TOBEFRANK

DESIGNER NAME: Frank Phillips

BACKGROUND: Phillips is from the Southern Yorkshire town of Rotherham, and she initially completed a fashion degree, graduating in 2010 from Huddersfield University in West Yorkshire. Phillips began her journey interning at Topman (London), and soon after, Anna Sui (New York). After graduating in 2010 she landed a job at Atlas Design in London.

TRADEMARK PIECE: “My TOBEFRANK jumpers that are made by Sue Wiles, a Yorkshire shepherdess. Sue farms a flock of ‘Jacob’ sheep, she spins the wool and hand knits the jumpers herself.”

IDEAL CLIENT: “The global ‘gentleman’ who appreciates the quality and style of the classical/traditional design, but also embraces modern/contemporary fashion.  The collection is designed to appeal to the young man but also to be stylish and tailored towards the more mature gentleman (a paradox of designs). I want men to identify with the TOBEFRANK principals of honesty, quantity and style.”

THE COLLECTION: “'The Great Change', my spring summer collection tells the story of how the invention of the automobile changed the prospect of men’s lives, it changed the way we lived and gave men more opportunities in life. People had to evolve and move with the times, which is something we constantly have to do today. The beginning of the car reflects an evolution that took place worldwide.”

IMPACT OF LONDON COLLECTIONS: MEN: “Being part of such a respected event such as London Collections really makes a difference to my brand. When you work so hard on something it really means a lot when an organisation stands up and listens, it shows to other people in the industry that maybe you are worth listening to.”

FIRST PIECE OF MENSWEAR DESIGNED: “My very first piece was when I was interning at Topman, I was helping design the formal suit range. It was working here when I realised how much I wanted to be in menswear. Later when I was in New York working for Anna Sui I went into the new Topman store I saw the pieces that I had been working on with the design team. Seeing it in store and seeing people try them on, it was an overwhelming feeling that I fell in love with."