Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Siladke.
Laura, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have been sewing and designing clothing with my mom since I was ten, always making my own pants and wearing funky outfits in middle school. Once in high school, I had such a clear and overwhelming dream to be a fashion designer, so I moved to NYC at 16 for a six weeks summer studies program at the Fashion Institute of Technology. By the time I was graduating high school, I realized I really loved photographing the clothing so I decided to pursue fashion photography. I gained my BFA at Kendall College of Art & Design and then moved back to New York City where I was accepted into the graduate program at Parsons School of Design. One semester shy of graduation, I got a job offer in LA for a full-time commercial photography gig. Realizing the debt I was wracking up at Parsons and ultimately what getting my MFA would mean (teaching), I decided to be a beauty school drop out, er MFA drop out, and I flew out to LA and never looked back.
After working with a few different apparel designers, I started working mainly with one in particular, first as creative director and then COO of their company. It was great business experience but I didn’t have the creative freedom that I ultimately desired. Having always had the entrepreneurial itch, I decided to take the leap of faith, quit the 9-5 and start a small clothing line. First, I launched the line COAST with a friend, but after two years we ultimately parted ways (having a partner can have its challenges!) and immediately launched Leelanau Clothing. Leelanau hit success right away, with my first collection being picked up by Free People and sold out in a month. With that funding I was able to open my first little shop in Santa Monica and now we are riding the next wave to see what it brings.
Has it been a smooth road?
Funding first and foremost has always been the biggest challenge, as I do not come from money. Finding and managing money is such an art, I really have gained so much experience in the past five years just from asking my lenders a million questions and not being afraid to take on a little debt.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Leelanau Goods – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Leelanau Clothing is a nostalgic and feminine apparel line, all impeccably sewn in custom prints and natural textiles and responsibly designed and manufactured in Los Angeles.
In addition to our own label, we curate a selection of independent, small batch designers from around the globe.
We are super proud to carry over 27 other female-founded designers, who’s ethos revolves around responsible manufacturing and sustainability through design.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Los Angeles is such a beautiful city of creative people making incredible things. The talent here for the fashion industry is unbelievable. If you can sketch it, you can have it made here in LA. But with that comes a lot of pollution that breaks my heart. I am working in one of the most wasteful industries that is harming the environment at an alarming rate, and you will see examples of this needless waste daily when you are working in fashion manufacturing. There are not a lot of great resources here for cutting fabric waste as well as environmentally friendly dying processes. It took me years to finally find a dye house that is truly the environmental supporter that they claim to be.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2717 Main St
Santa Monica, CA 90405 - Website: www.leelanaugoods.com
- Phone: 4242804164
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leelanaugoods/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/leelanaugoods
Image Credit:
Leelanau Goods/ Laura Siladke
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