Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYAN FRY TALENT PATROL Emerson Fry shooting some of her clothing The brand EmersonMade (renamed Emerson Fry this year) was the brainchild of Emerson and her husband Ryan Fry, who serves as CEO. Fry's transition from the world of art into fashion proved fairly seamless, having been trained in both draping and patternmak- ing, and having been commissioned regularly to create individual pieces. However, her relocation to New England was a much bigger change. "We never thought we'd move from New York City, but when Ryan was on a trip in New Hampshire to see family, he drove by a farm for sale and called me from the road to tell me how much potential it had," she says of their 1878 farmhouse just outside Portsmouth. They set up a 15,000 square-foot headquarters in Portsmouth to complement regular Manhattan and international jaunts. INSIGHT Most admire: Forward thought and momentum Indulgence: Delga dates Favorite fabric: Italian wool On my mind: Clint Eastwood What's next: An ultra marathon "Everywhere we go—India, Nepal, Tokyo, Portugal, Italy—all find their way into the line," says Fry of their eclectic mix of fabrications and styling best described as Jackie O with a contemporary edge. "This fall, we've incorporated a lot of luxurious fabrics from Italian mills—silk velvets, fine heather gray knits, and buttery soft leather pieces. I am partic- ularly fond of this fantastic army green wool that we're using in our military jacket," says Fry. To round things out, Fry also designed some animal prints, hand- sequined camisoles in aubergines and grays, as well some pieces in white patent leather. Adding to Fry's frequent-flyer miles are regular visits to Portugal to over- see the construction of their shoe collection, which, when pre-sold, often sells out before it becomes available to ship. "To source the finest materials in the world has been a tireless effort," says Fry, who reveals much of their line is cut from emerson fry SOME TRAVEL AND AN OLD NEW HAMPSHIRE FARMHOUSE INSPIRE A COLLECTION OF ACCESSIBLY LUXURIOUS FASHIONS. BY VICTORIA VEILLEUX I n 2008, classically trained artist Emerson Fry pieced together a fabric peony to teach herself how to sketch its intricacies. Little did she know that the bloom would become a cult fetish. Pinning the flower to her lapel was a fashion beacon, and fellow Manhattanites stopped her along sidewalks to find out where they could purchase one. Soon Fry began selling these whimsical fashion statements, and they blossomed into a full line of apparel. 62 BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM the same bolts used by couture designers. "But I have this obsessive drive to keep our price points attainable." It's a sentiment exemplified by their signature Mod dress, which is priced at a modest $248-$315 depending on the specific style. Keeping couture-level patternmak- ers and sewers in-house helps to rein in production costs and uphold a stringent dedication to quality. "We have people in our receiving department who go over each garment with such care. Too big of a slub in slubby linen gets pulled from the inventory," says Fry. Additions to the collection this season include handbags, lingerie, and a women's fragrance. Next up, the design team anticipates retail stores in London and New York City. For Fall 2012/Spring 2013 Fry has also developed limited-edition pieces for women seeking extra-special luxury items. "This is the icing for me, where I can do the ultimate vision and revel in the fact that we live just once," says Fry. "And some of us need to do this wearing a floor- length, hand-sequined caftan." BC