WHERE ARE THEY NOW? REDRESS DESIGNER LINDSAY KAY (2010)

Can you contextualize your show - when and where was it, and what was it like? Do you remember your design philosophy or design goals? 

The Redress show I participated in was at Flander's Art Gallery in April of 2010. I remember I wanted to base my collection on a flashback to the 60's and 70's. I made a couple of babydoll inspired dresses and used vintage polyester shirts and cotton dresses and sheets with floral prints pieced together. I wanted the collection to feel sweet, soft, and innocent. 

Lindsay Kay "I wanted the collection to feel sweet, soft, and innocent." Can you take us through the history? What's happened in the years since your show?

I finished up my Meredith College Fashion Design degree with my senior fashion show in May of 2010. I went on to participate in SPARKcon's fashion show that September.  I have since been taking a break from the runway - for two years, I worked at Broughton High School teaching Apparel Development, showing students how to design and make clothes.

I am currently planning my wedding - which is in less than 3 weeks! I will be working part time at Anthropologie at the Northlake store in Charlotte (starting today, funny enough). I plan to start up my Etsy shop in October, as soon as I return from my honeymoon in Costa Rica.

How did your experience with Redress prepare you for the future?

I think the Redress experience was very helpful in that preparing for Redress prepared me to complete my own show at Meredith. The natural flow - from the interview and the beginnings of my collection - to selecting models - to hair, make-up and photography - all the way to the day of and the very end was the same for me as I prepared my own senior project show.

Redress made me think about recycling a lot more than I used to - as far as fashion goes. I think more about ways to upcycle, often - not only in the things I make, but also in home furnishings as well.

I try to come up with ways to have as little waste as possible when making new creations. I also enjoy shabby chic furnishings and antiques. I think by purchasing items like this for myself - instead of brand new items - is one small way to waste less in the world.

A wedding in three weeks? Congratulations! Give us the all the juicy dress details!

Everyone told me how much fun wedding dress shopping was going to be - but to be honest, I found it stressful. I was very picky, and I think I had envisioned too many specifics before I set out.

I didn't want sparkles or lace--I didn't want a huge ball gown or a trumpet look--I didn't want flowers.  I knew what I didn't want - I just didn't know what I wanted! I came up empty-handed at several stores - and I ended up finding one I really liked by Paloma Blanca at Traditions by Anna in North Hills.

The dress fits my personality. It's simple and elegant - romantic and sweet - flattering. I actually like it more now than the day I tried it on. It has a sweetheart neckline with lots of diagonal pleats, and it is very fitted throughout the bodice. The dress flares - more than I thought I would have liked, originally - at the bottom.

It does have a small silk flower with feather whispys at the waistline, off to the right. The bodice has buttons down the back, and several box pleats on the skirt, in back, where the bodice and skirt come together. It has a very small train.

The best part is that it has pockets!!!

You have pockets! That is, like, beyond great. It's also the opportunity of a lifetime - so you have to tell: When you walk down the aisle, what's going to be in them? Wedding band? Seashells? Five bucks? We want the scoop!

Haha nothing too exciting....I'll probably just have some lip gloss!

Lindsay - thank you, so much, for spending time with us! Warmest wishes to you, your fiancée - and, of course, your dress!