Houston-based fashion designer Christy Lynn Lee is marking five years of her eponymous brand with a pop-up boutique in River Oaks District. The pop-up, running through the end of the month, will feature selections from her Fall/Winter 2024 line and the first release of her Spring 2025 collection in February.
"I wasn't initially looking to open a pop-up during the holiday season, but the opportunity came unexpectedly, and I decided within two weeks," Lee shared. "I've learned a lot from my Memorial store over the past year, and River Oaks District's out-of-town and international clientele presented a unique learning opportunity."
Lee launched her ready-to-wear brand in 2019 and quickly gained recognition for her romantic, ephemeral dresses featuring hand-painted floral designs and fabrics sourced from Italy, France, and China. However, in recent years, she has shifted her focus to include versatile separates, knitwear, and suiting. The upcoming Spring 2025 collection continues this evolution, introducing fresh layering pieces and feminine tailoring.
"Spring 2025 will land on February 1, and it features many layering options, including embroidered leather coats and soft leathers," Lee shared. "I'm really excited about the suiting—it's feminine tailoring with navy as the season's key color. We will have a lot of prints and core pieces in this collection."
As Lee celebrates her fifth anniversary, she reflects on her brand's expansion. "The first three years were like a honeymoon phase, with a lot of rapid growth," Lee said. "The past two years have been more about navigating trials and planning on the best ways to sustain my brand. I've built a small but strong team in Houston and New York that supports our production and design efforts. This allows me to focus on the outward-facing aspects of the business."
While her brand's reach has expanded nationally and internationally—with global shipping launched in the last six months—Lee has plans to stay in Houston. Her design studio, warehouse, and flagship store are all based in the Bayou City, which she credits as being key to her success.
"We couldn't have grown this much without Houston's support. This city is home," she said. "Houston embodies diversity, creativity, and opportunity. It's an international hub that connects us to a global audience while maintaining an incredible local community."
The pop-up has already introduced Lee to new customers from across the globe, validating the value of the River Oaks location. "Meeting shoppers from places like the Philippines, Miami, and California has been an incredible experience," she noted. "The response has been overwhelmingly positive." christylynn.com
"We couldn't have grown this much without Houston's support. This city is home. Houston embodies diversity, creativity, and opportunity. It's an international hub that connects us to a global audience while maintaining an incredible local community." – Christy Lynn Lee