Arts - House Of Coco Magazine

Arts November 9, 2023

Macarons, Manga & the Maison Pierre Hermé Paris

Can you feel it in the air? Now that dreaded January is out of the way our thoughts have turned to springtime, booking holidays and Valentine’s Day. If you haven’t given a thought as to what to buy your other half, bestie or maybe even yourself, don’t fret; #TeamCoco have got your back.One of our favourite Valentine’s gifts this year is the gorgeous macaron box from Pierre Hermé Paris, the 4th most influential French person in the World according to Vanity Fair. We caught up with him to talk passion, trends, anime and, of course, the city of love itself, Paris!.. .

HOC: Hello Pierre, so great to meet you – we remember stomping around Paris in the rain looking for your shop on Rue Bonaparte before you opened in London. We can believe you are the World’s Best Pastry Chef! Can you tell us a little about what’s hot in pastry this year, what should we be looking out for?

PM: To be very honest, I’m not concerned about trends – I have never looked for them or followed them, I let only my inspirations guide me and I listen only to my own creative instinct. My only concern is taste! I find myself often asking myself the question, “is it good enough?”, does it taste good? Am I satisfied with what I’ve created? These are important questions that I can think about for seconds, weeks or sometimes years!

At Pierre Hermé Paris, our mission is to offer connoisseurs a unique experience in taste, sensations and pleasure. This year we have a lot of surprises in store – from the “Les Jardins” 2017 collection with some exceptional and rare ingredients and techniques, to the Easter collection, focusing on two artistic tributes and exceptional Grands Crus Pure Origin chocolates, to the latest “Fetish Macaron” launching in boutique for the first time at the end of April…

So, what to look out for: the selection of top-notch ingredients, attention to detail, creativity and innovation!

HOC: Sounds incredible, we can’t wait! In addition to how great everything tastes, we love how everything looks. Could you tell us about how the current collaboration with Nicolas Buffe came about?

PM: I met Nicolas Buffe at an exhibition, he is an exceptional artist. We launched the collaboration in February 2016 and it will end with the Valentine’s Day collection for 2017. It has been a truly unprecedented collaboration for the Maison Pierre Hermé Paris, with a story, various activations and creations being revealed across different markets and across the year. We gave Nicolas free reign and it led to the creation of a unique universe – a saga calling on ancestral myths, manga culture, as well as Renaissance and Baroque art. You can have a glimpse of it via the exclusive interactive adventure we released last October on www.pierrehermenicolasbuffe.com. (Editor’s note: we recommend checking it out, it’s stunning!)

Although unprecedented in terms of scope, this type of collaboration is part of a tradition at Pierre Hermé Paris and is part of the brand DNA. Having my work dialogue with those of other artists is extremely important to me and a very interesting way to work. Whether it be with painters, sculptors, musicians, perfume designers, architects or other…what motivates me in the first place and most importantly is the desire to create ideas with people working in different areas, different crafts, different universes. Every month, my business partner, Charles, and I invite several artists for a breakfast or lunch. It is a very unique experience, as we meet with people whose work is of particular interest to us, it is always full of surprises and creates a lot of good energy.

HOC: This idea of dialogue is really intriguing. How did this play out for this collaboration?

PM: In this type of collaboration, an exchange is always established and there is a mutual learning, it is a truly enriching way to work.

For example, the story created by Nicolas is inspired by the Pierre Hermé Paris universe, the robot Athanor 3 has a sweet tooth and is fanatical about macarons, the Fairground Gardens are inspired by the Parc Monceau, my favourite park in Paris and just a stone’s throw away from my Atelier de Création and if you look carefully in the drawings there are many references to macarons, cakes and other gourmandises!

Working with Nicolas or with other artists gives me another point of view, another vision on my work and can always inspire new ideas.

HOC: The artwork is so romantic, manga-esque and steampunk; we love it. We love that the story is romantic but not soppy, more a Ghibli fairytale! How was the story created?

PM: The style is Nicolas – he belongs to a generation that has been influenced by Japanese culture, references further enriched through his studies with classics from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. When we started to work together, each time we met, we came up with more and more ideas.

The idea of the Interactive Adventure online came quite naturally from his style and our desire to create something innovative, a new way of communicating and interacting with our clients. It was very well received and was awarded with three awards: a Silver EPICA Awards – Digital, a “Site of the Day” Awwwards and an Emerald Cristal – Digital.

HOC: Let’s get back to your art, your treats! If someone has never tried one, what would you recommend and why?

PM: It’s a difficult choice! In our boutiques, there are four signature flavours: Mogador – milk chocolate and passion fruit, one of the most iconic flavour associations, Infiniment Rose, Infiniment Caramel and Infiniment Chocolat Paineiras. For a newcomer, this might be the best place to start!

The other macarons change according to the seasons and some only last for a limited time only – like the Jardin de Lima (lucuma & candied ginger) – currently in the boutique in London and part of the 2017 “Les Jardins” collection – not to be missed!

Once the choice has been made, it is important that the macarons are tasted at room temperature – not eaten straight from the fridge. I mostly drink water or tea with macarons and it is important to take a generous bite in order to fully experience the different elements and architecture of taste.

HOC: A great tip! Finally, as our readers love to travel; where should they eat when they visit Paris this year?

PM: In Paris, one of my favourite restaurants remains Le Baratin, a small bistro in the 20th arrondissement where the owner and self-taught chef Raquel Carena uses remarkable ingredients. It is a place with real soul, offering hearty cuisine and an excellent choice of local wines. Other favourites include Akrame’s restaurant for a dose of pure creativity or Pierre Sang on Gambey, perfectly orchestrated with Korean influences.

With that we wrapped up our inspiring chat with M. Pierre Hermé and headed straight to his boutique and we recommend you do the same!

For Saint Valentine’s Day 2017, the Maison Pierre Hermé Paris presents Cupidon – Hélios’ faithful companion on a beautiful box of 18 macarons. £42 from Pierre Hermé Paris boutiques in London (Covent Garden, Belgravia) or the concession in Oxford Street Selfridges.

Arts November 9, 2023

#GirlBossesOfGreatBritain – The one with the big 3-0

House of Coco had more gin (always gin, what’s with the gin?!) with the gorgeous Emma Soulsby of Ladybird Flowers , talking about flowers, making up origin stories and finding your passion. FYI, Gypsophila smells like wee #justsaying.

HOC: So it’s your first year doing flowers full time…tell us how this came about?

ES: Nearly 4 years ago, I turned the big 3-0 and was working in Finance, feeling that something wasn’t quite right. So, after a lot of soul searching I volunteered at my local florist, Phillo Flowers, every Saturday for about 5 months and set up a business Facebook page. At that moment in time it was just a creative outlet, which kept my brain and heart stimulated in a different way than my 9 to 5. Being behind a desk can be soul destroying for me, I feel a bit like a caged animal, which in turn was making me restless and unhappy.

Then I attended a week intense course with Tallulah Rose, from there I received more and more orders and set up my Instagram Account. I started to get orders and followers that weren’t my friends or my family. I used to call them ‘Real Brides’ not a friend of a friend of a friend. A real person!
Last year was my first full year doing weddings and I was working full time, it was pretty full on! I decided to drop a day (at work) then, at the end of last year, I took 5 weeks out and went to South Africa. I came back to hit this brand new year, full time Ladybird Flowers!

HOC: How did your family and colleagues react to this complete change?

ES: I’ve been extremely lucky. My friends and family have been unbelievably amazing and loving, but the people I was spending the most time with at that time were my colleagues. My boss was so supportive. She knew that I wouldn’t disrespect my job but she knew I needed this creative outlet to concentrate on my work. The others at work were great, this one guy introduced me to Appear Here and I had a week long pop up in Old Street station, because of this guy going “you need to see this, this is great!”

HOC: Did you do other creative things in your career, did you always have an outlet?

ES: Not really, I knew I wanted and needed to do something but had no idea what it was. It was torture trying to find it. It’s been amazing to find something that I actually want to do, I’ve never had that before. When I got it I just grabbed hold of it and I haven’t let it go. There are times when I have doubts, like anyone, but I’ve worked so hard to get here I know it’s going to work.

HOC: How did you decide to start working with flowers?

ES: I’ve always loved the outdoors and growing things. I was getting more and more drawn to florist shops. ‘Why not?!’ , I thought , ‘it sounds lovely, let’s try it out’. That’s why I volunteered at Phillo Flowers as I do have the tendency to try something and find it’s not immediately for me. Luckily both the ‘I can do this’ and the ‘I love this’ boxes were ticked.

If it hadn’t had worked I would have tried something else as I was becoming unhappy in my life as it was. I realise now that this is what it was – I needed a creative outlet. It was something I needed to do!
When I first started I wanted a shop, my focus wasn’t on the bridal world…now I’m not interested in getting a shop and I’m fully focused on weddings! The thing I love about it is the freedom I get meeting different people and working in some amazing venues and spaces. Although having a shop would be wonderful I’m still not ready to have that commitment.

HOC: How do your customers feel about your lean business approach?

ES: Being in the bridal world you create wonderful relationships with the couples, from the start of their journey, right to the end. The journey could be years long or just a week! Normally it’s about 6-12 months. Within the service I provide on the day I also set out any additional items, such as candles, to save the couples having any unnecessary stresses. It’s wonderful knowing what the couple’s vision is and doing all I can to help on the day.

HOC: That sounds great, is this a common thing that florists do?

ES: Because I’ve taken so long to find something that makes my heart sing, I put so much love into it. I’m not taking over the wedding planner, I’m just overseeing the couple’s vision and making sure that everything is exactly as they envisioned. I just make sure my service is at the highest level and unique to every couple.

I think you can always learn from other creatives and it’s good to know who your competitors are. That said, I don’t see other florists as a competition, I see people I aspire to. In floristry there are so many unique suppliers, it’s their style the couples choose and it’s creative collaboration.
In terms of my style, I think that Mother Nature is beautiful and I don’t think we should mess with her too much. My aesthetic is like when you run through a field and skip up all the flowers – except it takes a lot of work to create that look! I like my flowers to look rustic and natural. I also like playing with textures and clashing colours, I like things to be different.

HOC: So, finally how does it feel running Ladybird Flowers full-time?

ES: It can be quite scary at times, it’s the first time I haven’t had a regular wage, It’s just me! But something I’ve learnt is I have to do something that makes my heart sing and this is it! I love my job so much, I can’t even call it a job, it’s my creative life! It’s a big ball of love!

We then continue to ramble about lilies smelling like death, swap alt fragrance tips (Bella Freud FTW!) and drool over the idea of succulents as wedding flowers. Check this lady out for all your nature loving decor!

Arts November 9, 2023

Behind the Scenes at The Dixon with Autograph Collection

The Dixon is the latest opening in the prestigious Autograph Collection Hotel Group, and it certainly lives up to expectations. Last Thursday, we made our way to The Dixon for a very special evening celebrating the art of set design. ‘Behind the Scenes’ was an intimate panel discussion with some of Britain’s most prominent set designers, hosted by no less than acclaimed film critic, Mark Kermode.

Located in the midst of Tower Bridge’s buzzy cultural scene, The Dixon occupies a former Magistrate’s Court andthe very definition of a ‘boutique hotel’. Handsome wood panelled interiors, a myriad of contemporary art on the walls, and a breathtaking entrance hall — give The Dixon instant impact, balancing references from both past and present.Originally designed by John Dixon Butler, (from whom The Dixon coins its name) this hotel exemplifies the impeccable standards of The Autograph Collection, while also being effortlessly unique.

One of The Dixon’s core philosophies is to ‘represent the finest local talent, from emerging artists to established producers’ — and so it makes sense that this beautiful hotel is hosting Behind the Scenes. Part of the hotel’s Indie Film Project, a multi-faceted program that celebrates the craft of filmmaking in support of local film makers, Behind the Scenes is in itself a celebration of individuality. The panel was composed of John Paul Kelly, Michael Carlin, and Gemma Jackson, whose collective credits include, The Theory of Everything, Game of Thrones, Colette, Stan & Ollie, and Aladdin. During the discussion, Mark Kermode talked about where the process of world-building jumps off from, the challenges faced by a production designer, and their authorial role in weaving the narrative of a film. They also discussed some key tips for aspiring production designers, of which the most memorable was, to take every opportunity to cultivate the spark, and keep the passion that drives you during late nights.

The most memorable thing we took away from this inspiring panel discussion is that, ‘great set design should go unnoticed’ , which may seem paradoxical, but actually makes complete sense. It is the production designer’s job to create worlds we can escape to, and the best ones will do it without you noticing. In the same way, hoteliers are also tasked with the job of creating a sense of escapism, a sense of departure from our day-to-day. Whether that be through the room’s interior design, excellent customer service, or an extra-indulgent breakfast, it is a wonderfully whimsical quality that The Dixon has in spades.

www.thedixon.co.uk

Arts November 9, 2023

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

Arts November 9, 2023

Review: Shen Yun Performing Arts

Have you ever been on a journey to exquisite lands? How about seeing something that stirs you to the point you can’t take your eyes off. Shen Yun Performing Arts has mesmerized its audience since it was founded 13 years ago. This proves the company has stayed true to its meaning.

As Shen Yun says so itself, the meaning of its name is “the beauty of divine beings dancing.” It can also be translated as “the rhythm of a divine spirit”. As ‘Shen’ is a term used for divine being and ‘Yun’ means rhythm. Simply put, Shen Yun is “God’s melody.”

There is something truly ‘Out of this world’ about Shen Yun. Slightly magical, which draws you to the point of no return. Many of the audience have been moved to tears due to this ethereal production. Excellence through and through without an ounce of error. Mysterious and exciting as something that has never been seen, never experienced.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shen_Yun

What Is Shen Yun Performing Arts?

Shen Yun Performing Arts is a New York-based non-profit classical Chinese dance and music company. It was founded by top Chinese artists in the year 2006. Since then, the company has been touring around the world spreading the message it was meant to.

The Chinese artists that came together to put this splendid production together are on a mission. A mission to revive and share the lost Chinese tradition and culture. The spirit and boldness with which these artists perform keep the tradition alive.

2 C’s That Sum up Shin Yun: Conventional & Contemporary

The true beauty of Shen Yun Performing Arts is in its blend of historic classical dance and modern Chinese culture. The production stands apart with its beautiful dance, original laugh-out-loud moments and even some political reference on contemporary China.

https://www.tickets4musical.com/shen-yun-performing-arts-tickets

The story is a series of historic, pre-historic and modern tales of Chinese History. Including ‘The Marvelous Monkey Battles Warlock’, with the riches of artistic visuals and the heartbreaking, ‘Devotion’ the tale of love and commitment.

Superb Techniques & High Tech Staging

Ken-Chieh Hsu and his team have done a job-well-done on high tech AV and CGI for the production. Making it stand equal to the most expensive of movies with big screens. The performances and talent deliver pure discipline and precision. Every move, every turn is exquisite.

The brilliance with which everything is carried out takes your breath away. In fact, I think other ballet companies should learn from the self-control of Shen Yun’s dancers. And when they do that, remember to study their superb technique as well.

Other than the brilliance and gracefulness there is a sense of sophistication, purity and reverence for the culture in its dancers. Which can be considered far better than the glitz and glamour of most modern-day theatre shows.

It is this fuse of innocent Chinese dance with high tech present that makes Shen Yun Performing Arts very special.

Terrific Impact: Enthralling Visuals and Dazzling Colors

Apart from the fantastic team of dancers who seem to be flying on the stage, the production features some really delightful medley of colors and fabrics. Color combinations as unimaginable as pistachio and pale lavender, hot orange and deep mint are a wonderful treat for eyes.

Especially the ‘Han Dynasty Sleeves’, attaching these sleeves to their costumes 24 female artists dance to Michelle Ren’s choreography. These incredible sleeves work just as ribbons in gymnastic, fluttering and waving across the stage. The beauty is so enthralling that you nearly forget to breathe.

A similar portion is where dancers use cloth pieces to perform tricks. A Choreography of Ren and Yungchia Chen presents us with the exquisite ‘Soaring Handkerchiefs’.

The secret of Success: Elegant Dancers and Melodic Instruments

Tickets4musical has mentioned the gorgeous performances of dancers quite a few times in articles. This is just how great it feels to see these enthusiastic artists take the stage. To name a few, Alvin Song, Daoyang Zheng, ElsieShi, Jaling Chen, Monty Mou, and Victor Li are some of the most trained and superb at their art.

But as there is no meaning to a stage without a show, She Yun orchestra is an integral part of its success. You must have heard the western Symphonies and Orchestras quite a few times. Yet there is no comparing it with the unique sound of ancient instruments resonating with the original melodious score. Chia-Chi Lin conducts her musicians with great composure and Linda Wang’s Erhu solo is equally wonderful and emotive.

Should You Go Watch Shin Yun Performance?

Theirs is so much to keep you engaged in Shen Yun’s performances. A rare experience that you don’t get every other day. There is nowhere you’ll find such a classic exhibition of the highest order. The power of art will amaze you and you’ll be left wanting more. Get the Shin Yun Performing Arts Tickets and expect a life-changing experience.

Accessories November 9, 2023

Girl Boss Rally 2017; aka ‘What The Hell I am Doing Drinking In LA?’

Today (8th March) is International Women’s Day and, being a Brit, sat in California pulling together this article, after 4 days of adventure with female entrepreneurs I hadn’t met before I’d say that last week’s inaugural Girl Boss Rallyhas made waves amongst young women across the world.

SPOILER ALERT: we’ll touch on a number of the speakers from the event but, as it was a huge and multi-stream affair, we would recommend picking up a digital pass to all the content from the event at www.GirlBoss.com

In case you missed it Sophia Amoruso is the OG #GirlBoss; the woman behind the cult brand Nasty Gal, author of New York Times bestselling #GirlBoss and Nasty Galaxy. Sophia is a smart, passionate and driven business person who owns her failures on her sleeve. Since the release of the book #GirlBoss there has been a entrepreneurial podcast, a Girl Boss Grant founded and this event, a packed day of Girl Boss-dom for 50 speakers and 500 attendees in Los Angeles’ DownTown.

With tickets sitting at around 300 dollars the event had a barrier to entry that meant only serious entrepreneurs would be attending and also meant that attendees brought their A – game. We started our Girl Boss experience the day before by hosting a mixer for attendees in town at a space in Hollywood provided by the incredible Breather (breather.com), they even sprung for cupcakes so check them out when you next need working or networking space!

On the actual Rally day we arrived bright and early at the stunning and overwhelming Hudson Loft; a repurposed warehouse building nestled in DTLA that had be turned into the interiors that any Girl Boss would crave. After a power bowl breakfast which left us in no doubt as to what city we were in, we got the party started on a Saturday morning…

A mix of guest lead talks, panels and workshops sat alongside more technical support with Squarespace running clinics, Bumble hosting makeovers and professional head shots and healthy delights from cult LA faves Moon Juice and Sweetgreens.

After an emotive opening speech from Sophia herself we were all treated to Gaby Bernstein’s caveat to the day that success doesn’t equal love and that loving ourselves remained important over anything else we want to achieve. We chose the ‘Hustler Hall’ stream for the day and heard from cult speakers such as Jane Buckingham on millennials, Jess Weiner on vision achieving and Sallie Krawcheck on well, how to be generally badass and bounce back from being fired.

It was a long day spanning from 8am – 8pm but never fear, #TeamCoco held on until the end, being in the last 10 or so Girl Bosses to leave cocktail hour on the rooftop overlooking all of DownTown LA’s city of stars. But before cocktail o’clock was our favourite session of the day of @Kevin (seriously, check him out on Twitter and Insta, he got in there early for that handle! haha!) in conversation with our girl, Sophia about Instagram’s mission (to bring people closer together) and how it was his then girlfriend, now wife’s idea to bring filters into the app to break down the barriers of people feeling nervous to post their photography. You might be surprised to read that there were male speakers and there were a number who brought some balance to the day. If we were to give feedback, we would have loved more guys present to diversify things but, for a first year event, nothing to worry about.

The day wrapped with a panel discussion about the new Girl Boss series, coming to Netflix and we managed to steal a minute with Sophia (where we pledged to help bring the Rally to Europe, so watch this space!). Meeting our girl crush was sweet, and hearing all these amazing speakers was truly inspiring but what really lit a fire in our hearts was the pure connection with girls from across the world, our lives changing as one as we invested in ourselves at this event. Compliments were aplenty, strange kismet connections were uncovered by turning to the girl adjacent waiting for coffee, tears shed and plans made.

Our emotional cups full, we all dispersed into the night, this overachieving Girl Boss with a new friend on to a birthday party at a hookah bar, as you do.

The atmosphere was absolutely electric and we can’t wait to bring you Part 2 of our Girl Boss Rally review where we’ll share some of our favourite co-Girl Bosses’ stories, along with our top tips for navigating an event of this size! Clue: it involves buying a super recognisable, magpie-friendly piece of clothing. Could you guess what ours was?!

Accessories November 9, 2023

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 celebrate the legendary craftsmanship of Thai expertise and combine contemporary design with natural textures.

Patcharavipa 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 a degree from the Central St.Martins and 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 enjoyed the process of making the jewellery itself and retracing the journeys of how every material is sourced.

I 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.

How has this experience influenced your 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.

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 capture the moment. It’s also the first time I’ve worked with more restrained silhouettes and geometric shapes. I am 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 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 express our ‘universe’ has been great. We put a lot of effort into all the details within that space and I can say it represents us in every way.

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

Check out Patcharavipa’s latest collection now on matchesfashion.com

Arts November 9, 2023

I’ll sleep when I get home : Solo Travel in LA & Ojai , Weekend 1

This #TeamCoco writer just got back from a crazy old time away in Los Angeles. A chronic over-researcher with a huge fear of missing out (HUGE!) I did too much and came back a shattered but very happy person. Originally this trip was all about the Girl Boss Rally (see this post) and a few nice foodie things to tell you all about but it seemed to organically turn into so much more…

Incredible people were met, Native American rituals attended, many taco salads wolfed down and lots of embracing jet lag and seeing the dawn happened. Maybe some of this list will be helpful, maybe you’ll just think I’m totally loco and go and have a sit down. Your choice!

Whatever you take away, please know that it is completely possible to travel solo in Los Angeles and without a car. We’re big fans of solo trips here at House of Coco and would love to hear your stories too!

This is Weekend 1 of my adventure, keep your eyes peeled for more of the journey later this week….

FRIDAY

2pm: Landed at LAX, grabbed a ‘Pool’ Uber (you’ll usually save 30% on the price of a cab to yourself but your journey will take much longer!) to Sunset Boulevard to set up for a networking event at an incredible Breather.com meeting space

10pm: After an incredible evening of networking it was time to grab a Lyft (another Uber type app) back to Venice Beach to a friend’s for the night.

SATURDAY

7am: Cab to DTLA (Downtown LA) to attend the Girl Boss Rally at Hudson Loft, 1200 S Hope St (see full write up here)

8pm: Cocktails on the roof of the Hudson Loft followed by a quick drink at Lotus Hookah Bar (3742 S Flower St)

SUNDAY

7am: Yay for jet lag! Up, showered and scratching at the door of motorbike shop / cafe Deus Ex Machina (1001 Venice Boulevard) for cold brew and avocado on toast

9am: After walking down to Abbot Kinney Boulevard (a fantastic shopping street) I got the greenest juice I could possibly find from Pressed Juicery (1653 Abbot Kinney Blvd) and warded off aeroplane germs with it, in between snapping the famous ‘colour walls’ of the street.

10:00am: Following the vague direction of the sea, I spied the ocean and sat amongst ladies in athleisurewear meditating in front of the surf.

10:30am: Even in March, the sun is beating down so I wandered off in the direction of the architecturally stunning Venice Canals, then jumped in a cab to Sephora (Waterside, Marina del Rey). When will they open Sephora in the UK?!

12:00pm: After purchasing sun screen at Sephora our outside brunch at Sunny Spot (822 Washington Blvd) is well, not very sunny and we end up in the cosy Venice Alehouse (2 Rose Avenue) with mimosas, tacos and a view of the beach.

2:00pm: Back on Abbot Kinney Boulevard we pop into fantastic stores and sample a Blueberry and Bourbon donut from infamous fried treat providers Blue Star (1142 Abbot Kinney).

4:00pm: We leave Venice and head up to hipster hangout Los Feliz. We fight the urge to buy all the #GirlBoss vibed items at feminist store OtherWild (1768 N Vermont Ave) but do give into incense at beautifully curated BellJar (1764 N Vermont Ave).

8:00pm: Post a very long ‘Pool’ journey back to Venice Beach we order TenderGreens salad takeaway and crash out.

MONDAY

6am: Yay jet lag again! The only coffee shop open at this hour is Stumptown Coffee in the Arts District (806 S Santa Fe Ave) so off we went to soak up the industrial vibes and try to mainline Cold Brew coffee with chocolate milk…

10am: You can’t visit Los Angeles without checking out Bottega Louie (700 S Grand Ave) It’s an astonishing grand cafe style restaurant that makes you feel like you are in the Hotel Budapest. The macarons are legend.

11:30am: We geeked out a crazy amount at the incredible California Science Centre (700 Exposition Park Drive) with the Science Behind Pixar exhibit and epic IMAX feature ‘Dream Big’. Told you we were massive geeks.

1:00pm: Accidental vegan lunch at Wild Living (760 S Main St) Foods gives us enough energy to check out The Original Farmer’s Market (6333 W 3rd St, more on this in another post soon!)

7:00pm: Back to Venice Beach for truffle fries and local craft beers at quirky Hotel Erwin (1697 Pacific Ave)

Want more mad adventures? Come back later this week for more from this kooky trip to La La Land. In our next instalment, we’ll share more about spiritual home, Ojai in Ventura County. And yes, you can get there on public transport!

Arts November 9, 2023

NH Collection | Complete Luxury

I waited to write this article – to remind me of sunnier and more pleasant times during this dark grey January.

When my editor surprised me with a trip to Barcelona and Madrid – I was more than happy to go! it had been an incredibly hectic few months over at House of Coco HQ so a couple days exploring Barcelona and Madrid sounded like the perfect way to unwind and relax!

Barcelona is full of history and the famous Gaudi architecture that surrounds Barcelona is not only breathtaking but utterly beautiful. I arrived late Tuesday evening at the NH Hotel Poduim – greeted with a beautiful cocktail and wonderful canapes – I soon fogot about the 2 hour flight!

They say it is the small things you should pick up on when arriving at a luxury hotel, and if the NH Collection hotels are anything to go by, I definitely knew I was in for 4 days of opulence and complete grandeur. The attention to detail is beyond expectation – the courteous staff and refreshments make me feel more than welcome!

NH Collection Gran Hotel Calderon is where we check in – my room is perfectly equipped with a view of Barcelona that is nothing but perfection. Each room perfect for all your needs depending on what they are. In the afternoon we are given a gastro experience which is hosted by award winning chef Andrea Tumbarello – beautiful cocktails and wine are served with mouth–watering dishes! It’s an experience that titillates all your senses!

Next on the agenda is Madrid!

We arrive in Madrid late in the evening and check into NH Hotel Suecia – a much more boutique hotel – rather than the modern clean lines of the NH Hotels in Barcelona – this hotel focuses on art, clever use of mirrors which are used as note boards – personalised by welcoming you to their hotel. NH Collection Suecia has a moody lights low kind of vibe and an incredibly sensual experience plays in my room – the bathroom is warm and scented beautifully! The hotel preserves aspects of the former landmark building inaugurated by Prince Bertil of Sweden and is known for being Hemingway’s home during his stays in Madrid.

When staying here I urge you to take the lift to the 11th floor to The Atico Casa Suecia where the views of the entire city are completely mesmerising during the day as well as the evening – almost making you feel you’ve left the actual hotel – it is a definite site of its own! That evening we are being hosted at the NH Collection Eurobuilding for dinner.

The joys of the NH experience, what I have come to realise, is that each one is different – expect the unexpected but always be impressed. The Eurobuilding is cool, calm and collected, embracing technology and making it fashionable. A roof which is a giant visual of colours and beautiful scenes from Madrid is an actual treat to view.

Rested, relaxed and feeling completely refreshed! I am awake and ready to explore more of the amazing NH Collection Suecia – breakfast is once again an array of choice and high standard! Nothing beats a good coffee in the morning! I prepare for the day! After a quick workout in the hotel’s gym, which is perfectly equipped for all your needs!

Lunch today is at Santceloni an exclusive 2 Michelin star restaurant headed by NH chef Oscar Velasco – everything exudes beauty! the al la carte menu is completely to die for – taking you on a journey of the senses – the choice of plates and cutlery down to the beautiful lighting makes you feel you’ve walked into another dimension. Wine so perfectly partnered with each course and my favourite being the fish option – breaking in my mouth so gently and softly – everything is seasoned to perfection. The food is genius created by a genius and each morsel makes you feel special.

After a splendid lunch we have some free time! and free time for me – only means one thing. Shopping! Madrid doesn’t disappoint! a hop and skip away all my favourite shops and boutiques and located nearby. The streets are bustling full of fashionable women and well dressed men! outfits so perfectly put together – I mentally make a note to come back again! Tonight the hotel is hosting a party to launch the 5 star hotel to the who’s who of Madrid and we are invited! And to represent House of Coco in true style – I team my black Monokain Jeans with a white Canalli shirt my favourite Gucci Jacket and finished perfectly with Chanel accessories – I am in Spain though and I want some Spanish pizazz added to my outfit and what is more Spanish than a giant hat!? A hat fit for a king! resembling a stylish sombrero!

My outfit is a complete hit at the event! I have a few people wanting to take pictures with me – and ask me whether I’m famous! ‘Darling, I just look it’. Madrid knows how to throw a party! The evening is a complete success and full of laughter – ending up in my bedroom at 2am with a fellow journalist friend ordering room service! and yes they do! and yes it was fresh! and yes it was complete luxury!

The next morning, head feeling a little sore – nothing a good coffee cannot fix! – we head out to explore more of Madrid. We do the so called ‘art walk’ and it is not disappointing! The weather is perfect and the air is crisp – the buildings are stunning and Madrid is full of sites! Wonderful, magical, perfect photo opportunity sites! We arrive at Museo del Prado designed in 1785 by architect of the enlightenment in Spain Juan de Villanueva on the orders of Charles III to house the Natural History Cabinet.

We view pieces by the famous Goya – pieces which I have wanted to see with my own eyes since I was very young. Completely fascinated by each brush stroke, I feel overwhelmingly grateful that I have seen these pieces – ‘The Dog’ being one of my favourites, and ‘Saturn Devouring His Son’. The whole experience is magnificent, the museum is full of history and you could happily spend a whole day in there! I highly recommend this experience.

Our farewell 2 Michelin Star lunch is held at La Terraza del Casino, and I have heard so many amazing things about this place! The NH Collection team have been nothing but wonderful! and this final farewell is something completely special. I carefully open the doors to the building and we walk up a set of steps leading to a lobby, which hosts a room that screams opulence – beautiful rich and extravagant paintings hang from the walls. At this point, you know your experience here will be one to remember! A few floors up we head into the dining room – the décor completely different from the previous rooms we have seen. You almost feel like you have stepped back into the twenties, everything monochrome and styled perfectly.

The light in the dining room is crisp and natural – the mood and feeling is warm and inviting. The atmosphere is infectious the building itself is surrounded by good company. Fine dining at its finest – the views of Madrid are the perfect backdrop for your incredible meal. Cocktails are made in front of us – the crisp and ever so fresh Pisco Sour is must! Snacks include Olive oil butter and tasty shrimp omelette! My ultimate dish of the whole experience is the Pidgeon – rich flavoursome and partnered incredibly well with yuca and dates – this is a first for me and definitely a last because I would be surprised if anyone else could ever manage this for me again especially to this standard!

I describe this whole food experience during my stay in Madrid as Haute Cuisine – food that is art – food so good that you want to take pictures of it so when you get old and the memories fade – you have a visual reminder of how magnificent the food was on this trip.

The NH Hotels are all about originality – their hotels are perfect for whatever kind of trip you decide to embark on. Each one with it’s own personality and creativity! As a guest you have the opportunity to enjoy a new culinary experience, an experience which you will never forget whether it is the modern fast paced NH Hotels over in Barcelona or the avant grade experience of the Suecia in Madrid – either way, I know I will be back!