Saint Lucian Lyn Bristol can only be described as ‘creatively versatile.’

She has been a graphic design artist, a calligrapher, an illustrator for carnival and theatre costumes, a visual artist and is now the creator of ‘wearable art’.

She started her fashion brand, LBM Designs, in 2009. It offers clients one-of-a-kind hand-painted caftans, tunics, beach cover-ups, scarves, and kimonos in vibrant Caribbean colours.

In April 2020, Yello asked Lyn to share her fascinating entrepreneurial story.

Describe yourself using three words.

Innovative, humorous and talented.

Tell us about your background.

I’m from Castries, St Lucia.

My mother was a schoolteacher, and then she worked with C&W in a managerial position. My father was a doctor, and I inherited his witty sense of humour. I have one brother who is an architect and a computer technician.

I left secondary school with a pass in Art and English. Then, I did a two-year secretarial course at a technical college. From there, I worked in quite a few places as a secretary while dabbling in graphic art, doing posters, flyers, invitations, illustrations, etc.

I got involved in illustrating carnival and theatre costumes and then finally in theatre and special events with stagecraft, stage management, special events décor and assisting in designing and producing carnival costumes.

Were you always interested in arts and crafts and fashion?

This is really part of my family’s trait – on my mother’s side.

My grandmother and two of my aunts were seamstresses. They were also involved in carnival costume design and production, and as a child, I was part of the ‘production team’.

They also got me involved in home crafts – I had no choice! Embroidery, crochet and knitting were second nature, among other needlework and crafts such as beading, sequins, home décor.

How did you develop your artistic talent?

By always being involved in various projects, at home and for events.

It was while doing graphics and calligraphy (for certificates, invitations, etc) I realised this talent was not a hobby, but that I could make money from it and I did make some money.

I launched a business with a friend hand-painting T-shirts and garments.  This led to us designing and producing stage sets for special events, then eventually setting up a special events legal company including design and production.

I stayed in that business, which really stretched across design, art, production for approximately 15 years.

I’m also a visual artist, having exhibited in quite a few national art events, as well as a fashion illustrator, which has served me well for carnival and theatrical designs.

I attended fashion design workshops, and was very interested in standards, the business of fashion, fashion trends and unique designs.

When and why did you launch your company LBM Designs?

I left the production and special events company to prove to myself that I could do something on my own, and do away with strict management procedures, as my health and well-being were being compromised.

In 2007, I finally found my niche in hand-painting beach sarongs and scarves. I evolved the sarongs into caftans and other styles of beach cover-ups, which also evolved into elegant, loose-fitting women’s evening wear. 

Sales of these outfits went well which prompted me to participate in local, regional and some international fashion shows. Sales were not that hot, but I built a small cadre of clients. I registered LBM designs in 2009.

What challenges have you faced with the business? How did you overcome them?

One of the challenges I face is that St Lucians are not into hand-painted garments (wearable art), let alone trendy caftan silhouettes.

My main ‘competition’ (sadly) is from Asian and Central American cheap and sub-standard garments, sold by Lebanese and Asian textile merchants, which are often tacky.

Despite the ‘competition,’ I persevere because I have a few clients who like my artistic flair and want to be unique in their appearance. For the public, this kind of wearable art is difficult to come by.

Where do you get inspiration from for your designs?

Honestly, I do not ‘find’ or ‘get’ inspiration. Most of the time it comes when I stretch the fabric on the frame and look at my paints – something just happens! 

Frequently, a colour combination comes to me in the early hours of the morning, then this vision sends me back to sleep.

For the silhouettes of my wearable designs, I get inspiration from current online fashion shows and magazines.

What are the colours and fabrics you like to work with?

I like to use all colours, but most of the time I find myself using too many cool colour combinations, or too many warm colour combinations. My favourite combination is what I call my ‘sunset’ palette of violet, magenta and gold. 

Fabric paints call for the use of natural fabrics; silks, cottons, linens and a few synthetics such as rayon, viscose and Dacron or a blend of these fabrics, which can take the fabric paints and pigments properly.

What’s your process for putting a piece together?

I like to peruse the current trends to see how I can use my free-flowing silhouettes to fit into today’s fashion scene.

I like to keep pieces simple, with strong lines, since I don’t do heavily structured silhouettes. 

As I stretch the fabric on the frame, I let the paints take over.

How would you describe your aesthetic?

Artistic, easy to wear and maintenance free.

Which local, regional and international artists / designers do you admire? Why?

The current local designer I admire most is Sharleen ‘Jaeylu’ Lagon. I love her play on silhouettes with fabrics. It’s a pity her designs don’t grace St Lucia’s entertainers and other public figures. This is a clear sign, that St Lucia lacks the vision for employing or creating stylists for such designers. 

The other designer I have great admiration for is Taribba do Nascimento of ‘Meme Bete’, because of her ‘go-get-it’ attitude. She is the quintessential modern designer who uses all facets available to her (design, business, and marketing). She also exudes extreme self-confidence and projects a love for her craft.

The regional designers I most admire are:

Robert Young of ‘The Cloth’ from Trinidad and Tobago, for his sheer joy of executing rich colours and bold silhouettes.

Kristin Frazer of ‘Trèfle Designs’ from the British Virgin Islands. Her use of fabric, colours and trends are on par with the Caribbean aesthetic and quite scintillating.  While she embraces resort wear, her styles can go from the beach to a cocktail party.

And last, but not least, David Andre of Haiti. His garments are evident of his Creole French heritage from silhouettes to the choice of fabric. There are other Caribbean designers I admire from Trinidad, Jamaica, St Vincent, Antigua and Haiti but too many to mention here.

Internationally, now that’s a quandary! If I had to really choose, it would be Marc Jacobs (ever evolving), Victoria Beckham (who loves to go against the grain), and Karl Lagerfeld (RIP). Why? Because they exude my taste in fashion – simple and classy.

What motivates you to keep developing as an artist?

It is just in me. I am always creating. Not just garments, but I also create little things to make my life simple.

Sometimes an object will just wink at me to create a wall hanging, or a handbag, or a mobile, or an organiser to hold something.

What’s been the proudest achievement in your career so far?

When I was awarded a bronze medal for a painting I did (in black and white) by the M&C Fine Arts Awards Council in 1990. I entered my painting in the Visual Arts category. 

Also, when I represented St Lucia in Paris in 2014 at the Labo Ethnik Fashion and Lifestyle Expo.

Just recently I was featured in a St Lucian / UNESCO project where local female creatives were honoured. It was the brainchild of Signa Greaves-Francis and the book is titled ‘From Inspiration to Creation: Saint Lucian Women Sustaining Lives and Livelihoods through the Arts.’ 

I felt good about that.

What are your career plans over the next 12 months?

To hand paint fabrics only for sale, and to collaborate with other designers to hand paint fabrics to be included in their creative endeavours.

What do you love about St Lucia?

Everything!  Mostly the artistic community, the food, the music, the scenery.

Where do you like to go to hang out with friends, eat and relax?

Anywhere where the atmosphere is laid back, cool, and quiet and the refreshments complement the company.

What is your philosophy / motto in life?

“Don’t try to fix it if it’s not broken.”

“It could’ve been worse.”

“Assumption is the annoyance of all misfortunes.”

“If you’re warm and happy in your pile of s***, keep your mouth shut.”

Please tell us something only a few people know about you.

I laugh easily and usually a little too loudly. Don’t commit any ‘faux pas’ or say a malapropism in my presence. I always laugh at myself (when I commit a faux pas). I talk to myself a lot (my anchor) and sometimes answer myself too!

I’m ambidextrous.

Give me a good foot massage, and I will tell you where the treasure is hidden.

What advice do you have for aspiring artists and designers?

Live your passion. Do not listen to the naysayers. If they have nothing positive to offer you, walk away (with your shoulders square and a smile on your face)!

Treat your passion as your business and develop it as such. Educate yourself on your passion in life.

Teach yourself as much as you can, and you will be rewarded.

Nothing happens overnight and be prepared for failure.

Pick yourself up, dust off the negative, and continue, or start again.

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You can contact Lyn Bristol via:

Facebook: @LBMdesignsslu

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 1 758 484 3163 / 1 758 719 7530