Uschi and Klaus Franke, founders of a bead, button and trim shop in Munster, Germany, have gone from beads, buttons and the creative fashion industry for people and doing it now for the home.
The couple recently opened Superior Curtain Collection and specialize in designing and making classic and affordable couture window treatments, bedding, pillows and table skirts. The shop and showroom at 6545 Superior Ave. is an extension of their Hilton Head business, Pro-Fashional Decorators and Fabricators, for creating “solutions for special home fashion challenges.”
Uschi learned to sew many years ago at the age of 12. Ten years ago while working at a fabric store in Hilton Head, she was asked if she knew anything about making curtains.
“No one there had any experience with drapes and window treatments,” said Uschi, in her Westfalian accented English. “But since I’d been in the creative fashion industry, it was relatively easy and, we found, just a matter of taking good measurements (and for us, converting them to the American system).”
The Frankes had opened Voilá, a bead, button and trim store in 1979 (they still own it), where they became known for their work with discerning clients who wanted custom, couture clothing including the top European fashion magazines. One of her stunning commissions, she said, was “a white leather wedding suit for a bride.”
She enjoyed the fashion work but today finds home accessories – designing and constructing window treatments – so much easier than constructing clothes “because they don’t change in size like people!”
She and Klaus branched out with Pro-Fashional in 1999 working weekends out of their garage. Business has grown through word-of-mouth. They enjoy designing for what they consider “home fashion challenges” which have included an African tent for a boy’s room and a special treatment for a 20-ft. tall window. The jabots were 6 ft. long and the outside panels more than 12 ft. long.
In addition to custom treatments, Superior Curtain Collection carries well-known American-made and European lines of ready-to-hang drapes, valances, blinds, shutters, designer bedding and pillows, curtain hardware, tie backs, finials and other window specialty hardware accessories. The showroom also features stainless steel wire woven outdoor furniture, lighting fixtures, Lampe Berger Paris home fragrance lamps, Bloom illuminated flower pots and Perennial designer handbags and totes adorned with big colorful silk flowers.
Curtain lines include: Galaxy Designs, Casa Fiora, Emdee International and RLF Home. Fabrics used are silk, polyester, taffeta and linen and the wall coverings can be trimmed out with beads, embroidery, ribbons and lace. Prices range from $50 for a single panel to $1,750 for a double-wide exquisitely embroidered lined silk panel.
Hardware lines range from House Parts Classic Home Collection to Emdee International to glamorous Swarovski crystal covered tie backs by Galaxy Designs.
Superior Curtain Collection is open from 10am-5pm Monday through Friday and after hours by appointment. For more information, or to make an appointment, please call 941.924.6200.