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Temperatures hovered above 90 degrees as fashion designer Christy Lynn presented her Fall/Winter 2022 collection at Hotel Zaza in Memorial City. Luckily, that won’t be the case for a few months, when Houston’s most stylish swimwear and sundresses are swapping out the transitional pieces for fall. Or start planning their outfits for holidays and winter travel.
The latter interest represents a large slice of Lean’s customer base and inspiration. Women come to her for travel clothes and she, in turn, influences the wonders seen abroad.
“This fall collection is based on architect Zaha Hadid’s Dongdamun Design Plaza in South Korea,” says Lin. “Looking into the future, she built that huge square in the heart of Seoul. And she’s a woman.”
The Korean-American, Houston-based designer is a fan of mixing old and new, hard and soft. Many Korean florals are paired with thick-soled loafers. They are divided between light silk and chiffon dresses.
“You’ll see a lot of layers — knits with flowing dresses, all-over leather pieces, embroidery and cutouts,” says Lin.
Floral prints are part of her signature. Leather skirts and jackets are distinguished in bone and dark green shades.
Still, Christy Lynn is figuring out exactly who her customer is and what she’s buying. At first, Lynn thought her customers were primarily the most feminine looking in the market. But since she opened an independent atelier in Montrose’s Avondale neighborhood, a new demographic has emerged.
“There are 35 to 70-year-old women who come to me who work as lawyers or[for money]to wear fancy shirts under their underwear.” “Women who have a lot of time to go to an event on her day are buying a flowy dress.”
In addition to gala gatherings, Houston also has many women’s lunch gatherings. Adding a black dress shirt is a natural next step.
“I want to expand the collection to more nights,” Lin hinted. “I like special things like Italian lace and French lace.”
French fashion is on her mind lately. She visited Paris over the summer and plans to return twice a year for a still-quiet international project.
Prior to Lynn’s Setup Shop in Houston, she spent several years on the East Coast. A career-defining stay in Manhattan helped her share her personal style, too.
“I like to look polished and stylish, I’m a city girl at heart,” she says. “Texas women are a little put together, the shoes are on here. Maybe we walk around in New York in sneakers and flats. Here, you can drive to wear picture-perfect shoes with a dress. And Texas women are not afraid of color.”
After attending the Rhode Island School of Design, she worked as an assistant designer for beading and embroidery with Nanette Lepore and Ellie Tahari honing her sewing and quilting skills. She also spent five years with her mentor, Catherine Malandrino.
Launching a clothing line in New York felt overwhelming; In Houston, the idea seems more attainable. What started out as a small capsule collection for Lynn’s bridal look — engagement party, bridal portraits, etc. — became a hit when she bought the pieces wholesale.
“Everything snowballed after that,” she says. “Leah[Hale]was the first person to buy my collection at Tootsies. They were on board from day one.”
The Texas-sized womenswear boutique in nearby River Oaks will also carry Lynn’s pieces next season. Attendees at her Hotel Zaza show were able to shop with a QR code, but it’s still the old school way in her historic atelier “home” in Montrose.
amber.elliott@chron.com
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