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Dear Friends,
It's that "transition" time of year... from summer to fall, from linen to knits, from sandals to boots and leggings. If you love fashion, fall is the season when
innovation and creativity make shopping such a joy! Even in this triple-digit heat, our fall merchandise is flying out of the store. Why this early enthusiasm?
Here's my theory. The "back to basics" theme for this season makes everything so easy and fun to put together and to wear. We call it "classic chic." And, you
seem to be embracing it!
On the FRANNIE front, our new sister store continues to surprise us. We haven't yet settled on who the FRANNIE customer is because you keep us guessing.
One thing for sure...the eclectic mix of customers at FRANNIE have one thing in common. They like to try new things and they like to mix things up. What fun it
is to sit back and watch our customers be so creative. Join the fun! At FRANNIE you'll find the trends, the excitement, the fashion and the fabrics...all at
a lower price point.
One bit of housekeeping, we'll continue to rely more on electronic messages to let you know about special sales and events. So, if we don't have your email
address, please call the store or email us to get on the list.
Thank you for your business. Enjoy the show!
All my best,
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Fall 2006 Must Haves
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The winds of fashion are shifting and moving nicely in our direction. After many seasons of very ornate, embellished, overly expressive clothes,
we now see a trend toward more classic styling and a simpler way of dressing and looking. It's not to say that we are falling back to boring basics,
but we like cleaner lines, interesting fabrics, much more neutral color and much less decoration. While the look is simpler, there is much exciting
fashion news for you to embrace this season: new proportions, new items, new mixes.
We're calling the season "Classic Chic".
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THE BIG NEWS: KNIT DRESSING!
Dressing totally in comfy knits is coming back after a decade of emphasis on wovens...fine gauge jerseys styled in new tops and dresses,
layers of sweater knits, and of course the all-important legging.
Narrow on the bottom is the news, and you can update all your looks by putting them with or over a new legging.
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KNIT JACKETS
From classic blazer style to chic military, the newness this year is knit construction. They fit so well and are so comfortable.
The most classic style will be very chic worn over a legging or narrow knit bottom. Add a great belt, throw on a cashmere shawl, and you're definitely
classically chic and very 2006!
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NEW CARDIGANS
More knits....we love the long cardigans that are almost coats.
Again, they look very new over a skinny legging, but these long sweaters, no matter how you wear them, are a must-have for the season.
Soft yarns and interesting stitches define the trend-right look.
Shorter, crop cardigans and shrugs are also important, especially if layered over a longer-length turtleneck or T. We have lots of heathers, cables, textures, and cashmere.
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MILITARY MARCHES ON
We have this look in separate jackets, coats, and sweaters. Lots of brass buttons, pockets, epaulettes, and belted looks abound, while
additional newness is the military jacket in a classic menswear or glen plaid.
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JUMPERS
Here's a new item we haven't worn in a long time! It's a natural evolvement of the layering concept and how much we love the ease of wearing a dress.
Just pop the new jumper over a classic turtleneck or T and you have a new trend-right look.
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SKIRTS
Soft and full are still the mode, but we look to good classic fabrics like menswear tweeds and puppytooths to do the work. A touch of trim works to make it feminine,
but our ornate peasant skirts are out! Look for discreet grosgrain ribbon trims, a bit of petticoat lace at the hem, or accents of velvet and subtle metallic.
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FANCY COTTON SHIRTS
The great white shirt continues to be a key item, and this year we love the additional detail that makes it special. Look for little ruffles, pleat
detail on collars and cuffs, pintucks, and tuxedo bibs. The newness is on the sleeve--full and feminine with puffs and gathers--looking great peeking out of a jacket sleeve.
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CHARLES CHANG-LIMA COLLECTION
We are so thrilled to have this wonderful 5-piece collection, and so anxious for you to see how versatile and trend-right it is.
The big news is a wonderful new fabric of the future...an easy-to-wear black fineline pinstripe is year-round cotton and poly, specially woven so you can
shape the fullness as you wish. For instance, the skirt has a gathered godet in the back that you can pouf out or keep flat. The dirndl skirt on
the very modern sundress can be shaped to look very round or narrow. The belted blazer jacket is a key item that works on its own; the hooded anorak jacket
is sportive chic; and the crop pant goes with them all.
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THE OVERSIZE BAG
If clothing styles are getting simpler, accessories,
bags and shoes remain very showy and expressive. Carrying that great oversize bag is a must this
year, and ours are soft, pouchy, and full of metal and stitching detail.
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THE MUST-HAVE BUCKLE BELT
Simple, but highly styled with a self-leather giant buckle. This is the must-have belt of the season! The colors are simple and go with everything--rich black and deep deep brown.
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With Charles Chang-Lima
Charles Chang-Lima makes glamorous clothing out of the finest materials, and takes classic design into the practicalities of today's marketplace. Since 1994, when
he began his own label, he has said his goal is not to tell a story or to shock. He designs clothes "for every woman...the young, the serious working woman, everyone."
And, he designs to sell clothes. They say his clothes simply fly off the racks faster than anyone else's.
Born in Caracas, Venezuela of Chinese heritage, young Charles did not feel at home in the Latin culture. Similarly, he did not feel at home in Taiwan as a
teenager. So, he headed to New York to study architecture.
Before finishing that grueling line of study, Charles applied his drawing and design skills to the world of fashion, a field that had always intrigued him.
You will note the design influence of Charles James on Charles' work (see photo). Married and divorced to designer, Gemma Kahng, he cites as other important influences
the New Look of post-war 1940's and 1950's, the Mod look of the 1960's and the deconstruction of the 1970's.
As you look at the Charles Chang-Lima fall collection, you can see elements of each of these periods, subtly incorporated into his work. The line is called
"Back to Basics", because, as Charles puts it, "We've tried everything different in the 1990's and now it's time to update the classics and give them timelessness."
Take the time to give them a look this season at Frances Heffernan.
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Frances Heffernan Calendar
August - September
August 25 - September 5 Shasa, Gimo's, Artico
September 7 - 9 Blue Duck
September 9 - 13 Bogner
September 15 - 16 Maria Pinto
September 19 - 20 Luciano Barbera
September 27 - 29 Neil Bieff
October
October 12 - 14 Lida Baday
October 12 - 13 Lana Jewelry
October 19 - 21 Zenobia
October 19 - 20 Nancy Jane Purses
October 26 - 28 Rena Lange
October 27 Temple St. Clair
November
November 8 - 9 Carmen Marc Valvo
December
December 2 - 3 Jonathan Lee Rutledge Jewelry
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