Frankie Bridge has candidly revealed the profound influence fashion exerts on her life decisions, declaring she no longer dresses to appeal to the 'male gaze'. The 37-year-old Loose Women panelist, in an exclusive discussion with the Mail, explained how her tenure in the girl band The Saturdays significantly shaped her sartorial journey.
From Teen Star to Fashion Entrepreneur
Frankie, who first found fame at just 12 years old as a member of S Club Juniors, reflected on the transformative nature of women's style. 'I feel like as women, our style changes a lot over the years, depending on what's needed of us,' she stated. 'I have been in two bands, and both times have been at real pivotal parts of my life. S Club Juniors, I was so young and able to have fun with my style.'
She described her time in The Saturdays as a 'real learning curve', transitioning from age 18 into her twenties. 'There are some real clangers in there,' she admitted. 'That was more about being sexy and fitting together with four other girls. Now I get to dress for myself. It's no longer about the male gaze or fitting in.'
Building Confidence Through Fashion
Having had years to experiment, Frankie now prioritizes personal confidence. 'I’ve had years to experiment, and now I am able to know what makes me feel confident. I also dress for two different lives, work and home life. The two are very different, and I love that.'
This philosophy directly inspired her fashion business, Faves, a style platform that curates high-street edits. Frankie is taking a groundbreaking step by bringing London Fashion Week to the public for the first time. She is hosting her inaugural event on Saturday, February 21, in collaboration with LOOKFANTASTIC and other high-street brands, aiming to make the elite fashion event more accessible.
The Genesis of Faves
'Faves came from years of people asking me where my outfits were from and how I styled certain pieces,' Frankie explained. 'I’ve always loved finding pieces that feel elevated and stylish but still wearable. I know how overwhelming shopping can feel, especially when you’re trying to find your style, so I wanted to create something that felt accessible and curated - like I’d done the scrolling for you already. Fashion can feel daunting, Faves takes that away.'
Her vision extends beyond commerce to community and empowerment. 'We want women to feel empowered and confident. By creating a community, it's also about being able to find like-minded people. I want Faves to continue growing as a go-to destination for women who want effortless, real-life style inspiration.'
Future plans may include more collaborations, exclusive edits, or even Frankie designing her own pieces. 'But the most important thing is keeping it authentic and genuinely useful. I want it to be a space where women feel inspired and empowered, not intimidated.'
A Life in the Spotlight
Frankie's fashion evolution is intertwined with her public career. In 2007, she rose to prominence after auditioning for and joining The Saturdays, alongside Vanessa White, Mollie King, Una Healy, and former S Club 8 colleague Rochelle Humes. The group enjoyed a successful run before disbanding in 2014.
Since then, Frankie has leveraged her substantial online platform of 1.5 million followers to share her passion for clothing. She married former footballer Wayne Bridge, 45, in 2014, and the couple share two sons, Parker and Carter. Frankie is also stepmother to Wayne's 19-year-old son, Jaydon, from his previous relationship with French model Vanessa Perroncel, 50.
Reflecting on Style Evolution
'Being in The Saturdays had a huge impact on my style,' Frankie recalled. 'Fashion was all about experimenting and keeping up with trends. We were constantly styled for performances, red carpets, and shoots - it gave me the freedom to try looks I might have never picked for myself and really pushed me out of my comfort zone to find my own personal style.'
Her current approach is markedly different. 'My approach to fashion now is very different. I base my outfits on how I’m feeling that day and always want to look put together. I’ve learned it’s more about making small swaps, redefining what works for you in your wardrobe, rather than starting from scratch. Comfort and confidence are what really matter - and that’s exactly why I created Faves.'
Frankie's mission is clear: 'I wanted to show women that accessible, effortless style can still be completely achievable, in every stage of life.' Through Faves, she is transforming her personal fashion journey into a communal resource, championing authenticity and empowerment over external validation.
