Today we’d like to introduce you to Tina Dillingham
Hi Tina , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My passion for fashion design started at an early age. I remember cutting off the legs of an old pair of jeans and transforming them into overalls. I thought that was “jean-ious”!
I attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, and majored in Fashion Illustration in the early 2000’s. From there I spent the majority of my career working as an apparel designer, where I ultimately advanced to become the Women’s Design Manager for a major apparel company. My entrepreneurial spirit was always with me and I launched my own jewelry line in 2012, Lily Dilly Designs, which sparked an appreciation for beautiful, meaningful gifts.
Throughout it all, illustrating always called to me. In 2017, I felt compelled to start sketching again, this time it was teaching myself how to sketch on my iPad. This became a nightly habit, it relieved stress and I lost track of time. It wasn’t until my sister-in-law’s wedding that I realized I could make my sketches more meaningful. I sketched her and my mother-in-law walking down the aisle, and their response to that gift changed my life. I realized my art could have a deeper significance, which inspired me to keep going. I sketched my brother and his wife at their wedding and got the same reaction, and that’s when I knew I was on to something special and created Keepsake Couture.
I began sharing my illustrations on social media, and it wasn’t long before I was approached by a bride who asked me to attend her wedding to sketch her guests, and the next evolution of our journey started. I have done so many incredible events since then, and I enjoy the constant learning. My husband and I always try to make each event we do a little bit better every time, getting faster, improving preparation, or innovating new ways to incorporate fashion illustrations into events during and after. It sincerely brings me such joy to be able to transform someone else’s special moments into modern and elegant keepsakes, and I’m honored that our clients welcome my art into their lives.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Many of my challenges & learnings came from my 1st business, Lily Dilly Designs. It was a jewelry business, where I designed each piece and had them manufactured overseas. This process felt natural due to my background in the design industry. It was standard procedure, but purchasing in large quantities as a small business required a lot of upfront cost, leading to valuable lessons on managing inventory commitments during business growth. The learning curve for Keepsake Couture has been much different, the demand for what I do has been there from the start, so we’ve applied the hard lessons learned from Lily Dilly, and we are able to make fast changes to deliver meaningful experiences through Keepsake Couture which resonates with our customers. Overall, the biggest lesson I’ve learned and apply every single day is to just keep going. Whether it’s stormy seas or smooth sailing, it’s the continuous effort to keep moving forward that fuels the success of Keepsake Couture.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have two main facets to my business, the Live Event Sketching, where I attend events and sketch the guests – and Custom Illustrations. You can upload your favorite picture to our website, and I’ll transform it into a framed illustration. I love to capture brides and showcase their beauty. Ultimately, we aim to be the go-to destination for not just brides, but gift-givers for all occasions seeking unique, meaningful, and giftable mementos.
This year, I am most proud that my artwork was featured on the Tampa Bay Fashion Week Kick Off party invite, displayed throughout the airport on screens and guest favors. It was an exciting and surreal experience.
My fashion design background and industry knowledge is what sets me apart. It enables me to capture the intricate details of brides in their gowns or guests in their party attire, transforming them into memorable keepsake illustrations. These illustrations can be applied to a wide range of gift items, including ornaments, mugs, notebooks, and pillows.
What matters most to you? Why?
Spending time with my family and seeing them grow is what brings me the most joy and happiness.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://keepsakecouture.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepsakecouture/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LilyDillyDesigns/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaBRrPGgd5QgbzNPVYSNPQ
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepsakecouture
Image Credits
brandedbosslady.com
nativelens.com
