Madeleine Cohen on Turning Fashion Frustrations as a Short Woman Into Jean Brand Nelle Atelier
If you, like some of us on the Sweety High writing staff, are 5'4″ or under, you know that the struggle is real when it comes to finding jeans that fit right off the rack.
Madeleine Cohen knows this well. As a 5'1″ woman herself, she was sick and tired of never finding clothing that fit her right, and thus, Nelle Atelier was born. This ready-to-wear jeans brand is made just for shorter bodies, with specialized knee placement, hip placement and rise to get the look just right, without the need for a trip to the tailor. We had the pleasure of chatting with Madeleine to learn more about founding the brand and her entrepreneurial journey in the interview below.
Name: Madeleine Cohen
IG handles: @madcoxo and @nelleatelier
Hometown: New York City, New York
1. Madeleine's been obsessed with style since she was 6 or 7 years old.
"My mom had this friend and she just had the absolute best style. It was timeless. She mixed high and low she had a casual elegance about her—now I realize she had the most incredible taste and a really good eye. I just remember being that young and thinking I wanted to put myself together in that way."
-Madeleine Cohen
(via Nelle Atelier)
2. Her personal style is timeless, striving for that casual elegance.
"The kind that looks effortless but actually requires effort (lol). I love the creators on TikTok that do the outfit roundups (@oliaviasshoppingdiary for example). I get a lot of inspiration there. I like to see what real women are gravitating towards. It helps me think through what to create for our customer. I also love to mix high and low. I wear a lot of Nelle Atelier, of course, and love a designer bag/shoe or jacket, but you'll also find me wearing a lot of Gap, Massimo Dutti and Mango."
-Madeleine Cohen
3. Nelle Atelier was born out of Madeleine's shopping frustrations as a short woman.
"I was sick of having to alter all my clothes and nothing ever fitting quite right because of my height. I learned that half of women are considered petite (below 5'4″) and it just simply didn't make sense that we didn't have any options that were high quality and aspirational from a brand perspective. We make denim that is perfectly proportioned for petites by adjusting every part of the garment: rise, knee placement, inseam, fading, whiskering and even pocket size."
-Madeleine Cohen
4. The brand gets the name "Nelle" from Penelope, short meaning "weaver" in Greek.
"It's also my mom's name, Ellen, spelled backwards. The 'atelier' is a nod to my French heritage and the fact that our jeans are handmade in Los Angeles."
-Madeleine Cohen
5. When she's in a rush, her go-to outfit is the brand's Claire Boyfriend Jean with a white high-neck T-shirt, an oversized cashmere sweater and ballet flats or boots.
(via Nelle Atelier)
6. The best advice she ever got was that you have to play to win.
"My dad always told me this (and continues to tell me this). It really means that in order to get anywhere you have to take risks. It reminds me to not be afraid when I have to make big decisions."
-Madeleine Cohen
7. Her favorite piece in her closet is a vintage Chanel tweed flap bag she purchased two years ago.
"I am still just as obsessed with it today as I was when I brought it. It elevates every outfit."
-Madeleine Cohen
8. Her current favorite style trend is chocolate brown everything.
"Chocolate suede coats, nails, bags—I can't get enough of it."
-Madeleine Cohen
9. One thing that's important to Madeleine is making a difference with her brand.
"I will never tire of hearing how much Nelle Atelier means to our customers and how being able to put on a pair of jeans that fits them perfectly makes them feel confident, cool and beautiful."
-Madeleine Cohen
(via Nelle Atelier)
For more on the stories behind our favorite brands, click HERE to learn about Rima and Eddy Vaidila and their swim brand, Goldie Swimwear.