This summer has been a whirlwind for Co’s Stephanie Danan. In between finalizing her Spring 2025 collection, she’s been navigating the exciting chaos of moving to a new apartment in Paris. As she explained over a Zoom call from her showroom, “I’m getting the keys on October 1st and it’ll be the second to last day of market. Basically, I have to pack all the boxes at night, and I have a child, so there’s also all this school stuff…” It’s a familiar scenario for many working women—life’s demands can be overwhelming!
This hectic reality is reflected in the collection itself. The lookbook opens with a woman wearing a simple white cotton shirt with a cowl neck, paired with a wrinkled cotton maxi skirt, a cotton canvas workwear jacket, and sturdy flat leather sandals. She carries an oversized leather tote bag on one arm and an oversized leather clutch on the other. “It’s so funny to look at it that way, but it’s a reflection of exactly what I’ve been through and what I’ve needed to wear,” Danan shared, acknowledging the connection between her personal life and her creative vision.
This isn’t a new theme for Danan. In recent seasons, she has focused on crafting clothes for women who lead busy, fulfilling lives. This season’s collection is dominated by utilitarian silhouettes in classic washed cotton canvas, a testament to her commitment to practicality. However, Danan elevates these functional pieces with a touch of elegance and even occasion-wear potential.
Take, for instance, the long washed canvas coat with large patch pockets at the chest and a dramatic, cape-like back. It can be worn as an elegant evening coat, or, thanks to cleverly placed straps, it can be transformed into a stylish backpack. This dual functionality reflects the spirit of the collection—finding beauty and purpose in the everyday.
Danan also crafted these utilitarian pieces from silk with a satin finish and semi-sheer cotton, giving the collection a range of vibes. The silky pieces embody a bohemian explorer aesthetic, while the sheer cotton infuses the collection with a Y2K experimental edge.
“What I’ve realized is that I’d been sort of fighting my two cultures a lot, where I feel like occasionally I am a chic Parisian person, and then other times I am more of a practical American sportswear kind of person,” Danan said. “And in the last couple of seasons I’ve been like, ‘No, this is who I am,’ that the collections are a combination of the more feminine side and the need for utilitarian practical clothes that can keep up with you in the crazy life that we lead… that’s what makes it cool.” Danan’s collections are a testament to embracing the complexities of modern womanhood, effortlessly blending Parisian chic with American practicality.
