A creative hobby turned career has made this designer's line a must-have for discerning denim fashionistas.
If there's one particular item of clothing that women always find hard to fit, it's jeans. Daniella Clarke was no different. As a teen, Clarke would buy denim and take it apart, only to put it back together again in a form that fit her better. Little did she know that eight years later she'd be at the helm of one of the most sought-after lines in Hollywood and beyond, Frankie B.
Knowing she had a knack for reworking denim into a premium-fit garment, Clarke's friends helped support her vision by ordering their jeans directly from her. Clarke began working on making it a full-time career after returning from four years on the road with her husband, Gilby Clarke of Guns N'Roses. It's during these years that Clarke perfected Frankie B.'s secret weapon over all those other denim companies.
"Our fit sets us apart," Clarke notes. "We have signature fits that our customer now cherishes. We are also a fashion driven collection, so our customer evolves with us seasonally."
Clarke took the fashion world by storm with a full collection of "fit-to-flaunt" denim named after her main source of inspiration -- daughter Frankie B. Success was instantaneous and the origin of the low-rise jean craze was established.
Though Frankie B.'s clientele runs the gamut -- they're described as being "downtown to uptown" -- Clarke points to her top-selling "F" Pocket Jean as the must-have staple from her line.
"I always think that people should follow their own style, what they feel comfortable, confident, and sexy in over any current trend," she explains. "But our signature 'F' pocket jean is offered every season in a variety of washes and denims, and has become a Frankie B. classic."
And it's those classic pieces that have made fans out of Sienna Miller, Charlize Theron, Mischa Barton, Eva Longoria, Nicolette Sheridan, Fergie and many more. As a result, the line has expanded into a full lifestyle brand that includes menswear, tops, bottoms, dresses and even children's clothing, and is now available worldwide.
But that doesn't mean there aren't challenges in creating season after season of successful trendsetting fashions. Ask her what the biggest issue is, and Clarke will tell you it's the speed with which she has to create her lines, even though it keeps her on top because she truly understands the market. Ask her which fashion icon would best represent her line, and the answer is simple.
"Kate Moss," Clarke says. "She has such an amazing sense of personal style, particularly the way she wears denim. She can truly make everything her own."
Just like Frankie B.
Frankie B. can be found at top specialty stores world wide. Retail prices range from $150 to $225. For more information on Frankie B., visit them online at www.frankieb.com.
