Designer hoodies for women – who to watch out for

The brain child of designers Tess and Andy, the brand combines their individual and collaborative designs for both men and women, with ‘Coco’ featuring a female collection and ‘Max’, a male collection. As for the name of the label, Tess explains, “we had to think of a name that would be suitable and last forever, so we decided to name it after our children- at the time I was 6 months pregnant with Coco”

The designers’ background in the European fashion industry (Andy is English and Tess worked in Europe for over 5 years) has given them credentials that most start-up designers would envy. "We used to have to go to Premier Vision in Paris every year. I found it funny sitting in lectures being told for hours what patterns and hues the fashion industry was using - all copying and complying with which direction to go down. I really don't care what everyone else is doing”

The self-confessed ‘pink banana of the bunch’, Tess believes that it is more important to draw from your own environment when it comes to fashion and design: “It’s what’s around that should inspire you - the people, the food, your favourite music, patterns in nature, animals and art. There is so much to take in and Melbourne is certainly a great city to see it all!”

The designer is not keen to put constraints on her designs or on whom or how they should be worn. Personal style ranks high above fashion for Coco & Max and neither Tess nor Andy are interested in following trends or fads. “We want our customers to be proud of their ‘Coco’ piece that has lasted 10 years, and because we don’t follow trends it will never go out of trend!’

 

Despite the label’s Melbourne roots, Tess expresses that she'll never design in all black- “I feel like you disappear in it”- so although she is keen to experiment with her designs as the company grows, she is determined that her rainbow hues will stay. "Each year we do a ‘rolling’ collection, so for winter you’re going to see more geometric bright poppy pieces ”

Vivid colour is just one of the cornerstones of the label which is also centred on durability, quality and luxury. Having had an insider’s view of how the fashion industry works on a larger scale, Tess and Andy are passionate advocates of ethical fashion, looking to keep environmental impact small and everything as local as possible: “You get good Karma because you’re boosting the local economy and helping build your local community.”

Tess speaks passionately about all aspects of her work from the design studio to the factory floor and her desire to experiment, evolve and expand the label as things begin to grow is as dazzlingly infectious as the bright hues of her designs.

“We want to be known for our classic prints, interesting cuts and quirky humour. We would also love to open our own shop where we are in complete control of the space- to bring back shopping from online.”

Tess knows that “every Melburnian needs a sleek splash of vibrant neon that they’ll cherish through every season” and it is the design duo’s love of fashion and their championing of a new and better industry that makes Coco & Max the right label to supply it. And remember, everything they make is limited edition, never repeated – so make sure you din't miss out!

 

Coco has just dropped a new range of designer hoodies and sweaters for women, playing on their strong in-house prints. You can wrap yourself in 3D scales, magic wonderland daisies or bright dripping Leopard prints! Check it out online at:  http://www.cocoandmax.com.au/shop/coco/tops/