At Coco & Lola’s – Midtown’s Lingerie Boutique

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“No one is really doing what we are doing,” says Glenna Rohrbacher about her Midtown lingerie boutique Coco Lola’s. Even Glenna was surprised Memphis didn’t have a boutique that carried vintage-inspired lingerie or lingerie in “real-women size.” It was a discovery that helped launched her business in Cooper-Young. 

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“I just walked around for days asking locals what they needed in Cooper-Young. Most could tell me what they didn’t need any more of. I was given lots of ideas but nothing spoke to me,” she says.

It was a trip to New Orleans with her husband on her 60th birthday that began the lingerie idea. They stumbled upon a shop on Royal Street. “Naturally being in the Quarter, the whole experience was quite nostalgic. The atmosphere was very shaded in burlesque and I had never seen anything like it.”

Glenna admitted that she had a hard time finding lingerie locally that suited her and discovered other women in Midtown had the same problem, noting how far the drive was for them just to buy a pair of panties. Not soon after, the store concept was developed. It was originally called the “Naughty Diva,” but after some neighborhood reactions, she and her husband with help from several other family members landed on a more discreet name, two names to be precise – Coco Lola’s each representing two distinct personas.

Coco represents the sophisticated, vintage-loving woman, while Lola represents the edgier woman and likely for a more youthful audience. Glenna drives the persona of Coco within the shop and her daughter Parker Johnson, who also manages, helps drive the persona of Lola. It’s a melding of “sass and class” as their tagline suggests.

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Stepping into the small and intimate boutique is like stepping into a luxurious closet of an undeniably confident woman. The room smells sweet and provocative from a scent they created themselves and packaged into a candle they sell exclusively. 

Coco Lola’s offers specialties such as vintage-inspired lingerie, bustiers, and corsets. A recommended brand for the corset and waist cincher is Rago, which Glenna believes is almost essential to making sure one looks their best in vintage-inspired dresses. They also carry the Cosa Bella line, a luxury lingerie brand from Italy, that is distinctly known and found nowhere else in Memphis. Other brands of note include Betty Page, Coquette, and Shirley of Hollywood. They even carry some jewelry by local artists. As far as lingerie sizes go, all women are accommodated. If they don’t have it, they will gladly order it for you.

“I want everyone to feel really comfortable here and we carry sizes that fit girls up to a 44 so they do!” says Glenna.

Visit them at 710 South Cox in Cooper Young. 
Hours: Monday – Saturday 11:30 – 7:00 pm
(901) 425-5912
www.cocoandlolas.com
 

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How This Lingerie Designer Is Bringing Sexy Back for 9-to-5

While a slip dress may suddenly top your spring wish list this season, it has always been a constant in TyLynn Nguyen’s wardrobe. The model turned lingerie designer makes some of the most coveted versions in the business for her Los Angeles–based namesake line, which, since its 2015 launch, has attracted customers like Gigi Hadid. Nguyen’s silk bra and pantie sets, sinuous camisoles, and figure-flattering bodysuits work as well tucked into a pair of high-waisted jeans as they do between the sheets. Every piece is injected with a sexy, laissez-faire aesthetic and appealing notes of L.A. minimalism.

In fact, the nearly 6-foot-tall mother of two incorporates her favorites from the collection into her professional uniform of perfectly broken-in Levi’s denim and a sleek blazer from her enviable collection of outerwear for a look that is as perfect for working in her office downtown as it is for a dinner date with her husband. As Valentine’s Day approaches, the stunning Boston native tells us how she uses lingerie to add a sense of allure to everyday dressing, and how showing just the barest hint of one’s back can make the biggest impression.

Statement-Making Underwear
I was always interested in beautiful things. Books, paintings, architecture, travel, and fashion were always something very beautiful to me. My first real fashion memory is shooting with Bruce Weber at 17. I was enchanted by this legend I had heard of and read about in fashion magazines. I first fell in love with lingerie when I realized it was a true expression of who my mother was. She was an army drill sergeant and would wear Eres lingerie under her military uniform! I also had a professor in college who spoke frequently to me about the importance of women understanding underpinnings and what they stood for. Wearing underwear is a statement for yourself; it’s learning to quietly love all that you are. Most people believe lingerie is to show another person, and although that may be true, I believe it is also a private sentiment to oneself.

Photo: Elias Tahan

Alexandre Vauthier peaked lapels blazer, $1,488, farfetch.com; Jennifer Fisher custom necklace, price upon request, jenniferfisherjewelry.com; TyLynn Nguyen Calla slip, $250, tylynnnguyen.com; Eres La Pagode Concorde lace-trimmed stretch-satin briefs, $200, net-a-porter.com; Givenchy star-embossed zip-around leather wallet, $618, matchesfashion.com

Photo: (Clockwise from top left) Courtesy of farfetch.com; Courtesy of jenniferfisherjewelry.com; Courtesy of tylynnguyen.com; Courtesy of net-a-porter.com; Courtesy of matchesfashion.com

L.A. Means Laid-Back Lingerie
When I launched my brand in March 2015, my vision was to change the silhouettes of current lingerie and what is considered sexy. It’s great for some women to have a ton of frill in their lingerie, but I wanted to show the sophistication of women and sex through simplicity. The first piece that I ever made I did so sitting at my kitchen table, sewing on my machine. My original business plan included me sitting and sewing each garment. But after we launched and sales started coming through—and I was pregnant—I realized that in order to fulfill those orders, I would need a manufacturer. We found a production facility in downtown Los Angeles so we could keep the brand “Made in L.A.”—and we’ve never looked back.

Working Uniform
A typical workday for me starts early. Around 5:00 a.m. I am checking my email. I’m looking for store orders and anything from the factory or fabric houses I deal with. Once 7:00 a.m. hits, I have an idea of those things, and I get my daughter and son ready and head to my office downtown or to Soho House to take meetings and begin going over upcoming photo shoots and new collections. Each day is very different but the same. If I’m running around to the factory and shooting, I am usually wearing a TyLynn Nguyen bodysuit, a turtleneck, or an Ellery top with high-waisted denim or trousers and my favorite Newbark flats or Lanvin loafers. If I have meetings, I will most likely throw on a TyLynn Nguyen slip and one of my favorite blazers over my shoulders with heels. But since I clock in around 6 feet, my height can become overwhelming! Then “You’re so tall!” becomes the first topic of every conversation.

Photo: Courtesy of TyLynn Nguyen

Anita and Green khaki waterfall trenchcoat, $51, newlook.com; Ellery Mickey merino wool blend roll-neck sweater, $1,103, matchesfashion.com; Vetements distressed slim jeans, $1,395, mytheresa.com; TyLynn Nguyen Rose pantie, $74, tylynnnguyen.com; Maison Margiela leather ankle boots, $995, stylebop.com; TyLynn Nguyen Rose bra, $160, tylynnnguyen.com

Photo: (Clockwise from top left) Courtesy of newlook.com; Courtesy of matchesfashion.com; Courtesy of mytheresa.com; Courtesy of tylynnnguyen.com; Courtesy of stylebop.com; Courtesy of tylynnnguyen.com

Lingerie for the Day-to-Date-Night Look
I definitely get dressed from the inside out. My favorite everyday pieces are the TyLynn Nguyen Rose bra and pantie. These pieces always make me feel powerful and seductive. Because the items are higher waisted, I tend to wear vintage Levi’s with a great button-up and leave a few buttons undone, or I’ll throw a slip on top with a power jacket. Just makes for easy dressing! My Orchid bodysuits are a weekly staple for me. I wear them with a great pair of jeans and flats for everyday running around. My slip is perfect for day to night—it’s literally power dressing in meetings to date night with my husband. I transition my look by taking my jacket off and revealing my silk camisole and bare shoulders. The low back of the Calla cami is a sure date-night success!

Photo: Elias Tahan

Westcott wood ruler, $1, homedepot.com; TyLynn Nguyen Calla cami, $110, tylynnnguyen.com; Acne Studios Heather biker jacket, $2,065, matchesfashion.com; Lanvin multi-braided metallic leather flat sandal, $1,390, saksfifthavenue.com; Givenchy medium Nightingale bag, $2,450, kirnazabete.com; J.W.Anderson ruffled-front buttoned skirt, $686, matchesfashion.com

Photo: (Clockwise from top left) Courtesy of Home Depot; Courtesy of tylynnngyuyen.com; Courtesy of matchesfashion.com; Courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue; Courtesy of Kirna Zabete.com; Courtesy of matchesfashion.com

Jackets Bring the Chic Vibes
I love jackets—a standout coat or blazer or bomber can make any outfit look superchic, as well as lend an air of sophistication. I have an incredible collection of jackets that I’ve either inherited or bought over the past decade or so. Style is a feeling, and I feel jackets. I have an amazing Acne Studios half-leather/half-corduroy jacket and an insane Chanel robe I use as an overcoat—my favorites. Alexandre Vauthier, Vetements, and Dior also have some great jackets I have my eye on to add to my jacket collection.

East Coast vs. West Coast Style Battle!
I love the East Coast, but it’s much more conservative. Both of my parents had their hands in banking, so it was always power dressing and black-tie events. Los Angeles is so much more laid-back. I love black, brown, tan, white, army green. I have a saying for it: “I love colorful neutrals.” My dressing has a greater sense of freedom to it these days in L.A.

Photo: Courtesy of TyLynn Nguyen

Vintage Scores
California has also opened my palette to denim and vintage styles. I have piles of Levi’s I found at the Rose Bowl Flea Market for $20, and I can wear them with everything—always a staple for when I am running around in Los Angeles. There are so many vintage shops in L.A., and there are always those one or two pieces you find sporadically that turn out to be pure gold. For some of my designer vintage pieces I love to shop at What Goes Around Comes Around and Decades.

Accessory Game
I’m not a huge jewelry girl, but I wear pieces my husband gives me. He has great taste! It makes them very special. I wear my wedding rings, my daughter’s and son’s name necklaces, and my diamond earrings. I also have a few pieces from my great-grandmother on my mom’s side that I love so much and wear on a date here and there. As for bags, I have a black Givenchy carryall in which I store all of the patterns I am working on at the moment, rulers, my computer, samples, my wallet, kids’ clothes, you name it!

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