June 2024
Month 20xx
Sacha Kingston-Wayne and Nadine Bessada
Charmaine Gooden
Jacob Marion
Kendra Francis, born Kendra-Leigh, is a Canadian fashion designer specializing in womenswear before designing baby clothing.
early life and career
Francis began designing and making her own clothes at 13. “Kendra started sewing at an early age. That’s all I remember her doing,” says her sister, Kyla Francis. “She would make all of our clothes growing up, if we had to go to Caribana, or there was a big event.”
Her paternal grandfather was a tailor in Dominica, making the uniforms for the local police and fire departments. Her father who was in advertising for the Toronto Star, and her mother who was a teacher for the Toronto Catholic District School Board, both had sewing skills as well. This environment fostered Francis’ passion for fashion design.
Francis graduated from Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University) with a bachelor’s degree in fashion/apparel design. Post-graduation, she moved to New York City for a short time to work as a model. When Francis moved back to Toronto, she began focusing on designing and styling freelance, using modelling as a backup between jobs.
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She frequently heard variations of, “that doesn’t look like a line a Black person would design.”
During this time, Francis worked as a stylist for commercials, music videos and indie films for seven years. She collaborated with Canadian hip-hop stars like Jully Black, Kardinal Offishall and Baby Blue Soundcrew. She also designed red-carpet looks for Much Music and CTV News hosts, as well as celebrities like Amerie, Yaya Dacosta, Chantale Kreviazuk and Natalie Brown.
In 2000, Francis launched her first brand, Franke Boutique, dedicating herself to designing seasonal womenswear collections.
Franke was not a stress-free operation for Francis. Maintaining a prominent storefront in Toronto’s trendy Queen Street West came with its struggles. Along with the high rent at her boutique, she was the only Black female designer on the Toronto Fashion Week schedule for over a decade. Pre-social media, Francis often had to wait weeks to see what the press thought of her collections, if they featured her at all. Fortunately, Franke received coverage in publications including the Toronto Star, NOW, BlogTO, The Globe & Mail, The New York Times, Flare Magazine, Elle Magazine, Fashion Magazine and more. Her success led to her being cast in the first season of Project Runway Canada, where she made it to episode eight.
“Personality and drive go hand in hand to make a person successful,” says Adrian Carew, a well-respected hairstylist and friend of Francis. “Her ability to remain positive and driven, even in the face of challenges, sets her apart.”
role of race
It was not all “sunshine and rainbows” during this time in her career. Francis frequently heard variations of, “That doesn’t look like a line a Black person would design.” While she found these comments disheartening, she refused to let them hinder her creative process.
After 15 years as an independent designer, Francis had her first child in 2011, marking a turning point in her career. “Everyone was like, ‘When you get pregnant, you’ll be so creative, you’ll burst with creativity’,” Francis recalls. “I did not find that to be the case.”
After having her son, Francis pivoted to producing fashion shows for brands like French Connection, Gap, Yorkville Village and the ANTM franchise. She felt designing a collection while caring for a newborn would have been overwhelming, putting her design career on pause to focus on being a mother. That pause ended with the launch of Petits Genoux.
This new design venture began in 2015 when Francis started designing pieces for her friend Amanda Blakley, an expecting mother whose child attended the same school as Francis’ son. Soon, Francis and her friend began collaborating on a children’s clothing line.
This was the start of Petits Genoux (French for “little knees”). Francis handled the designs while her partner leveraged her connections to gain press attention. Together, they launched pop-ups and collaborated with other creators.
Two and a half years later, the pair parted ways, leaving Francis to run Petits Genoux solo.
She found baby clothing design less pressurized than womenswear, “There are no hemlines, and the seasonal trends are less consequential than in womenswear. It is a simpler process” says Francis.
“With Franke, I had to be on trend, on season, facing much more criticism. There was also a lot of pressure in trying to get people to see my shows, having the right buyers and editors present was crucial,” she adds.
influence and legacy
Francis’ influence extends beyond her designs. Despite her struggles in the industry with discrimination, Francis’ early success with Franke Boutique and her subsequent venture into children’s clothing with Petits Genoux, highlight her innovative spirit and entrepreneurial drive. She’s carved out a niche for herself, proving that creativity and resilience can overcome societal barriers.
Petits Genoux is now well-known for high-quality, stylish baby clothes. By focusing on a niche market, Francis has been able to innovate and create products for parents who want unique and thoughtful gifts for their children. Her attention to detail and commitment to quality have earned her a loyal customer base.
Francis’ experience on Project Runway Canada brought her national recognition and cemented her status as a fashion influencer. She has collaborated with various creators like Colette Harmon, Gotstyle, Hoax Couture, Adrian Carew and more. Her ability to connect with other designers and creatives has led to innovative partnerships and projects, further establishing her as a respected figure in the industry.
Looking ahead, Francis is excited about the possibility of returning to womenswear. She hints at several projects in the works and expresses a desire to “get back into the game.” Francis’ legacy is one of perseverance, creativity, and transformation.
She’s carved out a niche for herself, proving that creativity and resilience can overcome societal barriers.
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