AN ETERNAL SUMMER EXCLUSIVE
Q&A With Our Director of Footwear
EXPLORING THE SPRING SUMMER '24 COLLECTION WITH GABRIELLE THOMPSON.
1. WHAT INSPIRED THE CREATION OF THE SPRING SUMMER 24 COLLECTION?
At FRANKIE4, we start forecasting key fashion trends years before our seasonal collections are released to our community, with a special focus on being timeless yet very fashion forward. It's a fine line with lots of research involved, but eventually we carefully hone a curated collection that captures the season's essence.
For Spring Summer '24, we focused on three standout themes, but we'll get into those a little later. The inspiration for this collection mainly comes from the concept of an "Eternal Summer".
We wanted it to be a celebration and evoke the feeling of endless possibilities during those long, sun-soaked days. It also strives to inspire us to reach for who we want to be while comforting us with some nostalgic charm, all while providing the support and comfort we need to embrace every moment.
2. WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST TRENDS FOR THIS SEASON, AND HOW CAN WE MAKE THEM THEIR OWN?
This season, we’re spotlighting a vibrant mix of textures and styles. Think of standout materials like denim and beautiful new leathers and handwoven straps for a seasonal twist. Each piece is thoughtfully designed to showcase statement hardware, seamlessly combining beauty with functionality. We wanted to ensure you can elevate your style with accessories that not only look stunning but also serve a purpose, like our footwear, making a lasting impression wherever you go.
Our collection embraces three key themes: Classic Cool for laid-back sophistication, High Summer Luxury for an elevated look, and Resort Luxe for those carefree getaway vibes.
My top style tip would be to blend timeless staples with of-the-moment accessories that reflect your unique personality. To me, it’s about expressing individuality and confidence through your style and seamlessly incorporating it into your wardrobe for everyday wear.
3. CAN YOU ELABORATE ON THE THREE CENTRAL THEMES OF THE NEW COLLECTION?
Certainly! The three themes for the Spring Summer '24 collection are:
Classic Cool: This theme features timeless styles and easy-to-wear silhouettes that embody laid-back sophistication. It’s all about longevity and versatility from on-duty to off-duty.
Resort Luxe: This theme prioritises relaxation with stylish designs that support sole wellness. Incorporating luxe leathers and materials, finishes like woven strap treatments, and beautiful hardware that add a touch of luxury resort aesthetic.
High Summer Luxury: Here, this leans slightly from resort luxe, perfect for those looking to elevate their summer wardrobe. One of my personal favourite examples of this is the rope detailing on our up-and-coming espadrille styles (yes, this was a sneaky insight at what’s upcoming). It's a little bit nostalgic in style but at the same time very fashion forward, essentially your closet go-to styles remade for today.
4. WHAT FACTORS INFLUENCE THE DESIGN PROCESS FOR EACH COLLECTION?
Our design process is influenced by a combination of current fashion trends, customer feedback, future trend forecasting, and the desire for functionality. We focus on comfort and wellness while ensuring our designs are stylish and on-trend. Inspiration also comes from travel, nature, and art, allowing us to create a unique aesthetic for each collection.
5. WHAT CAN CUSTOMERS ANTICIPATE FOR THE NEW DROP?
Customers can expect a collection that marries style with comfort, showcasing luxurious materials and thoughtful craftsmanship. The pieces are designed to elevate any outfit, making them perfect for both on-duty and off-duty moments, all while embodying a vibrant summer spirit.
6. HOW DO YOU ENVISION CUSTOMERS WEARING PIECES FROM THIS COLLECTION?
I see customers styling our pieces in versatile ways—dressing them up for brunch or keeping it casual for a day out. The beauty of this collection lies in its adaptability; each theme allows for effortless transitions from day to night, ensuring chic looks no matter the occasion.
7. WHAT ROLE DO RESPONSIBLE PRACTICES PLAY IN THIS COLLECTION?
At FRANKIE4, we’re all about supporting the wellbeing of women with designs that are backed by science to promote long-term health and wellness. And responsible practices are very much a part of that for us.
For example, we source all our leathers from LWG (Leather Working Group) gold and silver-rated tanneries to reduce the impact of our leather products. Plus, we also use recycled PET plastic (rPET) for the forefoot lining in 67% of the styles across our current range.
Our shoeboxes, stuffing paper, and printed wrap are all made from 100% recycled materials, and you can easily recycle them curbside once you remove the shoelace handles. Even our mailer bags are soft plastics recyclable. This season, we're unveiling a more sustainable shoebox design with the launch of our upcoming ballerina flats and an exciting new slide arriving later in the season.
We’re super proud to be a certified B Corporation (B Corp), which reflects our ongoing commitment to science-backed design as well as social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Our goal is to make stylish, beautiful products as we strive to become more responsible and impactful.
Find out more here.
8. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR CUSTOMERS LOOKING TO REFRESH THEIR WARDROBES THIS SEASON?
Invest in versatile pieces that blend seamlessly into your existing wardrobe. Look for items that reflect the three themes—something classic, something luxurious, and something for resort days.
9. WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT THIS COLLECTION?
Building a collection like this is a true labor of love—it can even take up to two years of careful planning, designing, and refining to bring each piece to life and find that balance between style and technical comfort. After all that time, it’s incredibly rewarding to finally see these styles out in the wild.
What excites me most is the vibrant energy and joy this collection radiates. Every piece has been thoughtfully crafted to empower our community, helping them feel confident, stylish, and ready to embrace the beauty of summer. I’m looking forward to seeing how everyone styles these looks and makes them their own.