March  2010

Somehow, Christmas is three months behind us and we're staring down the barrel of Winter.  Which is good news of course because it means here comes the Winter range!  This Winter look out for sumptuous leathers, luxurious suede and cozy textiles as well as high quality synthetic leathers.  One of my favorites this season is the python-printed suede range (you girls know how I can't resist a bit of suede!). 

There's also a lovely new range of Winter jewellery on its way too.

Winter 2011 arrives instore in April - if your favorite store doesn't stock us, ask them why not!!?

Have a gorgeous Autumn,

Marita  

November  2010

So another Melbourne Cup is behind us.  I didn't quite get around to placing my bet (too busy rubbing Moroccan spices into a large leg of lamb for our Cup Day gathering).  Which was just as well - I had my eye on three horses which slept through most of the race.  Hmmm.

I've been enjoying my Claudia printed suede bag very much this season.  I'm a bit mad for suede as you've probably guessed, and the adorable python print is just the thing for this changeable Spring weather.  Our Spring Summer range is doing well (thanks to you all!) and even though it's only been instore for a few weeks, quite a few pieces have already sold out  - so put your Christmas orders in early this year!!

Enjoy November - things are sure to get a little crazy next month!

Marita

September  2010

What a relief - Winter is finally behind us.  The sun is shining and the magpies are swooping - it must be Spring!  And with a new season of course comes a new collection...  You'll notice our new Spring Summer range popping up in your favorite stores all around Australia over the next couple of weeks.  This season we're also debuting some fab new wallets and belts, so look out for those instore too. 

We've also just launched our Summer jewellery range - lots of turquoise, hot pink and cobalt tones for a bit of fun.  Bracelets are still de rigeur, so buy a batch and stack them up for a great Summer look.

I think I'll be wearing the Suzi bag this season.  Or maybe the Baylee.  Or the...  Hmmm.  Decisions decisions...

Happy thawing!

Marita

July  2010

Just back from a great trip to Hong Kong where it was hot hot hot!  Such a delicious change after all of the freezing weather we've had in Melbourne lately.   I was there to meet with our factory to finalise production of our scrumptious new Summer 2010/11 range which will be delivered in-store in September.   We'll be debuting our new wallet collection in Summer 2010/11 in both leather and synthetics.  They're pretty cute, and have been designed to tie in with the handbags so you'll be uber-coordinated over the Summer months!  Here's a peek at just a couple of the styles you'll be seeing soon (this range is in an amazing python print suede that I"m mad for...)

I'm also so thrilled with our new Winter 2011 handbag and wallet range which I've put the finishing touches to in June.  But more of that later... it won't hit the stores till next year!

Am very much enjoying my Anna handbag in chocolate leather - the perfect travelling bag with a pocket for everything.

Only 6 weeks till Spring...

Marita

May  2010

Winter is well and truly upon us!  Have you seen our  new handbag and jewellery range in your favorite store yet?! 

So for the past month I've been chained to my desk finalising our new collection of handbags and wallets for next Winter.  I scouted some fabulous new materials during my last trip to Hong Kong & China - there's a funky waxed sheep leather that I'm particularly in love with - which we'll be incorporating into the new range.  Unfortunately, you'll need to wait an entire year to see it!

I'll be heading off to Hong Kong in early June to meet with our factory  to discuss the new range (and possibly fit in just a little R&R while I'm there!) 

In the meantime, I'll be enjoying this lovely cool weather and sporting one of our suede bags... probably in that delicious charcoal grey...

Talk soon,

Marita

March  2010

Hi again everyone. As you might assume from my rather remiss lack of updates, the past two months have skated by rather quickly... 

The biggest item on the agenda has been finalising delivery of our fabulous new Winter 2010 range. (Yes, although Summer is barely behind us, we've just received a mountain of boxes full of gorgeous bags that will appear in over 150 boutiques across Australia and NZ any day now). 

Lots of fab new silhouettes in luxe suede, lustrous hides, butter-soft leathers and funky microfibre and faux leathers, as well as a divine washed canvas and cozy wool flannel.  Here's a sneak peek of just a smidge of our new styles you can expect to see instore very soon:

Last week I visited our sales team in Sydney and spent a day at the Gift Fair in Darling Harbour (which is a trade only event - it's where retailers shop for their own stores). It’s always good to walk the Fair and see what everyone is showing but I really sympathise with retailers who try to take it all in and spot the trends - it's huge!

After the Fair and some more ‘market research’ shopping in Bondi Junction (ahem), I caught a flight to Auckland to support our agents there who were exhibiting at the Auckland Gift Fair. It was a busy week but fantastic to get out and spend time with our sales team.

We're also very excited to have just launched the Coquette Red facebook page - why not become a fan?  Visit by clicking here.  We'll keep the page updated with all the latest info, as well as special offers from time to time.

Enjoy!

Marita

December 2009

Don't you just love Summer?  From my office window I have glimpses of  Port Philip Bay and watching yachts sail by can be very distracting.  And yes, I must admit I  have once or twice given in to temptation and jumped in the car to scoot down the coast.   Gelato just tastes better in Sorrento, especially when you know you really should be behind your desk...

But it hasn't been all sun and gelato.  At the end of each year, we do a complete review of our label -  what worked well and what could be improved, and set our goals for the following year. 

When the GFC hit at the end of 2008 we, like so many business in Australia, were very concerned about  the potential impact on the Australian retail market.   Now, as 2009 draws to a close, we're delighted to report that our label has not only survived, but grown  in a challenging environment.  Our handbags and jewellery are now available in over 150 excellent stockists across Australia and New Zealand, and our presence will expand further when we deliver our Winter 2010 range instore in March.  In addition, we will be launching some exciting new additions to the Coquette Red range.

Thanks so much to all of you for your wonderful support over 2009.  Our label has gone from strength to strength this year and we know it's all thanks to you.  Every time I walk down the street and see someone wearing one of our bags or a piece of our jewellery I still get such a thrill. 

As  I sign off for 2009, I send out my best wishes to you all for a wonderful Christmas with family and friends, and a relaxing and safe New Year.  I can hardly believe we're about to burst into 2010 - don't you feel as though we were celebrating the new millennium only yesterday? 

Hope 2010 brings everything you hope for and more.

LOL

Marita

November 2009

Hi everyone,

My clients often ask questions about my  inspiration for new collections, what's coming up for next season and generally what's going on behind the scenes at Coquette Red. I answer as many of those enquiries as possible but thought it might be fun to start a little monthly chat, just to let you know what we're up to.

At midnight on Monday (yawn!) I returned from a very hectic week in Hong Kong (as well as a couple of days in China) where I meet regularly with our factories and suppliers.  This trip was to finalise our Summer 2010/11 range - yes, we do have to think that far ahead! I discuss all designs in detail with the factory, right down to every last zip and stud, as well as going through our materials specifications. This is always a painstaking process - gotta get it right! - and is the culmination of many months design & trend research work here in Australia.

Reviewing leather samples

As some of you might know, I lived in Hong Kong for four years and it's where I designed my first bag range so I adore my regular trips back.  I still have some fantastic friends in HK (including one great Canadian buddy who always puts me up on her glamorous boat when I'm in town - it's bliss!) so I always schedule in a few days of catch ups while I'm there. 

Enjoying the sunshine by the marina

A tipple at the very hip Sevva bar, surrounded by the glorious HK skyline

It was a busy week but I never seem to run out of steam - the city has such a great buzz!  I must admit always return home rather exhausted (and amazed at how clean our air and beaches are in Australia!) 

Summer 2010/11 is looking fabulous and can't wait to show it to the trade for pre-ordering in January next year. There are lots of gorgeous new styles and, without revealing too much, I can say our range will be expanding next year to cover some fantastic new accessory categories. Watch this space ...

Back closer to home our Summer 09 range is in-store and we're receiving some great feedback.  The range is now on the website - and do feel free to email us for advice on stockists nearest you.

Our sales teams in Australia and New Zealand are busy showing Winter 2010 to retailers, for in-store delivery from March next year.  We're fairly new to the NZ market, and it's been very exciting to spread our wings beyond Australian shores.  I'm delighted to say our jewellery (and other hush hush new products) will also  be launched there next year.

Sadly, my Hong Kong trip took me away from Melbourne during the Melbourne Cup week... Although maybe that was a good thing... I'm a clueless punter... 

Thats all for this month. Do drop me a line with any queries or your own stories and enjoy this divine heat.  Roll on Summer!

Ciao for now,

Marita

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