FML Designer Spotlight: Lydia Tingley of GENESIS

At just 17, Lydia Tingley is transforming the fashion landscape from the Pacific Northwest. As the creative director of GENESIS, she is redefining Y2K glamour through a modern, rebellious lens; merging nostalgia with bold, street-inspired couture.

“I want people to feel unstoppable when they wear GENESIS.”

—Lydia Tingley

Her work channels the energy of early-2000s club culture, blending denim, faux fur, spandex, and daring prints to create pieces that feel unapologetically expressive yet meticulously crafted. GENESIS has already made its mark on the runways of Portland Fashion Week and Fashion NXT, capturing attention from fashion insiders and a growing generation of style leaders.

Tingley discovered her love for design as a teenager. Sketching and experimenting with costume-inspired looks, she quickly taught herself to sew, creating her first collection just to see what might happen. Today, GENESIS is synonymous with confidence, independence, and fearless self-expression—qualities that resonate in every silhouette.

“I’m really drawn to that mix of chaotic and polished, it reflects how I see style in general: a little messy, but still in control.”

Her upcoming collection, FAULTLINE, explores the tension between fragility and strength, embodying the pressure and resilience that define both her work and the generation she designs for.

FML: You started designing as a teenager and have already shown at Portland Fashion Week and Fashion NXT. What first pushed you to start creating your own clothes so young?
LT: I’ve always loved art and drawing since I was little. As I got older, I became really inspired by costume design, especially the looks I saw on singers and performers. I started sketching, and eventually I pitched some ideas to a local show just to see what would happen. When I got in, I taught myself how to sew and put together my first (very rough) collection.

FML: GENESIS is often described as redefining Y2K glamour with a rebellious, modern edge. How would you define the brand’s aesthetic in your own words?
LT: I would describe GENESIS as Y2K clubwear with attitude. It mixes playful, rebellious energy with clean construction and fashion details. It’s meant to feel confident and bold.

FML: Your work blends “trash-glam” with refined construction. What draws you to that tension between the raw and the polished?
LT: I’m really drawn to that mix because it reflects how I see style in general—a little chaotic, a little messy, but still put-together and in control. Visually, I love pieces that look worn in, weathered, or raw, but I pair that with clean construction and strong techniques. That contrast feels honest to me and makes the clothes more interesting.

FML: You work with materials like denim, faux fur, and spandex in bold, daring prints. How do you choose fabrics that capture both nostalgia and futurism?
LT: I choose fabrics that feel like something you’d see in a 2000s club, but translated into today’s style. I like mixing materials that feel nostalgic with textures or colors that make them feel new again.

FML: As a designer based in the Pacific Northwest, how has your environment influenced your visual language and approach to style?
LT: Being in the Pacific Northwest, and especially living so close to Portland, has really helped me grow as a designer. I’ve been able to meet other designers, see how different people approach fashion, and take in the mix of styles in the area. It’s made me more open to experimenting and building my own visual language.

FML: GENESIS has already been featured in Harper’s Bazaar and Billboard. How has this early recognition shaped your vision for where the brand is headed?
LT: It’s always been a dream of mine to be in magazines and work with performers, so seeing GENESIS already featured in places like Harper’s Bazaar and Billboard has been really motivating. That early recognition has made me feel more confident in my direction and excited to keep pushing toward bigger artists and bigger opportunities for the brand.

FML: Many young designers look to established houses for inspiration, but your work feels distinctly self-defined. Who—or what—actually inspires you?
LT: I’m inspired by people and brands that push boundaries and stay authentically creative. I was really influenced by performers like Lady Gaga, and visually I loved looking at Demna’s designs for Balenciaga. I connect with creatives who aren’t afraid to be bold, weird, or unexpected—that energy pushes me to be more experimental in my own work.

FML: At 17, you’ve built a brand grounded in confidence, independence, and fearless self-expression. What personal experiences have shaped those values?
LT: Growing up I was always pretty shy, so building this brand has been a way for me to step into confidence and independence. Creating clothes helped me express myself in ways I never really did before, and it’s made me want to help other people feel that same confidence when they wear my pieces.

FML: Your designs resonate with performers, influencers, and emerging style leaders. What do you hope people feel when they put on a GENESIS piece?
LT: I hope that when people wear my pieces, they feel bold and like “that girl.” I want them to feel like the most confident version of themselves—the kind of energy where you want to show off and become the center of attention.

FML: Tell us about your upcoming collection, FAULTLINE. What themes or emotions are you exploring this time?
LT: FAULTLINE is about holding it together when everything feels like it’s falling apart. I’m focusing on that pressure, the cracks, and the strength it takes to keep going even when you feel close to breaking.

FML: Fashion is moving toward hyper-individualism again, especially among Gen Z. How do you see GENESIS fitting into—or challenging—that cultural shift?
LT: With each collection I’m reaching new types of people while still staying true to my brand identity. I think hyper-individualism is about taking what’s popular and making it your own, and that’s what I aim to do with GENESIS.

FML: As a young creative director, how do you balance the pressure to grow fast with the desire to protect your artistic integrity?
LT: This is definitely a big challenge for me. I often compare myself and my brand to people who have been working for many years or even decades, instead of staying focused on my own pace. I’m learning to slow down, trust my process, and do what I love without trying to rush growth. That helps me protect my creativity while still moving forward.

FML: What has been the most pivotal moment in your career so far, and what are you hoping the next milestone will be?
LT: So far, working with showrooms in LA has been the most pivotal moment for my brand. They’ve opened so many doors for me and connected me with people who’ve led to huge opportunities. For the next milestone, I’m hoping to keep expanding in LA and work with even bigger performers and platforms.

FML: If you could imagine GENESIS five years from now, what do you see?
LT: In five years, I see GENESIS becoming more prominent in LA and continuing to work with big performers worldwide. I hope to have GENESIS as my full-time career by then, traveling for my brand and collaborating with even bigger names.

Lydia Tingley’s story is proof that age is no barrier to influence. With her fearless approach to design and an instinct for blending nostalgia with innovation, she is crafting a brand that speaks to a generation of bold, self-expressive individuals. As FAULTLINE prepares to debut, it’s clear that GENESIS isn’t just a label—it’s a movement, shaping the future of contemporary fashion one daring look at a time.

“I want GENESIS to be more than clothes, I want it to empower people to feel like the most confident version of themselves.”

With confidence, creativity, and a fearless vision, Lydia Tingley is a designer the fashion world will be watching for years to come.