LYN DEVON
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE AK PRODUCT AND WHY?
The belts!! Every color under the sun and they go with everything and elevate an outfit. I used the belts in navy and hunter green in my Fall 2012 collection shoot.
WHAT CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT AND WHAT ARE YOUR LATEST OBSESSIONS?
Il Buco Alimentari's fried artichokes.
My husband's panzanella salad with peaches.
Ripe black mission figs, the color, the taste - I wish they were in season all year long.
The garden at Norwood Club.
My Fall 2013 Milano Knit Duffle Coat.
My new jumpsuits solid and printed with flats, with heels, for day, for night, for summer, for winter.
Hats, hats and more hats. I'm beginning to collect them, men's and women's. This is why I styled with them for both my Spring 2014 and Fall 2013 collections.
Chanel tan and black flats that I live in. I had to buy two pairs. Patagonia grey wool rancher pants I got for this coming winter and my husband got a matching pair.
They snap at the hem. Utility married with tailored fabric. "Success is moving from one failure to the next with no loss of enthusiasm." - Churchill
WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE YOU HAVE TRAVELED TO & WHY?
Morocco, the Sahara Desert. The peaceful surreal otherworldly beauty of the landscape is unlike anything else. It feels purifying and electrifying. Mounting the dunes in the cold dark early morning to see the sunrise is quite a way to begin each day.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO FASHION DESIGN?
I started at Zac Posen when he had just begun with his first collection and then went on to join Ralph Lauren's design team. Fashion is a world I have wanted to be a part of for as long as I can remember. Women of great style and grace have mesmerized me forever.
WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOU AND WHY?
My mom and grandmother, Lyn, both impeccably elegant women whose style and grace and refinement inspire me every day.
This spring my collection was inspired by my trip to the Sahara. I applied the textures, tones and imagery of the Sahara to the clean graphic lines and ladylike silhouettes of the 60s - images of Jackie and Audrey and Jean Shrimpton. The colors reflect the earth, sky and desert sands and protective symbols from traditional henna art adorn the body like jewelry in the form of printed silkand scarves and even body art. 
TELL US ABOUT A DAY IN THE LIFE OF LYN DEVON.
I wake up and have breakfast with my husband and take a walk with him to the train as he heads for his studio in Brooklyn and I head to the factory in the garment center to check on production. I continue uptown to the studio and meet with my pattern-maker and head seamstress in the sampleroom to check on samples and custom work for clients. Then, I might meet with clients in the showroom and in the afternoon I meet with Chris to review design.
End day is always better for the creative endeavors in our studio. When the morning's rush is quieted and Italy has closed for the day. I might meet Will for dinner near home, at our friend's restaurant, Comodo, or we might cook at home. Then I do some work at night, sketch at my desk or email. And to bed early.
WHAT WERE SOME SURREAL MOMENTS IN FASHION FOR YOU?
Having the entire Bloomingdale's window in Fall 2009.
When Debi Greenberg of Louis Boston came in to see my second fall collection and wrote a large order on the spot!
When SJP wore my coats after my very first spring collection in 2006. When Jessica Chastain wore my gown this year to accept an award at the Maui Film Festival.
When Carolina Herrera announced that I had won the FGI Rising Star Award for Womenswear after my third season. What an unexpected dream that was.
WHAT CHARITY OR CAUSE ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT AND WHY?
Mercy For Animals is an incredible organization dedicated to preventing cruelty to animals farmed for food and to promoting compassionate food choices and policies. I love all creatures and I dream of a society that treats all animals with the compassion and respect they so deserve. Changing our broken food system is needed to improve human health, the environment and animal welfare.
My friend, Scott Campbell, recently tattooed my back with the words "mercy for animals." (Instead of wedding gifts, Will and I asked for donations for Mercy for Animals, Compassion in World Farming and Farm Sanctuary and were able to support their great work!)
WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I'm old fashioned, I like handwritten letters, hard copy books, polaroid film, vinyl records, mom + pop stores and operations, I like working directly one-on-one with clients in my uptown atelier.
WHAT SONGS ARE YOU CURRENTLY LOVING?
I'm loving Labi Siffre, a recent discovery. Some of his songs I listen to on repeat currently are: "I Got The..."
"My Song"
"It Must Be Love"
What can be found on your nightstand?
A photo of me and my mom and sister
Lavender calming oil
Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri
Tennessee Williams, Collected Plays
Deep River by Shusaku Endo
WHAT ARE YOUR BEAUTY ESSENTIALS?
A great big butterfly hair clip - my hair is big and wild and needs an easy fix some days.
A french braid - keeps hair back and looking organized. I have loved braids since I was a little girl.
Per-fekt Golden Body Perfection Gel - I'm a pale redhead so anything helps!
Bronzer from Lancome: Poudre Soleil Sun-Kissed - I have been using this since I was a teenager. Touche Éclat from YSL - Covers signs of sleep deprivation under the eyes :)
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP FIVE PRIZED POSSESSIONS?
My wedding gift pendant made for me and given to me by my husband on our wedding day.
My grandmother's vintage coach bag, its simple perfect design. A bag no one else owns.
35mm tapes of my grandmother from the 50s and 60s. Every outfit she wears is so inspired and inspiring.
My 1970s Polaroid camera and all the film I scooped up online before there was no more.
The pale green velvet covered chaise I found at a street fair on 27th Street years ago.
My 1960s high rise reissue Levis. Perfect color and fit.
WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?
Tearjerker books and movies.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT?
Having built a team of people I love and respect and with whom I work every day to create together, to problem solve together. It's humbling and thrilling.
WHO IS LYN DEVON AND WHY DO WE LOVE HER?
I was introduced to Lyn by my dear friend, Hollye, who told me that her designs would compliment my handbag line and personally change my life. Lyn's pieces are sophisticated, playful and timeless, void of all trendy and forced qualities which allow you to wear them throughout your lifetime. She designs from the heart and I fell for it hook, line and sinker.
Lyn is not only an amazing creative force, but also a compassionate one who you really connect with and you feel like is designing for you personally. She is self confident and does what she loves and what she wants to wear which is what most women want to wear but have a hard time finding in stores. A girl after my own heart. Not to mention she is comfortably cool as well and completely responsible for my Homeland addiction! She is a dear friend and I am fortunate enough to have a closet full of her delectable designs!
Lyn was born and raised in New York City (where she currently resides with new husband, Will) and graduated from Brown in 2002. She began her official start into fashion interning for Zac Posen while studying at Parsons School of Design, after which she went on to design women's ready to wear for Ralph Lauren. In 2005, Lyn presented her full debut collection and has since been widely received and treasured by the fashion community not only in New York, but also abroad. She was one of 10 young designers asked to design an inaugural gown for Michelle Obama and one of 30 asked to submit designs for Catherine Middleton's wedding gown. I am sure you have already seen her in Vogue, Bazaar, Elle, Town & Country and The New York Times just to name a few!
If you would like to view or purchase Lyn's collections you can visit her official website at lyndevon.com, and for our NYC readers: her showroom/working studio is at 60 East 66th Street (Park/Madison) and is home to her entire collection. Lyn is also sold online through halsbrook.com and in stores such as Louis Boston (Boston), Stanley Korshak (Dallas), Plainclothes (Homewood), Atrium (Houston), Angela (Menlo Park) and FiveStory (NYC). Enjoy!
