San Francisco-based brand House of CCUOCO made yet another splash at London Fashion Week this season.
After getting to witness the beauty of the Spring/Summer 2015 collection in person last year, I was excited to see what the Spring/Summer 2016 season would hold.
Designer Candice Cuoco took a brief hiatus from designing for House of CCUOCO this Spring to design for – Drumroll please – Project Runway! It’s been a blast watching her conquer challenge after challenge each week and I can’t wait for the exciting conclusion.
{San Francisco bragging note: We have not one but TWO designers showing off their skills this season on Project Runway – Jake Wall of Jake Clothing as well as Candice Cuoco of House of CCUOCO}
Sitting in San Francisco viewing pictures may be a far cry from standing backstage at a runway show as I did last season, but they took my breath away nonetheless.
{Persephone Collection shot by Simon Armstrong}
Tell me – Which piece from this London Fashion Week show was YOUR favorite?
While I was in London for Fashion Week & the CCUOCO SS15 show I spent some quality time wandering around beautiful and elegant Elizabeth Street. The sweet, tree-lined street is dotted with outdoor cafés and chic stores. Nestled among the stylish shops is a crisp white boutique filled with racks of stylish, ladylike pieces. From red-carpet ready gowns to breezy Summer dresses to accessories, everything in the shop is beautifully feminine and effortlessly stylish.
This sartorial oasis is the up-and-coming Beulah London and I had the good fortune to spend a few blissful minutes with the founders chatting about their company, new collections, and charitable goals.
The brand was launched in 2011 by long-time friends Natasha Rufus Isaacs and Lavinia Brennan. Beulah has since become a staple for the woman who favors flattering, ladylike frocks. Clients include London’s social set, stylish Hollywood starlets, and the Duchess of Cambridge. Yes – Both Catherine and Pippa Middleton have been seen in Beulah frocks at events and outings.
If you ask the founders what they’re most proud of they answer without hesitation that their company has put them in the enviable position of being able to help enact positive social changes through their charitable trust and philanthropic activities. During a 2009 trip to India they witnessed the impact of the human trafficking and sex trade on the locals, and decided then and there to create an ethical company that would allow them to give back and support these communities.
It’s clear that in addition to having an eye for timeless classics, these women have hearts of gold, and I for one can’t wait to see what’s next for this amazing brand!
Be sure to keep an eye out for their fabulous new location in London, as well as their first dreamy bridal collection.
The door opened and a warm cloud smelling of hair spray wafted out. The high ceilinged back room of Freemasons Hall is roughly 15 degrees warmer than anywhere else in the building. Blow dryers, hair straighteners, curling irons – They’re all on high as models, make-up artists, hair stylists, and helpers bustle about backstage.
The elegant women lounging about the room have their hair slicked back into thick ridges at the crown. The expert make-up artists are crafting smokey, dramatic eyes that meld perfectly with the lush fabrics they wore. Textures and colors so eye-catching that you just wanted to reach out and touch them.
Down the crisp white Fashion Scout runway slinked some of London’s finest in belted metallic sheath dresses, scuba skater skirts, bold corsets, crop tops, two-toned pencil skirts, harnesses, and more from the CCUOCO Spring/Summer 2015 collection.
The finale look, worn by the collection’s face Kerstyn Inouye, featured a divine white leather maxi skirt, corseted halter, and dramatic headpiece from Spoiled Cherry.
The designer joined her muse for a second lap around the runway and when the two paused to snap a selfie at the end of the runway the crowd went WILD.
With my every waking moment consumed with daydreams about London Fashion WeekI’ve got capes on the brain. I love the classic style and fun, flattering silhouette – It’s the perfect retro inspired topper for my trip. The hard part is going to be narrowing it down to the perfect one!
This cropped capelet is classic with clean lines, but the faux leather material gives it a little something extra – It’s an eye-catching texture that will give a look the perfect finishing touch.
This is a very versatile piece – The neutral grey will go with anything from jeans to a little black dress, and the buttons & detailing give it a little oomph.
I’m beside myself with excitement for my upcoming trip to London for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Not only do I utterly adore London, but I get to watch my brilliant friend, San Francisco fashion designer Candice Cuoco, show her CCUOCO collection!
I’ve attended NYFW before but this will be my first time at London Fashion Week, so wat’s the first thing that I did after making the decision to go? Buy my dream bag and start planning my outfits, of course! And no, common sense is not a factor when it comes to handbags. 🙂
I love visual inspiration and Pinterest immediately became one of my favorite social media platforms when it launched. Keep scrolling for some of my London Fashion Week inspiration!
