Lily Clempson, through her brand LilyEve, is looking at luxury through a new lens. Transforming vintage Hermès pieces — from blankets to silk scarves and towels — into covetable coats, jackets, and accessories, Clempson and her longtime collaborator, 91-year-old Michel, are carving out their own niche, prioritising authenticity over ostentation, and timeless craftsmanship over fleeting trends.
In a world where fast fashion dominates the sartorial sphere, Lily Clempson has forged a path that is both purposeful and personal. LilyEve — the brand she founded post-lockdown, celebrates sustainability, true craftsmanship, transparency, and a fresh take on luxury, guided by a singular philosophy: fashion should be as meaningful as it is beautiful.
Behind LilyEve is Clempson herself, who runs the brand, and Michel — a 91-year-old Quebec native with a storied history in the fashion world — whose hands-on approach to production has been integral to the unlikely pair’s success. It’s their shared commitment to authenticity, craftsmanship, and a reverence for the processes of design that makes the brand a standout in an industry often criticised for its relentless pace and lack of transparency.
From hand-sewing face masks in Long Island, pieced together from her mother’s vintage Hermès towels in lockdown, to opening a showroom on Madison Avenue in New York, Clempson’s journey into the fashion world has been a masterclass in serendipity.
Originally from London, Clempson moved to New York to study graphic design at Parsons School of Design, following which she assumed she’d “climb the corporate ladder.” But, as reality would have it, fate intervened. Lockdown coincided with Clempson graduating, and, outside of a few odd jobs, no one was hiring. At the same time, holed up at her parents’ East Hampton home with nothing but time on her hands, the luxe face masks she had created began to garner attention on social media, and before she knew it, neighbours began reaching out to request custom pieces — handing over vintage items they had in their wardrobes for Clempson to transform. “I stumbled into this custom niche,” she recalls, “But I was a terrible sewer, and I pretty quickly realised I needed help.”
Not only was Michel an excellent sewer, but had decades worth of back catalogues the pair drew on, from the 35-years he spent running a women’s fashion boutique in East Hampton with his late partner, Wayne. Two jacket patterns in particular — one of which was originally cut from one of Michel’s mother’s vintage Dior suits — ended up forming the basis of LilyEve’s most sought-after designs, modernised slightly by the pair to resonate in a contemporary setting.
Clempson never dreamt LilyEve would grow to what it stands as today — a label that has garnered a growing global community of satorialists who seek something beyond the latest fleeting trend. “I never imagined I’d be here,” she reflects, “It will never not be exciting to see someone check out on the website, or walk out of the boutique with a piece. I just love what we’re doing, and I feel so lucky to call this work.”
Her early years based in East Hampton allowed her the space to experiment and hone the brand’s design sensibility. However, it was a leap of faith that brought Clempson to the heart of New York City, where, in September of 2024, she opened a showroom on Madison Avenue. The showroom is not just a retail space, but doubles as her office, a hub for shipping, customer appointments, and the beating heart of the brand. Here, she balances the operations of the business, from overseeing the website to photographing new collections and everything in between. For Clempson, it’s not just about creating a product, but cultivating a brand experience that feels personal, intimate, and wholly unique.
What sets LilyEve apart from other luxury labels is the inherently sustainable nature of how they produce clothing and accessories. But, as Clempson is quick to point out, the entire industry is making strides in this respect, with many of the key design houses beginning to embrace more responsible practices, “Some brands are even beginning to use their dead stock for collections,” she points out, adding that an aspiration of hers is to collaborate with some of these brands in the future.
Lily’s partnership with Michel is also pivotal in her pursuit of sustainability. Together, they transform items that may otherwise lie dormant in a cupboard into pieces that tell a deeper story, honouring both the beauty of the fabric and the craftsmanship that goes into each item. For Michel, working in his basement studio — where jackets are created by hand — might seem unglamorous, but for Clempson, it’s the authentic story of the process that resonates most with their customers. “It’s messy. It’s unexpected — given the items we’re producing, that they’re made in this way. And people love to know the story behind what they’re buying,” she explains, referencing their approach to transparency. It’s this authenticity, this willingness to show the not-so-glamourous behind-the-scenes, that has garnered such a loyal following.
Clempson continues to champion the idea that transparency in production is an essential part of building a brand that truly connects with its customers. “I think people want to see where what they buy is coming from. They like seeing our process.” She recounts how the very first brand video LilyEve made was not just about showcasing their product, but about sharing the person behind the process: Michel, a man whose work has become as integral to the brand’s identity as the jackets themselves. “Michel’s just a huge hit. And why wouldn’t he be?” Lily laughs, acknowledging that his skill and charm have won over more than just their direct customers. The personal touch of having a designer who’s hands-on in every aspect of the creation process is a rarity in today’s world of mass production.
“I asked around for a seamstress, and was introduced to my now 91-year-old business partner Michel… He had a whole basement full of sewing machines.”
Despite her dedication to quality and sustainability, Clempson recognises that the luxury experience of shopping has changed over the years. Reflecting on her own experiences with department stores and luxury shops, she shares, “I feel like it’s lost that true luxury element. The rarity and exclusivity.” The experience of finding a unique item, something timeless to be cherished, has been diluted by the sheer volume of trends that now dominate the fashion world. “If something is trending, I feel like I see it on everyone walking down the street, even if it’s high-end.”
For Clempson, it’s not about latching onto trends, but about crafting pieces that stand the test of time — items that can be appreciated for their quality, their artistry, and their longevity. She believes this is what her customers are seeking: a connection to the product, a deeper understanding of its origins, and an appreciation for its individuality. “I think just being open and authentic and not always just putting something polished out there has helped us,” she says, a sentiment that speaks to the heart of the brand’s identity. It’s not centred on selling — it’s about sharing a story and inviting people into the journey.
Michel’s craftsmanship plays an essential role in the brand’s ability to stay true to its essence and produce pieces that are built to last. “Michel is incredible at what he does. He has sewn his whole life, and it lights him up,” Clempson explains, “He truly is wonderfully talented.” Despite the high demand, they refuse to compromise on quality. Every jacket is still crafted by hand in Michel’s studio from vintage Hermès blankets, ensuring that each garment is entirely one of a kind. Their inventory might fluctuate depending on customer demand, but the core of the brand remains focused on authenticity. “We don’t work on a seasonal basis. What I can source, we then make,” Clempson shares. The result is a boutique inventory, exclusive yet accessible in its design, with each piece carefully crafted and tailored to best honour what it started out as.
Looking ahead, Clempson’s goals for LilyEve remain grounded in her core values: sustainability, craftsmanship, and personal connection. While she, refreshingly, does not have her eyes trained on profits and rapid expansion, Clempson is committed to continuously evolving the brand with thoughtful innovation.
“There’s no grand plan for the future. We just keep going,” she says with a smile, underscoring her belief in steady, sustainable growth. Her dream to collaborate with other brands, recycling their dead stock — taking it from their factories and transforming it into something entirely new — remains a long-term goal. But, for now, her focus remains on perfecting what LilyEve does best: creating pieces that are as timeless as they are meaningful.
The brand is a beautiful reflection of the values that matter most in today’s world of fast fashion: sustainability, transparency, and a deep commitment to craftsmanship. Clempson’s journey into the fashion world might have been unplanned, but it has evolved into a story of passion, dedication, and authenticity — she is living a dream that she never saw coming. With Michel by her side, and a growing community of customers who appreciate the heart behind the product, LilyEve is poised to make its mark on the fashion industry, one meticulously crafted coat at a time.
