FRANK & EILEEN: You started out as a chef before designing your now-iconic Hedley & Bennett aprons. And more recently, you’ve written an incredible book, Dream First, Details Later. Have you always followed your intuition regarding your career?
ELLEN: When I first started the company, everything was purely intuition—but as I grew up as a business owner, I realized that it's really a blend of intuition and science. To get something started, you have to use your imagination, but for a business to really evolve, you also need to rely on facts and data to support the work.
Ellen is photographed wearing Mary Famous Denim in White.
ELLEN: When I first started the company, everything was purely intuition—but as I grew up as a business owner, I realized that it's really a blend of intuition and science. To get something started, you have to use your imagination, but for a business to really evolve, you also need to rely on facts and data to support the work.
Ellen is photographed wearing Mary Famous Denim in White.
FRANK & EILEEN: You started out as a chef before designing your now-iconic Hedley & Bennett aprons. And more recently, you’ve written an incredible book, Dream First, Details Later. Have you always followed your intuition regarding your career?
ELLEN: When I first started the company, everything was purely intuition—but as I grew up as a business owner, I realized that it's really a blend of intuition and science. To get something started, you have to use your imagination, but for a business to really evolve, you also need to rely on facts and data to support the work.
Ellen is photographed wearing Mary Famous Denim in White.
ELLEN: When I first started the company, everything was purely intuition—but as I grew up as a business owner, I realized that it's really a blend of intuition and science. To get something started, you have to use your imagination, but for a business to really evolve, you also need to rely on facts and data to support the work.
Ellen is photographed wearing Mary Famous Denim in White.
F&E: Does your work influence your clothing choices? What are your go-to pieces?
ELLEN: Absolutely! I actually have on the Frank & Eileen Ireland playsuit as we speak, and I absolutely love it! It's super chic but also comfortable and practical when I'm working—especially with the light stretch in the linen and the fact that it’s fitted but not super tight so I can move around easily. Literally, I can walk into a board meeting but also board a plane wearing it!
Ellen is photographed wearing Ireland in White.
ELLEN: Absolutely! I actually have on the Frank & Eileen Ireland playsuit as we speak, and I absolutely love it! It's super chic but also comfortable and practical when I'm working—especially with the light stretch in the linen and the fact that it’s fitted but not super tight so I can move around easily. Literally, I can walk into a board meeting but also board a plane wearing it!
Ellen is photographed wearing Ireland in White.
F&E: Does your work influence your clothing choices? What are your go-to pieces?
ELLEN: Absolutely! I actually have on the Frank & Eileen Ireland playsuit as we speak, and I absolutely love it! It's super chic but also comfortable and practical when I'm working—especially with the light stretch in the linen and the fact that it’s fitted but not super tight so I can move around easily. Literally, I can walk into a board meeting but also board a plane wearing it!
Ellen is photographed wearing Ireland in White.
ELLEN: Absolutely! I actually have on the Frank & Eileen Ireland playsuit as we speak, and I absolutely love it! It's super chic but also comfortable and practical when I'm working—especially with the light stretch in the linen and the fact that it’s fitted but not super tight so I can move around easily. Literally, I can walk into a board meeting but also board a plane wearing it!
Ellen is photographed wearing Ireland in White.
F&E: Hedley & Bennett aprons and kitchenware are beloved for both their functionality and vibrant colorways. How important is a beautiful, bright aesthetic to producing great work and enjoying the process?
ELLEN: From the get-go, vibrant colors were always an important part of the company, but that never came before quality and function. Once you have epic materials that last forever (like with our Hedley & Bennett aprons), you can add in splashes of color and amazing design to make the product even more rad to use. In so many ways, I think Frank & Eileen and Hedley & Bennett both crush the function and quality first—and then great design supplements next—ethos!
Ellen is photographed wearing Joedy Superluxe in White and Monaghan in our 1997 wash.
ELLEN: From the get-go, vibrant colors were always an important part of the company, but that never came before quality and function. Once you have epic materials that last forever (like with our Hedley & Bennett aprons), you can add in splashes of color and amazing design to make the product even more rad to use. In so many ways, I think Frank & Eileen and Hedley & Bennett both crush the function and quality first—and then great design supplements next—ethos!
Ellen is photographed wearing Joedy Superluxe in White and Monaghan in our 1997 wash.
F&E: Hedley & Bennett aprons and kitchenware are beloved for both their functionality and vibrant colorways. How important is a beautiful, bright aesthetic to producing great work and enjoying the process?
ELLEN: From the get-go, vibrant colors were always an important part of the company, but that never came before quality and function. Once you have epic materials that last forever (like with our Hedley & Bennett aprons), you can add in splashes of color and amazing design to make the product even more rad to use. In so many ways, I think Frank & Eileen and Hedley & Bennett both crush the function and quality first—and then great design supplements next—ethos!
Ellen is photographed wearing Joedy Superluxe in White and Monaghan in our 1997 wash.
ELLEN: From the get-go, vibrant colors were always an important part of the company, but that never came before quality and function. Once you have epic materials that last forever (like with our Hedley & Bennett aprons), you can add in splashes of color and amazing design to make the product even more rad to use. In so many ways, I think Frank & Eileen and Hedley & Bennett both crush the function and quality first—and then great design supplements next—ethos!
Ellen is photographed wearing Joedy Superluxe in White and Monaghan in our 1997 wash.
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MORE 'A CUPPA WITH'
AUDREY MCLOGHLIN
Founder and CEO of Frank & Eileen
"When I started Frank & Eileen, I put my head down and focused on building the kind of company and brand that I wanted to see in the world. It was a long, slow, organic build with no investors."
GEN SOHR
Founder of Pencil & Paper Co.
"Surround yourself with women who will build you up, mentor you, challenge you, and be there to celebrate the wins and help soften the losses."
JORDAN SHAW
Innkeeper, Chef, Co-Owner of Seven Lakes Inn
"If you want something badly enough, you will make it happen, but getting clear about your reason for committing to that next big move will make stepping out of your comfort zone a little less scary."