A Unique Ready-to-Wear Line from Unionville Saddle’s David Ferron

The acclaimed local designer is taking his first shot at retail and online sales.

Photographed by Jim Graham at Greystone Hall in West Chester, Pa.

Call it a pandemic pivot with a side of twirl. This fall, designer David Ferron unveiled his new ready-to-wear line for women. Sprinkled with sequins and strategically placed grosgrain ribbons, garments include both special-occasion and casual pieces. “It’s my first stab at retail and online sales with my own brand,” says Ferron. “I’m hoping to serve more clients and in a different way.”

The Stephanie cape, Julia denim jacket and other items are named for Ferron’s clients and inspired by the pieces he made for them. “Working with real women is what I love to do,” Ferron says. “The fashion industry doesn’t always serve their needs.”

In the three years since opening Unionville Saddle in Kennett Square, Pa., Ferron has become one of the region’s rising fashion names. A 2011 graduate of Parsons School of Design, from which he won Womenswear Designer of the Year, Ferron is known for his body-conscious tailoring and using luxurious materials in eco-friendly ways. “There’s so much waste in the fashion world,” Ferron says. “We can do better—with better design.”

That ethic was supposed to be on full display at a runway show scheduled for this past March at the Brandywine River Museum of Art. “It would’ve taken place throughout the museum, in a ‘fashion is art’ way,” Ferron says. “The museum and the entire Brandywine Valley played huge roles in my childhood and are part of my inspiration.
It would’ve been a full-circle moment for me.”

When it was canceled due to the pandemic, Ferron thought he’d reschedule the show. Eventually—after busying himself sewing nearly 5,500 masks for Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children—Ferron gave up on his plan. But the pandemic pause nudged his creativity in new directions. “I’m still making clothes for women of all sizes and in a sustainable way—just in a new venue,” Ferron says.

Ferron’s new line is available at Unionville Saddle’s Kennett Square shop and online at davidferron.com.

The Rachel Mini (also above) is an army green variation of the Rachel Gown, with a crew-neck collar and a shorter hem. The headband is a vintage tulle veil with flocked bow motifs.

The pleated, bias-cut halter Susan Gown in liquid amber satin has grosgrain ribbon details, a high-low hem and a double-bow cross back.

The Julia Gown features an amber-colored cotton-velvet bustier with asymmetrical strap details and D-ring closure paired with the black/black Sunburst Skirt in pleated silk lame chiffon with grosgrain waistband.

And off-the-shoulder drape continues around the back of the black Ponte knit Meg Gown, accenting cutouts made of liquid amber satin.

For the Jenny Bodysuit, gold sequins on nude power mesh with ballerina grosgrain ties combine with the gold/white Sunburst Skirt.

A flyaway back drape accents the power mesh cutout details on the sweeping draped back of the ankle-length silk satin Sam Gown.

Made of sunset floral velvet burnout, the Amy Mini features sheer, puffed sleeves and a caterpillar belt made of ostrich feathers and grosgrain ribbon with a D-ring closure.

Dolman sleeves, a power mesh sheer cutout in the back, shoulder pads, a built-in shaper lining, and an empire waist provide structure for the full-length rayon matte jersey Anne Gown.

For the Lynn Jacket, Suit and Trousers, a tropical-weight wool suit jacket is paired with a black sequin shirt and high-waisted wool pants.

The Rachel Gown‘s black Fortuny jersey dress has a high turtleneck, grosgrain ballerina ties at the waist, and slightly bell-shaped sleeves with slits at the hem that mirror the center back slit.