Faster, Sleeker Prepster, Franklin + Gower

By Laura Medina

Headquartered in the heart of Hollywood and named for the intersection where the Hollywood sign is located, Franklin + Gower is a reflection of the current, modern-day preppy.

The founders, Eduardo Braniff and Christopher "Paco" McCauley, are real-life preps who moved west to Los Angeles and worked in advertising, entertainment, and media.

Eduardo Braniff, a former movie producer and media creative director, and Christopher, "Paco" McCauley, a sports producer for cable television, were dismayed by the devolution of preppy attire suffering from bad workmanship, poor fabric quality, and dismal tailoring at elevated prices.

They decided to join up then they took a leap of faith in bringing preppy attire to its former glory by offering top-notch craftsmanship and quality that stands the test of time while reflecting the authentic, modern preppy.

The one who jet sets from city-to-city and hops the globe. That same preppy who isn't above clubbing it, whether it is in Hollywood or Vegas. Then again, she or he probably owns the place...and can't live without her or his IPhone/smartphone.

Franklin + Gower's Eduardo and Paco offer customized insets, pipings, stripes, and linings in light-hearted patterns and prints for their Bermuda shorts, khakis, trousers, and blazers in light-weight, micro-wale corduroys and seersucker for Spring/Summer and decadent velvet for Fall/Winter.

Making preppy dandy.

But, they keep steward functionality...with a touch of Lilly Pulitzer-like playfulness and whimsy in their roots.

They just recently added a board short collection for those who sail and surf.

Celebrities are opening up to Franklin+Gower's new found preppisms. Here's Paco helping "Mad Men"s Jon Hamm at their launch party last year.

Robert Downey Jr. sporting a pair of Franklin + Gower's piped corduroy trousers.

Mindful of what the modern-day preppy gent wants, they even tailored interior pockets for smartphones and IPhones/IPods, nestled in lined pockets.

Franklin + Gower Bermuda and Sassy Shorts in action.
They do not forget the ladies.

For their women's collection, they took the androgynous preppy frugality of stealing from your brother and father then streamlined the Bermudas into tomboy, tuxedo shorts in velvet with piping; and sassy, but respectful short-shorts, ok hot pants contouring curves and hugging the seat, as sporty substitutes for miniskirts.
They took the boxy blazer, sharpened it into a comfortable classic, a lean, mean jacket that adds pizzazz to the simple camisole and jeans ensemble.

Considering they're nice guys, Franklin + Gower was very generous at the start of this Summer.

Can't forget the groom during Summer's weddings, they collaborated on a contest with stylemepretty.com where the groom and his groomsmen can win a prize of a whole, customized wardrobe for that wedding day.

The prize consists of them picking one, some, or all of the following: blazers, trousers, ties, and pocket squares.

For those not getting hitched, Franklin + Gower also teamed up with grungegentleman.com where they can kick off Summer by winning two Summer suits, one khaki and one seersucker.

How generous.

Revamped and renewed, Franklin + Gower is one of the new epicenter of preppy chic.