by Brad Paisley
First published 2013
Brad Paisley traces the remarkable journey of the Frye Company from its humble 1863 origins in Marlboro, Massachusetts to its status as America's oldest continuously operating footwear brand. John A. Frye opened his small shoe shop to serve local factory workers, crafting sturdy footwear for everyday labor. Paisley reveals how these practical boots unexpectedly became fashion icons worn by celebrities from Jackie Onassis to Bruce Springsteen. The book examines Frye's cultural breakthrough in the early 1970s and explores the artisanal techniques that define the company's craftsmanship. Paisley showcases the brand's most popular designs, including the iconic Harness Boot, while documenting how customers wear, style, and live in their Fryes across different contexts. This anniversary volume captures both the technical excellence of boots built to withstand twenty pounds of pressure and the cultural phenomenon that transformed workwear into a symbol of American style.
Genres: biography, 20th-century, business, american, 21st-century, 19th-century, art-history, americana
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: historical, non-fiction
Setting: Marlboro, Massachusetts, United States
Period: 1863, 1970s
240 pages · Hardcover · Rizzoli