Southern womenswear brand Abbey Glass is celebrating a decade of style this year. Known for blending timelessness and playful elegance, each piece reflects Abbey’s love of color, craftsmanship, and mid-century silhouettes. Her mission? To empower women to express themselves through fashion. Abbey continues to redefine modern femininity, one dress at a time. Get to know this talented FACE of the South!
How was Abbey Glass developed, and how has it evolved since?
Abbey Glass began as a custom dressmaking business — I designed each piece individually for women who needed something special for a specific occasion. Since everything was handmade and one-of-a-kind, the process was naturally time-consuming and limited our ability to grow, since we were always fully booked. Over time, I began developing ready-to-wear collections and partnered with factories willing to produce small runs.
This allowed me to test designs that could resonate with many women, rather than just one. Today, we’re proud to be in 35 Dillard’s stores, over 70 local boutiques across the country. We have expanded our retail presence from Atlanta to the Plaza at Preston Center in Dallas and Lower King Street in Charleston.
Even as we’ve grown, I still design with the lessons of our custom days in mind! That experience drives me to deeply understand who our customer is and what’s missing from her shopping experience and the market at large. We value the feedback we get from our stores and online shoppers and use it to refine our collections each season. Our goal is always to offer her pieces that feel classic and timeless, yet fresh and modern, perfect for the woman on the go.
Abbey Glass is approaching its 10th Anniversary in July. How do you plan to commemorate this milestone?
It’s hard to believe it’s already been 10 years! I’ve learned so much about myself, running a brand, and building a business — lessons that some people take a lifetime to learn, and I’m truly grateful for that. To mark our 10th anniversary, I’m designing a limited edition dress, and when the time comes, we’ll raise a glass or two with our friends, family, and team to celebrate!
Abbey Glass opened two new store locations (in Dallas and Charleston) last year. What motivated those location choices, and how have the communities embraced your brand?
It’s been an amazing 12 months! We’re approaching the first anniversary of our Charleston store opening. This market stood out to us for a few key reasons: the vibrant national tourism and the strong celebration culture of women who love to dress up. Our customer here has places to go, and she wants to feel confident and glamorous.
What have been some of the biggest influences on your recent collections?
I’ve recently spent time in Paris exploring galleries, retail stores, and vintage markets for inspiration. My collection is always rooted in mid-century design, with materials and color playing a central role in our development. I love discovering timeless artifacts or artwork that inspire me, and use them as a catalyst to experiment with new color palettes, patterns, or silhouettes. It’s always a treasure hunt for something that ignites excitement and creativity in me!
What styling advice would you offer to women seeking timeless, playful ensembles for the upcoming event season?
I’d start by defining which silhouette flatters you most: What part of your figure do you love to accentuate? What shapes and styles make you feel confident and ready to step out with a celebratory mood? I also think color plays a huge role. Lean into romantic pastels or bold pops of pink and orange, depending on the event.
Ultimately, it’s about how you want to feel. If you’re not in love with a color but are excited to try it, yellow is big this year, though it can be tricky for some skin tones. Use makeup, lip color, and accessories to incorporate shades that you know work for you.
What’s something that might surprise people about being a designer?
Turning your passion into your job can sometimes take away some of the fun, so I keep the spark alive by dressing in a kind of casual uniform most of the time. That way, when I do get dressed up, it still feels exciting! As a designer, I’m also obsessed with painting and color theory. I’m sure that’s not surprising, but my love for design goes beyond fabric and clothing.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
You can’t be everything to everyone. Make sure you have a point of view. Lean into what makes you different.
Name three things you can’t live without.
An excellent Negroni, our dog, Juno, and freshly cut flowers.
LIGHTNING ROUND!
Mountains or beach? Beach.
Best gift you’ve received (or given)? The engagement ring my husband proposed to me with, designed by Jane Pope!
Favorite perfume or scent for spring? Xinu Perfumes, produced in Mexico City.
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