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Meet: Lady Danburry

The Utah Valley probably isn’t on anyone’s list of fashion hot-spots, but that is where designer and tailor Lynette Danburry fashions her vintage-inspired creations.

Recently, I had the opportunity to ask her a couple questions about her work:

How did you first learn to sew?

I learned a lot from my mom. When I was growing up she was a costume mistress for a ballet company. I would watch her work for hours and hours and she would guide me through my own projects. When I graduated from High School I got an apprenticeship with a tailor where I learned all my tailoring tricks.

Where do you find inspirations for your designs?

Old movies mainly. Some examples: Roman Holiday, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, West Side Story, Rebel Without a Cause, Giant, Meet in St. Louis, and My Fair Lady. There are so many.

(An example from Lynette’s blog is this dress, which is her personal take on one of the dresses Sonora wears in Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken.)

Who are some other designers you admire?

Sheila Kelly, Milton Glaser.

What is the most important feature of your workspace, for you?

My favorite detail about my work area is that my cutting table and ironing table were custom built for me (extra tall) so I don’t ever have to lean over to cut, mark, or press.

Do you have any advice for aspiring designers?

Don’t work when you’re tired, and always keep a sketchbook/list so you don’t forget all your great ideas.

What’s your favorite sewing tool and why?

Razor blades. They always make everything go faster.

You can see more of Lynette’s work at her website: Lady Danburry Sews

Kirsten Harris