The Irish-inspired company Frank & Eileen will debut its first U.S. flagship on Madison Avenue on Wednesday.
More than 2,000-square-foot, the corner location at East 65th Street plays up the brand’s down-home heritage with sustainable and classic styles. New York was at the top of Frank & Eileen’s list for its Stateside start, and being near other stores like Hermès, Loro Piana, Brunello Cucinelli, Khaite and Toteme was another plus to being in the Upper East Side.
The 16-year-old company also has two stores in Japan, one in Tokyo and one in Yokohama, as well as a concept shop at the Dallas retailer Stanley Korshak. But Frank & Eileen does not have any imminent plans for more stores, as it prefers to play up storytelling.
Audrey McLoghlin started the brand to reimagine women’s button-up shirts by using fine Italian fabrics that are more commonly used in menswear. With strong Irish roots, she named it using her grandparents’ first names. As a sign of her commitment to slow fashion, the company locked up B Corp certification in 2020. The women-led brand has also committed $20 million over the next 10 years to educate female entrepreneurs of tomorrow.
With cooler temperatures taking hold in the Northeast, the company expects shoppers to gravitate to Frank & Eileen sweaters, travel sets, gift-worthy pieces and classic button-up shirts. The Madison Avenue outpost is meant to accent its e-commerce sales so that consumers can see the slow fashion apparel and accessories in-person. The company produces in California.
The company declined to share annual sales. A company spokesperson said e-commerce sales have increased significantly since 2021.
The entrance to the first U.S. store.
Photo by Chaunte Vaughn/Courtesy
On Monday, some New Yorkers night have been doing a double take, if they caught sight of a mobile pop-up that was designed to look like an Irish cottage. That vehicle traveled to different neighborhoods to spread the word about the new uptown store. There were stops outside of Mary O’s, (a popular haunt for scones and Irish soda bread), as well as Casa Magazine, Rigor Hill Market, Fanelli Cafe in Soho and then Frank & Eileen uptown. For Wednesday’s grand opening, the mobile pop-up cottage will be parked on the street outside of the Upper East Side store offering warm Irish soda bread with butter and hot tea. Styling sessions with writer Harling Ross Anton and stylist Beverly Nguyen will also be available.
The new address was designed by Charles & Co., which was started by Soho House’s former longtime design director Vicky Charles, and HS2 Architecture. The Madison Avenue store is meant to relay a cozy, homey feel with a hand-painted hallway, framed photographs and a selection of sweets. The mobile pop-up cottage was created in partnership with FuTong and Friends.
