Above the Fray

Meet Lyn Devon, a one-woman powerhouse changing the face of luxury sportswear

It's the sad but simple truth that a trendy ill-fitting dress full of flashes and blings will attract more attention than the quiet esteem of a well-tailored blazer. Unbeknown to most, luxury sportswear continues to evolve and influence contemporary fashion far more than it is often credited. And one woman who is returning the cool quotient to luxury sportswear is designer Lyn Devon.

Lyn is committed to carrying the torch of classicism and timelessness into modern design and she's doing so without sacrificing concept or cleverness. The girl has an eye for tailoring that rivals any big name designer and a penchant for young prints. We were introduced to Lyn recently at an intimate trunk show at the Park Hyatt Chicago. Read on to learn more about the trajectory of this rising star who is carefully cultivating a thoughtful line and tradition that will endure well beyond the fickle trends. 

Knocking on Zac Posen's Door

Lyn started her post-Parson's career by quite literally knocking on fellow classmate, Zac Posen's door.  Lyn spent two years learning everything she could at the small, sexy and fledgling label. Then she worked at Ralph Lauren where she was part of a small team that relaunched the Blue Label line. In the evenings she found herself sewing dresses and doing personal sartorial projects. As soon as friends caught sight of Lyn's work, they started asking to buy her custom fitted dresses. Soon the women being fitted in her living room were not just friends, but friends of friends and soon friends of friends of friends. Sensing that the timing was right, Lyn took the leap and left Ralph Lauren to concentrate full time on her own line. Building on her experiences and aesthetic she fuses the sexy young vibe that she'd helped launch at Zac Posen with the traditional sportswear appreciation cultivated at RL. 

Classicism Takes Hold

Lyn is one of few young voices working diligently in a tradition that is concerned with the classics of design. She's focused on a perfect fit, seamless stitching, and beautiful details that don't take away from classic design. Lyn Devon pieces are simple, timeless and practical, but remain upbeat and graphic with interesting prints and materials such as an unexpectedly light weight leather dress. Women of all ages look elegant and as though each garment was made specifically for them. The pieces drape and fit with such casual perfection, they're a perfect catch all—a dress that could be worn to a posh dinner out could also be worn casually with a blazer to Sunday picnic. I watched several women of different ages, shapes and sizes try on pieces at the Park Hyatt trunk show and all looked absolutely stunning: cultivated yet casually relaxed. 

And it's not just Lyn's clients who recognize the value in her attention to detail and old world craftsmanship. She recently won the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation award. Past recipients usually become household names (this season, Vogue darling Prabul Gurung was one of the Ecco Domani winners.)  And further attesting to the longevity that Lyn is carving out for herself, in 2009 she was accepted as a member of the eminent Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). "It's such an honor to be included in that New York fashion family," says Lyn of the CFDA membership. Meanwhile, all the major glossies have been taking note. Lyn's work can be found in the pages of Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Womens Wear Daily, and Town and Country.

A Stake in the Ground

Lyn has accomplished this tremendous press coverage and industry acknowledgment without blingy designs and without a team of publicists or an entourage of celebrity friends. Perhaps this is because she is unwaveringly committed to her line and her aesthetic. "I realized early on that I had to put a stake in the ground and not be swayed by the opinions of others." She continues, "not everyone is going to love what you do–you have to have faith and the ability to listen to your own voice."

A Unique Approach to Sales

"The line started working with private clients, and it's part of the DNA of the company," says Lyn. "We travel nationally doing intimate trunk shows and private sales where we can work one on one with clients." Her travels were documented in a Financial Times article highlighting her unique approach to marketing her business.  At her stop in Chicago, Lyn generously donated 20% of her sales to the Dream Foundation www.dreamfoundation.org  Several years ago a friend and client contacted Lyn to request her help to fulfil a dream the dream of attending New York Fashion Week for a young woman with terminal cancer. Largely through Lyn's efforts, the young woman attended multiple shows, met designers backstage and received designer gifts; and lunched with Lyn. The experience left an indelible mark on Lyn and she has been a devoted supporter of Dream Foundation since. 

Beatnik Ballet

For her fall 2010 collection, Lyn channeled a theme of Beatnik Ballet. "It's a collection about a girl who's a beatnik at heart who wears tailored capri pants and black turtlenecks. But who also embodies the dreamy romanticism of dance," says Lyn.  She [her girl] layers over her basics with luxe fabrics of silk and chiffon: streamlined floor length skirts in surprisingly bold prints pair over basic but fine tuned turtlenecks; a large lapelled jacket with a cinched waist adds interest to a slim fitted pant; unexpected soft leather dresses hit just below the knee and vibrate with energy; bias cut skirts and long vests ante up with pleasantly surprising style that are a far cry from obnoxious preppy entitlement often associated with luxury sportswear.

Little Girl Grown Up

And while the rest of the world is awaiting delivery of the fall 2010 line, Lyn is steadfastly working on her spring 2011 collection, which promises to be choc full of fun prints and mixed colors mixed alongside a story in black and white. Knits and blazers create the basis for the line, which was inspired by "the little girl who played dress up and imagined herself grown up as an elegant, refined and unflappable. We can't wait to glimpse the future of this talented and generous lady and her smart clothing line.