Italian Craftsmanship with Cult Shoe Brand Dear Frances
Founded in 2016 by Creative Director Jane Frances and her husband Scott O’Connor, Dear Frances combines directional design with Italian craftsmanship. In this interview Jane shares some insights on life as a designer, and what success means to her.
Originally from Sydney, Jane studied in London and Milan, before taking up an internship at a family-owned footwear factory in Italy where she trained in the artisan craft of footwear design.
Synonymous for its cult Balla mesh flats, the brand has built a loyal customer base of discerning women. Taking inspiration from the worlds of fine art, human form and sculpture, Jane imbues her designs with a quiet but trailblazing confidence.
were you always destined for the world of design?
Yes I think so, however it took me a while to realise it. I’ve loved shoes and design, form, texture and tone since a very young age, as long as I can remember. However, it wasn’t until I explored these interests during my studies that I truly realised my passion for shoe design and my desire to pursue it as a career.
what does success mean to you?
Success is a personal thing and difficult to measure. From a business point of view, I measure our success on how well we’re listening and responding to feedback and whether we’re doing all we can to improve each season. It’s about finding the balance between growing and changing while remaining true to the Dear Frances ethos. On a personal level, it’s a similar concept really –it’s listening to people and allowing them to help you grow, though always remaining true to who you are.
“Everyone has their own unique voice, it’s just a matter of listening to it and trusting it enough to follow your instincts. The industry is tough, but it’s worth the hard work.”
pros and cons of owning your own business?
I cherish the freedom that comes with having your own business and the personal satisfaction of building something of your own. As a creative, there is nothing more satisfying than following your instincts and designing collections that truly speak to you. Of course, there are always difficulties too and managing all aspects of the business was certainly a challenge when we first launched. From design to production, sales to PR and distribution – initially we handled all facets in-house, which quickly became very demanding. However, I believe this is the best way to learn and it places you in good stead when starting your own label. The pros certainly outweigh the cons and the motivation to keep going only seems to get stronger.
What is it that distinguishes Dear Frances from other shoe brands?
I try to focus on my own work and not be distracted by what others are doing around me. It’s important that we have a clear identity and message in everything we do, that each aspect of the label speaks the same language and tells the same story. My style is very refined, with the focus being on classic silhouettes, tonal colours and fine texture – this is what our customers have grown to love and expect from us. Each pair of shoes we make is designed with these things in mind, helping us to create cohesive collections with a unique Dear Frances aesthetic.
Your label is London-based and Italian-made – how often are you splitting your time between the two places?
Rather constantly actually. Our studio is based in London, so day-to-day this is my base and the design hub for Dear Frances. It’s home really. However, I love being at our factory in Italy and I spend as much time there as possible. I have a close working relationship with our production team and travel to Italy several times each season to work on new styles, oversee production and to work on the sampling process.
what can we find you doing day-t0-day?
Every day is different, which is the best thing about my work. If I’m not in the studio designing, then I might be traveling to Italy to meet with the factory or outsourcing materials from local suppliers. Much of the work is less glamorous than you’d expect, there’s lots of late nights and emailing and planning for upcoming events, photoshoots etc. I also travel a lot, especially during fashion month when our calendar can get particularly hectic.
if you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
A photographer, definitely.