Raised in The Bronx, Francine grew up a gritty, funny kid who wasn't afraid to take on big things. As a young woman, she took her first job as a receptionist at a popular salon. Ever the entrepreneur, Francine quickly had the brilliant idea to bring in a small collection of Pucci-like dresses to sell to the salon's customers (a captive audience!) and used her charm to convince the owner that it was a winning idea. Before long, the salon and Francine's carefully curated clothing collection became the talk of The Grand Concourse and caught the eye of the big wigs at the famed Alexander's Department Store.
Francine would eventually work her way up to become Fashion Director and Vice President of Alexander's, but not before leaving her entry level position there for a stint as a famed stockbroker leading the Wall Street Path for women. It's worth noting that this was in the 1960s…and that she was simultaneously raising a young family during this time!
Francine revolutionized the American department store while at Alexander's by providing customers with creative experiences – live, star-studded fashion shows! An exotic collection of home goods from the Far East! Pretty sales associates dressed in hot pants working in the tie department! But Francine, always able to see the big picture, also recognized that there were customers who enjoyed the style and entertainment of Alexander's but weren't interested in paying the prices for designer labels. So, she created fashion designer pieces (un-labeled) of equal adaptions; quality and style at a fraction of the price. This turned out to be a hugely successful formula and one that is still followed today.
Quality and style at a fraction of the price — a formula that is still followed today.
Once her tenure at Alexander's had run its course, the endlessly energetic Francine decided to start her own company. From scratch. A woman always ahead of her time, in the late '70s Francine recognized the opportunity in forming a company that would specialize in making technology cases. Fabrique has since evolved to design and manufacture cases for the world's leading consumer technology companies. From there, she launched Women in Business to provide professional women with feminine yet functional computer bags and electronics accessories.
Francine's CV leaves one mystified as to how she has fit so many successful accomplishments into her life while still managing to look as though she's just returned from a relaxing vacation. Certainly, there is no need for Francine to continue working but for her tremendous drive and dedication to hard work and the creative process. Additionally, her commitment to women's causes propels her to continually strive for new ways to reach out. As such, she's not done yet…
Evolution and style have been constants in each phase and in all aspects of Francine's remarkable life. She is proud to introduce Francine Collections, her extraordinary new assemblage of bags and accessories that was inspired by a very full life lived very well. Francine Collections blends her passion for business, love of travel, eye for style and innate understanding of what modern women are looking for in beautifully designed and crafted cases, accessories and more.
