Student Designers Create... OsOs - Women Campus
Tons of women nationwide are making a huge impact on the world of fashion, all while still being college undergrads. Each month, we’ll profile a different student designer and give you the inside scoop on her life—and her line of work.
Student Designer: Carly Franks, Philadelphia University ‘07
Clothing Line: OsOs, http://ososclothing.com
What is OsOs?
Take an entire history book, blend it into one fashion line, and you’ve got OsOs. Carly Franks, who graduated from Philadelphia University in 2007, currently designs, sews, creates, and sells the clothing at a boutique she co-owns in South Philadelphia called Sweet Jane. The line takes inspiration from the early 1900s all the way to the 1980s, and then adds a touch of modern feel. What makes OsOs unique from other vintage-inspired lines is that one element in each item is truly from another era. A button on a pair of shorts, leather ties on a dress, even a piece of fabric sewed into the inner pockets of a jacket—every single item has true vintage feel. “Every piece is comfortable, wearable, and unique enough to stand on it’s own. No accessories needed,” Franks says.
How it began Two years ago, when fashion design students Beth Santos and Carly Franks were about to start their final semester at Philadelphia University, someone from NYC contacted them asking to sell their clothes wholesale. “We had just put some photographs of our clothes on MySpace for fun,” says Franks, “We weren’t expecting anything.”
The semester began and the girls carried a full course load, developed their senior collection, and started their company—all while attempting to stay sane. The two best friends spent night after night delirious in their school’s sewing labs: drinking coffee, dancing to 70s music, giggling and singing their hearts out. Clara Henry, Director of the Fashion Design Program at PU, remembers Santos and Franks as “beyond their years, hard-working, and self-motivated.” She watched them grow from nervous freshmen to confident seniors, ready to reach out to the design community and the public. “I remember I was in awe of a spiraling seam on a coat sleeve that they had engineered which was so beautifully designed,” Henry says, “They have a great eye for details and interesting treatments.”
OsOs after college Santos and Franks graduated and quickly threw themselves into their work. Beth’s apartment was the company’s office where they prepared their new collection by sketching, cutting, sewing, and sending out line sheets day-in and day-out. “We had to be really regimented and strict because we were our own bosses,” says Franks. The girls ended up getting second jobs to help fund their efforts. Despite each piece being handmade and unique to the others, they kept prices reasonable. “It’s important that our clothes be affordable to our friends, and people like us,” Franks says. OsOs shorts go for around $48, while dresses sell for around $100.
Santos and Franks were best friends, co-workers, and co-designers. While others were checking out the newest clothing at the mall, they were elbows-deep in thrift store boxes. “We had similar design aesthetics and similar tastes, so it worked really well,” says Franks.
An unexpected rip in the seams “This past month, Beth realized she wanted to take a different career path,” says Franks, who is determined to keep OsOs going. Franks believes what will carry the line is its versatility. “An older woman comes in [to Sweet Jane] and tries on pieces that a high school student may have bought yesterday.” Frank’s advice for college students who also dream of creating their own fashion line is to focus on school as much as you can. “Get the most out of your courses, and have a good sense of what you want to do.” Henry encourages others to develop relationships with their professors as Franks and Carlos did: “Faculty accessibility during school has led to strong friendships and support which continues between them.” Franks plans on getting interns to help her as she continues the company on her own. The line has a home in her store, Sweet Jane, and online at OsOs.Etsy.com. Although they no longer work together, the girls remain best friends.
Student Designer: Carly Franks, Philadelphia University ‘07
Clothing Line: OsOs, http://ososclothing.com
What is OsOs?
Take an entire history book, blend it into one fashion line, and you’ve got OsOs. Carly Franks, who graduated from Philadelphia University in 2007, currently designs, sews, creates, and sells the clothing at a boutique she co-owns in South Philadelphia called Sweet Jane. The line takes inspiration from the early 1900s all the way to the 1980s, and then adds a touch of modern feel. What makes OsOs unique from other vintage-inspired lines is that one element in each item is truly from another era. A button on a pair of shorts, leather ties on a dress, even a piece of fabric sewed into the inner pockets of a jacket—every single item has true vintage feel. “Every piece is comfortable, wearable, and unique enough to stand on it’s own. No accessories needed,” Franks says.How it began Two years ago, when fashion design students Beth Santos and Carly Franks were about to start their final semester at Philadelphia University, someone from NYC contacted them asking to sell their clothes wholesale. “We had just put some photographs of our clothes on MySpace for fun,” says Franks, “We weren’t expecting anything.”
The semester began and the girls carried a full course load, developed their senior collection, and started their company—all while attempting to stay sane. The two best friends spent night after night delirious in their school’s sewing labs: drinking coffee, dancing to 70s music, giggling and singing their hearts out. Clara Henry, Director of the Fashion Design Program at PU, remembers Santos and Franks as “beyond their years, hard-working, and self-motivated.” She watched them grow from nervous freshmen to confident seniors, ready to reach out to the design community and the public. “I remember I was in awe of a spiraling seam on a coat sleeve that they had engineered which was so beautifully designed,” Henry says, “They have a great eye for details and interesting treatments.”OsOs after college Santos and Franks graduated and quickly threw themselves into their work. Beth’s apartment was the company’s office where they prepared their new collection by sketching, cutting, sewing, and sending out line sheets day-in and day-out. “We had to be really regimented and strict because we were our own bosses,” says Franks. The girls ended up getting second jobs to help fund their efforts. Despite each piece being handmade and unique to the others, they kept prices reasonable. “It’s important that our clothes be affordable to our friends, and people like us,” Franks says. OsOs shorts go for around $48, while dresses sell for around $100.
Santos and Franks were best friends, co-workers, and co-designers. While others were checking out the newest clothing at the mall, they were elbows-deep in thrift store boxes. “We had similar design aesthetics and similar tastes, so it worked really well,” says Franks.An unexpected rip in the seams “This past month, Beth realized she wanted to take a different career path,” says Franks, who is determined to keep OsOs going. Franks believes what will carry the line is its versatility. “An older woman comes in [to Sweet Jane] and tries on pieces that a high school student may have bought yesterday.” Frank’s advice for college students who also dream of creating their own fashion line is to focus on school as much as you can. “Get the most out of your courses, and have a good sense of what you want to do.” Henry encourages others to develop relationships with their professors as Franks and Carlos did: “Faculty accessibility during school has led to strong friendships and support which continues between them.” Franks plans on getting interns to help her as she continues the company on her own. The line has a home in her store, Sweet Jane, and online at OsOs.Etsy.com. Although they no longer work together, the girls remain best friends.
Trend: The Statement Bag Though your accessories should never overpower your outfit, the over-sized, or statement, bag can add a fierce, modern edge to simpler, more classic pieces. The statement bag already appears in bursts of bright colors and neutrals, but Pistella suggests that another way to do the statement bag is in a bold ethnic print or with fringe. “We can’t keep those bags in the store,” she says (since people are always coming in to buy them) Take-away: Continue to make a statement… just a different one. 
The group’s designs were on display in a showroom and Hilson’s stylist picked them out. Next thing they knew, she was rockin’ out in the video in one of their bright tops from “collection one.” “We would like to get more celebrity clients,” Zilka says. “We’ve been Googling stylists to contact.” For us non-celebrities, their designs can be purchased online at thetwentyten.com, and indie store Blank (445 West 49th St, NYC), with more retail stores hopping on board soon.
The pink soft Holiday scarf is perfect for sporting the classic knot. This is a casual approach to making a sweater go from simple to chic. How-To: Fold the scarf in half and drape it around your neck. Then take the bottom ends and place them through the loop created at the other end and pull until the scarf is comfortable around your neck.
The wrap, another casual look, gives the impression of sophistication. Not only is it super comfortable, but it flatters all body types. Every girl has those mornings when they can’t seem to choose a shirt to wear for the day. This is when wraps can save the day! How-To: Just like a blanket, wrap the entire scarf around your body starting from the back as if you are ready to watch a good movie with a bowl of popcorn. Then continue to bring one end over your shoulder to secure the look.
With the versatility of a scarf, you can go from day-wear to night-wear with just one pin! This blue Holiday ruffle wrap is draped around the torso, and pinned at the shoulder. Don’t be afraid to go bold with the pin; big jewels are in! How-To: Perform the same steps as with the daytime wrap, but instead use a pretty pin to hold the wrap together at the shoulder.
For the below freezing weather these next couple months, double your scarf around your neck for extra warmth. It creates a fierce, confident, (and toasty!) winter look. How-To: Place the middle of the scarf behind your neck so both ends drape over your shoulders in the front. Then take one end and wrap it around your neck twice, then even out the bottom ends, and place one falling down your back, and the other down the front.
With the holidays coming up, the silk scarf can be used multiple ways to create an elegant holiday look. This look is also effortless for hot summer days. How-To: Create a low back shirt by folding a silk scarf into a triangle, and looping your favorite necklace through the top corner. Put on the necklace and tie the bottom corners behind your waist to create a beautiful top.
The same silk scarf can be used as a belt to flatter a girl’s waist, or it can be used as a hair accessory for your ponytail or as a headband! How-To: Simply wrap the scarf once around your waist, preferably with a blouse, and tie a knot at the hip. For your hair, wrap the scarf around your pony tail twice to hide the elastic, and tie the ends together once, allowing them to fall down your back. As for the headband, just place the center of the scarf on the crown of your head, and tie the ends together at the base of your neck. The headband looks great with your hair down or up! For more information on Holiday Boutique scarves, call 617.973.9730 or email 
The original high priestess of fashion Coco Chanel introduced the Little Black Dress—fondly referred to as the “LBD”—a chic but still functional dress for all occasions, in 1926. It has been a staple of women’s wardrobes since then because it is utterly indispensable—it works for multiple occasions, depending on what it’s paired with (sequined cardigan for holiday affairs, structured jacket for work, and so on), and of course it always works on its own. When you don’t know what to wear, just grab your LBD and it will work every time. In fact, the LBD is Kenny’s first recommendation for the classics a girl should have. As Kenny says, “It’s iconic. You can dress it up, you can dress it down.” What more could you want? 
Cross it off your list: Your LBD should be of a versatile fabric. Shiny fabrics like taffeta or satin limit your wearing options, so try to get a cotton or jersey dress to make it a truly indispensable wardrobe asset. Also, remember that some body types look better in certain styles than others. If you have a smaller bust, try a shift dress or a strapless dress. If you have a larger bust, choose a style that will support ‘the girls’, but will still show off a little décolleté (if you try to hide your bust, it will only look bigger), like a sweetheart or V neckline. 
No matter the changing trends in office attire, the black suit will always, always be in. A standard cut, wider-leg trouser plus blazer and blouse combo is absolutely infallible. What’s nice about the black suit is that it’s versatile, working as the suit itself, of course, but also as separates—the black trousers and the black blazer. It’s like getting three outfits in one. According to Kenny, “The pants can be worn alone with just a top (button-up, sweater, tanks, denim jackets, other color blazers) and everywhere you go you can wear a blazer. I think blazers are a necessity... because you can pair it with a dress, a skirt, t-shirt...” and, of course, jeans. 
Cross it off your list: You can try for a suit with trousers, or a suit with a pencil skirt, which looks good on everybody. Make sure you can close the blazer’s buttons, or the suit’s just not worth getting. If you can, have the suit tailored so you never have to worry about tugging and pulling to make it look good—you’ll just know it works.
A good pair of jeans is my personal godsend. They will always look good, and they will always be comfortable. It’s important to have a pair of jeans that are more ‘dressed-up’, like a darker, indigo wash, and a pair of lighter ones, perhaps even distressed if you so choose, so you can differentiate between ‘going out’ jeans and ‘going to class’ jeans. You can of course wear the ‘going out’ ones to class, but never the other way around. No hippies or farmers at the club! You should keep the jeans simple, as well. If your jeans must have embellishments like rhinestones, keep it simple and sweet. Bling all up and down your leg will only fall off and look cheesy. And remember, we’re going for classic. 
Kenny says, “Jeans are major in a woman’s wardrobe, mostly because you can wear jeans with anything. There are so many styles and so many fits it’s almost impossible not to find one that works for you.” Try on several pairs and when you find one you like, get two pairs. You’ll want to wear them all the time, and with two you don’t have to worry about them falling apart (right away, anyway...). Cross it off your list: Just like the LBD, different kinds of jeans look good on different body shapes. Contrary to popular belief, not everyone can wear skinny jeans, but everyone can wear flares, straight-leg, or boot-cut jeans. Whether you’re curvy or not, each of these jeans will give you a nice, flattering shape. And remember, jeans in a darker wash are multipurpose: they make your legs look longer and they easily transition from day to night with the addition of a few accessories.
Every woman needs a coat, unless you come from a way tropical climate. Being from South Florida, I never had to buy a coat until I went to school in Pittsburgh, but I got one that would go with anything and everything—a black peacoat. You don’t have to get a black peacoat, because camel and navy are also classics that go with everything, but the peacoat style will always be chic (and will always keep you very warm!). Another perpetually chic coat is the tan, belted trench coat, but not for snow since it’s thinner than you’ll need. Since you’ll have to wear the coat often, why not get something that goes with anything and everything? It will make your life easier in the long run. On coats, Kenny says “After all this, you need something to keep you warm. No matter what kind of coat it is, it has to be fabulous. When you dress up, try a trench, or a great fur or faux fur. For a jean, a peacoat or a leather bomber jacket.” Cross it off your list: Make sure the coat covers your bum (for extra warmth), but doesn’t touch all the way to the ground or cut off your leg line—if the coat hits you in the middle of your shin, it’s going to make you look shorter. If you’re looking to spend a little less, a great place to find a coat is a vintage clothing store. There will be innumerable styles and fabrics, probably ranging from faux fur to fur to leather to wool and so on, so give a vintage store a shot for a coat with a some extra flair and personality.
Also known as the white oxford shirt, it adds flair and structure to any ensemble, whether jeans or the black suit. And it’s white, so it goes with everything. It reminds me of the great leading ladies of the 1950s, like Grace Kelly, who made this traditionally masculine element of clothing so feminine with high-waisted skirts and pants. Pair it with sweaters, with denim, with cardigans, with anything to add an extra classic element where there might not be any. A crisp, white shirt is just another essential, versatile, perpetually chic element that should be in every woman’s wardrobe. Cross it off your list: A long-sleeved oxford is the only way to go! Also make sure it’s cotton so it can be washed and worn again and again without falling apart. You might even like to try a no-iron shirt which, as the name suggests, never ever needs to be ironed! So there you have it. The Classics. Kenny says, “You’re never going to go inside a store and not find these things. You’re not going to walk down the street and not see a person with one of these things on. They are must-haves and if you don’t have them, you’re missing out and you should really think about trying to get on that. If you have just these key things, you can survive in any city at any time of the year.” Why chance it and get something in a trend you don’t know much about when you can have the Classics and look chic all the time? As the saying goes, make new friends but keep the old—try out new trends, but don’t forget the originals. They’ll always love you and they’ll always be there for you, just like old friends.
