Goodbye Coco & Rogers: Hello Vanessa Rogers!

Posted on January 16, 2012 by coco

We’re very excited to announce the re-naming of the Coco & Rogers label to Vanessa Rogers – after much thought, we decided the new name better suits the future direction of the brand – don’t worry, the upcoming collections are still true to my aesthetic and style! Thank you for your continued support and I hope you’ll join the new Vanessa Rogers facebook page for more updates!

Please visit us at www.vanessarogers.com.au to view the new collection and shop online.

You can find our new facebook page at www.facebook.com/vanessarogerssydney.

love vanessa xxx

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized |

“Beach Formal”: Deciphering vague dress codes

Posted on December 13, 2011 by coco

 

 

What’s happening with dress codes these days? Who decided to add “Funky Glam”, “Country Casual”, and “Festive Attire” to the list? And surely festive attire must mean red velvet and jingly bell earrings?

Today I had a lovely customer who needed an outfit to wear to a “Beach Formal” wedding, not right on the actual sand, but on a wooden deck on the sand, followed by a reception to be held on grass. Assuming that the word “formal” cancels out the option of wearing your favourite Havaianas, how do you make this work?

I think something in a longer length and luxurious fabric satisfies the formal part, and best to keep the top simple. Luckily, we had several suitable choices, from the ultramarine blue Halter Maxi Dress (beachy enough to fit the dress code, but still glamorous especially when paired with jewellery) to the navy Cocktail Dress (shorter, but chic but not overly formal). In the end the best outfit was the tangerine silk Maxi Skirt and silvery grey Tank Top  – to be worn with leather wedges, and a statement jeweled necklace. Plus there was the added advantage of also being able to wear the skirt casually with a white cotton singlet and the top under a jacket for work. Who doesn’t want clothes that work double-duty? Love.

Posted in Spring Summer 11, Uncategorized, Westfield Sydney |

Spring Has Sprung: Or, Time To Buy A New Wardrobe

Posted on September 12, 2011 by coco


The sudden appearance of blue skies and blazing sunshine means one thing – retrieving the banished summer clothes from the back of your wardrobe or alternatively, “updating” ie. purchasing new ones (my preferred method).

Our summer range has just arrived in time for all those who also prefer the latter, both on our online store at www.cocoandrogers.com and at our newly opened concept store at Westfield Sydney.

Already a firm favourite with the fashion pack is the Cocktail Dress – the perfect spring/summer dress, and not only for cocktail hour!

3 Ways With the Cocktail Dress:

• Wear it casually for daytime shopping with some flat sandals, a tan leather waist belt, load up your wrists with metallic cuffs and bangles and add a classic woven carry bag.

• For a chic lunch-with-the-girls outfit, wear it with some chunky platform wedges in a vivid hue for a pop of colour, throw on a lightweight summer knit cardigan with the sleeves pushed up and add a little leather shoulder bag for the essentials.

• For a glamorous night out or special occasion, keep it simple and sophisticated and team it with the highest strappy heels you can manage, pull your hair up into a chignon or high bun, add some long earrings and a clutch purse.

The Cocktail Dress is available both in fresh white as well as classic navy – ladies, take your pick – or maybe just have both? Love.

Posted in Uncategorized |

Will that be cheque, credit or savings?: Diary of a shopgirl

Posted on July 15, 2011 by coco

You become a bit of a psychologist as soon as a customer enters your store; a quick assessment of body language as they scan or touch the racks of clothing will tell you if they are browsing, bored or truly interested, if they are time poor, or if they are searching for something in particular. The old adage that a customer’s appearance will tell you if they could/would buy your clothes is actually quite true despite how judgmental that seems.

Further observations:

• Customers generally like being acknowledged but anything more is mostly just annoying until they actually need help.

• Women have a good idea of what they like, what suits them and what they already have in their wardrobe. No one wants to be pressured into anything they’re not sure of.

• Women often ask a friend, boyfriend or family member to help them make a decision – lack of approval from this panel of judges is a serious deal breaker.

• You have to be honest about what suits the customer if something doesn’t look right – you can always tell if they’re not comfortable.

• Being the designer and the shopgirl equals receiving amazing praise for your clothes as well as hearing why some pieces aren’t so great. Don’t take it personally.

• My wrapping skills suffer performance anxiety. Definitely more practice required.

Our pop up shop at Westfield Sydney was an interesting learning curve for me, not only in terms of understanding buyer behaviour, but also further confirms what women of every age are looking for in clothes – flattering, effortless pieces which integrates with their current wardrobe. Exactly what the Coco & Rogers brand is all about. Love.

Posted in Uncategorized |

All Hail Retail: Coco & Rogers pop up shop coming soon

Posted on June 2, 2011 by coco

There is almost nothing I love more than some retail therapy, whether shopping for shoes or for potatoes. Even my holidays are based around shopping – or at least heavily weighted in favour of spending opportunities. If I was marooned on a deserted tropical island, I’m sure my retail radar could locate the nearest person peddling shell necklaces and bowls made of coconut shells.

So you can imagine how excited I am about the upcoming opening of the Coco & Rogers pop up shop at Westfield Sydney on Pitt Street Mall, the newest and most glamorous retail precinct in Sydney. You can find us at 100 Squared Emerging Designer Market, Level 1, Westfield Sydney from Monday 13th June for 4 weeks.

The full winter collection will be available – perfectly timed for our current chilly winter weather – and from 1st September, we’ll be back with our highly anticipated summer collection.

As we have only been available online until this point, this is fantastic for all those who have requested stockist details to see, feel and try on our pieces. We would love for you to get to know our collections better, and for us to get to know you too!

In addition to our fabulous little shop, did I also mention that at Westfield Sydney there is also a dizzying array of glossy new shops to wander through and a whole floor of delicious food to sample? What could be better than that? Love.



Posted in Autumn Winter 11, Camel, Cashmere, Merino Wool Jersey, Pop Up Shop, Spring Summer 11, Westfield Sydney |

The A-(mazing) Team: Making even a potato sack look good

Posted on May 12, 2011 by coco

I love doing photoshoots.

Well, not me personally, I don’t exactly enjoy being in front of a camera. But being at a photoshoot for your own collection is definitely one of the most exciting and rewarding things about designing clothes. You finally get to see the results of your hard work on a (supremely bodied) person, and have the fun of watching hair and make-up, lighting and location help transform your clothes into something you never could have dreamed of.

Naturally, all of this can only be possible when you have the best team of people working with you. I always trust the vision and skills of our photographer, Henryk, who creates the most phenomenal images, and understands what I’m looking for in the finished product. The tan and white marbled wall found by Henryk was actually in an empty, dusty shopfront on a busy street of butcher shops and grocery stores that we hijacked for the morning. Henryk employed some MacGyver-worthy moves and constructed a studio from bits of plastic and sticky tape…I’m sure he could have even whipped up a makeshift camera from an empty bottle and some chocolate wrappers.

Our genius (and so lovely and beautiful) hair and make up artist, Amelia, always creates a flawless look to enhance the clothes – she pulled together hair and makeup looks to show me after having only viewed my sketches – such awe-inspiring talent. And the finished looks were so incredible, I seriously wanted to cry, they were so good.

For Spring Summer 2011, we had the honour of the insanely gorgeous Annabella Barber modelling the collection – not only stunning, clever and fun, but completely professional (including dragging a rack of clothing down precarious outdoor steps and through grass and gravel). I was in pain trying to decide between the resulting shots, every single one was so perfect. Plus Annabella ate chocolate brownies so she is indeed, perfect.

It’s a long day of travelling, assembling, changing, shooting, moving, carrying and steaming, but always exciting and so great to be working with a team whom I also consider as friends. Love.






Posted in Photo shoots, Spring Summer 11 |

The Cowl Neck Tee: Helping the Casual-Dress-Code-Challenged since 2011

Posted on April 13, 2011 by coco


I confess to not being much of a t-shirt and jeans kind of girl; I’ve admired but never really perfected that brand of cool downtown New York off-duty-model-ness. Casual dress codes throw me into a state of confusion. I’ve always been drawn to more sophisticated, dressier pieces – anything less makes me feel like I should be painting the house (not that I’ve ever actually done that). For something so simple it seems to require the right kind of attitude and confidence to pull off and still appear stylish. I just always feel that I need a little more…something.

Enter the Cowl Neck Tee. Featuring a cowl neckline with a flattering sleeve and cut with a perfectly draped fit in the softest fine modal fabric, it fulfills the need for something casual and comfortable yet still completely chic, no matter how you wear it. It’s going to be one of those pieces you never knew you always needed.

Some styling suggestions:

• Under a fur gilet or some long pendant necklaces to increase the glam quotient
• Wear it off one shoulder – two styles for the price of one – tucked into some high waisted wide leg pants
• With some slouchy pants and your highest heels (refer picture above) for that sporty chic look.

And of course, it looks amazing just with jeans. Feel free to paint the house in it. Love.

Posted in Uncategorized |

The Twisted Mini Dress: Forgiving Enough To Let You Forget The Gym Over Winter*

Posted on April 1, 2011 by coco

Recently I wore the Twisted Mini Dress to a party on a breezy balcony, which was perfect as despite the dress being short, I was still incredibly warm. Merino wool jersey, as light as it is, really does stop you from feeling the cold. It’s a great dress for cool days and nights – you won’t need to wear layer upon layer.

The best thing is the ruching across the skirt which drapes across the stomach and butt, strategically concealing anything you want hidden, all whilst flattering your shape by not adding too much additional fabric to the body. Long fitted raglan sleeves covers the arms and balances out the proportions of the short skirt. Pared with some chunky heels or ankle boots, it looks amazing.

Our model is wearing the Twisted Mini Dress in navy, also available in grey and black. Obviously she doesn’t have anything to conceal and she is very tall (the dress hits mid thigh on the average girl), but trust me on it’s figure enhancing qualities. Just wear with some opaque tights or leggings if you’d prefer to show a little less leg. Love.

* As long as you don’t stuff yourself with hot chips and cheesecake every day

Posted in Autumn Winter 11, Merino Wool Jersey, Models |

Pencil Skirts: Pencil shaped body not mandatory

Posted on March 24, 2011 by coco

I love a pencil skirt. In my previous life in the corporate world, the pencil skirt was my best friend. Another day, another pencil skirt…. with silk tops, fitted sweaters, long slim cardigans, belted at the waist….not only do they make you look instantly chic, a pencil skirt in the right fabric and cut will smooth out your shape and define your derriere (in a good way), giving you the kind of curves you’ll actually want. Just ask any guy.

Some pencil skirt advice from a seasoned wearer:

• The skirt should be fitted but not too tight – there shouldn’t be any creasing or pulling across the hips and stomach – if you can’t sit down, try the next size up
• Make sure the skirt has a back vent or a split, otherwise you’ll be walking like a geisha
• Cashmere, wool, ponte or thicker fabrics with some stretch will be infinitely more flattering than a thin fabric (and try to avoid anything with a shine)
• Length should be at least to the knee, the most sophisticated length is just below the knee
• ALWAYS wear with heels, even if only kitten heels – flats may be comfy but will make you look stumpy
• Keep the top slim and fitted to streamline your silhouette.

The loveliest customer recently purchased our camel cashmere pencil skirt and decided she liked it so much she that she also took the matching cashmere cape coat and the black merino roll neck sweater. That whole outfit is completely divine. The pencil skirt is so frenchy chic with the cape coat thrown over the top. She is going to look like a glamorous movie star when the weather gets cool enough for her to wear it! Love.


Posted in Autumn Winter 11, Camel, Cashmere, Pencil Skirts |

Spring Summer Autumn Winter: Fashion doesn’t care what the weather is like outside

Posted on March 14, 2011 by coco

We shot our Spring Summer 11 campaign a few of weeks ago – yes, we already know what you’ll be wearing next summer, even though it’s practically still this summer.

Much like hot cross buns and Easter eggs being available just as you’re taking down the Christmas decorations, next season’s fashion arrives way ahead in advance.

We might be confused about all of the dark colours and warm coats whilst it’s still 30 degrees – blaming designers and criticising retailers – but the out-of-sync fashion industry delivery cycle which continually confuses everybody and forces retailers to start discounting stock even earlier is often attributed to the actual customers themselves. We’re so obsessed with instant gratification that we’re constantly in need of seeing something new, something else to desire, and we want it now!

Speaking of desire, I can’t wait for our Spring Summer 11 collection to arrive – a glamorous combination of 70’s references with a modern sense of relaxed minimalism. A sneak peek at our photoshoot to whet your appetite! (and further perpetuate everything as discussed above) Love.



Posted in Photo Shoots, Spring Summer 11 |