Fairfield Woman Helps Create Destination for Mother-Daughter Shopping

This article was written by Leslie Yager. 

The co-owners of Frock & Frill in Wilton know a thing or two about fashion and trends.

Lauren Robak and Melissa Thompson have been friends and co-workers for over a decade, having worked together in a store that catered to women and tween girls in Westport for several years. 

Long ago the two clicked and maintain an easy rapport, though each claims to throw things at the other's head on occasion. Always with a smile. Thompson, who was a bridesmaid in Robak's wedding 4-1/2 years ago, has an easy rapport with her Frock & Frill co-owner. The two finish each other's sentences like close sisters. 

Indeed, to step foot inside Frock & Frill is to be greeted warmly and all the merchandise is displayed beautifully against the vintage details of the 1880's house-come-store.

Robak, who hails from Fairfield recalls sewing classes at Fairfield Warde fondly. 

"I had an agreement with my dad that he'd let me go to public school if I got involved in activities. I really didn't want to go to private school," recalled Robak vividly. "So I got involved in sewing class and then costume design and the theater department," explained Robak, who went on to study at Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City after high school.

Thompson, who hails from Norwalk, attended Norwalk High School, and, according to Robak, "She's really good at picking kids' clothing."

"We're a destination for mothers and daughters," said Robak. "It's a fun way to approach shopping. A tween and her mom, or a grandmother with an adult daughter – they can shop together because we carry sizes beginning at girls size 7 and up through women's extra large. We also have home and beauty accessories like hand lotions, candles and perfume."

"We work hard to offer brands you won't find in the mall. We specialize in fashion for every day," said Robak. "Tweens is a tough market because they'll outgrow the clothes and, at the same time, you want them to dress appropriately. Plus, you don't want to pay for adult clothes for tweens."

Robak said she and Thompson go to trade shows like MODA at the Javitz Center. "We walk the shows and try to find items that are made in the US."

Robak and Thompson not only enjoy their shop but they said they've become personal friends with many of their customers. "We watch their kids grow up. We've become friends with a lot of our customers," said Robak.

Frock & Frill is located at 237 Danbury Rd in Wilton, CT 06897. Tel. 203-529-3958 Email: info@frockandfrill.net