Based out of Denver, Crystal Lee started her C.R.Lee Designs label to create modern clothes with an edgy aesthetic and tomboy appeal.

What was your inspiration for starting your women’s wear line? And why women’s wear?

My inspiration came from my own struggles of finding high fashion, high quality pieces for my body type. The only option out there was your basic pencil skirt. I had a much bigger vision for myself and my personal style. I wanted to see how far I could actually ascend beyond the basics.

What were/are your challenges?

First, being a woman; second, being a woman of color, and third, resources as this is not a cost effective industry to be involved in. Residing in Denver, I am not in the fashion capital. The challenges run the gamut from materials to resources to industry leaders. Precursory to social media, I had to travel out of state to connect and uncover my brand. I had to hit the ground running here in Denver just to get people to understand what I was doing from the custom side. Fashion designers aren’t as readily available [in Denver as they are in New York] and people don’t understand what that is when you’re not in the fashion capital. The value in design is appreciated differently.

What advice quote would you give to emerging designers who want to be successful in this industry?

Save all your coins! Honestly, just do it because you love it. There will be many private moments where it’s just you and your project, or you and your business. Whatever it is, there will be many moments that test you, and this has to be something that you are truly 100 percent in and pursuing because you absolutely love to create. You love the artistry, you love the hard work and the challenges, and you love making people feel good.

www.crleedesign.com
IG: @c.r.leee

Portrait by Jennifer Lobo, Runway Image by Rohit Verma