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York is such a beautiful city, so when #TeamCoco’s Rachel McAlley was invited for brunch it was a great opportunity to experience a few treats in the city.

Patisserie Valerie has recently undergone some major changes, with the company going into administration, it was a welcome surprise to hear the good news that a number of the cafes had been bought by an investor and were remaining open.

We arrived at one of York’s premier shopping destinations, the Coppergate Centre where patisserie Valerie is located, on a bustling street, opposite one of the city’s most visited tourist attractions, the Jorvik Viking Centre. A perfect place to people watch as York has the second-most visiting tourists outside London in England.

The first thing we noticed when walking through the door is that this café is a busy one, with customers filling most tables, and others buying takeout cakes, which of course Patisserie Valerie is well-known for.

The café being so busy meant that we had to wait quite a while before our order was taken, but the staff were lovely and accommodating.

It was a sweltering hot day in York, so we opted for soft drinks rather than the famed coffees and teas that donned the menu. We chose a couple of brunch items, one a child’s cheese toastie (£5.95 with dessert) and the other was smashed avocado, served on thick sliced bloomer toast, with a grilled tomato, dash of smoked paprika and watercress on the side (£6.75).

The avocado toast lacked any avocado, it was a simple spread of what seemed to be guacamole rather than any pieces of avocado, however the grilled tomato on top was beautifully cooked, exceptionally fresh and was very tasty. The watercress could have done with some form of dressing, to enhance the flavour, but all in all it was presented neatly and it filled a little hunger gap.

All was not lost though as the selection of cakes was indeed excellent, we opted for a take-home box of 4 cakes (£12 for 4) which included strawberry gateau, blackforest sponge, baked cheesecake, a fresh raspberry tart, and we ordered 4 dainty macarons (£1 each) too.

The stand-out cake was almost certainly the blackforest sponge, a chocolate sponge layered with whipped cream and cherries, finished with amarena cherries and chocolate fans. This was truly delicious and exactly what we expected from Patisserie Valerie. Plus, the macarons were melt-in-the-mouth divine, and the raspberry tart was quite excellent.

Would we revisit, yes I think we would. Maybe not for avocado toast but 100% for the outstanding cakes and very good service.

Patisserie Valerie is located at Unit 16 Coppergate, York, YO1 9NT.
www.patisserie-valerie.co.uk

Our latest #BossBabe interview is with jewellery designer Clémence Devaux of the brand NYF Jewellery, she says, “Jewellery should be fun, easy to wear, beautiful and personal”. And, we at #TeamCoco fully agree.

Luxury online demi-fine jewellery retailer NYF Jewellery is an easy-to-wear urban chic minimalistic brand, with a stunning selection of delicate rings, bracelets, pendants and earrings made with love and care.

Let’s find out more…

Q. Does your working career stem from within the jewellery industry, or did you come from a different business sector?

A. Not born in a family of jewellers, I started out on my own in the jewellery industry a little over 10 years ago. I started at Christie’s Auction House in Paris, in the Jewellery department. Since Christie’s, I worked as the Head of Jewellery for William&Son, a british luxury brand. And I have recently launched 2 companies, NYF Jewellery and Clémence Devaux Consulting. As well as being the Creative Director of NYF, I offer to help Jewellery brands with gemology services and product development. NYF is a passion project and something I have been wanting to do for ages, arguably something I was always meant to be doing.

Q. We aware that you are a family run business, how many of your family are currently part of NYF Jewellery?

A. Three members of my family are part of NYF. But as with every big family, everyone is part of it. Even if its only to give an opinion over sunday lunch. My mother, Caroline, is our COO and handles all the day to day. My brother, Edouard, is our CFO and is in charge of the website and IT matters. He designed our website. And as the Creative Director, I develop everything to do with the products (design and manufacturing) and marketing. These roles were attributed completely organically as it best suits each of our skills.

Q. You are a gemologist that specialises in real diamonds set in gold, can you tell us why you decided to only work with diamonds and not with any other gem, such as a ruby or emerald?

A. We haven’t yet said “no” to the rest of the coloured stone world. We have a (long-term) plan to include them. But for now, we want to stick with diamonds and pearls as they are the most wearable gems and can be worn with anything. I like to say that diamonds are like punctuation and complete a look as punctuation would a sentence.

Q. Did you have to undertake any specialist courses to become a gemologist, and can you tell us what a gemologist is and does?

A. I have studied gemology at the GIA, the international authority when it comes to grading diamonds and gems. I am a Graduate Gemologist, which means that I am an expert in Diamonds and Gemstones and I am able to assist in the grading and purchasing of both. I am also able to identify the fake from the real, which is key considering lab-made “diamonds” are a hot topic right now.

Q. Your jewellery designs are all reasonably priced, starting at around £125 and rise to under £1,000 – do you have a current favourite piece from your collection at a mid-range price of around £500?

A. Being a demi-fine jewellery brand, our aim is to make natural diamond jewellery accessible. We try really hard to keep our prices as low as we can, all the while making sure the quality is of the high jewellery level. My absolute favourite piece in our collection is our Logo Ring, inspired by the 1920’s plaque rings. I wear it all the time. The demi-pave version comes at £470.

Visit here to buy this beautiful ring.

Q. Do you wear your own NYF Jewellery designs along with any other designer jewellery brands, or do you only wear NYF?

A. I absolutely do mix NYF with other pieces. Our jewels are meant to blend in with your everyday look. I stack our rings with my engagement ring. I wear family heirlooms with them. Times have changed in terms of jewellery wearing. We don’t wear it so formally anymore, and I love that. You can find some inspiration on how I style my different pieces on my own Instagram account @clemencelovesdiamonds. It is a sort of behind the scenes of my job.

Q. HOC. Do you find that social media helps to promote your brand, if so which social media channels are you using, and does a specific platform work better for your business?

A. Social medias are essential for an e-commerce brand and it has helped us greatly. We are on Facebook and Instagram. Instagram particularly helps as it is a visual platform and suits perfectly the ambiance we want to share. However, it has become really hard to stand out in such busy platforms. And I am not an expert at it either, but we all work hard at trying to share our passion on our @nyfjewellery profile.

Q. Did anyone offer you any useful business advice before you and your family launched NYF Jewellery?

A. “Trust your instincts” is the best advice I was given while studying gemology and I have actually been doing this all my life.

Q. Did anyone offer you any bad business advice that you followed, and later wished you hadn’t?

A. “Trust your instincts” ? indeed, sometimes you win, sometimes you learn.

Q. If you were to offer one piece of advice to someone thinking of getting into the industry of jewellery design, what would it be?

A. I would advise anyone who wants to enter the jewellery industry to be patient and to work hard. I didn’t come from a Jewellery background and have worked my way in. The Jewellery industry is a very small world and reputation is key. We exchange diamonds on hand shakes and know we can trust each other as our reputation precedes us. It’s a small family and I have loved being part of it so far. If you are passionate about it, you will feel right at home.

Thank you for taking the time to answer all our #BossBabe questions for House of Coco Magazine.

Visit NYF Jewellery for more information.

#GirlBoss #BossBabe #WomenWorldwide

Music makes the world go round and no one knows that better than Sarah Story who I met on a dancefloor in Leeds many years ago. As girl bosses go – she is leading. From her weekly show at Capital DJ sets at Lovebox and Hideout – I turned down the volume to sit and catch up with Sarah.

Sarah thanks for joining me – you’ve been serving some serious looks on your Instagram – who are your fashion inspirations?

Kendal Jenner is a dream, she is beautiful with amazing style. I also love Alexa Chung, she’s flawless and manages to pull off any look.

Also Annie who runs a shop in Ibiza called ‘Annie’s Ibiza’ she has some amazing pieces. I discovered it last summer and I have bought 2 pieces already. I love that she models some of the pieces herself and always gets customers involved on her insta stories who are trying things on in the shop

What’s your go to key piece of clothing?

High waisted blue jeans from & Other Stories, I love them so much I’ve got 2 pairs. They can be dressed up or down and are really flattering.

How important is it to you that we influence and inspire the youth of today ? And what do you do to achieve that?

I think it’s crucial we influence and inspire the youth of today in all aspects of life from fashion to politics (although we’re not doing a great job at politics right now).

I’ve been working as a Radio Presenter for 5 years now and I have wanted to pass on my experience and knowledge to the younger presenters coming through the ranks.

It’s such a tough industry to crack so I have been hosting panels for BBC Bitesize in schools around Yorkshire to give advice on how to get into the creative industry. I am also a mentor for the Soho House Open House mentoring programme which helps young adults from under privileged backgrounds get help working in the creative world.

What has been your perfect holiday so far?

In 2018 I went away with 3 of my best mates to Ibiza. It’s an island I (and most other people) have been obsessed with for years. We went for 7 days and we went out ALOT ! The first night was spent at Café Mambos, Pikes then Defected. Monday was Flower Power at Pacha and Tuesday was a Katermeran to Formentra. Wednesday was Honey Djon at Pikes and Thursday was drinks in Dalt Villa and shopping at Annie’s Ibiza. Friday was Glitterbox closing party and then Saturday back to Pikes for Artworks residency. Needless to say we loved Pikes so much we’ve booked the whole weekend to stay for my birthday this year. Ibiza has changed so much over the years but the spirit is still there

What are your handbag essentials when abroad?

Chanel Red lips stick, Clarins lip comfort oil, sunglasses, suncream and a charger with converter!

Ideal holiday destination – tell us your hit list of places you want to visit!

Bali is on my hit list and I’m planning to go in 2020. I’ve heard mixed reviews but I need to go and see it for myself. I also want to visit Santorini, we’ve all seen the beautiful pictures on our Instagram feeds, it looks stunning! Japan is somewhere I’ve always been intrigued by, the fashion the food and the karaoke! And I really want to go see the northern lights.

How do you detox from social media?

The best thing to do if you’re on holiday is keep your phone in the safe in the hotel room then you can’t check it. There’s something really liberating about not having a phone on you… well until you need to book a taxi! At home I try and not look at my social media if I have guests over…if you really want to just de-activate your account!

If you could invite 4 women past or present over for dinner who would they be and why?

Marilyn Monroe – I’ve always thought she was the most beautiful women to walk the planet. She was so sexy and powerful and she would have SO many stories to tell!

Joanna Lumley – I think she is just fabulous and expect her to act like Patsy from Absolutely Fabulous… pass the bolly darling!

Beyoncé – because it’s Beyoncé! She is the ultimate pop star and entrepreneur and of course I would make her sing for her dinner.

Sara Cox – she is someone I’ve grown up listening to on the radio and is the whole reason I got into radio. I absolutely LOVE her! We would definitely drink too much wine and dance on the tables.

When you were a little girl – what did you want to be?

Either a Spice Girl or a Radio Presenter. 1 out of the 2 isn’t bad.

Tell us about a hidden gem where you live!

There is a beautiful cake shop in Hackney called Violet, it makes the most incredible cakes. They actually made the Royal Wedding cake for Megan & Harry. From the outside it looks just like a bog standard cafe but inside it’s lush!

It’s the end of the world – you can do three things before you leave the earth – what are they!?

Go to Maldives & stay in one of those amazing hotel rooms that has a slide that goes from your room to the sea.

DJ at Amnesia

Get on the rocket that is getting us all the hell out of here!

What is the one song that has you go straight to the dance floor ?

Donna Summer – I feel love

Lara Heems a name on everyone’s lips – every celebrity is wearing her splendid jewels on the red carpet and off – we wanted to know more! Welcome Lara to the House of Coco couch…

Who are your fashion inspirations?

My Inspirations derive from the runway – it inspires me the most and from that I decide what jewels would work the most.

What’s your go to key piece of clothing?

jeans and a comfy top but styled with some jewels of course!

How important is it to you that we influence and inspire the youth of today ?

It is incredibly important what we are exposed to today it can make a huge impact on our life later.

And what do you do to achieve that
Job

be good , pay attention to detail

What has been your perfect holiday so far?

ummm anything relaxing ! it has to include the beach! That’s my kind of holiday

What are your handbag essentials when abroad?

wipes for your face , water , tooth brush and cream !!!

Ideal holiday destination

Maldives! it is so high on my list!

How do you detox from social media?

I set myself a goal to try not look at my phone at certain times!

When you were a little girl – what did you want to be?

A jeweller! and that’s exactly what I did.

Working from home or working in a coffee shop?

Working from home for sure – my mind is too busy to be in a coffee shop!

Tell us about a hidden gem where you live!

There is this amazing sushi restaurant near me .. i could go there everyday!

What are your favourite pieces of jewellery in your current collection ?

Difficult cos I love them all! but it would my Bella drops and necklace and my captivating hoops.

Tell us about time someone wore your jewellery and you genuinely felt blessed?

There are so many but I would say Helen Mirren , Mariah Carey and Tayla Parax who recently wore my jewels for the Grammys

How do you balance your busy work life and make sure you get downtime

It is so hard ! I am still trying to figure this one out! hopefully I will get this one right soon! and get back to you!

Where do you escape to that’s local?

I would say Kings Road in Chelsea it is cute and its nice to walk around there or Hampstead , there is an amazing place there for the most lovely pancakes!

Mena showcased her debut collection at last years Manchester Fashion Festival and since then she has been turning heads – a rising star that is sure to set the fashion world on fire with unique and immensely beautiful pieces. Thank you Mena and welcome to the House of Coco offices…

Who are your fashion inspirations?

The beloved Princess Diana, she embraced the etiquetteness of
dressing like a royal, whilst setting her own fashion statements and
rules, the sexy sequin blue dress she wore when dancing with John
Travolta is my all-time favourite dress she wore. And most importantly, Madonna, and My Mama, Soraya. Their empowered persona, daring sensuality and spirit of fashion is what inspires me.

What’s your go to key piece of clothing?

A dress or top that has definitive shoulder details, anything that shapes the shoulders will frame the face, going with that extra detail like a ruffle.

A Bardot dress makes all the difference to my smile.

How important is it to you that we influence and inspire the
youth of today? And what do you do to achieve that job

Everyone is concerned with getting successful results, quick and fast, forgetting that one picture, or one moment, can summaries 10 years of hard work, persistence and perseverance.

By volunteering in pursuit of your passion, by contacting those people who can help get you there and always have belief in the beauty of your dreams.

That’s where you can help others see that it’s all a journey, and we are all students when achieving our dreams. I plan to take on students in my luxury label to hold the legacy of Couture in Manchester, that is so rare in the UK, making it the first luxury house outside of London to produce evening wear in couture by a young designer.

What has been your perfect holiday so far?

Resting and exploring the treasures and culture of Jordan, sleeping in the desert dunes under the clearest night sky and stars, then swimming in the dead sea and being coated head-to-toe in its salty mud minerals. It was all adventure and recognizing a culture familiar to my own, I loved it!

What are your handbag essentials when abroad?

Coconut oil, L’Oreal’s clear eyebrow and eyelash gel mascara, my
favourite snack pack of raisins and almonds, Mui Mui’s signature
perfume and I never leave the house without at least some safety pins!

Ideal holiday destination

I adore the Mexican guitar, and all that comes with the Mexican City, Cancun. Nothing seems more sensual and story telling than a woman wearing a red asymmetrical flamenco dress in a short, daring length, dancing away on a balmy back- alley of a small local restaurant outside under the night sky.

How do you detox from social media?

Quite simply rid myself of toxic people and their negative energies, their expectations and wealth. Whilst cutting back and adding more fulfilling activities that sometimes, cannot be captured, or even understood, like meditating and being comfortable in your own skin. This is very important to me, the more confidence I have in myself, the more I can create and give to my world.

If you had to have 4 women past or present over for dinner,who would the be and why?

My wise and outrageously funny grandmother who could put a smile to all friends and foe in all situations. The queen of Egypt Cleopatra and queen of England Elizabeth 1, as I’m fascinated by their lives and how they conducted their countries and empire, and history of their time, fashion and art. And then at the end, get Shakira to perform a medley of her greatest hits and the rest of us would sway our hips to dessert. Bliss.

When you were a little girl – what did you want to be?

Archaeologist! – I loved the idea of telling and reading stories of the exhibitions I visited of Ancient Egypt, the history of its people, how they lived, what they wore and discovering their culture. It’s has influenced way I work today and my research.

Working from home or working in a coffee shop?

At home, I am most creative and have my studio to work all day and night to for inspiration and research.

Tell us about a hidden gem where you live!

I have a library of all the books I have read, my parents’ books passed down, from non-fiction to-fiction, it’s not what most expect but it’s my kind of chocolate treat- knowledge is power!

What are your favourite pieces in your current collection

The Madonna dress, look 4 from the Spring Summer 2019 Primavera Collection, that is detailed with star hand embroidered Chantilly-Silk lace and sequin, pearl-beads.

Look 9, the Solstice Yellow Silk-Taffeta rouched dress with its tiered
voluminous-ruffle hem and belt wrap bow detail. It’s a celebration to the beloved Princess Diana and Madonna, and My Mama, Soraya.

Their empowered persona, daring sensuality and spirit of fashion is what inspired these dresses, alongside the key details from my Mother’s wedding dress.

How do you balance your busy work life and make sure you get downtime

It’s important to be with the ones who love and support you, along side sticking to the routines that you enjoy and add quality to your life, mine are yoga, family, a good book and drinking feel-good fruit smoothies.

Where do you escape to that’s local?

To my old primary school, Chorlton park, it has the most beautiful cherry blossom trees in the summer, springs up my walks and thinking time.

From Hollywood to Bollywood – luxury brand campaigns to the red carpet – international makeup artist Rebecca Butterworth took some time out to catch up with us on the House Of Coco couch. Beneath the Beauty, she shared insights into her journey and the intricacies of her craft.

Who and what influenced you to go down the road you are currently on?

The road I’m currently on is Director Of Makeup for special effects company, Millennium FX. It’s been a big shift from my former life as a fashion and beauty make-up artist. I’ve always been a ‘behind-the-scenes’ nerd, the first thing I would watch on a DVD (do you remember those?) was the ‘Making Of’ documentaries.

I loved seeing how creatures, monsters and prosthetic make-up was created and how it came to life. Eventually, in about 2016 I decided to actually do something about my interest and took a few courses with some brilliant SFX artists like Stuart Bray and Neill Gorton.

Who are your inspirations and has anyone told you that you’ve inspired them? and how does that make you feel?

My inspirations are people who create because they have to. Alexander McQueen has been a constant source of inspiration to me since my days as a fashion student. It’s boring to say, because it’s been said so many times but his work seemed to me so much more than just ‘fashion’. It felt really necessary. I love to be inspired by artists who make you go “OH. Of COURSE!”; Terry Barber is one of those artists.

The stories that he tells around make-up, whether it’s describing the perfect shade of blush in relation to Princess Di’s ‘shy Di’ cheek flush, or making a Smokey eye look like a greasy spoon breakfast, his way of relating to make-up feels so relevant and necessary. I aspire to Terry’s levels of greatness, he’s really one of the best fashion make-up artists you could hope to work with.

A few people have told me I inspire them and it’s always surprising (you know I’m making this career up as I go along, right?) and always a delight! I’m not sure I’m doing anything interesting or different, I’m just doing the things and creating the images that feel right to me at that moment. You should only do the things that you find interesting, not the things you think other people are going to like.

What are your handbags essentials?

Jo Malone Red Roses cologne. A red lipstick. Alright FINE, six red lipsticks. Umbrella. 10 biros, only 3 of which will work.

What is the best country you’ve visited ? and what is on your lust list of travel?

Can I tell you a bit of a secret? I travel quite a lot with my job, and every time I do, I feel especially lucky and acknowledge the privilege of seeing the world…but I actually really like being at home! I also think that the UK is deeply underrated, I love seeing new bits of the UK on my travels. I was in Lyme Regis on the Dorset coast recently and it was magical!

I’ve spent rather a lot of time in India this year and it’s quite an exceptional country to travel in. There’s so much about it that feels familiar if you’re from the UK but there are enough contrasts and unfamiliar customs to really make you feel a jolt of strangeness when exploring it.

I’ve never visited Japan or the Far East. I think I’d love to go and experience that bit of the world.

Beneath the Beauty

In an industry which is constantly expanding what piece of advice would you give to a young person trying to get into this tough industry

That’s such a tough question because I think whatever I answer will be out of date before this article gets published, the industry is moving so quickly!

Social Media and the amount of ‘MUAs’ saturating the market are changing the face of this industry so quickly.

There are so many degree courses now geared towards make-up artistry, whether it’s fashion, beauty or special effects. Not all of these courses are worth your time or your money. Being a good make-up artist is as much about understanding things like colour theory, form, texture and taste as it is about knowing how to colour-match a foundation. Studying art will give you many more transferable skills than simply doing a three-week make up diploma.

The best make-up artists in any field are the ones who are curious, who seek out answers for themselves, who try stuff out even if it goes wrong. They are not the ones that wait to be told the answers. Do not wait to be spoon-fed the information.

Assisting is one way to get contacts, but it’s difficult and doesn’t pay money. Working on a make-up counter can be a brilliant way to get contacts, clients and most importantly experience in applying make-up to other people.

I know that Instagram and YouTube look easy and appealing but if you want to be an actual make-up artist you have to actually be able to put make-up on someone else better than you can do it yourself (please see the whole first series of Glow Up to witness what happens when your talent for self-application exceeds your talent for makeup artistry)

What would you have been had you not done what you do?

I’m not entirely sure, it is known it would have always been something that involves making things, a fashion designer maybe or a textile artist.

What do you do to switch off? and is a social media detox important to you?

I am a lazy bum and I love doing as little as possible in my downtime. I love a history programme or pottering around a National Trust or English Heritage site, thinking about how ace I would have been as a rich Lady of the manor.
I am however almost always on social media, even if I’m not posting, I’m still lurking.

As a businesswoman what key qualities do you think it’s important to possess to balance a hectic life

Haha! If you ever figure this one out, please tell me!
I can only say that I think I’m very lucky that I have a very patient boyfriend and no children. I have no idea how women manage to cope with careers, children and taking on the majority of the mental load of life.

Perhaps the key is the ability to say no and to value your own worth. Both those things are hard and I’m certainly a work in progress but it seems to me the more I put a value on my skills and my time, the more other people do.

What is your favourite food?

Mashed potato. No, popcorn. No, mash…ARGH I can’t decide! Essentially: carbs.

Can you share one of your go-to beauty hacks that our readers would find useful?

Heat your eyelash curlers up with your hairdryer. It’ll transform your eyelashes!

Also, spend time finding a mascara that really works for your lashes, massive volumising isn’t always the best option.

Ever fancied learning the secrets of a supermodel? Well during my recent #TeamCoco mission to Copenhagen with Moxy Hotels, I managed to just that, catching up with Danish export and Victoria’s Secret model Nina Agdal to find out what she loves about the capital and what she misses when she’s in LA…

You grew up not far from Copenhagen; what are your best teenage memories of the city?

I grew up 40 minutes away from Copenhagen but i would visit Copenhagen with my girlfriends for nights out and adventures; we’d get all dressed up, take the train to the city and walk down “Stroeget”, pretending to be cool!

Obviously they are hugely different cities, but do you see any similarities at all in Copenhagen and LA? Honestly, not at all! They are two completely different cities and the vibes are incomparable. LA is awesome, but Copenhagen is a LOT less high maintenance and definitely ‘cleaner’, in all ways.

How often to you get to return to Denmark? I try to get back at least 2-3 times a year, more if I can. It depends on my schedule, but my whole family is there so I always try to make an effort and the time to go see them during summer and before Christmas.

What do you miss most when you’re not here? I miss the energy in Denmark so much! Every time I go back I feel much calmer; it’s just a different mentality. I deal with anxiety and every time I’m home it gets so much better. The pressure and expectations of everything are just normal there, not like in New York where you have to be ‘on’ every second.

Copenhagen has some of the best restaurants in the world, but do you have any foodie favourites that aren’t as famous? Aamans in Oesterbro is known to be one of the oldest open-faced sandwich shops. The hotdog food trucks dotted around the city are the best too so you must have a hot dog there!

What are your favourite Danish foods? There are so many. My grandmother makes tarteletter when I’m home, it’s basically a Danish chicken pot pie and it’s amazing. Any sort of open-faced sandwich and a Danish hot dog!

What would your last Copenhagen meal be? My grandmother’s tarteletter or a hotdog in the airport!

I’m reading a book called The Art of Living Danishly which delves into the theme of Denmark being the happiest nation in the world; what do you think the secret behind Danes’ happiness is? I think life there is just very simple; the lifestyle is very different from anywhere else. Everyone is kind of on the same schedule in terms of wake up times, work times, dinner time, like you wake up knowing what the plan is and you’re happy with it. You also don’t live to work, you work to live. Money isn’t everything and I grew up with that mentality.

What’s your recipe for happiness? Surround yourself with good people who love you for you, have a routine that makes you happy, get a job that makes you excited and do one thing a day for YOU!

Describe Copenhagen in three words HYGGELIGT, clean, happy.

When you visit the London DE website you are instantly blown away by the in-depth knowledge that Phil Spencer and his team have of diamonds, coloured diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires and other precious stones.

Phil showcases each and every jewel on his website so that the customer can see exactly what they are buying. He also provides professional drawings of bespoke jewellery designs before the diamond, emerald or other stone is added to the piece, meaning that every single design is perfected to the customer’s requirements.

We are intrigued to know more about Phil Spencer, and how he got into the world of beautiful diamonds and emeralds.

Q. HOC. Did you start your working life within the jewellery industry, or did you come from a different background, and did you always know that you wanted to work with precious gemstones and jewellery?

A. Phil. Whilst I have always been interested in jewellery and gemstones (and coloured gemstones in particular), I started my formal career as a commissioned officer in the UK armed forces. On completion of that I spent 5 years in financial services but I always wanted to work in the luxury market and I yearned to run my own business. Finally, in 2013, the opportunity arose to strike out on my own and become an entrepreneur in the marketplace I love.

Q. HOC. Can you tell us more about what London DE is all about, as we understand that it’s not just about precious stones?

A. Phil. We’re an ethical jeweller and coloured gemstone specialist. With connections high in the Colombian emerald and Sri Lankan gemstone supply chains, we aim to cut out the middlemen and ensure the integrity of our supply chain. We operate a mine-to-market approach and offer our customers, both retail and trade, a truly bespoke service via our hybrid model. This provides the functionality of e-commerce, coupled with personalised human interaction, both face-to-face and via digital channels.

Q. HOC. You currently have a London office, based in the world-renowned Hatton Garden, and a sales office in Istanbul, why did you choose these locations for your business?

A. Phil. I am a Londoner born and bred but I have travelled extensively and lived and worked in the Middle East and around the globe. For me, London is one of the great fashion, luxury and retail centres of the world. With an outward looking international focus we are building a global brand. Via digital channels we can reach almost everyone on earth but it certainly helps to have a (small) footprint across the major hubs. Istanbul is the first of (I hope) many international sales offices we plan to open in the coming months and years. High on our target list are Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong and New York.

Q. HOC. Your precious stones and jewellery designs range in price from around £100 to over £100,000 – do you have a favourite piece from your collections that would come in under £100, and do you have a favourite piece that would come in over £100,000?

A. Phil. We offer a wide and ever-expanding range of products from cufflinks and accessories for hundreds of pounds to bespoke engagement rings and other jewellery pieces for up to hundreds of thousands of pounds.

The key to the value of our products lies in the quality, uniqueness and the ethical nature of their supply and manufacture. The same care and diligence go into the creation of a £100 pair of cufflinks as it does for a £100,000 bespoke diamond and emerald engagement ring.

Q. HOC. Do you personally wear jewellery and if so what style?

A. Phil. I love jewellery but my personal taste is for it to be understated. I have a small collection of Tudor watches, I wear two 18K yellow gold rings, along with gold and silver cufflinks. I also enjoy designing small pieces of ladies’ jewellery for my wife. The one thing I have learned in this industry is that there is no right or wrong jewellery, just the pieces that you love!

Q. HOC. Your Instagram @londondande showcases some of your jewels beautifully, do you find social media helps to promote your brand?

A. Phil. Yes, social media, especially Instagram, is becoming a powerful marketing tool within our industry. We have just recruited a highly skilled in-house digital marketeer and a major part of her role will be to develop this channel further.

Q. HOC. What did you study at University, which one did you attend, and has it helped with the business you are successfully running today?

A. Phil. I read Geography at University College London. I chose Geography because I am fascinated by the world around me and I love travel. I think on balance university was a worthwhile exercise, it certainly broadened my mind and opened my horizons to new ideas and possibilities, which helped to lay the foundations for my later business career.

Q. HOC. Did anyone offer you any useful business advice before you launched London DE?

A. Phil. I gratefully received as much advise as I could both prior to launching my business and ever since. As part of our start-up funding programme the GLE (Greater London Enterprise) scheme provided me with a business loan and practical advice, as well as weekly mentorship from an entrepreneur with many decades of experience, which was invaluable.

Q. HOC. Did anyone offer you any bad advice that you followed, and later wished you hadn’t?

A. Phil. As with everything in life, advice comes in many shapes and forms. The vast majority of the advice I have received has been useful but inevitably some has not. Judgement and experience will eventually tutor the entrepreneur towards the best course of action.

Q. HOC. If you were to offer one piece of advice to someone thinking of getting into fine jewellery and precious stones, what would it be?

A. Phil. Understand your market and know your business model inside out. After cash flow, ignorance of ones’ operating environment is the fastest start-up business killer!

Thank you for taking the time to answer all our #BossBoy questions for House of Coco Magazine.

Visit London Diamond & Emerald Exchange for more information. Instagram @londondande

Occasionally #TeamCoco have the opportunity to interview designers that we are huge fans of, and this is one of those rare occasions that we can get to know more about one of our design heroes.

Cael Pipin owns and runs the designer bag company Hemcael, and his latest collections are one of a kind, unique designs that bring to life the meaning of Italian quality.

Hemcael launched in 2010, where Cael Pipin has been designing and producing beautiful bags for the luxury buyer who craves excellent Italian quality with standout designs. We are desperate to find out more about this wonderful bag designer.

Q. HOC. Did you previously work in the leather or fashion industry before launching Hemcael?

A. Cael. Yes, I have produced unique pieces on demand for an exclusive clientele for many years. They asked for original and customised pieces completely made in Italy, and I’ve always loved creating what’s the most feminine thing ever: bags. I had never worked in the fashion industry before launching my own brand, but the varied women’s universe has always fascinated me. And that’s the reason why I decided to embody what I think is the Hemcael quintessential woman, be it wife, partner, friend, mother or daughter.

Q. HOC. At what point did you realise that you were destined to be luxury bag designer?

A. Cael. Looking around, I realised that we are losing the habit of loving very high quality accessories, and, above all, we are losing the habit of giving value to the concept that’s behind the creations we wear, the research of the best materials out there, the artisan’s delicate and experienced touch and all tests to get the best shapes and structures.

The key of the collection is: ‘conquer from within’. Conquer, in Italian, is a verb also used to express the concept of ‘winning someone’s heart’. And with my bags I wanted to do it from within: the interior of my bags, their heart, is as special as their outer. It’s crafted from bovine nubuck or calfskin leather, and no other material is involved for the linings, pockets, or extras, such as the removable pouches. Today luxury means exclusiveness, uniqueness: not just because something appears ‘rich’, it’s a luxury symbol.

The Hemcael bag isn’t just for ‘appearing’, but for recognising yourself in an accessory from which you can get the feeling of craftsmanship, class, research, experimentations. Luxury is not to be shown, because it is made up of details.

Q. HOC. Your collections are eponymous with sculptured pieces that are elegant in design yet easy to wear, have you always been known for strong statement bags?

A. Cael. Yes, I have always created bags that are bold, that not only exude a sense of style, but they also convey strong emotions, they kind of have their own personality. Clothes and accessories are a form of self-expression, and the way we create our outfits impacts how we feel about ourselves, and vice- versa. That’s why I have always tried to create statement accessories, exceptionally crafted for the bold, modern, dynamic woman who’s looking for a direct reflection of her personality. My collection includes high-impact colours, such as rust, the captivating heart of the line, sculptured figures that exclusively result from the natural structure of high quality leather, and extremely detailed and intriguing interiors, which I think are even more important than what’s in the outside. The linings of my bags, completely leather crafted, are what makes them stand out and turn things around, taking the creation from plain to noteworthy.

Q. HOC. Do you have a current favourite bag from your collection?

A. Cael. Yes, my current favorite is Melime, the bag that embodies the soul of the brand in the best way. It represents the sensuous essence of the Hemcael woman, and its outstanding shape makes it unique when women wear it. I imagined a bag that could captivate all women, with its simple yet enigmatic silhouette, that could release the pure Hemcael nature from any detail. The closure is very secure, almost impenetrable, so that your everyday essentials, or even your darkest secrets, can be kept safe inside.

Q. HOC. We are personally swooning over the Aranel, a handbag/adjustable shoulder bag that oozes style and charisma, what goes into designing a bag like this?

A. Cael. Well, first of all, you grasped what the Hemcael concept means, as Aranel was a starting point for the collection. Its timeless and elegant figure is behind every other style. What I’m most proud of in its design is the structure: its shape just follows the sinuosity that the folded leather naturally assumes, and no other material was used to produce it. I wanted to create a classic, flawless, neat silhouette, simple in its sleek touch and yet sophisticated. The combination of calfskin and nubuck leather, alternating for the outer and the lining of the different styles, conveys in the best way my idea of a classy design that relies on high quality materials and elegant style.

Q. HOC. Can we ask when you are at your most creative design-wise? And, where do your design-ideas come from?

A. Cael. When I paint my works, I establish a connection between art and design. My bags are the result of an artistic process that always starts with painting. Art is that place where I take refuge when my being is in conflict with the world that surrounds me, my little bubble, where I can fully be myself. Seeing a woman wearing one of my creations brings strong feelings to me, and this leads me to design new pieces.

Q. HOC. You have recently opened a maison-gallery in the heart of Milan, can you tell us some more about this?

A. Cael. The concept of Hemcael stems from my greatest passion: art. The maison-gallery in Milan is not only a showroom, but also a gallery exhibiting my art creations, my paintings. Fashion and art are intertwined, they have always been connected. There’s no fashion piece without an artistic background. I love expressing my art both on canvas and on fashion sketches, and I do it not only for work, but mainly for myself, as that’s the finest way I express my best self. I wanted to created a wide, clean, minimalist space, where the focus is on the bags, showcased in the first room and shop windows, and on the paintings, for which an entire aisle is dedicated. I found this early 20th century former nuns convent in the heart of Milan and immediately thought it was the perfect place for Hemcael’s headquarters and maison-gallery.

Q. HOC. Do you have any immediate plans to open any more maison- galleries around the world?

A. Cael. Yes, I’m proud to announce a new opening in Bangalore, India, in a partnership with the multi-brand luxury store Galleria di Lux, [earlier this month] on July 27th. The first floor will be dedicated to Hemcael, blending contemporary art and fashion with a concept that’s new for this renowned high-end store with Italian and international brands. We’re planning other new openings, including New Delhi in October.

Q. HOC. Did anyone offer you any business advice before you embarked on becoming a luxury bag designer?

A. Cael. Not at all. I just trusted my instincts.

Q. HOC. What piece of advice would you give a budding designer, someone starting out in the industry?

A. Cael. Try to be yourself, do not copy anyone else, and be very meticulous in every single detail. Be hungry for something new, fresh. Experience new routes and try to find new and not predictable solutions.

Thank you for taking the time to answer all our #BossBoy questions for House of Coco Magazine online.

Visit Hemcael for more information.

Hemcael – creating a collection that is enigmatic in its simplicity.

Woven bags are the latest fashion accessory across the globe, and Thai native Sommy Putthida Hensawang of Above Studio has collated a beautiful collection of baskets and bags for beach and beyond from local artisans around Thailand.

Every piece created is handcrafted from the north to the south of Thailand, where local artisans help to shape and design the rattan, bamboo and woven bags which Sommy then sells at Above Studio.

Let’s find out a little more about Sommy and her business Above Studio.

HOC. What made you get into woven and basket style bags?

Sommy. Having grown up in a rural community and then venturing off to the bustling concrete jungle of New York City, I realized the lack of available sustainable and ethical products didn’t cater to the needs of my lifestyle/beliefs nor the rest of the planet! In addition, the local villagers back home do not have the same access to abundant resources as we do and so because of this fact, I decided that I wanted to be the voice and connector to expose this unique identity and craftsmanship of Thailand to the rest of the world. I designed a series of trendy accessories that would cater to the fashion-forward crowd while keeping our mission of sustainability in mind. Moreover, our local artisans are very skillful in making woven and basket style bags. Hence the creation of “ABOVE Studio” – providing ethical, eco-friendly products to empower our rural communities and rise “above” the occasion that our environment faces.

HOC. From a fashion perspective are you always looking for the latest bag designs to replicate for Above Studio?

Sommy. Fashion is fast and you have to keep it up with the trend. However, I believe that with high quality of our products and customer service that we care the most will make us different from other replicated bags.

HOC. By keeping your bags designed and produced within Thailand you are helping to save the environment, was this something you had considered before working with local Thai artisans?

Sommy. I grew up among nature because my dad’s family has a corn field and my mom family also grows fruit for selling in a province near Bangkok. I have seen those unique beautiful culture and traditional for almost half of my life. This is especially true for the weaving skill and farming skill, of which they acquired authentic knowledge from their ancestors. The artisans I am working with are those from the places I visited during when I was younger and they have been making these local products since then.

HOC. You stock bags of all shapes, sizes and designs and you stay true to the use of bamboo, rattan and woven baskets and bags, do you think you will every use other fabrics alongside your core materials?

Sommy. Yes, I am now using organic cotton from local artisan’s village near our Bangkok manufacturing. Also, I am now considering other local materials that can be used for making our new collection which will be more home decor line.

HOC. Do you have a favourite bag from your online collections at Above Studio?

Sommy. Yes, I love my foldable basket bag since its big and have lots of space and I can also fold it when I am not using it. This is really practical.

HOC. How long does a hand crafted woven bag usually take to make?

Sommy. It usually takes almost 3 weeks. The first 2 weeks will be a process of drying materials and sometimes during rain season we have to wait another week to make sure all of materials completely dry.

HOC. How do you market your brand differently to other fashion accessory retailers, and is it a competitive market?

Sommy. I value our local craftsmanship. The product quality we present and the way we preserve our exotic culture and environment made us outstanding from other competitors.

HOC. What has been the biggest learning curve since you launched Above Studio?

Sommy. Operation can be lots of work and you have to make sure every step by yourself first before you can teach and instruct your people.

HOC. What was the best piece of advice you were given before you launched Above Studio?

Sommy. Do your best.

HOC. What advice would you offer someone who is thinking of setting up an online store?

Sommy. I encourage everyone to follow the dream but just one thing to keep in mind that you will never ever give up.

For more information visit Above Studio.

Thank you for offering House of Coco Magazine an insight into your world of rattan, bamboo and woven bags.