See article online at austinmonthly.com
The mod, easygoing styles of the M.E. Shirley fashion label started with an old yellow and brown Brother sewing machine that Lindsey Creel’s great-grandmother, Mary Edna Shirley, gave her in 2002. After her great-grandmother’s death in 2013, Creel found an old wooden sewing basket in her estate marked “M.E. Shirley.” “It was a sincere moment for me as I wanted to carry her with me in the next phase of my life,” the designer says. She launched her women’s clothing line last year and was the recipient of an Austin Fashion Fund award at Austin Fashion Week this May. Partly inspired by her own background, Creel says her clothing aesthetic befits “a Brooklyn girl who goes on vacation to Marfa.” Her summer collection features printed tops, high-waisted shorts and breathable dresses, and her fall collection includes chic denim and chambray pieces. Creel says every design is an exciting challenge for her—and, better yet, an opportunity to honor her company’s namesake.

Shop M.E. Shirley apparel at Sunroom or meshirley.com.