About the Line
Built by Wendy infuses classic, clean American style with contemporary flair; every season, Wendy Mullin draws inspiration from pop culture and music, from her personal travels, from her Midwestern upbringing, and from classic and contemporary film and literature. These influences reveal themselves subtly—in each season’s custom-designed prints and textiles, for example—and more explicitly in Built by Wendy’s well-known graphic tees. Whether it’s a To Kill a Mockingbird printed shirt, a beaded Native American belt, a cabled fisherman sweater, or a canvas tote-bag inspired dress, Built by Wendy always manages to present a fresh take on traditional attire.

Built by Wendy has always had a cult following of artists, musicians, comedians, actors, and fashion stylists. Known for its intentionally low key brand profile and devoted clientele, Built by Wendy has long been considered a hidden gem to fashion insiders.

Additional fans and friends of Built by Wendy include: Sofia Coppola, Zooey Deschanel, Jack Black, Parker Posey, Andy Samberg, Kirsten Dunst, Michelle Williams, Jonah Hill, Paul Rudd, Amy Poehler, Kristen Wiig, Amber Tamblyn, Rashida Jones, James Franco, Zoe Cassavetes, Claire Danes, Jason Schwartzmann, and Chan Marshal from Catpower. Some notable friends have even modeled on her website – Amy Sedaris, David Cross, Robin Tunney, Kathleen Hannah and Will Oldham to name but a few.

About the Designer
Wendy Mullin is one of New York’s most established independent fashion designers and the driving force behind the Built by Wendy clothing line. She is also a successful businesswoman, published author and sought after creative consultant.

Originally from Chicago, IL Wendy founded her company in 1991 during her college years in Kansas. In 1992 she moved to New York and continued developing her brand while working as a costume designer, stylist and freelance designer for Kim Gordon’s X-Girl collection. In 1995 she began wholesaling her own Built by Wendy collection and was a founding designer in the Steven Alan showroom.

In 1998 Wendy opened her first flagship retail store on Centre Market Place in the Little Italy neighborhood of New York City. Her successful online shop launched soon after, and in 2005 she opened her second retail store in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn. Her line is carried in boutiques and specialty stores throughout the country and around the world.

Wendy has expanded on her brand by venturing into publishing and numerous high profile collaborations. In 2003, Wendy was hired as Creative Director of Wrangler47, a limited premium denim line for Wrangler Jeans. The collaboration was wildly successful and the line sold out nationwide. 

She also collaborated with artist Doug Aitken, on a tote bag for his Sleepwalkers exhibit at MOMA, and in 2006, collaborated with acclaimed Canadian artist, Marcel Dzama, on a limited collection of printed tops.

2006 also saw the release of the popular Built by Wendy “Sew U” book, published by Bullfinch Press, along with a line of sewing patterns for Simplicity Pattern Co., called “Built By YOU.” A second sewing book called “Sew U Home Stretch” published by Little, Brown and Company, was released in May 2008. Wendy is currently writing her third sewing book, which is scheduled to hit bookstores in March 2010.

Wendy lives and works in New York.

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