharavipa Bodiratnangkura has transformed her passion for jewellery into one of the industry’s most exciting up and coming brands. Featuring stunning handmade geometric pieces with unique materials like coconut shells and stones, Patcharavipa’s pieces celebrates the legendary craftsmanship of Thai expertise and combines contemporary design with natural textures.

Patcharavipa actually started her journey into entrepreneurship at the tender age of thirteen, with a small costume jewellery store “crystallising” phones in Bangkok; and what a journey she has been on since then. With degree from the Central St.Martins and a collaboration with Swiss Fine-Jewellery brand Adler on her belt – Patcharavipa celebrates two years of her label with a prestigious launch on Matchesfashion.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background, what made you fall in love with jewellery design?
I was born and raised in Bangkok and found myself fascinated with gems from a very young age. I think it was when I used to play around with my great grandmother’s jewellery and also my mother’s hand-me-downs. Both women are strong characters with a passion for collecting. The history of gems, diamonds, metals from ancient times, and everything that jewellery symbolises in human history has always fascinated me. So, when I started playing around with crafting, I really enjoyed the process of making the jewellery itself and retracing the journeys of how each and every material is sourced.

I actually started with a tiny shop in Bangkok when I was thirteen years old called ‘All That Glitters’, selling costume jewellery to my friends. I also offered services where I crystallised phones (at the time it was Sidekicks and Blackberrys) One month we had around 500 phones to do and I remember thinking wow I could make this a proper business! It was such a fun experience to have the opportunity to dabble into the jewellery world at such a young age. Luckily my ideas have developed a lot further from then.

I came to the UK for most of my secondary school years then decided to enrol into Central Saint Martins for jewellery design. It was certainly the experience at CSM that made me want to turn my passion into a career; so after graduating I launched Patcharavipa in 2014.

Before launching Patcharavipa, you’ve had a very impressive collaboration with Swiss haute jeweller Adler. How has this experience influenced your own brand?
This collaboration was very inspiring. I think when you are a twenty year old walking in to a prestigious jewellery house — it’s easy to get overwhelmed. I approached them because I admired their work and wanted them to host a pop up in Bangkok for Adler. Working on that partnership was priceless. The opportunity to learn from such a great house was an amazing experience. It’s something I will never forget.

Tell us about your Gingko Metrics collection? The inspirations behind it and if you have a favourite piece?
A lot of our work in Patcharavipa focuses on three important factors; materials, texture, and the sculptural aspect. I like toying with contrasting notions, whether this be in using different materials, or contrasting design concepts.

For Ginkgo Metrics, the collection stemmed from a pressed ginkgo leaf that I picked up in Hippo-en Garden in Tokyo. I found it months after my trip and was then inspired to look into further forms of art in Japan. I became fascinated with Oshibana which is the art of flower pressing. Oshibana inspired this new technique where we take the direct texture of the leaf and hand press it into our gold. The results are these beautiful imperfect linear lines that really captures the moment. It’s also the first time I’ve worked with more restrained silhouettes and geometric shapes. I am really excited about this collection. There’s a beauty in the subtleness, slight imperfections, and restriction of it. If I had to choose, my favourite would be the hoops. I just think that hoops really represent today’s modern women.

Congratulations on your recent launch with Matchesfashion! What was it like reaching this milestone in your career?
It’s been an amazing two years since I launched Patcharavipa in 2016 to international markets. Almost everything is a milestone for us right now. The opportunity to have my designs reach a wider group of people is amazing; and I’m learning new things along the way.

Since launching Patcharavipa in 2014 – what was the biggest challenge you’ve had to face as a businesswoman so far?
I think everything in the first year was a challenge because it was so new. I think the long term commitment to your ideas and designs, and also your sheer determination and willpower is what you need to get you through. It’s hugely competitive out there and nothing ever turns out the way you would expect. You just have to ride the wave, learn, address and then be flexible.

What is next for you? Any new & exciting projects or collaborations in the pipeline
We launched our flagship store in Bangkok back in January which was an amazing experience. For a small brand to have that platform to really express our ‘universe’ has been really great. We put a lot of effort in to all the details within that space and I can really say it represents us in every way.

The next project for us is to launch our own e-commerce platform and build that side of the business. We want to be closer to customers in our own way.

Check out Patcharavipa’s latest collection now on matches fashion.com

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Silvio Denz on Lalique’s 130 Year Legacy

Throughout his illustrious career, René Lalique had always been a pioneer. During his time, his creative flair and his crystal know-how was second to none, earning him the title of ‘inventor of modern jewellery’ . A constant innovator, René Lalique carved out a special place for himself as one of the greatest names in the world of French Decorative Arts. Today, the name Lalique has become synonymous with the French art of living and evokes the brilliance and wonder of both jewellery and crystal.

130 years have passed since René Lalique opened his first boutique on Rue du Quatre-Septembre; and it is exceedingly clear that his modern day counterpart, Silvio Denz, shares in his pioneering spirit. Since acquiring Lalique in 2008, Silvio Denz has extended the world of Lalique into previously uncharted territories. In the last ten years, he has opened more than 30 flagship stores and boutiques, launched Lalique Art and Lalique Maison, opened the Lalique Museum in Wingen-sur-Moder, opened the Villa René Lalique, the Château Hochberg, and most recently, the Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey in the Sauternes region of France.

In conversation with Silvio Denz, we discuss his passion for creative excellence, and how this passion seeps through every one of his endeavours. We talk about his admiration for the creative genius of René Lalique, and the special legacy he has left behind. A legacy, that in the hands of Silvio Denz, will live on for generations to come.

In 2008, Art & Fragrance acquired the famed Lalique, which has become synonymous with creative excellence and the French art of Living. In what ways do you think Lalique has changed since then?
René Lalique was an innovator and worked in many areas during his career; gaining recognition as one of the leading designers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His work spanned jewellery, perfume bottles, tableware, decorative, and architectural objects. As we celebrate his 130 year legacy, we are really coming back to the true sense of the brand and building a bridge between past and future. Today, Lalique is a diversified brand that epitomises luxury lifestyle in all its forms: from decorative objects, glasses, decanters, jewellery, art, fragrances, interior design, hospitality, and gastronomy.

Lalique’s crystal know-how has been ongoing for the past 130 years and is unlike anything else in the world. How are you marrying Lalique’s heritage with the modern innovations of the future? How are you keeping this heritage alive?
René Lalique’s creative genius is at the centre of our inspiration. With admiration and respect for his artistry, we continue to innovate in all areas of our business. Since the acquisition of Lalique in 2008, well over 20 million euros has been invested in overhauling the factory and optimising processes. We keep our heritage alive by creating new collections as well as reinventing classic models (such as the legendary Bacchantes vase which was designed by René Lalique in 1927) in new colours and finishes.

Over the past ten years, we have opened more than 30 new flagship stores, boutiques, and showrooms worldwide. We also work with partners like Singapore International Airlines – which was just voted the best airline in the world for the 5th time in a row. We also work with different luxury brands, artists, and designers, who share the same values and standards of quality as we do, by using age old techniques and designs in new ways. All of these efforts keep our heritage alive.

2011 was a momentous year for Lalique. After the acquisition you launched the Lalique Museum in Wingen-sur-Moder and Lalique Art. What inspired you to expand the world of Lalique and what has the reception been like?
I acquired Lalique on Valentine’s Day, 2008. Prior to that, I was a passionate collector of Lalique and admired René Lalique, who in my opinion, was one of the greatest creative forces in the world of French decorative art. In July 2011, we opened Lalique Museum in Wingen-sur-Moder, Alsace; which is the site of Lalique’s only production facility even up to this day.

The Lalique Museum is owned by the French State; and I am proud to say that we worked closely with them to open the museum and enhance the collections. An exceptional architecturally designed building, the museum houses more than 650 objects created by Rene Lalique. It is a testament to his lasting legacy, that it now attracts around 70,000 visitors per year.

Lalique Art places the expertise of Lalique at the disposal of major contemporary artists, designers, and cultural foundations. In recent years, Lalique Art has created outstanding crystal artworks based on sculptures by Yves Klein and Rembrandt Bugatti, crystal architecture collections with Zaha Hadid and Mario Botta, as well as contemporary artists like Damien Hirst and Anish Kapoor.

This June you opened the new Lalique hotel and restaurant – Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey. Could you tell us more about the new hotel?
The Hotel Lalique at Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey is a sumptuous hotel and gourmet restaurant in the Sauternes region. This region has the greatest concentration of first-growth terroirs, particularly Premiers Grands Crus Classés. It opened its doors on the 400th anniversary of the estate and is a place where four worlds converge: wine, crystal, gastronomy and hospitality — all combining to serve the senses. Rising to the gastronomic challenge is our brilliant Head Chef Jérôme Schilling, who began his career working with all the great names of French cuisine. The Château’s four cellars are home to a collection of red and white wines and a heritage of 350,000 bottles, that include rare nectars alongside humbler vintages.

Offering three suites and ten rooms, the new Hotel Lalique ensures the highest standards of hospitality and gastronomy. I am delighted to share our unique heritage and evoke the emotions created by a Premier Cru Classé. The Château is Lalique’s third establishment, after Villa René Lalique in 2015 (a member of the Relais & Châteaux collection and five-star hotel) and Château Hochberg by Lalique in 2016, both located in Wingen-sur-Moder in Alsace.

Lady Tina Green and Pietro Mingarelli have been Lalique’s design partners for several different Lalique projects. How did this partnership come about?
Like all our partnerships, this was born out of a shared passion and standards of excellence and quality. In 2011, Green & Mingarelli created Lalique Maison, an interior decoration and furniture collection that was inspired by René Lalique’s passion for the Art Deco style. Back then, Art Deco was used to adorn ocean liners, glamorous trains like the Orient Express, as well as buildings and private homes — just as Green & Mingarelli do today with Lalique Maison.

Lalique Art started with a prominent collaboration with the Yves Klein Archives. How do you go about finding the right artists and foundations to partner with?
We partner with prestigious luxury brands and designers who share the same values and standards of quality as us, in order to create unusual objects which draw on this common savoir-faire and expertise. Collaborations with artists such as Damien Hirst are audacious endeavours, which René Lalique himself, who was both a visionary and trend setter, would no doubt have approved.

This year marks a significant milestone in the story of Lalique with the maison celebrating 130 years. Are there any special events and projects we should look forward to?
Aside from our new Lalique Hotel and gourmet restaurant at Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey in Bordeaux, the entirety of Lalique Art’s collaborations will be presented at the temporary exhibition at the Lalique Museum in Alsace until November 4, 2018. We have opened a new flagship store in Ginza, Tokyo and created new limited edition collection for 2018 to celebrate the 130th anniversary. In September this year, we will also be opening a new boutique in Bordeaux.

1. Hirondelles Grand Vase, sapphire blue, Platinum stamped
2. Muguet Bracelet, clear crystal, silver
3. Charmante Ring, clear and black crystal, silver
4. 1928 Between Finger Ring, clear crystal and marble glass, plated in 18k pink gold and silver
5. 1927 Necklace, clear crystal plated in 18k yellow gold
6. Hirondelles Clock, clear crystal
7. 1927 Double Wrap Bracelet, clear crystal, plated in 18k yellow gold
8. 1927 Earrings, clear crystal, plated in 18k yellow gold
9. 1928 Earrings, clear crystal and marble glass, plated in 18k pink gold and silver
10. Hirondelles Vintage Decanter, Vintage 2018, clear crystal and gold stamped
11. 1928 Bracelet, clear crystal and marble glass, plated in 18k pink gold and silver
12. Hirondelles Earrings, clear crystal, onyx, silver
13. Hirondelles Paperweight, gold luster

LALIQUE

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