Theatricality has always been part of Co’s genetic makeup. The contemporary fashion brand is based in the movie capital of the world, Los Angeles, rather than NYC. The brains behind Co, Stephanie Danan and Justin Kern, hail from the film industry, she was a producer while he was a screenwriter. Together, they founded Co in 2011 on a lark, crafting a small collection for friends and creating a short video to showcase it. After Barney’s saw the clip on Style.com, they contacted Danan and became Co’s first major client.
Five years later, Co has grown exponentially and can now be found in boutiques and department stores all over the world. Luckily, their film-meets-fashion voice remains intact, which is especially true this season, which boasts a lookbook shot in Marlene Dietrich’s old Beverly Hills estate. The clothes, too, have a bit of a Dietrich twist to them, as well as the famously pants-wearing screen legend, Katherine Hepburn. The maxi coats are divine — swinging, with double-breasted silhouettes lending a military edge. Trousers are wide-legged and flattering, with deep cuffs that sweep elegantly across the ground. And the evening wear would blend flawlessly into any old (or new!) Hollywood red carpet — the embellished cape is to die for, and a gold and black Art Deco pattern in burn-out velvet is opulent but not garish. Co certainly has a flare for the dramatic too, with bell sleeve blouses and gowns, large sculptural ruffles, and layered pleating.
All images via ” target=”_blank”>Co-Collections.com
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