Meet Lauren C Pratt of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren C Pratt.

Lauren C, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Lauren C. Pratt – Designer, Creator, Visionary

A former New Yorker now based in Los Angeles, I’m a multidisciplinary designer with over 20 years of experience in branding, fashion, and creative direction. I graduated with honors from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in 2006, earning a BFA in Advertising Design and an AA in Communication Design.

While studying at FIT, I worked in some of New York City’s most celebrated restaurants. Those formative years in hospitality refined my taste, expanded my network, and laid the foundation for the creative empire I would eventually build — including meeting my future business partner, Angel Garofalo.

During that time, I went through a tough breakup and, as I’ve always done, turned to art to process and express my emotions. One day, I began doodling poetry on a plain bag — a spontaneous, cathartic act that resulted in something truly beautiful. I brought the bag out with me one night, not expecting anything, but my friends immediately took notice and wanted custom versions of their own.

That moment sparked BoyfriendBags™ — a brand born from heartbreak, authenticity, and artistic expression. In 2007, BoyfriendBags quickly gained national and international attention. The line was picked up by the iconic Patricia Field Boutique (of Sex and the City fame), and featured in Time Out New York, BlackBook, WardrobeWire, Twist, and MetroMagazine (Australia). That same year, I was recognized by Cambridge Publication House as one of the “Who’s Who Among American Executive & Professional Women.”

Soon after, Angel approached me with an idea: she was planning to launch a swimwear line and admired the emotional storytelling behind BoyfriendBags. Together, we reimagined the concept in a new form — and Boyfriend Bikinis was born. We took a deep dive into symbolism, assigning specific fish, colors, and patterns to reflect different stages of relationships and emotional expression.

In 2008, we co-founded Skyfish Swimwear — a luxury swimwear brand based in NYC and LA. Our collections were featured in Cosmopolitan, Condé Nast, Zélé, and showcased at both New York and Los Angeles Fashion Weeks. We opened a showroom-turned-storefront in the Lower East Side and made a lasting mark in the swimwear industry for over a decade.

Parallel to my work in fashion, I’ve led a thriving creative studio, laurencpratt.com, where I’ve delivered standout branding and design for iconic clients like Playboy Enterprises, JetBlue, Delta Airlines, Sunset Marquis Hotel, Revlon, Hilton Hotels, Deutsch, Michael Lang (of Woodstock), and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. My work has been recognized in The One Show, CMYK Magazine, and Lürzer’s International Archive.

I’m passionate about learning, kerning, resourcefulness, and creating beautiful, meaningful work. I specialize in building brands from the ground up and have helped launch dozens of acclaimed restaurants and fashion ventures around the world.

In 2022, I set out to fulfill another lifelong dream: starting a family. Within two years, I met my partner, bought a home, had a daughter, and got married. Throughout it all, I remained dedicated to my clients, many of whom I’ve worked with for over 15 years.

Now, with my daughter in full-time daycare, I’m back to designing full-time. I’m committed to staying sharp and relevant in an ever-evolving creative landscape (yes, even alongside AI) and continuing to deliver thoughtful, strategic, and striking design that tells a story — beautifully. And Yes, I love using em dashes 🙂

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Working independently as a creative for over two decades, I’ve experienced both the freedom and the unpredictability that come with the territory. Living solo in New York City and West Hollywood for nearly 20 years, I learned early on that consistency in freelancing isn’t always guaranteed. To support myself, I’ve picked up countless side gigs—often returning to hospitality, where I found both community and survival.

Staying ahead of the curve hasn’t always come easy. With technology, programs, and tools constantly evolving, keeping up—especially as a solo operator—has been a challenge. But I’ve always found a way. Whether it meant self-teaching new software, taking night classes, or just experimenting until something clicked, I’ve remained committed to learning and pushing my skillset forward.

Those years built my resourcefulness, resilience, and creativity—qualities that now shape every project I take on.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m known for my unique design approach and deep attention to storytelling. When I co-founded Skyfish Swimwear, I wanted our pieces to be more than just fashion—they were wearable art with a message. Our signature collection, Boyfriend Bikinis, featured custom prints made from actual poetry inspired by love, relationships, and personal experiences. I even turned my handwriting into a font, transforming the fabric into printed calligraphy. We blended these heartfelt words with vivid graphics of marine life, symbolizing the emotional depth and infinite possibility in the search for love—because, as the name suggests, there are always more (Sky)fish in the sea.

Beyond aesthetics, our aim was to create awareness about the beauty and fragility of our oceans. By highlighting the natural patterns and brilliance found in marine life, we hoped to inspire greater appreciation and conservation of our underwater world.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I like most about living in Los Angeles is that it teaches you who your real friends are. Especially in the Valley, where everything is so spread out, maintaining friendships takes real effort. You have to be intentional—plans don’t just fall into place like they might in a walkable city. But that’s also what I struggle with most here. The lack of spontaneity. Those unplanned run-ins or last-minute hangouts that were so common in New York just don’t happen in LA. It’s a trade-off between space and connection.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://laurencpratt.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurencpratt/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Laurencpratt
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurencprattt/
• Twitter: https://x.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Flaurencpratt

Image Credits
Kyle Goldie
Lorena Ocheo
Jordana Hazan
Devora Wooden
Gina Kleinschmidt
Mynxii White
Josiah Cracraft
Barry Biddle