A little bit of Paris alighted on Union Square Tuesday at the opening of the first free-standing Cop.Copine boutique in the U.S.
Located at 343 Powell Street along the ground floor of the St. Francis Hotel, the chic space features the sophisticated, yet eminently wearable, stylings of the French fashion company founded by designer Leon Nedelian.
His biggest fan in San Francisco? Ophthalmologist Dr. Lillie Mosaddegh, who with her husband, Ahmad Bayat, purchased the exclusive U.S. rights to open Cop.Copine boutiques around the country.
“Every time I visit Paris, I find myself buying at least 60-80 pieces from Cop.Copine,” explained the fashionable doctor, of why she’s expanded into the rag trade. “I thought it was about time for me to pay wholesale!”
The opening benefited another stylish San Franciscan, Jennifer Siebel Newsom. A portion of sales supports the completion of Newsom’s non-profit documentary,Miss Representation.
Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Cop.Copine SF owner Dr. Lillie Mosadegh and Cop.Copine founder Leon Nedelian
Deadlines seem to currently dominate the filmmaker’s life: she and her husband, Mayor Gavin Newsom, are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their first child. However Newsom remains committed to meeting her December deadline for the film’s completion. Especially as she and her husband will welcome into the world a little girl.
“This documentary is a quest to effect change in creating opportunity and hope for American women within the cultural and workplace power structure and give them courage to express their voices,” said Siebel to the gathered crowd. “My other greatest hope is that my daughter will grow up in a world where she not only feels her own power as a woman. But that she will not be influenced or objectified or demeaned by mass media.”
Thanking Lillie for her support, Newsom said she hopes the doc is released next spring and, with a laugh, promised that the film is certainly not anti-fashion. Especially as the new mom-to-be was most stylishly and, comfortably, dressed in one of the boutique’s signature dresses.
The line of well-priced, dresses, blouses, tunics, pants and Ts is comprised of mono-chromatic black or gray and livened by subtle hues of color such as violet, scarlet or a touch of tartan plaid. With funky flourishes such as harem draping, exquisite pleating and avante-garde angles, the look is both Euro-chic and elegant.
What Dr. Mosaddegh loves most about this line is, as a working woman, the pieces can be worn in the office and easily transfer from day to evening-wear.
“It’s like that jingle from the old commercial, ‘I liked it so much, I bought the company’,” said Mosaddegh, laughing.
After numerous shopping escapades in Paris, Mosaddegh and her husband finally decided to contact the Cop.Copine owner and see if he might discuss the U.S. rights with them.
“It’s funny,” said founder Leon Nedelian, “For years, I’ve received calls like this. Every day. But I liked Lillie’s email so I asked to meet her and her husband in person. I need to see people to know them.”
After five minutes together, explained Nedelian, they were all mad about each other. Like long-lost family members.
The S.F. boutique is managed by Kim Roberts, a veteran of Union Square luxury retailers. Mosaddegh will continue her ophthalmology practice. But expert shopper that she is, will serve as the boutique’s buyer.
And shopper Heather Langley-Evans could not be more pleased.
Traveling in the city with her pal, Sarah Davies, the two just happened to walk by the store as the party kicked-into gear. Langley-Evans, of Sun Valley and Paris, also happens to be a huge fan of Cop.Copine. In fact, her Paris apartment is right around the corner from one of Nedelian’s boutiques there.
The ladies were planning to make their annual trek up to St. Helena where they always know they can find at least a few Cop.Copine pieces at the Diva boutique.
“This is wonderful, there are so many pieces to choose from -- coats, blouses, scarves, dresses -- all in one place,” Langley-Evans enthused, deftly juggling her Cop.Copine shopping bag and a glass of wine as she perused the racks. “Lucky me!”
Check out more photos below
Sarah Davies and Heather Langley-Evans
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