Style & Substance

With a focus on slowing fashion down, Dear Frances is the footwear brand delivering along with sleek and sophisticated styles

- LUCY RUTHERFORD

Founded by Jane Frances in 2013, the UK-based brand has gone from strength-to-strength and is now loved by some of the biggest names in the industry.

What inspired you to go into the fashion industry? A great passion for fabrics, texture and tone. I was drawn to footwear design during my studies when I developed a particular interest in architecture and furniture design. Each of these studies lends itself naturally to shoe design and I quickly fell for the more sculptural and technical side of footwear. In a sense, shoe design is like architecture for the foot – it requires a strong technical understanding and from the very beginning I wanted to know more, I was fascinated by the detail and precision involved and really threw myself into the artisan production process.

How did launching your own brand come about? I always wanted to start my own label and had been interested in branding and creative development from a young age. After my studies, I worked with a footwear factory in Italy, where I learned the age-old techniques of Italian shoe production from some of the most experienced artisans in the country. It was through this process that I truly refined my own style and noticed a need in the market for quality classics with a refined, modern simplicity. I focused on the quality of materials and craftsmanship, offering pared-back and versatile styles, which can be worn from day through to night.