Southern Rebel Redefined
Long before Molly Ringwald’s shoulder-less wonder in “Pretty in Pink,” teenage girls with a passion for fashion have been sewing, stitching and sometimes even bedazzling their own prom gowns. A rite of passage for the creative, frugal or truly rebellious, the majority of these adolescent designers do not have the opportunity to grow up and design prom dresses for others.
Lindsey Carter is the exception.
Carter’s debut fashion label, Troubadour, launches nationally with a spring/summer line for 2010 full of separates, jumpsuits and frocks in eye-popping hues such as cobalt blue and hot pink. Her studio, lavender with a crystal chandelier, is located on Upper King and captures the essence of glamour with a downtown edge.
The name Troubadour is derived from the 17th century term for a type of traveling musician, lending itself to the idea of inspiration drawn from personal experience and travel. Similarly, the label is a fusion of Carter’s experiences. From Chapel Hill to New York to the Dominican Republic and finally landing in Charleston, Carter has gathered ideas, colors and concepts from her adventurous life. And the final product is a perfect mixing of the rough-around-the-edges urban style of downtown New York City and the subtle softness of a southern belle. She dubs this look “reckless preppy.”
The physical label encompasses the various sides of Troubadour, as well as Carter herself. An anchor (representing the sea,) a skull (signifying New York) and antlers (for the good ol’ South) are brought together on a crest, the universal symbol for collegiate style and prep-school status. Feminine. Edgy. Approachable. Carter wanted the line, and the label, to be honest to all that she is.
With a degree in fashion design from FIT and experience from J. Crew, Madewell 1937 and Carter Humphrey under her belt, Carter is no novice to the industry, but claims that she has finally found “where (she) has always wanted to be” design-wise.
Indeed, when designing new pieces, she simply creates fashion for herself and her friends. And lucky for the rest of us, she (and her friends) appear to have excellent taste.
Troubadour will be available in select stores February 2010, but can be pre-ordered now through the Troubadour studio.
Story by: Carter Worrell
Photos by: Karson Photography
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Lindsey’s video from Charleston Fashion Week.
http://www.vimeo.com/3284065
I love Lindsay’s line! It looked amazing at the outdoor fashion show at the Aquarium.