Stephanie Danan and Justin Kern’s LA brand CO just turned 10-years-old, and as a cadeau d’anniversaire it took an overseas trip to Paris, where its spring collection was presented in an airy showroom in the chic 1er arrondissement.
CO is an independent brand whose unfussy, minimalist style belies a strong POV. “It took off because it speaks to real women,” offered Danan. “Simple clothes that last, no logo, great fabrics. And a thoughtful price point.” Its steady growth is proof that this is a winning formula: no runway shows, no organizational redundancies. “We don’t want to have the pressure to create noise, nor we do necessarily want to play the game,” said Danan
This season’s offering focused on fluidity, with fresh, lightly textured fabrics giving a breezy, summery feel to lean shapes and comfortable volumes. Tailoring was soft and unstructured: slightly oversized blazers worn with wide-leg trousers; elongated masculine shirts playing on voluminous proportions. On a more gentle note, long summer dresses were proposed as flowy, languid pleated tunics, conveying ease and a sense of movement. Pops of color gave vibrancy to an otherwise neutral palette.
“I’m interested in creating a uniform for women that exudes confidence and a sense of self,” said Danan. “I love the idea of not having to worry too much about image. Let the clothes be an extension of your inner self. I think that when you’re confident inside, ultimately you want to wear very simple clothes.”
