Mom Owned Business
mom style: 4 Fall Fashion Looks By Frankie4 and Susan Work
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
Photography by Photographed by Kristen Murakoshi
Oct 26, 2022
You know those mamas who are always impeccably dressed, but in a totally natural, somewhat casual way? That is Susan Work. The San Francisco-based interior designer behind Homework and mother of two is all about creative layering (tunics + sweatpants, anyone?) jazzed up with luxe accessories (fur, sequins, metallics, etc.). This makes her the perfect candidate to showcase four fabulous Fall looks alongside the Australian-born label FRANKiE4, known for its wide selection of good-looking and good-feeling shoes.
“Having 2 children of my own, I have an appreciation for how busy mom-life is and I love that our footwear exists to be a facilitator for women to live their best life,” explains Caroline McCulloch, who founded FRANKiE4 over 12 years ago. “We want the brand to be on trend without any compromises regarding life-enhancing comfort technology.” Which is where the brand’s patented Sole Hero footbed comes in—it provides every step with soft, contoured support, and “it’s truly like no other out there,” says McCulloch.
Want to try a pair yourself? FRANKiE4 is currently hosting a Friends & Family Sale with all styles up to 40% off, now through October 31st.
As for what’s new for Fall, designer Gaby Thompson says: “Our two main design themes of the season are Classics Revisited (classic styling for timeless investment pieces) and Contemporary Femininity (luxe, modern, and minimal styling on new profiles). In addition, having our footwear sold around the globe in opposing seasons means that the styles we have just launched for Fall have been tried and tested by thousands of women already, backed by raving reviews.”
Check out the new FRANKiE4 wares, as styled by Susan Work and her adorable offspring—Cy (5) and Ray (1)—in our slideshow!
-
-
"I want to savor summer, so the pleated tunic is my attempt at that," says Susan, "paired with casual cotton pants underneath that I can then layer over a very Fall robe-like coat."
ALi Tan, $219, FRANKiE4.
-
-
An autumn classic, the ALi boot in buttery tan leather features a 1-inch heel, subtly rounded toe, stylish side-gusseting, and behind-the-scenes support for maximum comfort.
Built to be in heavy rotation all season long, the ALi can be paired with dresses, trousers, and even sweats to effortlessly dial up the style on any look.
ALi Tan, $219, FRANKiE4.
-
-
"My style is all about layers that involve unlikely pairs. For example: a tent-ish dress that drowns me, with lightweight knit pants underneath. Plus, pandemic-era athleisure with flair—i.e. tunics with sweatpants, hammed up with accessories."
ALi Tan, $219, FRANKiE4.
-
-
Like all FRANKiE4 shoes, the ALi boot features the podiatrist-designed Sole Hero™ support footbed, which offers heel, arch, and forefoot support for all-day wear.
The ALi boot also includes a side-zip for easy access, a durable rubber sole, and specifically placed foam lining to alleviate pressure and rubbing on the skin.
ALi Tan, $219, FRANKiE4.
-
-
"A whiskey-leather boot is timeless and ages well," says Susan. "This ALi boot is so Fall! I'm excited to pair them with all my dress-pant combos."
ALi Tan, $219, FRANKiE4.
-
-
"This is my roll-out-of-bed outfit of casual basics that I then threw a moto-style jacket with pearls over for a layer of polish," says Susan. "Resulting in an all-white, neutral, monochrome look that is really effortless but not boring."
MiM III Almond Milk/Suede, $195, FRANKiE4.
-
-
"I wasn't always a practical dresser. I'd have a lot of artful things in my closet that I didn't wear often just hanging on a hanger because beauty for beauty's sake really fed me—sometimes in lieu of actual food! Now my style is to change out of PJs and throw on whatever's on the chair most days. Which usually means being cloaked in basics, layers, and menswear-inspired, oversized stuff."
"Lately I've been loving the challenge of styling up the daily-grind wear by folding in some fur, sequins, and metallics. Even to drop-offs and coffee shops, because who's to say we even need a special occasion for the flair?"
MiM III Almond Milk/Suede, $195, FRANKiE4.
-
-
The MiM III sneaker combines sharp tailoring with flaunt-worthy function. It featuring artisanal craft, luxurious leather, and supreme support, to make it a win for comfort and on-trend style.
MiM III Almond Milk/Suede, $195, FRANKiE4.
-
-
"These MiM sneakers are a good everyday basic," says Susan, "and the almond milk color is unique and a shade of neutral that I really enjoy adding to my wardrobe."
MiM III Almond Milk/Suede, $195, FRANKiE4.
-
- For those (inevitably) wondering, baby Ray's quilted top is from TiA CiBANi.
-
-
A chic and comfy line-up of new fall styles from FRANKiE4, right next to Susan's front door. This includes the ALi in Tan, SHAUNA in Black, and KASS in Black.
ALi Tan, $219, FRANKiE4.
SHAUNA Black, $229, FRANKiE4.
KASS Black, $195, FRANKiE4.
-
-
"I've come a long way since the days when I used to wear heels with jeans to work! Now the wardrobe-essential shoes are mostly of the slip-on variety, ones I don't suffer through, and preferably rubber-soled, so that they can get me from my door to kid pick-up in lightning speed."
MiM III Almond Milk/Suede, $195, FRANKiE4.
-
-
"As much as I loved living in linen, caftans, and maximal prints this summer, I'm thrilled for cashmere, wool, shearling, and the palette getting punched up with lots of brick tones."
MiM III Almond Milk/Suede, $195, FRANKiE4.
-
-
When you buy the MiM III sneaker, you'll also get FRANKiE4's Sole Saver Pack™.
This allows wearers to customize their shoes to their feet with a regular, wide, or narrow fit via the brand's clever pack included in each box.
MiM III Almond Milk/Suede, $195, FRANKiE4.
-
-
"Cy is named after our favorite artist, Cy Twombly. And his middle names are Landis Lee—the family names of both our mothers."
"Ray is named after Ben’s beloved grandfather, as well as Ray Eames, an art and design icon. Her middle name, Hana, is Korean, meaning 'one,' but also has roots in the western influence on Korean culture (i.e., Hannah from the Bible). We find it an interesting name that has traversed many cultures and has evolved layers of meaning."
-
-
A happily rubber-soled family—even if not everyone is walking (yet).
MiM III Almond Milk/Suede, $195, FRANKiE4.
-
-
"I love a crisp white sneaker with a fun dress. It's the ultimate high/low ensemble. This is my go-to look on the weekends, no matter what we're doing. The park, the craft fair, seeing friends, kid birthday parties, or strolling to lunch."
CELESTE White, $195, FRANKiE4.
-
-
The CELESTE is so much more than a basic white sneaker.
In seasonal white and accented with metallic on the back, CELESTE features leather scalloping, a streamlined silhouette, and three rich layers of contoured cushioning.
Fitted with an elastic gusset, she's made to be worn with or without laces for a less-is-more look.
CELESTE White, $195, FRANKiE4.
-
-
Susan and her crew grab coffee and hot cocoa at the adorable (and mama-owned!) Lady Falcon Coffee Club truck in San Francisco's historic Alamo Square Park.
CELESTE White, $195, FRANKiE4.
-
-
In addition to the beverages, the trio went for a chocolate sprinkle donut to share (or not to share). :)
CELESTE White, $195, FRANKiE4.
-
-
"Cy's Halloween costume came early, so he's been wearing it everyday, and I personally love this for him. It makes him feel powerful and proud, and he certainly loves the attention, too, from all the kids and adults at the park and in the streets. What's not to love about an ebullient little Spiderman scootering joy all over the neighborhood on a random Tuesday night? Wearing costumes just-because should totally be normalized!"
"Hot tip: Costumes get them out of the house quick, especially Spiderman, because, 'There are people who need to be saved!'"
CELESTE White, $195, FRANKiE4.
-
-
Susan sitting pretty with her #1 girl.
CELESTE White, $195, FRANKiE4.
-
-
While Spiderman enjoys a cocoa break in the bushes.
CELESTE White, $195, FRANKiE4.
-
-
"My absolute favorite thing in the world is to take Cy out of school once in a while to have 'Cy and mama day.' It is thrilling and intensely special to be so focused on enjoying each other, and is my idea of cycle-breaking parenting. He is the healed version of me. Being alone with him makes me feel expansive, whole-hearted, and complete love. He's also the funniest person. I genuinely enjoy his humor and sense of adventure."
CELESTE White, $195, FRANKiE4.
-
-
“As for the baby girl, she’s hilarious and wild, so the best way to engage her is to get on the floor. No props, just purely me and her, and our bodies physically reacting to each other’s. I’m not a great floor parent—in fact, I must confess I don’t always love it—but the belly laughs and over-the-top-happy, feral squeals from both of us fills my cup and are deeply connecting and satisfying.”
CELESTE White, $195, FRANKiE4.
-
-
Group hug!
CELESTE White, $195, FRANKiE4.
-
-
"This white leather sneaker goes with literally everything and anything!" says Susan of her new CELESTE kicks. "The best kind of shoe to own!"
CELESTE White, $195, FRANKiE4.
-
- Spiderman on repeat...well beyond October 31st.
-
-
Wearing the CELESTE sneaker is like wearing lightweight, supportive clouds under your feet. Designed by a podiatrist, the dual-density, slip-resistant, moulded sneaker soles are free of steel shanks and heavy materials.
CELESTE White, $195, FRANKiE4.
-
-
"This 2-piece knit set is super comfortable and slouchy, like loungewear," explains Susan. "So I like it layered under the linen duster to pull off a versatile look that also functions and transitions well from work-mode to mom'ing."
OLiViA Wheat, $185, FRANKiE4.
-
-
The neutral OLiViA II lace-up brogue features a meticulously crafted design featuring a feminine almond-shaped toe, laser-cut detailing, and clever cushioning.
For further versatility, additional laces are provided for alternate styling.
OLiViA Wheat, $185, FRANKiE4.
-
-
"Cy can draw for hours. I don't know how he does it. I'm blown away by his ability to sit, focus, and draw whole cityscapes with 3-D buildings peppered in, with lots of details, for hours straight. He's actually a joy to have in the office with us on any given day as he can nestle himself at our desk and generate some cool creations. He says he's inspired by the drawings that we create for our clients, but I'm super inspired by him!"
OLiViA Wheat, $185, FRANKiE4.
-
-
"A lace-up loafer style is more formal than I would typically look for in a shoe, but combining them with a casual outfit really dresses them down in a fun way," says Susan of the OLiViA II lace-ups. "The perforations and contrast white sole make these more down-to-earth in a way that fits my flexible style."
OLiViA Wheat, $185, FRANKiE4.
-
-
"Well, the midterms—just weeks away—are weighing heavily on our minds, as this election will not only determine who will get the power to, say, make laws about what women can do with their bodies nationwide, but also whether we get a car-free park in our city. So, immediately and nationally, there are huge repercussions that will affect all of us."
OLiViA Wheat, $185, FRANKiE4.
-
-
Tuckered out from a long day of play.
OLiViA Wheat, $185, FRANKiE4.
-
-
"Put simply, as we are living through a murky time, I am so grateful to have healthy kids, a loving husband, genuine connections with people in my orbit, and the privilege of getting to create beauty for clients who want to improve how they live. That's more than I ever wanted."
OLiViA Wheat, $185, FRANKiE4.
-
-
For more on Susan, her family, and her work, follow along at @homeworkdesignshop on Instagram.
To shop the comfy-chic FRANKiE4 shoes in this feature—and many more!—for up to 40% off, head over to us.frankie4.com.
Share this story
