Above: Founder Faryl Robin Morse Below: There's a new Coco in town.."the Coco Boot"

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Woman of Style: Faryl Robin Morse, founder and creative director of Farylrobin Footwear

This savvy founder of Farylrobin Footwear hardly needs an introduction. Faryl Robin Morse was born and raised in Manhattan and it seems as if shoes have always paved the way. It all started when Faryl had to pay off an incredible amount of clothing debt to her mother, so she started selling shoes at a national retailer as a teenager (a penchant for shoes and clothes went hand in hand)!!!

From that moment on, she knew that the shoe business was her destiny. Farylrobin Footwear launched in 2002 and now sells at 300 high-end boutiques and department stores, which includes Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Anthropoligie, Urban Outfitters and major LA hot spot boutiques Madison and Kitson. Find out how she started her business, what she buys from her trips to London, Paris, Italy and Japan, from what is most attractive about a woman to having it all and balancing life out.

FACTIO MAGAZINE: Describe your signature style. How does your Manhattan background, born and bred, inspire you as far as design is concerned?
FARYL ROBIN MORSE: As a New Yorker, it was very clear, very early that anything goes regarding fashion.  It is the ultimate form of self expression. I try to offer women something fun and sexy because I want them to wear shoes that support their own sense of style. In NY, it is amazing how two women of different ages, social class or ethnic background can wear the same pair of shoes and look completely different, completely “herself.”  This absolutely inspires me. It allows me to be true to my own design sensibility knowing that all women see things with their own creative eyes.
 
FM: Tell us about Farylrobin and how you started in the fashion business.
FRM: I started selling shoes in a retail store when I was in high school. I used to watch how empowered a woman would become when she was buying a new pair of shoes. It was a beautiful thing to watch and be a part of. I felt inspired just being the person who pulled them out of the box. After years in the footwear industry working for other designers, I decided to start Farylrobin because I could not find a shoe that made me feel that way. If I did find a beautiful must-have shoe, I would often have to give up food for a week. I would get the shoe, but I couldn’t afford to go out and show it off. What a kill joy! It finally occurred to me that beautiful style and reasonable pricing do not have to be mutually exclusive. Because of my background in the industry, I knew it was possible to make shoes that looked good at a reasonable price. The larger footwear companies often don’t realize or appreciate how many women have their own individual style and don’t want cheap shoes made for teenagers, but also can’t afford expensive shoes priced for socialites. I make shoes for myself and I make shoes for my friends. What I have found is that there are a lot of women just like us in the world. We are all in good company.
 
FM: According to you, which women past or present has impeccable style and why? What women in which city worldwide have the best style?
FRM: I will always remember my grandmother Pauline as the ultimate fashion free spirit. She wore whatever she wanted, be it right or ridiculous for the occasion. She wore it with a smile on her face and with joy in her heart. She taught me that feeling good is looking good and that a woman should never leave the house without her lipstick.

I travel internationally every season for design and development and often find that I come home with a new wardrobe every season based on the things I purchased from each different country I visited. For instance, when I was in London, I came home with casual street wear and the newest fashion “trainers”. In Paris, I picked up pretty, feminine clothes and beautiful perfume. In Italy, I snagged all my business attire and I even came home with platforms and hairpieces from Japan. I used each city’s style to address every occasion for the upcoming season. Each city has its own sense of style and it’s impossible to say if one is better than the other. I do, however, feel that the best fashion attitude is in New York City.  In NYC you can find the most diversified fashion looks. One person can be draped in couture walking down the street next to someone dressed in urban street wear, who is next to someone who put together a fabulous outfit from Wal-Mart and some vintage pieces from the lower east side. New Yorkers have a “live and let live approach” to fashion that’s awesome.
 
 FM: Do you think money and style go hand in hand or can style never be bought? Is it something you have?
FRM: Dignity, empathy, and inner beauty define a person’s style and that cannot be bought. Of course you can purchase fashion, but style really comes from within. It is sad to see a woman impeccably dressed and undeniably gorgeous who is unkind to herself and those around her.
 
FM: What key fashion pieces do you always have in your wardrobe?
FRM: I always have pretty lingerie, a mean vintage watch and shoes for every occasion.
 
FM: What is your biggest fashion vice? What are your favorite shops in NYC? How about worldwide?
FRM: I fall in love with a different store/country/designer each season. I think my choices change as my life changes. This season it’s Catherine Malandrino and Lauren Moffatt. I tend to purchase my entire wardrobe in one shopping spree, wherever I happen to be – whether in NY or abroad. Hmmm, is it clear that I bite the tootsie pop, as well? This season I’m looking and feeling very girly. Between those two designers and shoes from my own collection, I’m set until the weather changes.  
 
FM: What is a fashion no-no when attending special events, galas and more? Any tips for getting ready for an event?
FRM: Stockings worn with sandals make me crazy. I don’t care how cold it is, it’s just wrong.  One woman in stockings and sandals can throw off my equilibrium for the entire evening.  I get really frustrated. It’s equivalent to talking to a woman with food in her teeth but etiquette dictates that you can’t tell her. As far as getting ready for an event, “Go big or stay home!” Now is the time to pull out the big guns. Today is the day to color, cut and blow-dry, get your manicure and pedicure, wax, tweeze and pluck. Pull out the sexy lingerie and by all means, smell pretty!
 
FM: What would most people be most surprised to know about you?
FRM: I used to run a barn in Pennsylvania and teach kids how to ride horses. I’m most happy in jeans (my husband’s), work boots and hanging out with my family.
 
FM: What are your own personal standards of beauty? What are your own standards of style?
FRM: 1. Of course, never wear sandals with stockings, and unless work attire dictates that you must, never wear stockings.
2. Leave the eyebrows to the professionals.
3. Be kind to everybody because that’s truly beautiful.
 
 FM: Did you know when you started Farylrobin that the company would rise to the success it has?
 FRM: Farylrobin is the ultimate work in progress. It’s been an honor to work with the people that I do each day, doing the job that I do.
 
 FM: What business advice and inspiration can you give to women entrepreneurs?
 FRM: Surround yourself with smart, hardworking people and listen. Make your company your own and make it work for you. Yes, you can have beautiful children, a healthy marriage and own your own business. It’s all about trying to achieve a harmonious balance. 
 
FM: What tips would you give women in general to be well rounded, balancing out life and business?
FRM: Be nice to yourself! Be thoughtful in your choices and then let it go. Keep yourself spiritually and emotionally healthy. Don’t forget date night!
 
FM: What are your favorite Farylrobin designs?
FRM: This fall 05 season “it” is the Coco shoe, which is a multi-buckle, knee-high boot on a rubber wedge with faux-sherling lining. Then there is Bach in rust which is a suede knee-high boot with a 2.5” rubber heel and tread. I truly think I‘m going to wear this boot every day from fall until the end of winter. Last, there is the Myria. It’s a teal suede and multi-colored velvet peep-toe pump and I love them because they are perfect and I will be really bummed if I see anyone wearing them with stockings.

Farylrobin shoes are currently sold in over 300 better boutiques and department stores worldwide, including Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters and top shoe stores in most major markets such as Madison and Kitson in Los Angeles, City Soles in Chicago and Sacco Shoes & Accessories in New York City. Online they can be found at Girlshop, Zappos and Ravinstyle.
 
To keep up on the hottest shoes of the moment, head to www.farylrobin.com for more info.