Talking shop with womenswear designer Sheila Frank

March 9, 8:58 PMBaltimore Style ExaminerCarrie Oleynik

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Photo by Abdul Smith.

While many of us are thinking about bathing suit shopping, Sheila Frank of Central Pennsylvania is thinking about bathing suit designs for an entire collection.

Preparing to show a womenswear collection for the fourth season in a row, Sheila took a minute out of her busy schedule (she is not only a designer, but also an assistant manager of Wet Seal) to do a quick Q&A.

Baltimore Style Examiner: What exactly is your role within Sheila Frank?
Sheila Frank: I illustrate, pattern-make, sew, and oversee all business aspects of the line. I have four people working with me right now, three are really interested in fashion and my intern, who is getting college credit for working with me, drives all the way from Philly.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a couple of different collections.

In July, I will be showing a swimwear collection during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week – Miami Swim. I can’t tell you how excited I am about this. We’ve been putting together samples. Colors include eggplant, nude, soft pink, sky blue, a cool metallic sea-foamy color, and others. But, they may change.

I’m also showing dressed-down, ready-to-wear garments at LA Fashion Week. Who’s Next, What’s Next (WNWN) contacted me about the opportunity, which is also really cool.

What will you show at LA Fashion Week?
I’ve been inspired by Elizabethan nightgowns. I’ve been thinking of flowing fabrics.

What has been a source of inspiration for the swimwear collection you are working on?
I’ve been influenced by a woman named Madame Gres and a classic Grecian style fused with the saucy hedonism of art deco.

This collection steps away from some of my past collections. A lot of my past collections have been very ‘40’s and ‘50’s, I’m inspired by all retro, antique, vintage [looks], but I never want to be in the rockabilly or pin-up category.

Where have your collections been shown?
I have had five or six pieces shown in Tokyo during Pet Fashion Week where my garments were partnered with pet clothing and accessories. Some of my swimsuits were shown at a hair show in Australia. Otherwise, the rest of my shows have been in New York or during Fashion Week in New York.

How did your line come about?
Well, I learned how to sew by hand when I was a kid. My grandmother taught me when I was six.

I graduated from college in May 2007 and interned for Charlotte Ronson. They weren’t hiring when I finished school, so I freaked out and moved back home. I sent my resume everywhere. I took a few months to work on my portfolio and from there I started making new designs, I made the garments and took the photos. I posted some on MySpace and received a ton of e-mails.

I honestly never thought that this was going to happen. I thought I was going to be a designer for someone else.

What does the future hold?
It’s not about just making pretty clothes, it’s about working hard. I think right now you can see the passion in what I do; it can be seen in the design. I think that will keep us moving forward.

To view some of Sheila's work, check out the slideshow below.