Coccolily Exclusively Available at Toronto’s Shopgirls

I’ve met so many wonderful people throughout my career, but Naana Tennachie Yankey is one of those special souls who have a rare, welcoming glow about them. It’s always great to see her on those rare times I do.

Naana is the Montreal-based designer of the line Coccolily which recently just got picked up by one of my favourite Toronto boutiques,  Shopgirls Gallery Boutique. I stopped by the boutique a couple of weeks ago to see Naana in person and get a little sneak peek of some of the dresses exclusive to the boutique. The line includes pretty florals,  bold brights, lace, and risqué cut-outs and are available in XS to XL.

While many of the dresses are quite short and high-waisted, I think they’d look great with a pair of leggings underneath, of which Shopgirls has a great selection. (My personal favourite is the white and pink colour block dress, featured below. ) With prices ranging from a modest $150 to $250, it’s a perfect excuse to add another great Canadian designer to your wardrobe.

“Naana is an inspiring Canadian designer with a beautiful vision for women’s clothing. I am thrilled that

Shopgirls will be the exclusive retailer to carry her Coccolily spring 2011 line,” said Michelle Germain, owner and curator of Shopgirls Gallery Boutique.

Designed as luxury clothing that every woman deserves, Coccolily is Tennachie Yankey’s first private line. Coccolily has caught the eye of leading fashion editors, and has been featured in the pages of Elle Canada and Flare.

Born in Ghana, designer Naana Tennachie Yankey got her start in fashion by interning for Marc Jacobs in New York. After studying Fashion Design at the Academy of Arts and Design in Montreal, she worked under designer Eve Gravel before starting her own line, Coccolily.

Shopgirls Gallery Boutique is located at 1342 Queen Street West, Toronto (just west of Dufferin, on the north side of the street).