JANE TALL CUFF
Fifth Avenue, NYC – FFANY
RICH LEATHERS, QUALITY HARDWARE, DURABLE CONSTRUCTION…and ON TREND STYLES
Words, Images Judith Ecochard
To achieve true icon status…--- means to stand for something admirable and authentic… to honor the past (and to have one)…and of course ----design/fashion wise--- to stay in business—to conjure up new goodies that reinvigorate the brand that has fallen dormant, while remaining true to its DNA.
Across the Pond, the luxe label Gucci, got a major lifeline under Tom Ford and Domenico de Sole---the legendary duo… an MBA case study, or should be.
MELISSA BRAID
IN AMERICA…we think Frye has earned that lofty perch of “icon” and relevancy.
MELISSA HONEYCOMB
This is our second season taking in the MASSIVE Frye collection for men and women…and no surprise, it gets two thumbs up for offering the
“classics”...and then some.
BOLD ZIPPERS
WOMEN’S
SHAY STRAPPY T
--- the nubuck leather leather Carson boots-in new washed leathers for Spring 2010…in high and short versions are always best selling…and those lighter tones should sell well…
CARSON CLOG $198
The Campus collection of sandals, drivers (Reagan), and boots (Maxine, Campus)…we love the details…like grommets,
The Corrina Campus wedge with a marble texture,
---in the Campus Stitching Horse boots too
Cork is big and layers well with leather/wood
We love the mix of leather in canvas in the Melissa Short Canvas too.
COMFORT PLUS: The added padding of the insoles.
EMMA HONEYCOMB STUD
KAYLA H SLING
A lighter neutral palette and summery shades keep the boots wearing crowd happy in all four seasons…check out the new white tan shade, that’s has a hand scraped/burnished finish.
Bling is done well in the boot that Miley Cyrus made popular…for Spring 2010, there’s a short sparkler ... the Deborah Studded $498
Motorcycle mamas/biker chicks will be happy with the footwear and bags from this group. With a nod to the seventies, the vintage feel is via the use of washed goat skins and vintage studs. We can see wearing the studded sandals…with everything.
MULTI STRAPS IN GLADIATOR STYLE
Equestrian influences are for every season…
Our idea of giddy up is not on a horse but in these fab Harness styles, multi strap versions (some with studs!) in leather
DARA CAMPUS STITCH
Huaraches, the multi strapped now staples that morphed from a Mexican-to California surfer-to 70’s staple…to 2010.
Exemplifies the way Frye can delve into its past… and go with it.
Here the hand woven offerings in saturated colors are contemporary…from a Jacey Huarache slide, (studded too), Kayla ankle and flat T straps…to the eye catching Shirley Studded short/tall boots.
Lifestyle sneakers are now wardrobe staples. Frye does a nice leather/canvas combo---the Kira low/high top in particular, are in rainbow shades.
HANDBAGS/SATCHELS:
Fabulous and ruggedly feminine. We feel we can stuff everything in these styles that are mirror the shoe styles.
MEN’S
Well, guys don’t have the heel options that gals do…but there is a plethora of styles to choose from.
IMHO: Even the ‘make up your mind in two seconds’ types--- will hem and haw…the offerings are all winners.
A lot of what we saw are VERY travel friendly…including the flats, that are so flexible…we feel one could almost roll up the peds and stuff them in backpacks.
Kick back in the Alex Camp/Venetians…in suede or leather.
The more classic boat shoe...the Bleeker…comes in brushed suede or vintage calf leather…in new colors like red and blue….with grip it crepe outsoles.
Carryovers from Fall include the washed Buffalo leather sneakers---and new for Spring 2010 are the Reed runners ($128) in shades ranging from orange to black.
Cool touch…canvas and rubber are dyed together for Spring 2010.
LAWSONs' HANG TEN
Slip ons and ties in the “James” group are big sellers. What’s up for Spring 2010 include the tried and true Kiltie, Oxford, Penny and Wingtip. ($198),
Chuka boots are available in many styles---including the Tyler…in leather and suede.
Rugged Workboots---(Logger, Engineer) in pebbled full grain…are as popular off a construction as on…we’ve seen guys wear this at the office…
Harness styles--- with hardware buckles are keepers…after all, they’re descendants of the original cavalry kickers that got this company going…back in 1863.
PLUS: The men’s Carson is based on the original…first crafted by founder John Frye--- in 1860. The Roper, similarly sells year round.
FYI: Oiled suede----is very popular material...as is texture snakeskin.
INFO: THE FRYE COMPANY