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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Yankey designing dandy
Montrealer's Coccolily collection available here via Internet shop
Josephine black medicine bag, top: $308
Product List & Pricing:
- Josephine black medicine bag -- $308
- Carmel Executive bag - $225
- Jacqueline bag with gold detail -- $250
- Lolita shoulder purse in pink -- $268
Carmel Executive bag, right: $225
Josephine black medicine bag, top: $308
Jacqueline bag with gold detail, above: $250
Lolita shoulder purse in pink, right: $268
One of the greatest benefits of the Internet has to be online shopping. While Winnipeg continues to be a fabulous hub for local fashion, urban brands and even some luxury names -- and the face-to-face customer experience is still my favourite way to shop -- I welcome with open arms the wonderful world of web boutiques.
Shopping online exposes us to a wide array of fashions from all across the globe with a simple click of a button. Instantly we are tapped into textiles from Milan, funky boutiques from New York and the latest from Canada’s most talented designers.
Recently I was introduced to a Montreal designer who has created a fashion brand that spans everything from frocks to satchels -- none of which are available at a store here in the 'Peg, but all of which are sold via her online shop.
Coccolily by Naana Tennachie Yankey is a sleek, sophisticated brand that blends classic European style with urban modernism. Currently the collection includes contemporary clothing and designer nail polish, but the latest Coccolily endeavour -- limited-edition finely crafted Italian leather bags -- is simply to die for.
"When I picture the women that wear my bags, I know that they are so much more than simply beautiful women sporting beautiful clothes. They are empire-builders, they have direction, and they need bags that will take them where they are going," says the designer, who is currently in Ghana, where she is showing her spring/summer 2013 collection at the African country's inaugural fashion week.
Being on the hunt for a useful yet fashionable bag myself, I couldn't help but take notice of the esthetics of the Coccolily collection, which, considering the quality of materials used, is also affordable for the career gal on the go.
The structured totes stylishly stow away the day's essentials, such as your wallet and makeup touch-up kit, with more than enough room to carry your tablet, smartphone and (if you've opted for the Executive-style bag) even your laptop.
And did I mention they are limited-edition exclusives? That means odds of meeting someone on the street in the dreaded "oh, no, she's wearing the same thing as me" encounter are less than if you opt for the designer tote du jour.
All items are available online at coccolily.bigcartel.com
Got a suggestion for a future column or a fashion trend worth following? Email Connie Tamoto at connietamotofashion@hotmail.com.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 13, 2012 E10
History
Updated on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 1:05 PM CDT: adds fact box
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