Blog #1- Interview with designer Daniella Clarke & her daughter Farnkie. Of Frankie B Jeans!

Daniella Clarke and her Fantastic Frankie B Jeans
By: Star608*
August 25th 2009
Daniella Clarke created the fantastic designer jeans known as Frankie B's in 1999. Which she named after her adorable daughter Frankie. Which makes her the coolest mom ever! They're best know for their adorned F shaped emblem on the back pockets that come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and even materials. The jeans are also great because of their fit. They're low waist jeans, that fit correctly in the back. Which I thank her for, because she has helped saving us from the dreaded but cleavage view. I always wondered if designers thought of this when they were making low waiste jeans. It would drive me crazy when I would buy a great looking pair of jeans, but when I put them on either my panties or part of my bottom would make an appearance. Now that I know there is finally a design of jeans that I can rock without worrying if half of my backside is hanging out when I kneel down to tie my shoes, or sit down in an open back chair at a restaurant. I'm definitely grateful, thanks Daniella!! She also had a line of Frankie B's called HER2, that had either the pink F on the back, or a pink ribbon. The proceeds from these jeans were donated to help find a cure for breast cancer. There's nothing better than fashion for a cause, and I truly admire Daniella for such a selfless act!! I was able to catch up with her a few weeks ago, to create a contest in "The Monthly Fashion Challenge Group!" featuring Frankie B Jeans. (For more info on the contest, click on the link below. It'll take you to the rules and regulations page for the contest.) I love all of the unique designs that Frankie B's come in. My favorite pair would have to be a toss up between the Make Love Not War jeans, with the stitched quote on the waist, and the detailed peace sign on the back right pocket. Or the Frankie B Jeans, Peace Flower Flare, Light, where the F logo is on both back pockets, and is in small stitched flowers. There are so many gorgeous styles to choose from. I decided to start a new monthly set blog. An for this 1st one I asked Daniella, and her Daughter Frankie, some questions that those of us who are aspiring fashion designers, would love to know!
~First up is Daniella!~
Q. Did you always have the dream to be a designer? If not, when did you know, and what helped you to realize it?
A. For as far back as I can remember I always had a passion for fashion. I actually started out as a fashion photographer, but quickly realized that I wanted to have more to do with clothes. I think that Frankie B. came about from a consumers point of view. I found a hole in the market place. At that time (1999) there weren't any real low rise jeans that fit the way I wanted them to fit.
Q. What inspired you to create Frankie B Jeans?
A. I started to make my own jeans, and after about a year of that I finally realized that I could start a business making jeans, because I was getting so many requests from strangers on the street, as well as friends asking me to make them jeans like the ones I was making myself.
Q. Aside from Frankie B Jeans, what is your favorite brand of jeans to wear?
A. I only wear Frankie B. no reason to wear anything else since I make myself any style I want. ahhh the perks of having your own denim brand.
Q. How would you describe your style, when it comes to your wardrobe?
A. I would say I'm a 'rocker chic' jeans and t-shirts are my daily uniform, but nice dinners and the weekends, I'm usually sporting long vintage dresses from the 70's and short shift dresses from the 60's. I also have an unhealthy obsession with shoes.
Q. What's are the names of your favorite 3 places to shop for clothes?
A. I love vintage shopping the best. The flea market in Paris is the ultimate best. The Way We Wore on Labrea, Revival in Sherman Oaks, American Rag has great stuff too. For shoes Barneys and bergdorf Goodman in NY.
Q. Who are your favorite 3 designers, and do you look up to any of them?
A. That's a hard one. I love them all. It really depends on the season. I love Isabel Marant! Her chain boots this season really made me sweat. I'm obsessed with Alexander McQueen. I
love his bravery in fashion. I also love vintage Biba!!!! I wish I lived in London in the 60's.
Q. Did you go to a fashion school, or do it all on your own?
A. I went to the school of hard knocks. Self taught, but I have to say if I had to do it all over again, I would have gone to school. Things would have been easier for me if I actually knew what I was doing first.
Q. What particular pair of Frankie B jeans are your favorite to wear?
A. my favorite Frankie B's are a light weight boot cut that I have worn so much they have holes all over them but I don’t care they are my fave!
~Here are Frankie's Q&A's.~
Q. What's it like to have a fashion icon for a mom?
A. It’s really fun to have someone that knows a lot about fashion living with you. Especially since she always knows what looks good, and she gives great fashion advice. When I see people wearing Frankie B’s at the mall or something, I always get really excited
and proud of her.
Q. Do you think one day you'll be designing clothes just like your mom?
A. I would like to experiment with fashion a little bit, but I really love to play guitar. So I’m not sure where my interests will take me, but right now I’m thinking about doing a little bit of both.
Q. What would you call your personal style when it comes to your wardrobe?
A. My personal style on a daily basis is a pair of Frankie B jeans, a Ramones t-shirt, and a Tarina Tarantino flower in my hair. I also love vintage dresses.
Q. What pair of Frankie B Jeans do you like the most?
A. Right now my favorite are my “vicious skinnys” they are ripped, and vintage looking, which I love.
Q. Other than Frankie B Jeans, what other jeans do you wear?
A. Only Frankie B’s, they are the best.
Q. What's are the names of your favorite 3 places to shop for clothes?
A. I love Urban Outfitters, topshop.com and any vintage stores.
Q. Where's the name of your favorite ice cream parlors?
A. There's a really cute place near my house called Sweet Harts that is not only delicious but a cool hang out.
Q. What do you plan to wear for your first day back to school?
A. Uniform. Yuck! The only thing I could add to that is a hair accessory.
 
I hope these questions got some cool answers for you all. I'm curious if you could ask Daniella any one question in the world (whether it be advice, or if she get's highlights) What would it be? Lemmi know in your comments. Also I need you all to vote on weather or not you'd like to see more Blog-views of this nature, on fashion icons in the future!
Hugs Star*
PS- The link to the Frankie B Jeans contest is:
http://www.polyvore.com/the_fashion_challenge_week/group.show?id=22031
Three lucky entrants will win the 1 pair of Frankie B's of their choice!
Message me if you have any questions! An thank you so much for for your time and taking part Daniella and Frankie . Frankie B jeans are
"Fan-Freekin-Tastic!"