Crystalyn Kae Blog

The Winged Scroll Jacquard reflects a transitional moment in airline interior design, where abstract, flowing forms replaced rigid geometrics. The mirrored, wing-like shapes echo aviation themes without literal symbolism, creating a sense of movement, warmth, and modernity suited to long-haul travel in the early jet age.

This textile is part of an ongoing material archive documenting commercial interior fabrics developed during the jet age. The fern-pattern upholstery shown here was woven as a Boeing aircraft interior development sample for Delta Air Lines’ 727 fleet and preserved through the estate of a former Boeing employee.

Below is the archival record for this fabric, including its origin, intended use, and material context.

 

A rare discovery from a Boeing pilot’s estate inspired a special collaboration with Seattle’s Museum of Flight. Crafted from genuine mid-century airplane upholstery, this limited run of 96 one-of-a-kind bags connects aviation history with sustainable design.

A coated canvas bag begins with a strong woven fabric that’s treated with a permanent protective glaze. Unlike faux leather or polyurethane, coated canvas won’t peel or crack—and at Crystalyn Kae, ours are even machine washable. For nearly 25 years, this eco-conscious material has been the backbone of our most-loved, long-lasting bags

Plaid has always inspired me — from my grandfather Jack’s bold pants to the very first bags I stitched in 2001. Today, I’m bringing plaid back with a limited-edition collection of handmade bags crafted from rare vintage fabrics. Built to last and designed to look better with every wear, these plaid favorites are sure to sell out quickly!

What is the environmental impact of manufacturing the vegan bags? I have a hard time with people who say that buying a vegan bag is going to save the planet, because at the end of the day: buying fake leather...

Pony hair, as luxurious and intriguing as it sounds, doesn't actually come from ponies. Love it or hate it, pony hair has captivated fashion enthusiasts for decades. Its luxurious feel, combined with its ability to be transformed into stunning patterns and colors, has made it a perennial favorite. From the glamorous Hollywood Golden Age to modern-day runways, pony hair has maintained its allure.

Croc-embossed leather doesn’t come from crocodiles—but how it’s made might surprise you. Learn how this material is created, why it’s considered a more responsible option, and how our approach to reclaimed materials has evolved over time.

  Patchwork bags are here!  We've collaged buttery-soft lambskin remnants from our own collection, and then Crystalyn lovingly zig-zag stitched each together, on our 1930's era Zig Zag sewing machine. Not only does it give a textural interest,  it's also makes your bag super secure,...

When I lived in the East Village, one of my favorite routines would be to wander over to the Lower East side to drop off packages, grab a snack at Baby Cakes, pet the rescue cats at Moo Shoes.  But hands-down the hilight of my day was to peruse the many upholstery shops that littered Ludlow and Orchard street. 

Vintage fabrics give every Crystalyn Kae bag its own personality. Here are seven of the places those materials are discovered—from estate sales and textile recycling programs to flea markets abroad.

At a Seattle estate sale, I discovered the home and materials of mid-century designer Howard Blair—known for dressing Seafair princesses and creating bridal gowns for Frederick & Nelson. Among the treasures were remarkable upholstery fabrics and sketches that offer a glimpse into a forgotten chapter of Seattle fashion history.

  Why do we need to invent new fabrics, if we have so much waste? Having more than 20 years of experience in the bag-making industry, I've found myself thinking the following: Why do we need to invent new fabrics,...

From grandma’s couch to a timeless handbag — see how we transformed stacks of midcentury vintage upholstery swatches into one-of-a-kind floral bags. A behind-the-scenes look at our process, from washing the fabrics to cutting them into new life

Once relegated as an upholstery fabric until made fashionable by Coco Chanel in the 1950's this textural fabric called Boucle has become a classic staple of French style. Popularized further in the 1960's by Jackie Kennedy, boucle has become a mainstay of today's fashion.

 

While thrift shopping in Seattle, Crystalyn discovered an entire roll of unused boucle fabric that just begged to be made into bags.

 

 

Zippers are one of the most overlooked components in a handbag — and one of the most important. With decades of experience designing bags, we explain why YKK zippers matter, how they’re chosen, and how small decisions like hardware can shape long-term wear.

Although she passed away a few years ago, not a week goes by that I spot a good print and think of her.  Recently, Audrey's daughter so kindly gave me some of her stash, and up until now, some of the vintage feedsack and calico prints have been lingering in my cupboard waiting for the *right project*. (Fabric hoarders, you know what I mean!)

Volunteering at FabScrap has been on my NYC bucket list ever since Crystalyn mentioned that that is where she gets a lot of her upcycled leather and unique fabrics.  Crystalyn, being the super cool boss she is, allowed me to take an afternoon off and volunteer at FabScrap! This amazing *woman founded* business is dedicated to recycling fabrics and repurposing them to keep them out of the waste stream. They have thousands of pounds of fabric that they have collected from apparel design companies in New York City, about 40 bags a day weighing 50 pounds each, which volunteers then sort to be recycled or sold at very reasonable prices to designers or students! 

In May 2018, I spent nearly a month in Tuscany, immersed in a region renown for olive oil, wine, truffles and leather. Inspired by a culture so connected to the land in a mindful way, I relished this rare opportunity to explore an ancient tradition working with vegetable-tanned leather.

I am a material driven-designer, with longevity and timelessness being paramount to my aesthetic: any object of value has to tell a story.  Working with this pliable material in its natural state enabled me to combine my skills in textiles and woodworking in the most exhilarating way.⁣

Here's a peek behind the scenes of creating the collection.

Selecting fabrics for a new handbag collection is like a treasure hunt. Crystalyn regularly shops flea markets, antique shops and her favorite local source for sample fabrics: Fabscrap to select pieces of fabrics. Either she finds textiles that get on well with what she already has in mind for the next collection, or what she discovers gives her even more ideas for a future collection.

Leather is a very long-lasting material, it can last thousands of years. So, why should we produce new when we can up-cycle? In New York City, the heart of American fashion manufacturing, I have access to a plentiful supply of exceptionally rare swatches, mill-end rolls, and even production leftovers from major designers and manufacturers. I have had the pleasure to collaborate with a local non-profit, FabScrap, to obtain my leather (and textiles) for my current collection.’