Emerging designer spotlight: Lauren Bagliore

Lauren Bagliore Fall 2012/Image courtesy of Lauren Bagliore

With a background working for some of the fashion world's biggest names, designer Lauren Bagliore burst on to the scene with a Fall 2012 collection that was both inventive and structurally refined. Style Wylde had the opportunity to catch up with the designer via e-mail to discuss fashion, influence and what she has planned for the coming seasons. 

SW: From your bio, we know that immediately after graduating from F.I.T you were chosen by the legendary Vivienne Westwood to travel to London and work in her fashion house. How did this come about? What was it like to meet and work for such an iconic designer? 

LB: I sent my work to Vivienne Westwood just before I graduated from F.I.T.  Fortunately, I heard back from the studio saying they were interested in my work and in having me come for a work-placement position (you can imagine what an exciting opportunity this was). So I went off to London—without even having celebrated my graduation—in an eager excitement to start immediately. After several months of proving myself, I presented to the CEO of Westwood Studios in Milan and also to the team in London, and was then offered a full-time position at the time. This was a dream opportunity to me as a young graduate, with many aspirations of one day having my own line.

SW: Post Westwood, you returned home to the U.S. and worked for a few more bold-faced names such as Zac Posen, Libertine and Tod's. How did this diverse group of artist/designers affect your work? Do you think your own aesthetic was developed in part by exposure to these view different fashion viewpoints? Is there one that stands out as the most influential?

image courtesy of Lauren BaglioreLB: Working with world acclaimed design ateliers and companies really opened my eyes to what it is like to operate a design house and offered but a glimpse into what it was like to run a business as well. Each place I worked has offered me experience in many ways, while some have offered more inspiration than others to me in my own work.  I cannot say there was just one place that has been most influential.  As for Zac Posen, it was not in aesthetic—but really it was the creative energy and the team there that was stimulating.  It was inspiring to see everyone work together—so many talented people—cutters, pattern-makers, drafters, sewers, design researchers—to create one vision.  At Westwood, being there was an honor and a dream opportunity, so that in and of itself was amazing. She really is uniquely special, and a living legend.  I love and respect how "different" it was there at the studio.  For example, here is this world renowned, punk 'Queen of Fashion', operating in such a humble way that is still all about design; I just love that.  It was a really intimate team, and to have been a part of that—was a beautiful and quite moving to me.

SW: Did you always know you wanted to be a fashion designer?  Did you have a back up plan for what you would do if designing wasn’t in your future?

image courtesy of Lauren BaglioreLB: I did not always know I wanted to be a fashion designer.  I do not have that typical story of knowing as a child and having it all lead to this one path... Though I did well in all my classes, I always excelled more in art as it came more naturally.... I am very thankful that my parents fostered and encouraged me to dream out loud—as they always supported my artistic tendencies.  I feel very blessed to do what I loved and am grateful that I came to realize that designing is what I am meant to do.  If I were not able to design and create something beautiful to share with others, I would probably feel stifled in my spirit, as a person. This is my passion and I believe it is indeed my calling in life.  Fashion is a means of self-expression for me. It allows me to share with the world a point-of-view that is unique to my own creativity. 

SW: But if you absolutely HAD to pick something else

LB: If I had to pick something else, I would probably be a linguist--fluent in at least five languages (as I have always had a passion for languages and an affinity and appreciation for different cultures), and would travel the world as a communicator/translator--helping former victims of human-trafficking go through a time of healing. Once they would have this time needed, I would help them gain some practical skills to learn a trade of some sort. This way, after they would go though some time of rehabilitation, they would then have some resources to stand on once being re-integrated into society.  We already are doing this though the means of fashion already though the business, and I am very passionate about it, so I suppose this would make sense for me as an alternate to being a designer.

 image courtesy of Lauren Bagliore

SW:  Looking at images from your most recent collection, art, architecture and asymmetry all appear to be important elements. Where did you draw inspiration from these looks?

LB: I like the idea of how war and demolition could not completely rob the identity of some of the most historic and incredibly unique and beautiful places in the world, but could only help them to define who they are in a more unique and literal way.  I have noted how art and culture can come out of deconstructing something—demolishing so much that is painful even.  However, through this process of deconstruction, comes something magnificent that could not be calculated or even planned for. Through the "tear-down" from what enemies might have attacked, no heritage, no identity can ever be fully lost. What remains becomes something unique and of its own.  It is almost a similar process to what I do with my work.  As I start draping on my form, at times I do not even know what will happen or what to expect but there is this anticipation that I am building on something--something that is my own—something that has a richness, but entirely becomes it own entity. 

SW: When creating your collection, are you influenced by trends, or do see each piece as more of a timeless look?  Does it matter what the glossies are calling must haves each season?

image courtesy of Lauren BaglioreLB: I do not follow trends or what others are doing—it is part of my process as I like to be unbiased and have my inspiration be as unpolluted as possible. I see my work as having the ability to last over time. I create so that each piece can be layered or work from collection to collection, season to season. But to give you a synopsis, my work is more conceptual, as many of the pieces have an architectural fluidity as draping is what I seem to excel in and is what I love doing.  I think you may get a sense of that Parisian effortless street-style sophistication as well as that Asian edge—it is really signature what I do.

SW: I understand before you started your own label you also worked as a freelance stylist, if you could dress one person living or dead in your designs who would it be, and what would they wear?

LB: ...I just love Kate Lanphear because she is a regular person that has become well-known though her work. Not to mention her style is edgy yet feminine--which is who we are and what we do.  Kate has incredible personal style, and seeing that in people inspires me most. I love the uniqueness and individuality that shines though in terms of how a person decides to dress him or herself as it is truly a form of self-expression and creativity. On that note, I would love to dress Lady Gaga as well. She is so creative and always reinvents herself.  You can just tell that she has a good heart and loves supporting new and emerging designers, which is just wonderful. And besides...she is an Italian girl from New York, like me—so of course I would love to dress her. 

image courtesy of Lauren Bagliore

SW: What next for the Lauren Bagliore label? Any news you’d like to share with our readers?

LB: What’s Next? There is always something next…another collection, new inspiration, of course.  For me it is always about design, concept, and the art convertibility in my clothes--or also how simple something may seem to be if one chooses to wear that piece in its most simple state. That is my challenge as a designer...  I want women to be able to build and layer from season to season when they wear Lauren Bagliore... I am inspired by everyday, regular people.  I love looking at how people put themselves together—it is a form of self-expression and I really appreciate that and recognize that in the individuals I meet or observe... 

For more images from the Lauren Bagliore Fall 2012 collection check out the slide show below. (All images courtesy of Lauren Bagliore)