Mother/Daughter duo bring bit of Paris to the Valley

Faire Frou Frou shows it all off in ‘haute’ style

By Karen Young

When the hot pink carpet sprinkled with rose petals was rolled out this past February for celebrity fanfare at Faire Frou Frou’s grand opening celebration in Studio City, Hollywood glamour co-mingled with feminine boudoir Paris style, marking the entry of a one-of-a-kind retail boutique to the area.

Owned by mother and daughter partners Gail and Alison Rubke, Faire Frou Frou comes from the French phrase meaning “to show off.” And it does just that.  The duo’s vision is to turn the lingerie world inside out, literally. As Alison explains, “Much of our ‘under’ wear has the double benefit of ‘outer’ wear.  I mean, it’s so beautiful, why cover it up?” 

The store specializes in intimate apparel—an elegant array of sleepwear, thongs, panties, bras, thigh highs and garter belts, all in fine fabrics, silks and lace, many tastefully embellished with such finery as Swarovski crystals. “Under” apparel blends naturally into a perfectly appointed selection of lingerie-inspired clothing—dainty and flirtatious designer skirts, dresses, ballet wrap tie shirts, lace chemises, bustiers, cropped angora sweaters, swimwear and more. 

It’s their vision to distinguish the boutique from mainstream lingerie stores with unique, cutting edge inventory not to be found anywhere else in Los Angeles. They specialize in importing their unparalleled collection from France, England, Italy, Austria, Romania, Canada, South Africa and Brazil. 

“We can outfit almost anyone from head to toe, from jewelry to perfume, soaps and lotions, to under and outerwear, to shoes,” says Gail. In need of a parasol or feather duster? Look no further.  Faire Frou Frou has it.

With an exquisite, upscale collection from such designers as John Galliano, Eres by Chanel, Emanuel Ungaro, Vannina Vesperini, Carine Gilson, Argentovivo, Fifi Chachnil, Faire Frou Frou brings the fantasy of European sophistication to life.  

Alison says they are  “especially proud to carry the famed line of  “Cadolle bustiers from Paris” --- the company that is famous for having designed the modern day bra, as well as costumes for the Moulin Rouge. 

Faire Frou Frou showcases new talents, and as well designs a private-label collection of camisoles, tank tops, sweats, boy shorts and panties. They also carry such basics as Le Mystere, Hanky Panky, Betsey Johnson, Cosabella and La Perla, making sure there are styles and price points appealing to a range of shoppers.  

A Betsey Johnson thong costs $16 and a low-rise Hanky Panky is  $18, while a Carine Gilson silk satin string bikini runs $150; a Fifi Chachnil Marabou slipper shoe will throw you back about  $356, while a similar looking shoe by Jacques Levine can be had for $53 dollars; a Betsey Johnson underwire demi mesh bra is $36, while at the highest end there’s a Myla Mistress Plunge Bra at $258.  

Need a fun gift with no size requirement? How about a Tocca candle, hot chocolate bath salts and a chocolate-coconut candy bar shaped soap wrapped in a hot pink and green package for around fifty bucks?  Or an elegant selection of romantic fine jewelry by Cameron Cohen?

Creating a lifestyle environment within the boutique, everything you see is for sale.  From imported French antique mirrors and armoire,  “frou frou” chandeliers made of pearls and crystals, chairs, tables, chests and apothecary jars. Just ask.  

“We love feeling like we’re this classy ‘girly girl’ place where customers just want to come and hang out... and take whatever they want home,” says Alison.

An enthusiastically energetic, gracious and inspiring pair, Gail and Alison say they have always gotten along as friends, and haven’t engaged in any big mother/daughter conflicts.  “I’ve just never had to punish Alison,” quips Gail.  Alison adds, “We’ve always had really good communication and just enjoy each other’s company.”     They agree that they always wanted to work together, merged their talents, and have ultimately created a store, which is perfectly appointed down to the very last detail.   

Gail has an artistic background as a painter and art teacher, while Alison worked as CPA, specializing in entertainment tax consulting.  The idea for the store blossomed when they were talking about life goals, and Alison announced that she didn’t want to continue working for others, rather she wanted to open her own store.   

“I always thought that you had to work in corporate America to be happy and successful,” said Alison, who has since learned otherwise.   Gathering financing and living together in their Sherman Oaks family home, Alison and Gail brainstormed their concept, researched the pages of French Vogue and Elle, traveled to Paris to search out the latest fashions, and attended to shows in New York and Europe to compile their collection.

Needless to say, this blonde haired, blue eyed mother/daughter team is together nearly 24/7.  “Sometimes I feel badly for Alison--we’re together so much, we’re like Siamese twins!”  says Gail.   Daughter Alison negates her mother’s concerns and says she loves it all because they’re building the business, their creation, together.  

Step by step, from the ground up, they designed and detailed every part of the store, leaving nothing unturned.  The window display itself evokes a breezy, artistic, chic sensibility with Parisian airs.   Enter the boutique and note the colors—tones of pink and celery green—as they weave throughout the store, from the outside in, beginning at the front awning, to the green and off-white diamond painted floors, to the painted pink drawer interiors to hot pink upholstered settee chairs, to the dressing room with its light pink, silk drapes gently puddled on the floor.  And lest not forget the color coordinated pink and green M&M’s that fill blown glass containers above the displays.

With the  “frou frou” chandeliers overhead, boudoir mirrors, bountiful fresh flowers, an antique converted church altar reinvented as the store’s sales desk, white rod iron chairs at the front counter embellished with flower wreaths, you may just want to live here.   Kind of Paris haute, gone Hamptons cottage chic. 

Shopping bags, courtesy gift-wrap and “bustier-design” gift certificates are color coordinated. Even the business card and artfully designed crown logo with there initials subtly drawn in (by Gail), is printed on a most lush watercolor paper.

Mothers and daughters, girlfriends unite.    Husbands, boyfriends and those scrambling to position, remember...a little bit of “frou frou” never hurt anyone.

Faire Frou Frou Intimate Apparel & Indulgences

13017A Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, California 91604 (818) 783-4970

www.fairefroufrou.com

Special orders/mail orders welcome