Introducing Brock Collection for Paperless Post
We believe in modern love—especially after meeting the husband-and-wife duo behind Brock Collection. As red carpet favorites, they’ve become known for clothes with a sense of occasion and lived-in ease. Think sculptural ruffles with raw edges. Fittingly, their collaboration began at Parsons, when Kris asked Laura to be a fit model for a wedding dress he was creating. Within the span of a few short years, the busy pair launched their business, moved to Southern California, won accolades from the CFDA, and walked down the aisle (this time in a gown designed by Laura) at a heartfelt seaside ceremony.
We jumped at the opportunity to work with them on a collection of invitations and cards that bring to life their signature sun-kissed floral fabrics. We sat down with them in the midst of designing their fall collection to ask them about their world of design and celebrations.
Table of Contents
How to dress with a sense of occasion(s)
Credits: Images courtesy of Brock Collection. “Manon“ by Brock Collection for Paperless Post.
The Brocks themselves think of their clothes as having “beachy ease with a sense of very contemporary polish.” Sometimes that of-the-nowness comes from a love of romantic florals and wallpaper-inspired prints, and sometimes from raw-edged fabrics and high-volume silhouettes. Their looks couldn’t be better-made for a party. “When we make clothes, we always make sure that the person who wears it is comfortable and at ease… and special, and beautiful, and different.”
When it’s their turn to host, they try to keep in mind the adage that “true hospitality is when people leave feeling better about themselves, and not about you.” A cocktail offered upon arrival helps, as does ending the night with a great bottle of red wine outside around the fire, but the Brocks also keep in mind the setting, menu, music, and seating.
How to really say it with flowers
Credits: Images courtesy of Brock Collection. “Gilda“ by Brock Collection for Paperless Post.
For the Brocks, that’s not just their MO for design, but their ideal for parties as well. Comfortable, hospitable, and overflowing with personal touches. For the Brocks, that’s flowers—in the decor, that is.
Laura loves going to the local flower market the morning of a party and choosing what fits with the mood of the party. She says, “For baby showers, I will make arrangements of garden roses, sweet peas, and berries. When we host large dinner parties, I keep the arrangements clean, with garden roses or gardenias. For children’s parties, I love to make fun arrangements with large dahlias or delphinium in a splash of colors. In the winter, I stick with narcissus—I love the scent.”
Wait, what is on the table
Credits: Brock Collection + Moda Operandi lunch. Corinne Wine Glass: William Yeoward. Blue Fluted Half Lace pattern: Royal Copenhagen.
Another personal favorite of the Brocks: fun china patterns, artfully “mismatched.” Royal Copenhagen is a perennial on their table, with hand-blown water goblets, and vintage French linens. Once you set the table, who sits where? For birthday parties and special occasions, they’ll do assigned seats. Laura says it’s “always fun to imagine friends getting to know one another who may have not otherwise connected.”
As for the food, it depends on the mood, but it’s always fresh and relaxed.
For cozy nights at home, their go-to recipe is a simple taco recipe from Laura’s Great Grandmother Isabel. A homemade green salsa dresses up ground beef and potatoes with iceberg lettuce and jack cheese. On chilly nights, they love pasta primavera with an easy arugula salad and berry tarts. For special occasions, they’ll call in the experts—local caterer Fork, Knife, and Spoon.
How to make merrier with more
Credits: top two images: Brock Collection X Maisonette. French Blue Rashguard and Tan Gigham Boardie: Minnow Swim.
Kids could put a cramp in one’s party style, but that didn’t stop the Brocks—quite the opposite. “It’s important to keep your social engagements” when you become parents, says Laura. Rather than losing out on connection with their friends after they had their son Charlie, “we just started adding fun kids’ table settings to our adult parties.”
How they had one particularly memorable party
Credits: Images courtesy of Brock Collection. “Tosca“ by Brock Collection for Paperless Post.
You would never ask these two to give up their party schedule once you know this story about their courtship. “We wanted a low-key wedding,” and they ultimately got just their wish. What was their secret?
They invited their guests to an engagement party. And then, surprise! Out came the officiant. “It took the pressure off our guests, and it turned out so fun.” If that wasn’t enough of a surprise, they did a gender reveal for their cake cutting, learning that they were expecting a son. “We waited to find out amongst our friends, and it was just such a special moment.”
What the invitations are here for
Credits: Dress: Odilia Floral Midi Dress, Moda Operandi. Crystal glasses: William Yeoward. Berry Tart: Petite Foodie.
We’ll take over here: fun, personal events of every kind—from showers to weddings to birthdays to dinners to drinks—where you want a sense of glamorous ease and just a touch of the unexpected.
Go ahead, try them on and wear them out: see the new line of Brock Collection invitations.
Hero Image: Trevor Smith for Citiphile
