Meet Lara Sims Prawat of Folklore Dress Studio in Koreatown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lara Sims Prawat.

Lara, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve been obsessed with designing clothes since I earned a fashion design badge with my Girl Scout troop in middle school. I pursued a fashion design degree at the Savannah College of Art and Design. There I was taught the whole process, from initial sketch, to draping and patternmaking, and to constructing a garment. I always thought I would end up moving to New York to work for a fashion company, but my actual career choices have led me in a different direction.

Straight out of school I started an online girls’ clothing and home goods company with a friend. We created designs, photographed them on her daughters, and sold made-to-order clothing online. We did local shows to get exposure. One of our customers was getting married, and asked if I would create her wedding dress. She had an idea of what she wanted, but wasn’t finding it anywhere. I came up with a design for her, she loved it, and that was my first wedding gown.

Around that time, I got married and moved to a different state. In 2013, I started the business I have now, Folklore Dress Studio, focusing exclusively on bridal and formal dresses. I also reached out to local bridal shops to partner with them to do bridal alterations.

In September, I moved to Los Angeles. I grew up in Southern California and wanted to find a place where I could become rooted and really establish myself and my business. I love LA and the opportunities it has for creatives, and I love the diversity in the brides I meet!

After making that first gown, I realized that I truly loved the whole design process, and wanted my hands, quite literally, to be involved in all of it. I love being able to collaborate with a bride on possibly the most significant garment she will ever wear in her life. It’s so meaningful to be able to create a dress from a sketch, or to modify a dress to reflect the individuality of the person who is wearing it. I’m in the business of helping someone to feel like the most beautiful and confident version of themselves.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I first founded Folklore Dress Studio in 2013, I didn’t get so much business right away to have that be my only job or means of income. For the first three years since starting Folklore Dress Studio, I worked other part time, or even full time jobs while growing my business. I’m not too much of a risk taker, which may sound odd to hear from a business owner. I had to get the point where I was working over 60 hours a week with both jobs combined before I decided that it would be a good idea to pursue my own business as my main source of income.

Folklore Dress Studio – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
In short, I do custom made wedding gowns. I also do bridal alterations.

When I do a custom gown, I involve the bride in the process. That’s what makes me unique. I could just show her some options of my own designs and let her choose, but instead I involve her in the design process. Most brides come to me after looking at dresses, and know what they want, but are not able to find it. My job is to see all their pictures, listen to their experiences, and come up with a design that encompasses everything.

I also do a lot of gown customizations. Sometimes brides have already purchased a gown, but want to re-work the design, or add something more, such as a lace topper to go over the dress. In that case, I work with them to re-design and tweak what they already have.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I am proud of the step that I took to pursue my business full time. It has been so rewarding.

Every time I finish a custom gown, or piece, is a moment of pride for me. It’s so exciting to think that at one point it was just a drawing on a piece of paper, but now it’s an actual garment that someone is going to wear! I also love getting back wedding pictures from my brides. I love seeing the piece I made for them come alive in the setting that they have chosen for their wedding.

Pricing:

• Custom gowns start at $1500
• Custom lace toppers start at $500

Contact Info:

• Website: www.folkloredressstudio.com
• Phone: 949-701-0858
• Email: [email protected]

Image Credit:
Photo of the bride standing and holding bouquet: Peter Jonathan Images
Waist of photo of bride in off the shoulder dress: Sarah Ashley Peters Photography
Photo of bride sitting on couch: Cole Whitworth Photography