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but to put it another way, it just means I have grown up a bit," Kate explained. "I took some time off to be with my daughter as she was growing up, but all of us love creating accessories and just seemed ready to begin again. I've always adored shoes, bags, and jewelry and love creat- ing pieces that make you feel good and want to have them." For Kate, who began her ca- reer as an accessories design- er back in 1993, Frances Val- entine is all about getting back to her roots and centering her collections around what she knows best and really loves to do. This time around, the designer is focusing less on market expectations and more on honing her craft, including the incorporation of architec- tural influences and bringing an overall fresh perspective. Aside from the company name, there is a personal at- tachment to everything that Frances Valentine creates, including naming their styles after members of the founder's friends and family. But as the saying goes, the devil really is in the details and for Frances Valentine, it is what truly sets them apart from the rest. "For me, each shoe or bag has to have a rea- son for being and a distinct point of view," explained Kate. Utilizing specialty hardware, leathers and unique fabrics, the majority of Frances Valentine's products are handmade in Italy and Spain. But when it comes to collaboration, the team's design process, Kate added, takes place right from their New York City studio. "We work together on all parts of the business. We start by looking at sketches and Skype with Paola in Italy often in the initial phases. It is a very personal process, and we all contribute our own ideas. Paola works on specifications, Andy works with me on the shapes and colors and initial concepts. But really, we work to- gether on all aspects." "Well, I like to say 'I have evolved,' VUE ON FASHION V U E N J . C O M 54

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