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White outfits have never really been my cup of tea because I never thought that I’d be able to complete a full day of looking so formal. But things changed a few months back when I had the chance to try on different looks from Coterie by Celest Thoi, a collection of outfits made from white cotton that will inspire you to look at new opportunities and go back to basics – just like how Celest did!
The first thing that made my eyes open wide were the unique designs of the collection – corset-styled tops, crop jacket with a pleated back and a cuff-sleeved crop top to name a few. Next was how comfortable these pieces were. Made from pure cotton in different forms, these pieces felt incredibly light on my skin (perfect for this weather and when I’m stressed) and were easy to slip into, making it easy for me to reach out for one when I’m in a rush! But what made me really stop and look at things from a whole new perspective is the story behind this collection.
Just like most of us, Celest wasn’t spared from the impact of the MCO, and being a bridal gown designer, she had no choice but to look for alternatives to keep her business running when weddings were cancelled day in, day out since MCO 1.0 was implemented. With a positive mindset and the support of her team, family and friends, Celest decided to spend time making PPEs for our front-liners since March last year. Towards the end of 2020, she set her mind and heart to doing something for herself and ticking things off her to-do list, which was how she came up with the idea to bring Coterie to life. Here, she tells us more about it.
What inspired you to come up with Coterie?
“I’ve always loved white shirts and I wear them a lot, but I can’t seem to can’t find unique white designs for myself. They usually look either too much like a uniform or a rip-off, so I decided to create my own. I thought the time was right to produce a made-to-wear and ready-to-wear white collection since I’ve always been known for the white bridal dresses that I design. The next time anyone thinks of white, I hope that they’ll think of me, Celest Thoi!”
Can you share with us more about it?
“Coterie’s connotation is a small group of people with shared interests and taste, especially one that’s exclusive. My version of Coterie, however, is a celebration of style and friendship coming together in harmony. My model friends are made up of a group of strong women who are effortlessly stylish, confident and career-centric in their own way. The outfits in this collection are all made from cotton and consists of tops, skirts and shorts – in short, there’s something for everyone to wear.”
Moving forward, can we expect to see more designs under this collection and can you share your future plans?
“At the moment, my aim is to introduce different series with a touch of colour. For example, white shirts with a touch of pink details for Pink October, perhaps. As for my future plans, I’m just going to go with the flow. My business has been badly hit and throughout 2020, I only had 3 clients who had their weddings then. Many of my clients are residing overseas and couldn’t fly in for fittings. Most of my clients have postponed their weddings – some until 2023 even! Many clients have also cancelled their weddings and went on to set up a family instead. So I’m just going to take it one day at a time and look out for other opportunities in the meantime.”
What is the one advice you’d like to give other fashion designers out there who are going through similar challenges?
“My advice to everyone is that we need to support one another. We are all in this together. I really think that now is really when need each other, more than ever! So let’s stand together and pull through this pandemic as one united family.”
My top picks from this collection:
1. ‘Pure’
2. ‘Faith’ skirt
3. ‘Star’
Coterie by Celest Thoi ranges between RM199 to RM499 and can be purchased here.
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