Frankie B.'s Clarke Receives MAFI Award
Designer Daniella Clarke, sporting her famous extra-lowrise jeans and a glittery, skimpy top, accepted the second annual Moss Adams Fashion Innovator Award on April 2 in Los Angeles.
Moss Adams Managing Partner Rob Greenspan presented the award before the California Market Center’s Fall 2004 runway show at the Orpheum Theatre.
“I have never really won anything before, so to win something on behalf of my collection is extremely validating,” noted Clarke, the force behind the Frankie B. line.
Clarke started her company five years ago, shortly after her husband, guitarist Gilby Clarke, stopped touring on the rock ’n’ roll circuit. From 1991 to 1993, he played with the rock band Guns N’ Roses.
The designer is best known for her lowrise jeans, which are as comfortable on a rock-band groupie as they are on a contemporary woman looking for a bit of flirty fashion. Frankie B.’s Fall 2004 collection, shown at the recent Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City, Calif., had plenty of sexy miniskirts, strapless tops and low-rise, formfitting pants.
Moss Adams is a 91-year-old accounting firm that serves more than 350 apparel companies. Last year, the company’s Los Angeles office started the Moss Adams Fashion Innovator Award to recognize outstanding design talent. The first award went to Los Angeles designer Corey Lynn Calter. Nominees are judged on their market impact and ability to incorporate the spirit and energy of California into their creations. All nominees have showrooms at the CMC in downtown Los Angeles. The award includes $5,000 of Moss Adams consulting services. —Deborah Belgum
