Cojana London - Harrods

Hello!
Can anyone tell me about the fashion label Cojana London? It was stocked in Harrods but other than that I can't seem to find any information.
I would be most pleased if you can help me!
Thank you.
Steph

 

Thank you so much for this Ruth! It does seem they specialise in Coats. Not a great deal about them is there which is strange!
Thankyou!

 

Wow, thank you Ruth. I'm just getting a Cojana Harrods camel-coloured cashmere coat ready to go into my shop...you've done all my research for me!

Sarah

 

As is typical of my search patterns on the net, I came across this thread and thought you might like some imput from me!

In the early 70's I was a driver for Cojana; the firm did indeed have it's showroom at 18 Great Marlborough street. Their factory was in Islington, near Caledonian Road. I've looked on Google street view but can't recognise the exact location! They then moved the factory a few miles east and I left in, I think 1975.

Whilst it is true they specialized in coats, they also made a lot of summer dresses, as I would often drive out to somewhere in Buckinghamshire to pick up fabric that had been printed to order. But where they ultimately went to, I don't remember!

They used to sell their coats under their own label and these were stocked by Harrods. They also made coats for Harrods under their label as well as for Chanel - they had a workshop somewhere near Regent Street where I would sometimes deliver to.

The firm was owned by a company called Jacoby and Bratt - two elderly gentlemen who were probably in the rag trade all their lives!

Hope this helps!

 

Great info. Thanks John!

 

The "cornflower-blue" suit Diana wore for her engagement announcement and photo was by Cojana.

 

How do I date and cost my Cojana coat?
I have had it for over 20 years, it looks 60's at least and is possibly silk.

 

I've also been researching the label 'Cojana' so I was delighted to find this thread. I'm shortly going to feature this Crimplene skirt suit by Cojana in my blog, Catwalk Threads. The image is scanned from my copy of British magazine FASHION, 1968.

Very interesting to hear about John's work for the company too.

 

Sorry its taken so long, I forgot all about it

 

Re dating, pricing my Cojana coat

 

I agree with Mary Jane - early '50s and silk faille. But then, if the business only started in the '60s perhaps its one of the nostalgia fashions of the late '60s to early '70s. If it is from the earlier date ('50s) I'd expect to find that the hem had been taken up.

 

Thanks, and what price should I put on it?

 

Well thats what I was doing way back in 2011 and didnt find anything similar, thats why I emailed you guys when I came across your website! Have done a google search again and still nothing similar

 

You might like to read this thread in this forum - in particular, you'll see this line "Please remember that the VFG cannot authenticate or price items."

Sian, a valuation or appraisal can't be done on the basis of a few photos - you could take it to an expert who can consider the condition and alterations etc - you don't mention whether it has been taken up, but that's an example of how the value could be affected. The value is also affected by where you want to sell it - values vary by location and season and demand. Size is another variable that can affect things.

This is why looking for similar items online can give you ballpark figures. I've seen many coats like yours, and that's why I can get an idea of what it is on the small amount of information provided. Other VFG members likewise recognise it. The fact that it's relatively common suggest that you will find similar ones online - try using other key words, like "princess" coat, "fit and flare". They won't all be made of faille, and many sellers do not recognise the fabric for what it is, and may call it wool or rayon.