Childhood friends Lindsay Ulness and Sarah Hrudka Behlke were always the artsy, creative kids in class, and they grew up to be artsy, creative adults. So it’s no surprise that the duo took those interests and talents and started linyage, a bridal design studio devoted to hand-sewn designs, specializing in separates made from vintage lace and delicate silk.
“We knew deep down our paths would always cross again in some way creatively; we just didn’t know exactly how,” says Hrudka Behlke.
Ulness studied at New York City’s Fashion Institute of Technology and worked in the industry, and eventually started designing bridal gowns on the side. Hrudka Behlke graduated from the Art Institute of Minnesota and worked in marketing and as a photographer.
The two stayed in touch and revisited the idea of working together during one of Ulness’ visits home. Their tastes and ambitions for bridal design were highly compatible; moreover, “once we realized just how complementary our skill sets were, we quickly learned this was it,” Ulness says. “We had something and were completely aligned on the vision and core of the brand from the very get-go.”
They started by sewing pieces made from their brides’ grandmother’s dresses, creating special heirlooms for future generations. Over the past few years they started sourcing their own vintage lace and evolved the collection to be solely separates of lace tops, bodysuits and silk skirts.
Photo by Cami Wade Photography, courtesy of linyage
“Our brides are versatile, progressive beings. They want pieces that lend themselves to being worn more than once, in a variety of ways,” Ulness says.
Head-to-toe, made-to-measure linyage looks, which range from $2,000 to $3,000, are available at The White Room in Minneapolis as well as other boutiques nationwide. Linyage will also work directly with brides who don’t live near a showroom. New to their repertoire: a line of stationery and books bound with silken velvets, which promises to be equally chic.
Photo courtesy of linyage
