bridesmaids line

A little late, but here is the mini-bridesmaid line I did for my own wedding. I can do any of these 5 styles for you!

Detroit, this is what i want.

I had the pleasure of attending Design. Define. Detroit. this weekend. It was a great meeting of the minds with the intention of discussing the possibility of a garment district or sustainable fashion industry in Detroit. This is a topic that I could talk about for hours, but what I wanted to talk about today, is my vision for my future. Where I want my label 'kelly lynne' to go from here. What I want from Detroit. Where I see this company going forward. I had my first successful runway show, with the launch of my first collection - for Fall 2010, last March. Since then I've been working on a ton of side projects. Now it's time for what's next.

Since that show, I have had many different ideas, but this mad tornado of thousands of post-it notes disgusted as bees disguised as too much coffee disguised as mania becomes slightly productive, over time. It's no secret to those who know me well that I have a passion for the obscure. I also have a deep seeded love and history with costuming, theatre, macabre, vaudeville and burlesque. I want to take my passions and my ideas, and find others who share similar. I want to sit in a basement with paint and lipstick and tulle and glass and wood and make things, amazing things.

I once thought about going the more logical route, of concentrating on producing garments that were more ready-to-wear, but also easier to wear. Alot of people who are "fans" as they say, of my designs, all have this complaint of "I love this dress, but I can't buy it because I have no where to wear it." Well, I don't know what to say to that right now, other than, that doesn't make me happy. I will forever welcome custom orders, but I will never again consider paring down my visions to something a person might find at H&M. I would have studied to be a seamstress if that were my goal. My time at FIT was one of the greatest of my life, the most inspiring and magical. I am too afraid that itch will slip from my fingers if I don't continue to cradle it tightly. I don't have any doubts that if I go the way that feels most natural to me, the better my success will be. People all my life have been doing what I like to call "supporting me with apprehension". It's good. It's good to have people looking out for you. But I feel like after so many years of doing things with this thought of "okay, but if it doesn't work out... I'll be fine with it." I've finally realized, it works out. It just does. I have a lot of fairy godmothers, I guess. I am not afraid. You shouldn't be either. What is a life lived, if with fear?

I came back to Detroit, although I had job offers in New York, because I wanted to USE Detroit. I wanted Detroit to be a huge part and a huge influence of this company. At this time, we have the opportunity to use this city in the way that no one else in the country has the mean to. No city is like us. We have to stop trying to figure out how to do what other people are doing, and do our OWN thing. Make people 20 years from now, wish they knew how to be "like Detroit".

I am going to focus more on fashion that is art and art that is fashion, as an overall company goal. I would like to produce fashion shows that are art shows that are performances that are so much more. I don't want people to come to my shows looking for something to wear necessarily. I want people to come to these shows to see things they've never seen before. (Hello, Nurse!) And then without realizing it, adjust their wardrobe when they feel inspired.

So essentially this is a call for help. I need people. I need a gang. I need free thinkers, artists, builders, creative people. Burlesque dancers, pin-up models, make up artists, musicians, fire eaters, other designers....

March 2011. Help me make something amazing.
ktsager@gmail.com

it's november?

I haven't posted in forever! That's what happens when you get married then go on a 3 week honeymoon, then get home and it's your birthday, then halloween, then you get a new job. ;)

The bridesmaids dresses and my dress...they all came out great. The hard work paid off, my vision came through. I was happy.

See some of the photos here.

I am now working for Versatile Corsets, which has been just amazing. I will be designing a Kelly Lynne corset for them in the near future as well, which is just the cherry on top of the pie. I couldn't have gotten luckier with this opportunity - to finally combine my love of corsetry, costuming, burlesque, vaudeville with daily work? It has been a dream.

I have a lot to blog about as far as where kelly lynne designs is going, and what is coming up on the horizon as far as my vision for my company and fashion in detroit, etc. But that will have to come later. It's the weekend, and I'm busy. The husband and I just got back from seeing Teasetown Correctional at Savoy, which was amazing - we saw it last year and were smitten - this year was just as good if not better, and I loved the little nod to the devistating Theatre Bizarre shut down this year. We all laughed and it felt good.

Anyhow, I'll leave you with this...here is me trying to tighten one of my new corsets, with the help of no one.



All in a day's work.

Kelly Lynne in Styleline Magazine October

I have 3 looks featured in this month's (October) issue of Styleline, make sure to check it out!!
Styleline has always placed a huge focus on shopping local, so I couldn't be more happy to be selected as a part of their local designer editorial this month.

www.stylelinemag.com

(that's my lace top on the cover, paired with Terrence Sullivan jeans!)
The feature begins on page 52 of the magazine, and features myself along with other local designers Cynthia LaMaide, Adriana Pavon, Paulina Braiz-Harb, Marc England, Marlaina Stone, Gemela Design and Femilia Couture.

Featured from me are my faux fur and wool cape with my black liquid leggings, and my purple/black lace cowl dress.

Thanks again Styleline! Love you.

Fall take my heart.

wow. if i weren't getting married in 1 month, I'd do a massive post on fall fashion. but I'm tired and I don't have time. instead I will just mention what great pleasure the september issue of vogue has brought me today. I live for fall. The colors, the textures, the smells, the feeling of something leaving us behind. Something dying, something reborn. I can still smell new pencils and brand new clothes and the anticipation of that which goes into the first few weeks of school starting again. Cider mills, wool skirts, tights. Jack o' lanterns, leather jackets.

When I am in heaven, it will be September and October, over and over again. Scarfs and halloween and that first night you need a coat. And the note you find in the pocket, from the boy you want it to be from.

<3

Roller Derby, Wedding Showers and a Fashion Guerilla Garage Sale

I have had no time to update lately.

I joined the Ann Arbor Roller Derby, and we started practice last week. We practice 3 times a week, it's pretty intense. It does however, make me really, really happy. These girls I am getting to know, are the most amazing, determined dedicated women I have ever met. It's really changing my life and giving me confidence in ways I never had. Derby <3



(photo credit: Ben Seese)

I look pretty exhausted here, but what can I say, I was! First week of practice, sunday morning, 10 a.m. But I was having way more fun than it looks like, really.

I also had my bridal shower this past weekend. It was at Frenchie's in Ypsilanti, and we had a very lovely time! I have such wonderful friends and family. I felt like such a lucky girl!







Because my wedding is less than 2 months away (aaaahhh!!!) and I still have my own dress to finish, as well as 1 more bridesmaids dress and a few alterations, not to mention all the other last minute details (aaaahhhh!!!), I am doing my very last fashion related thing (until after we get back from the honeymoon mid-october) this coming saturday August 14th. I was fortunate to receive an invitation to be a guest designer at the 2nd Annual Fashion Garage Sale, which was organized by local design labels, Peace Love Spandex, Wound Menswear and Femilia Couture. Details for the event are here.

GUERILLA {Fashion Garage} SALE II
@Femilia Couture's Alley
Featuring the designs of:

Sarah Lapinski (WOUND MENSWEAR)
Angela McBride (PEACE LOVE SPANDEX)
Fotoula Lambros & Emily Thornhill (FEMILIA COUTURE)
Kelly Tinsley (KELLY LYNNE)

For Immediate Release:

FASHION GARAGE was such a hit, that it must happen again! So we have made the one time event a tradition in and around the Detroit area. So if you missed the first one, you will be happy to hear that it has been added again.

The designers have cleaned out everything, from the studios, attics, trunks basement, garages and life. In effort of promoting a sustainable lifestyle, four local Detroit based designers have come together, to create this one-of-a-kind Trunk show experience.

In fund raising efforts for the designers Five day International Fashion tour; Wound, Peace Love and Spandex, Femilia Couture, and Kelly Lynne designs are creating a unique mini boutique for the day in and behind the Ferndale based, Femilia Showroom. On Saturday, August 14th, from 11am-sundown come and support their efforts to promote sustainability and recycle their gently used treasures.

Sale features:
Designer samples
Clothing
Treasures
Fashion Books
Fabric
Sewing Supplies
Shoes
Accessories
Music
Décor
baked goods
Adult and Kiddie Friendly beverages

These designers are cleaning out their fashionable lives, one closet at a time in and outside of the Ferndale based Femilia Showroom. Along with all the treasures, vinyl will fill the room with sounds by DJ Jefferson, DJ Dabnose and DJ EM.

We would like to encourage all local trend setters, fashion enthusiasts, artists, animal lovers, garage/yard sale fanatics, bargain hunters, pirates, and everyone else to come and enjoy the day, especially with a lemonade. This is definitely a TRUNK show you don’t want to miss.

For more information please visit: Call 248.850.8939 or email femilia.couture@gmail.com

www.boyandtherussell.blogspot.com
www.woundmenswear.com
www.peacelovespandex.com
www.femiliacouture.blogspot.com
www.kellylynne.com

74 days

I came across this post on LAVintage's blog today - Cigarettes and Wedding Bands and I am in love. Elvis and Priscilla are the best. That veil, the look on her face, the look on his face!






2nd runner up - Mia Farrow and Frank Sinatra. To say you were married to Frank Sanatra is just aces. totally insane. How are these people even real? They don't seem real. Were they like us? Did they fight over dirty socks on the floor all the time, not enough dates, the dog?

I wish I could post photos of the things I have been making along the way for my own wedding, but I feel like I shouldn't do that until it's over. I don't want to spoil the surprise for anyone who is coming to the wedding. I have already been told "You know you guys are going to have the coolest wedding ever, right?" That is a lot to live up to. I don't know if it will be the coolest wedding ever, but ... it will be ours, that's for sure.

If I could post hints maybe they would look something like this,

collaboration? I still hear crickets.

My next big event is going to be in February or March.
I want it to feature me, and other local designers.
I want DJs and loud music.
I want a 3 foot tall runway, surrounded by bubble wrap incase someone falls.
I want Russell Industrial.
I want my models to wear paper bags on their heads.
I want out of the box.
Avant Garde.
Weird.
Burlesque in the half time.
I want DIY.
I want it to be free.

I'll make it happen, even if it's another go at it alone.

Bizarre Bizaar + Etsy

NEWS!

The Fall Collection is up on Etsy in it's entirety. You can shop here - http://www.etsy.com/shop/kellylynne

The fur & wool capes are selling out like crazy, I'm making them as fast as I can!


I am also going to be having a booth at Bizarre Bizaar, which is going to be an absolutely fantastic event, hosted by my favorite people in the entire world. I will be selling select items from my Fall 2010 Collection, focusing on the goth lace ballet skirts, in limited edition colors available ONLY at this event! AND, they will be marked down to a special Bizarre Bizaar ONLY discounted rate.

From the website:

Bizarre Bazaar is an Art Fair with a bit of Something for Everyone! Have you ever made a voodoo doll? Or crocheted a marital aid? Or painted a picture of a major political figure doing something unsavory to a goat? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then Bizarre Bazaar is for you!


Saturday August 14th and Sunday August 15th 2010
Theatre Bizarre - 949 W. State Fair, Detroit
Saturday 10am – 2am, Sunday 10am – 6pm

This is an Outdoor Event, Rain or Shine.

BIZARRE BAZAAR is shaped by a Family of Artists who sustain the needs of other Participants.
It exists to provide an environment in order to showcase some of the best Artists Detroit has to offer!
This is an Extravaganza of the Senses! All Art is Subject to Interpretation!

Fall 2010 Lookbook, Part One

The first half of my lookbook is done! I could not be happier. Everyone on the team seemed to totally see eye to eye with me on the look I was going for. We also did an editorial shoot which was even better, but that's still to come... ...

Design: kelly lynne
Photography: Michelle Matiyow
Wardrobe Stylist: Rebecca Stevens
Make-up: Justin Ruppel
Hair: Tamara Carolin
Models: Masha
Apryl for Traque Models
Assistants: Megan Boltz, Amy Anderson

the Bravo! Bravo! dress. Taking the first good offer!

Were you a fan of this fantastic dress worn by the amazing miss Kelly Jean, at the Bravo! Bravo! opera house benefit?
Well now is your chance to own it for yourself!
The winner bidder backed out of her commitment, so it's available for one lucky person.

The dress is a size 4, with a 26'' waist and a 34'' bust. It's valued at $250, but I will take the first reasonable bid.
The dress is cocktail style. The bodice is fully boned, corset style, and has a lace overlay with a high neck ruffled collar.
Invisible zipper at back. The skirt part is a pleated peg style made of coated linen that has a silver/blue sparkle.
The dress is fully lined throughout.

If you love the dress but can't afford the marked value, send me an offer - with a great story, I might take you up on it!

If you have any further questions, please contact me at kellylynnetinsley@gmail.com
for more info on this fun, one of a kind dress.

buying local

Taking a moment to provide you with a little self righteous rant about what it costs to make designer clothing in the USA, and why you can get a dress for $7.99 at Walmart. You think people would understand this, but they don't seem to.

Exhibit A: The Lace Ballerina Skirt - currently priced at $165, from my Fall 2010 Collection.



It takes me a good 16 hours to churn out this baby. If i'm working on nothing else, and spend 2 days - 8 hours each day on it.
My regular rate is about $15 an hour. Which I have been told is too low, but whatever. For now, that's what it is. If I were to charge people for the amount of hours to make this skirt at my hourly rate, that would price it at $270. We haven't even factored in the cost of materials. A double faced satin ribbon - about 3 yards needed at around $3 a yard. 3 yards of lace - $39. 6 yards of tulle - $12. Total materials cost - $54. I should actually be charging $324 for this skirt.

Why don't I? Well, priced at $165, everyone I know is asking if I can go lower.

And what do I say to that? Go shop at walmart. Where the prices are low because people aren't paid $15 an hour for their talents. They are paid at most maybe 10 cents an hour and work in a sweatshop in undesirable conditions. People know about this, they hear about it, and it's no mystery. They disregard it and keep on shopping at these places because its the American way to want something for nothing. Then to whine about the lack of jobs or the rising unemployment rate.

summer fashion

My summer wardrobe will consist of



+

fashion woes this june. don't tell me what to wear, because you're wrong.

Signature pieces you MUST own!

Add an oversized tote for extra glam!

Step out in style with these beachy clogs!

A pair of oversized shades will add some luxe to that maxi dress!

i hate these words. I hate forced style, looks that try too hard.

It sounds cliche, but I miss New York.

Bravo! Bravo! June 4, 2010

I had the pleasure of being a featured designer at one of Detroit's hottest events of the year - Bravo! Bravo! this past Friday. It was really a fantastic fantastic time. Myself, along with local designers William Malcolm, Wound Menswear, Femilia Couture, House of Cedi and Joe Faris, were featured as we each auctioned off a garment to benefit the opera house.

I have to say, the event itself blew me away (the best food, drinks and entertainment I've ever see in one venue!), but the real highlight of my night was finally meeting the other designers. I kind of feel like I'm the "newb" to the scene, and they were all so welcoming and awesome, and just made me feel all fuzzy inside. My insides were ignited with the intense desire to organize some kind of crazy renegade Detroit style fashion show with these loverly human beings. I just want to work together! Like so bad. I want Detroit to stand out when it comes to fashion. We need to make it happen. And with such a great group of people who don't have their heads on backwards, it shouldn't be hard. for realz.

Below are some photos of my muse and super star model extraordinaire, miss kelly jean, wearing the dress I donated for the event. I have to do a special shout out to this super babe. I mean really, look at her. But most of all, I love to work with her because she is super tolerant back stage when it comes to dealing with the "strong personalities" ifyaknowwhatimean. <3lovefestforkellyjean<3<3<3 Aside from being a model, she's also a teacher AND an actress. View her recent appearance in a music video as the date of a guy who realizes when it's already too late, that the girl is a kung-fu master.







and some other photos taken during the event.








I'd also like to thank Rebecca Stevens, good friend of mine and editor of 944 Magazine, for recommending me for the event, AND loaning me the accessories needed to make my garment a complete look. ;)

For those of you who missed it....

Here is a fantastic teaser trailer for the fall 2010 collection runway show. Special thanks to Dave Graw and Martin Sager for all the hard work they put into making this video.

you have to do stuff