Surpisingly, designer May Tee was originally a software engineer for ten years, working at Intel, before she made the transition into fashion. She attended school at Parsons, spending summers in London and Italy, even working as a freelance designer for Versace. What really catapulted her into the industry was working at a high-end boutique in downtown Portland, where she gained a feel for her ideal customer and luxury fabrics. This background she translated into her Portland-based eponymous line, now a year and a half old. Her S/S ’09 collection was inspired by a recent trip to Australia, where she visited Sydney Opera House and was struck by the architectural curves of the building. She translated the fluid shapes into her designs for the collection (below). She says her clothing resonates with people who really appreciate details and who enjoy quality. Her collection consisted of sharply-tailored suits and sheath dresses, with a fluid, structured quality. Her philosophy on life and fashion is to”have fun! And always follow your dreams.” Visit the brand’s website to learn more at: MayTee.com.
-Carly J. Cais