Maker’s mark

Photo: Martha Williams

Veronica Sheaffer and Taryn Parker

What it is A small, local clothing line launching online this month with a limited run of feminine yet edgy designs.

Who they are Parker originally quit her job in the TOC finance department last year with plans to open her own shop. When that didn’t work out, she approached her good friend Sheaffer (who designed for Bionica Fashions in New York and has her own handbag and accessories line, Veronica Sheaffer Designs) about starting a clothing line. “Our tastes are so similar and we both really had the same vision, so it all just fell into place,” Sheaffer says. Parker handles the business end of things, while Sheaffer’s fashion expertise is put to use on the sewing machine. The line is partly named after Sheaffer’s grandmother, Irene. The “Coco” part came about after Parker jokingly said that cocoa and vanilla would best describe the duo’s skin colors.

What they make The clothes in Coco Irene’s five-piece collection are affordable and flatter any silhouette, but each design also maintains a high-end look. We were pleasantly surprised to discover the vintage-inspired, heavy-knit A-line cowl-neck turquoise dress is only $75. “The lines are simple and clean, and we really tried to find great fabrics with interesting textures,” Parker says. Other standouts include a fully-lined capelet  with a full back and cinched front waist made from multicolor woven fabric (pictured, $150), and a black made-to-order cocktail dress with a woven bodice ($300).

Photo: Martha Williams

Why we like them The sophisticated pieces stand out without being flashy. And the lower-than-expected prices make it easy to stock up on dress options for all your holiday parties. Even the $300 price tag for the cocktail dress is a deal for something that is custom-made.

Where to find them The designs are available online (cocoirene.com), and the team hopes to expand into local boutiques with its spring collection. The two promise more pieces then and tell us that a fashion show is in the works.