Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Gray.
Lauren, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m originally from Missouri near Saint Louis. I moved here about four years ago to study Fibers at the University of North Texas. When I found out they had a fashion design program as well, I decided to take both intro classes to see which I preferred. I loved them both, so I just kept taking the classes and accidentally double majored! This past spring, I finished the Fashion Design program, but will officially walk this December when I finish my last two Fibers courses in the fall. I wouldn’t have gotten this far if it wasn’t for my family and friends supporting me every step of the way. They are my motivation. I am very thankful that they believe in me and continue to push me forward.
Has it been a smooth road?
I won’t lie… the fashion design program, alone, is not an easy program. Sure, it sounds fun and frilly, but it honestly takes a lot of hard work and dedication to get through. Clothing doesn’t just appear. They have to be thought out, planned, patterned and created. You can’t just blow it off. On top of that, I double majored in a studio art degree, so I was constantly working on projects 24/7. To be honest, I really thought I was going to drop out of college my sophomore year because the workload was so tough. It was extremely challenging, stressful, time-consuming and filled with many sleepless nights.. probably a handful of tears .. haha but I wouldn’t take it back or say it wasn’t worth it. All of that has influenced my work and helped me to become the designer/artist that I am right now. All I can say to anyone that is interested in pursuing fashion design or double majoring is to KEEP GOING and push yourself. I’m serious, you can do it. You just have to work for it and STAY FOCUSED.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with your business – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I make ‘slow’ fashion utilizing many different fiber techniques. This allows me to create most of my own textiles and manipulate scrap materials into wearable art. Materials range from fully biodegradable, recyclable and up-cycled with the concept of sustainability and zero-waste in mind.
Visually, I draw inspiration from modern architecture, the mid-century modern aesthetic, and artistic works of artists such as Alexander Calder and Juan Gris.
I find most of my materials while thrifting, going to antique malls, collecting scraps from friends and keeping my own scraps. I’ve recently been working with scrap yarns and quilting as a way to eliminate waste fibers from being thrown away, along with scrap muslin and fabrics left over from past projects that I’ve been hand weaving on a wooden loom into new fabric.
I am most proud of my use of materials and the detail I put into my designs. The environment is important to me, so any chance I get to use scrap materials, natural dyes, up-cycled fabrics, etc. I try to do it.
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
Honestly, my teachers have been great mentors and kick-starters for networking. They are always posting/emailing volunteer opportunities, up and coming fashion shows/gallery events to attend and internships to apply for. The University of North Texas fashion blog is a great way to find job opportunities and happening events to get involved (even after graduating). Also, applying for competitions and gallery openings in the DFW area gets your work seen, while allowing for great networking opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wholegrayn.com
- Email: lmgray047@gmail.com
- Instagram: @wholegrayn
Image Credit:
Andrea Simon-Estes, Katherine Curry, Kelsey Reid
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