cees n co Perfect Blue Button Down

http://repositorymag.com/tops/shirts/cees-n-co-perfect-blue-button-repository-reviews/

A while back we reviewed a white button down shirt from Dutch brand cees n’ co, the brainchild of Arien de Vries. If you missed out last time around, she’s an Amsterdam based designer born in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Having worked in Holland for many years as a costume designer, de Vries learnt the importance of making actors feel good in their costume both on stage and in front of camera. No surprise then that she’s turned her attentions to making the wearers of her shirts feel like they might be movie stars as well when they’ve got on her wares. The feel, fabric, look and fit have all been so well considered, this almost feels more polished than the first white button down we were lucky enough to try – quite the compliment.

Cees n' Co Blue Packaging

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The packaging of the cees n’ co parcel is still one of the best I’ve seen. The perfectly packed shirt sits in its own mesh bag underneath a couple of elegant postcards and washing instructions as well as a nice set of collar stays. Right out of the package, the feel of the shirt is pretty wonderful, a sign of an exceptional wear to come. I feel reviewing this like I might seem over the top, but really de Vries does such a good job with her shirts that they warrant every little bit of praise I can squeeze out.

Feel:

Cees n' Co Blue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As with the first, white, button down, this feels pretty much like the perfect dress shirt. Simplicity is still the leading edge of the design process as there is no excess whatsoever in the finished product. From the front, the simple mother of pearl buttons, noticeable lack of a front pocket and semi cutaway collar all speak to a refined final product. The back of the shirt holds the same feel, where the typical pleated design has been removed and replaced by flat fabric to maintain simplicity. Though you might expect this would sacrifice somewhat the fit, it doesn’t. The angular cuff with two buttons and unique serial number sewn into the collar add further design details to a remarkably well designed shirt.

Fit:

Cees n' Co Blue Pair

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It doesn’t get a whole lot better than the original white shirt I was able to review from cees n’ co but this blue slim-fit option manages to improve on an already great product. While the cees n’ co original was a classic fit, the slimming down has made the shirt even more fitted and I have to say it wears pretty amazingly. It’s not skinny so you can’t move, it’s just slim so you look a bit like you’ve had it tailored when you slip it on. You can’t say it much better than that. The tall shirt tail as well is a real bonus as there’ll be no slipping out of your pants once the shirt is tucked in, something many other dress shirts can have problems with.

Fabric:

Cees n' Co Blue v White

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One thing that feels instantly notable when pulling this shirt on for the first time is the quality of the fabric. de Vries has sourced a poplin fabric for the construction of her shirts instead of an oxford or other cotton due to the fact that poplin is thinner and has a higher count of warp yarns, a detail that may seem small but provides a smooth, soft and strong feeling. The comfort of the poplin only increases following washing and ironing as well as the shirt will soften further while maintaining the strength and integrity of the fabric.

Overall:

Cees n' Co Blue Suited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As de Vries says in her own words when describing the cees n’ co button down “Back to simplicity, but made with great expertise and craftsmanship. A shirt for every occasion, for business (under a suit, with or without tie) as well as casual.” She seems to have hit every point she had been gunning for, this really is a great looking shirt we’d be comfortable wearing under a suit any day, but also wearing open collared for a slightly more casual look. It certainly garners a compliment or two from onlookers and honestly you feel pretty great with it on.

Apologies if you’d read this as well last time, but there’s also an interesting sustainability aspect to the design process. When it comes time to say goodbye to your current iteration of the shirt, it can be returned to cees n’ co and a 15 euro deposit from your original pruchase will be returned to you. The shirts will then be retouched slightly and place on the second hand market for a second lease on life if possible or recycled for materials for new products if refurbishment is impossible. If you wear your shirt for over three years, this 15 euro deposit will end up going to a charitable organization instead. It’s a small touch, but one that also sets de Vries apart from many other designers.

To purchase your own blue shirt (or the white shirt for that matter, may as well stock up), we recommend clicking through to the cees n’ co website where you can also learn a little more about the designer and the shirt itself. Just ask google to translate it for you and you’ll be off to the races. The online shop offers a handy guide to taking measurements as well as a section where you can purchase your new shirt for 99 euros (before the removal of VAT, at which time it comes to closer to 80 euros). Even if you weren’t previously considering needing a new dress shirt or two, go find one or two of the cees n’ co options, you’ll be glad you did.

 

http://repositorymag.com/tops/shirts/cees-n-co-perfect-blue-button-repository-reviews/

The fabric really echoes the quality of construction

From the moment you open the packaging from cees n’ co you know you’re in for a treat. Everything from the wrapping around the box to the handwritten care instructions and the carefully packed shirt ooze quality and thoughtfulness. It came as no surprise then that the actual shirt was one of the most comfortable and well fitting button downs I’ve had the pleasure of sampling.

A little bit of background before we get into the shirt itself, cees n’ co was founded by Arien de Vries, an Amsterdam based designer born in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Having worked in Holland for many years as a costume designer, de Vries learnt the importance of making actors feel good in their costume both on stage and in front of camera. This in turn inspired the redefinition of a classic staple of the men’s wardrobe to make it feel even more timeless and comfortable, making the wearer feel good in any situation. The fit, the look, the feel and the fabric have all been given equal weight in the design process and it shows in the quality of the finished product.

Design:

Cees n' Co Serial Number

Arien de Vries has clearly put an awful lot of thought into the entire cees n’ co experience, a sentiment immediately reflected in the aesthetic of the shirt itself. Simplicity is at the fore as there is no excess whatsoever in the finished product. From the front, the simple mother of pearl buttons, noticeable lack of a front pocket and semi cutaway collar all speak of good design and removing the unnecessary details. This is echoed again looking at the back, where the typical pleated design has been removed and replaced by flat fabric to maintain simplicity. The angular cuff with two buttons and unique serial number sewn into the collar add further design details to a remarkably well designed shirt.

Fit:

Cees n' Co Fit

As one would expect from a dress shirt that bridges the gap between casual and business, the fit of de Vries shirt looks quite slim though the designer maintains that the fit is ‘regular.’ The back of the shirt differs from some dress shirts in that there is no pleats, the back is smooth which takes nothing away from the quality of the fit while giving a little something different to the eye. As with some other garments designed in Holland rather than North America or Japan, the fit is also on the longer side with a great tail shirt bottom. Not only does this make the fit of the shirt better for anyone tall, it also resolves the problem of shirts losing their tucked state when the wearer reaches up.

Fabric:

One thing that feels instantly notable when pulling this shirt on for the first time is the quality of the fabric. de Vries has sourced a white poplin fabric for the construction of her shirts instead of an oxford or other cotton for the reason that poplin’s thinner and more numerous warp yarns provide a smooth, soft and strong feeling. The comfort of the poplin only increases following washing and ironing as well as the shirt will soften further while maintaining the strength and integrity of the fabric.

Cees n' Co Unbuttoned

Construction:

The whole package put together in the cees n co white dress shirt is great, but would quickly fade to ordinary if the combination of ingredients was put together with anything less than perfect. Luckily de Vries clearly considered this when she was working through her samples and starting production. It’s quite impressive to note the calibre of construction for a 99 euro shirt as the stitching feels hardy, buttons feel like they’re going to stay on for a long time and the fact that you can easily pick up a new pair of collar stays is very convenient should those wind up lost in the wash. The fabric really echoes the quality of construction and the whole shirt does have the timeless feel to it that de Vries was aiming for thanks to the overall level of craftsmanship.

Overall:

Cees n' Co Tie

As de Vries says in her description of the shirt, the cees n’ co button down is “Back to simplicity, but made with great expertise and craftsmanship. A shirt for every occasion, for business (under a suit, with or without tie) as well as casual. Cees n co strives to be the next favourite classic white shirt in his wardrobe.” We at REPOSITORY feel she’s done a pretty exceptional job, turning out a finished product that will definitely be the one I’ll be reaching for when I need a white shirt for a long time to come. The combination of fit, feel, look and fabric mentioned in the introduction comes together perfectly when you pull the shirt on. There’s not much higher praise we can offer this shirt than that.

One final thing to note before considering a purchase of this shirt is that there’s also an interesting sustainability aspect to the design process. When it comes time to say goodbye to your current iteration of the shirt, it can be returned to cees n’ co and a 15 euro deposit from your original pruchase will be returned to you. The shirts will then be retouched slightly and place on the second hand market for a second lease on life if possible or recycled for materials for new products if refurbishment is impossible. If you wear your shirt for over three years, this 15 euro deposit will end up going to a charitable organization instead. It’s a small touch, but one that also sets de Vries apart from many other designers.

To purchase your own perfect white shirt, we recommend clicking through to the cees n’ co website where you can also learn a little more about the designer and the shirt itself. The online shop offers a handy guide to taking measurements as well as a section where you can purchase your new shirt for 99 euros (before the removal of VAT, at which time it comes to closer to 80 euros). Should you be in the market for a new white button down shirt or two, we couldn’t recommend these highly enough.

Our little black dress is a man’s ‘Perfect white shirt’

Dutch costume designer Arien de Vries, a theatre costume designer for 25 years, invented “the perfect white shirt” and with success. The design is inspired by a photograph of her father and uncle in post-war attire. A time that there was so delicious little to choose from, according to the designer. The shirts, made by cees n co, are probably the first with a numbered label and a deposit. Perfectly made with craftsmanship in a quality fabric and with wonderful details. The crispy and fresh shirt has a stiff collar and cuffs. The buttons and even the box in which it is sent, are all designed not to be fashionable,  but with a good old sense of classic value. The shirts are numbered and when you return the shirt within 3 years of purchase,  the deposit will be paid back to you. If you do not return the shirt within these three years, your deposit will go to a charity, Terre des Hommes… The shirts which are still in a good condition will go secondhand stores, if not  they will go to a recycling company to be made into new raw material.

Arien de Vries owner cees n co
Arien de Vries owner cees n co

In this time of abundance and excesses, there are companies which make us aware that we need to start thinking of the future. About the sustainability of products. Not only is the nature of our resources of importance, but the lifetime of a product as well , thus stated by cees n co. The environmentally friendly and geniun concept of cees n co, is without a doubt a good example for this new way of working with durable products. Good examples are BleuLab an American company or the kiloknaller who sell clothes per kilo and not individual. But what is the reason for the sidestep for Arien de Vries after 25 years working for the theatre and winning, “the Wijnberger Award”. The prestigious prize for theatre productions.

Reason to ask more about this new concept and the woman behind it, whose work revolves around theatre, fashion and her atelier. I met this amazing woman in Amsterdam to find out more. When I congratulated her with the success of cees n co. She answered that she is dazzled by all the attention. I found it quit charming and sweet, her being surprised by the enormous interest. And the enthusiastic reactions she got from clients and professionals as well. She found it most fulfilling to work on this project and where it all lead to.

The perfect white shirt by cees n co
The perfect white shirt by cees n co

Inspiration: The first question is about your inspiration; why did you decide to make “the perfect shirt”?

Working as a costume designer you have the responsibility to help the actors to feel good in their costume on stage or in front of the camera. Fnding a classic shirt not always a simple task. There were always details which weren’t quite right, the collar, the cuffs, the buttons, the stitching, the finishing and above all the fabric. This made me realise that I wanted to make the perfect shirt. A shirt, when freshly ironed, becomes soft whilst wearing and will still keep it’s fresh and crisp look. Classic, not ‘fashionable’. Back to simplicity, but made with great expertise. A shirt for every occasion, for business (under a suit, with or without tie) as well as casual. “It is not my intention to be adding a trendy shirt but one which will become your most favorite shirt”, she stated.

"The perfect white shirt" by cees n co
“The perfect white shirt” by cees n co

Idea: But how to translate all that to a shirt was quite a challenge. For me the design came together when I found a picture of my father and my uncle in white crisp shirts. Looking at the Photo I could almost feel the fabric and recall the smell of the ironed shirt. Then I knew that this was the type of shirt I wanted to make. The concept model was designed in collaboration with Henry Perdon and Edu Martens from atelier EL TALLER in Amsterdam. I have been working with them for many years and find them always very precise and they have a great eye for detail in making costumes for theater, opera and film. A manufacturer for the shirt I found together with the help and knowledge of friends who have the company ,MPD accessories. The productioncompny is situated in Mumbai, India, the place where I lived with my parents and know very well. The PR was in association with TopiQ a PR and communication consultancy in Amsterdam. It all seems to come together.

 

I started with with a website for cees n co and introducied the concept and shirt to friends and family. And asked them to buy the shirt and so through crowdfunding I started the business. It seem logical to thank this people for their trust and support, so what more to do than invite them for the grand launch of cees n co in the Lloyd Hotel in Amsterdam in the presence of my father Co and the family of my late uncle Cees after whome the company is named. It couldn’t have been better to make the circle complete in this way.

Deposit label cees n co
Deposit label cees n co

Theatre: I started working in theatres when I was sixteen, I loved the atmosphere and the creativity that was always buzzing around, and was immediately drawn to this work. I love to work in a team and share the creativity. I decided to go to the Rietveld academic for theatre education and to make this my choice of carrier.. “In the beginning I did everything in the theatre, décors, costumes, styling. But whilst working during the first years I realised, that I was more interested in doing costumes. Theatrecostumes is close to fashion but also to art and you can do so much on stage. After a number of successful years I was mostly asked to do costumes. Therefore I started my own atelier and builded up a extensive collection of vintage and classic costumes. Of course I have my favourites designers. I find Martin Margiela very inspiring and really innvantory , Westwood, McQueen for their knowledge of the curring, history and theatrical approach, Lanvin and Jill Sander for their classical quality, Prada is also always good… etc. But also small innovated companies have my attention. I have no intention to leave the theatre as a designer, I will continue working on projects next to cees n co she smiles and says; “My roots and love are too deep to disconnect” and I have several new project for this and next year to work on.

 

Box with flyer cees n co
Box with flyer cees n co

Will there be more products in the future? We already extended the model with one; with extra long sleeves and a really big size shirt. Next year we will be introducing “the perfect blue shirt” and in the near future a perfect white shirt for women. Like the men’s shirt , with the same quality details. I don’t want to go to the perfect suit or socks, or to open shops. I want to keep it in line with the concept. The idea of Pop Up store is something cees n co can relate to and offers possibility for the future.

 

Some facts: Arien de Vries, was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil. When she was four her parents moved to Bombay where she lived for 6 years. Since 1980 she lives in Amsterdam. There she successfully finished her study theatre design at the Rietveld Academy in 1986. Since then she has been working as a costume designer (also internationally) for different theatre companies, opera houses and films. Arien won the Wijnberg Scenography Prize for the production of ‘a view from a bridge” by theatre company Oostpool. together with setdesigner Marc Warning and lighting designer Gé Wegman.

 

Theatre productions, national and international.

TUP Essen, Entführung aus dem Serail, 2012
National Theatre, De Driestuiversopera, 2011
Comish Oper, Don Pasquale, 2010
Theatre Basel, Madama Butterfly, 2009
Opera South, The Barbier from Sevilla 2008

Story by: Gabriëlle Voogt

Another Someting & Company: “A timeless classical appeal”

We like the story of cees n co, a little brand founded in June of this year by Sao Paulo-born Arien de Vries to create the perfect white shirt for men. De Vries has lived in Amsterdam since 1980 where she completed the Rietveld Academy in 1986, studying theater design. After graduating she has worked as a costume designer for various theater companies, operas and television. Inspired by working with all these different people and fashion-styles originated the idea to define the classic men’s shirt in its ultimate form. Where women have their little black dress, in the eyes of de Vries men should have their perfect white shirt – and we totally agree on that!
Cees n' Co Packing

Inspired by her experiences that a costume should enhance the role an actor performs on stage, but also should sit comfortably while doing so, de Vries felt men should have a costume for everyday life. The quality of the fabric, the design and appearance should contribute equally. And because her vision is to give something back to the world we live in, the perfect white shirt should also be durable. That’s why she didn’t want to develop a shirt that was fashionable, but with a timeless classical appeal. A shirt that was not subject to trends and after a season would be replaced by a new shirt, as this shirt should become a thoughtless choice for all kinds of different everyday occasions.

The concept of sustainability, which goes beyond just the fact that the shirt shouldn’t be replace after one season, is a heartfelt ambition of Arien de Vries and cees n co. Therefore, when the final moment of farewell of the shirt has come, preferably after a multitude of years, cees n co offers the possibility for the user to return the shirt to them for a 15 euro deposit. Shirts that are still suitable for the used market will only have the labels removed and prepared for its next owner. If the shirt isn’t suitable for a second life it will be processed as raw materials for new products.