About

Frances Pryce Lewis is a small independent South African slow fashion label, founded in 2020.

 Every item is completely designed and handmade to order, by me in my studio in Cape Town.

FPL is a one woman brand – I do everything from designing, fabric sourcing, pattern cutting, sewing, customer service, packaging and distribution of each order.

 

All items are individually handcrafted in very limited quantities, meaning each piece is truly unique and individual. Most pieces take between 4-9 hours to be made.  I source and purchase all my fabrics in and around Cape Town in small amounts.

 

The brand offers a limited and collectable range of romantic, whimsical and delicately detailed pieces that have a subtle air of contemporary design. Ideal for the wardrobe needs of a modern day woman who seeks a sense of nostalgic fun and playfulness in her styling.

I’ve always been deeply inspired by the beauty of our natural landscapes in South Africa and draw emphasis to the colours and textures of nature in my work. I mostly use a soft, pastel colour palette and manipulate plant textures through the use of shirring, gathering and pleating.

 

Surface design has always been a love of mine and something I have been experimenting with for years. I love how feminine and luxurious beading and embroidery can make a garment look and feel. I believe it transforms a piece of clothing into something that is elevated and enriched.

 

My brand is an expression of my personality – I love getting dressed up, wearing soft pastel colours, feminine details and romantic silhouettes.

 

It is this personal connection with my work that inspires me to design and create garments that will make you feel confident.

 

 

I’m Frances, the designer and maker behind everything Frances Pryce Lewis.

When I was 13 years old, my mum taught me how to sew. I would sew tote bags and cushions and then embroider floral motifs onto them. By the time I was in my teens, I was able to make my own dresses to wear to parties.

With both my parents in the creative industry, I grew up surrounded by constant conversation about design. During school I focused most of my time on subjects like art, design and pottery and began to develop my own signature design aesthetic through extensive experimentation.

When I was 17, I started working as a sales assistant at Topshop on the weekends and during school holidays. I loved working closely with the visual merchandising team and personal shopper where I learnt a lot about style, customer experience and selling product. I think it was this experience that really opened my eyes to the possibility of pursuing a career in fashion.

I graduated from FEDISA Cape Town with a BA in Fashion Design in 2017. Because I had such an interest in art at school, I found that when I first started designing clothing at fashion college it was very avant-garde and unconventional. However, with time and experience my design style became more refined and sophisticated.

Shortly after graduating, I moved to London where I was fortunate enough to work for Haute Couture brand, Ralph & Russo, in their Couture Embroidery Department.

I worked there for three years surrounded by incredible colleagues, mentors and the highest level of couture craftmanship. The passion, dedication and countless hours that are spent to perfect each couture dress is truly a unique form of art.

I had the privilege of working on four Paris Fashion Week collections, client orders, bridal and numerous red carpet and celebrity dresses for the likes of Angelina Jolie, Penelope Cruz, Kylie Jenner, Beyoncé and Amal Clooney.

Having developed a huge amount of skill and knowledge, I felt it was time to create my own brand back home. The Lockdown in early 2020 gave me the time and space to launch my brand.

GENERAL ENQUIRIES

frances@francesprycelewis.com

+27 78 589 3926

 

RETAIL STOCKISTS

The Neighbourgoods Market (Every Saturday 9am – 3pm and Sunday 10am – 4pm)

The Old Biscuit Mill, 373 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town.

 

South Africa Fashion Week Autumn/Winter ’22 Pop Up

03 – 05 December 2021. Mall of Africa, Midrand, Johannesburg.

 

Bote Bridal Boutique

Unit 11, 7 Vredekloof Road, Brackenfell, Durbanville, Cape Town.

 

If you are interested in becoming a stockist please email info@francesprycelewis.com