Crystalyn Kae Blog

My new favorite customer Gina rocking her new #metiertote in our booth at Washington Square Park Arts Exhibit. #veganbag #madeinnyc (at Washington Square Park)

Can barely carry this stack of orders! The new cross body pouch all beautiful wrapped- will ship out today!! #veganhandbag #madeinusa #entrepreneur (at New York, New York)

Getting the girls perfectly aligned for our fresh new spring photoshoot

One of the last most recent hurdles of moving my production process to NYC is finding vendors with specialized equipment- so that I can keep my designs consistent.  For the most part, I’ve been absolutely blown away by the quality of expert help in NYC 

 

The story of  journey of a designer who rebuilt their business in NYC to achieve the ultimate dream: showcasing at New York Fashion Week for the first time. Learn the importance of hustle, dedication, and late-night inspiration to turn your fashion dreams into reality.

A behind-the-scenes look at Manufacture New York’s shared fashion studio in the Garment District, where independent designers worked side by side building their brands. These photos from the 2013 opening weekend capture the collaborative energy that helped many small fashion businesses take root in New York.

 

A mad dash to the post office: this bags was started in Seattle, finished by me in a haphazard setup NYC. Hopefully I’m on to something good. #madeinnyc #handbag (at New York Penn Station)

When I ran out of fabric while finishing a batch of handbags in my tiny NYC studio, the solution was hiding in plain sight. This is the story of how a beloved pair of curtains became purse linings—and a reminder that reclaimed materials often lead to the most meaningful designs.

 

 

Considering that my handbag workshop is also my tiny 200 sq foot East Village apartment, and my cutting 'table' is actually my kitchen floor (there's not room for a table!) - you'd understand why I'd jump at the chance to use a tiny corner of a colleagues workshop on an early Saturday monring.

I'm so grateful for the helpful folks I"m meeting along the way to help re-boot my NYC business. Monique and Catherine at Boss Studio. . you're my heros!

 

Have you ever done something out of sheer desperation that actually is kinda genius? Use your hardwood floor as a grid for marker-making. #makeitwork #madeinnyc #handbag #patternmaking (at Alphabet City)

The closest word I can think of is 'hygge,' a Danish word that encompasses the feeling of coziness, contentment, and well-being.  And that's exactly how it feels: sewing on a rainy day. It evokes a sense of comfort and relaxation, while...

When dressmaker’s chalk is nowhere to be found: a lip pencil in Plum Raisin by Clinique comes in quite handy… #leather #madeinnyc #makeitwork

Well, I was accepted to my first Brooklyn Renegade as a New Yorker - but with most of my studio supplies and materials still in Seattle, I bought a sewing machine!  And found some gorgeous dead-stock silk intended to make ties, which I have turned into flower pins and pillows for my booth.

I'm not sure why I do this, but I get very OCD about my booth displays, often at the 11th hour before the show.  This time, I got the whim to tea-stain my hang tags.  Because: Brooklyn!