When we discovered that CCH Collection’s Flagship store was right down the street from where we live, we were immediately enthralled. We spent a lovely afternoon in the store trying on basically everything, talking with the collection’s designer, Carter Johnson, and picking out a few pieces to show off on the blog. (It was so hard to choose – everything is so versatile!!) Carter designs the pieces, they are made in NYC and her sister, Alston, works in New York with the sales and production aspect. We love the modern twist on gorgeous, classic pieces and when we asked Carter a few questions, her answers sum up the Collection perfectly.   (See Catherine in the Pop Top here!) The Crystal Press: What Inspires You? 
Carter Johnston: I’m inspired every day by what I see around me… People Walking down the street, themes I see on the runway, pictures I see on Instagram… sometimes even a color story in graffiti on a wall can spark an entire collection!

TCP: What drives you? 
CJ: I love to create clothing that makes women feel comfortable and stylish at the same time. I always find that when I want to look put together I often cannot find something comfortable enough to wear all day long – or – if it is comfortable, it does not look stylish and sophisticated. Many times pieces I design come from the desire to fill a void in my own wardrobe and I think I represent a lot of working women out there that have children or busy work schedules, where they need to be able to translate what they have on at work or running errands into what they wear to dinner or drinks with friends. I hope that their CCH pieces will fill that niche!!

TCP: How did you know it was time to start your own line? Fears you had to overcome?
CJ: I have always collected pieces that I have come across through the years – whether it was a discontinued sample from work that needed a fit revision, vintage pieces found from all over, amazing pieces from my mother or pictures of my Grandmother – I have quietly been creating my collection since as early as I can remember. I usually have the silhouette in my mind and then try to find an amazing fabric to make it in. I have these shapes floating around in my head and once I find the fabric, they come to life!!

TCP: Out of all the cities for CCH to pop up in – why Richmond?
CJ: I am from Richmond and have always thought this would be the perfect location for a CCH Store because what we offer suits the lifestyle of many of the women here. Richmond is a stylish city and the women are sophisticated. They want to look put together and effortlessly chic. They do not crave trend… they want to look timeless and elegant!!

[ we could not agree more!! well said! ]

TCP: Who is your muse? 
CJ: The line is named for my Grandmother as many of the first silhouettes were based on either pieces she wore or a look that she embodied. There are many “vintage” elements in the collection (high waisted pants, feminine blouses etc) but I like to make the silhouettes feel current by tweaking their fit and making them up in fabrics that are conducive to the lifestyle of busy women today.

and a few fun ones to end on — 

Love the wall of printed instagrams!

They have a variety of pumps to try on with the clothes, in case you are like us and never come prepared!

Make sure you go stop by the Flagship Store on Grove Avenue if you’re local. It is so beautifully curated and Carter is extremely fun, knowledgeable and talented! [ shop online here if you aren’t! ]