STITCHING HER STORY

Meet Donovan Laux, a rising star in the world of fashion design. Hailing from Hinsdale and navigating her way as the youngest among seven siblings, this burgeoning designer is currently a senior at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and making her mark. Over this past summer, Laux elevated her design prowess to new heights embarking on an exciting journey in a highly coveted role as a design intern for LoveShackFancy in New York City. With graduation on the horizon, Laux is primed for the world of fashion and is ready to take it by storm.

Immersed in a world of style from the start, Laux’s fascination with fashion was cultivated by her three older sisters and an exceptionally chic mother. “I am extremely inspired by the women in my own family,” she says. “Each one of my sisters is pursuing their passions, working to support themselves, and exploring all the joys of the world,” she says, “and my mom is the most fashionable, hardworking, and caring person I have ever met, and she inspires me every day.” Laux’s mother is a home designer and has taught her to always follow her dreams and put her all into doing what she loves. “These women are fun-loving, generous, kind, and beyond cool and I am beyond thankful for their unwavering love and support of me.”

But the allure of meticulously curating outfits and infusing them with her unique style captivated her from a tender age. “I would methodically pick out my own outfits and bring my own flair and creativity,” she says. However, it was during her college years that a newfound passion for sewing truly took root. It was in the pursuit of a college program that Laux crystallized her conviction: design was where her heart belonged.

Through her designs, Laux delves into the multifaceted realm of the female experience. “My style is eclectic, fun, experimental, and feminine,” she says. “I design for people like myself, who want to feel good, have fun, and live without fear.” She expresses her design with a keen interest in exploring the intricacies of corsetry, lingerie, and most recently, bridal wear. “I want people to see my garments as tools for the uninhibited, self-expression, and as protective armor in the world,” she says.

Her favorite piece to create is a corset because of the structure and shaping of the body which creates a graceful and delicate outcome. “Corsets are strong, they are made with hard work and shaped with steel bones,” she says. “I find corsets to be very representative of both my design ethos and my aesthetic.” Just recently, Laux created a wedding corset and skirt from the 1840s. “I loved working on this and looking forward to expanding on this in my future designs,” she says. “I am very inspired by and love researching history and interpreting it through my own lens”

Working with a combination of delicate and translucent fabrics as well as structural and strong, Laux finds that the juxtaposition of these two elements represents the kind of woman she wants to be: “Gentle and feminine, but also strong,” she says. She also enjoys working with denim. “I find that the accessibility and laid-back nature of denim is fun to experiment with and bring into new realms.”

As for her creative process, it can go one of two ways. “Either I begin with an idea that I research, usually within the realm of women’s history, and soak up as much information as I can and then move into sketching and materials I want to use,” she says. “This is the best way for me to work on building a collection or breaking down ideas and filtering through my own brain.” The second way she works is more for creating one-off pieces, typically independent of a collection. “Working this way allows me to freely move into material and experiment without any preconceived notions or ideas,” she says. “Sometimes these pieces will inspire future collections, but I also enjoy just experimenting and seeing where things go.”

As Laux wraps up the first semester of her last year of school, she reflects on a productive journey marked by the creation of two distinct collections, each accompanied by a meticulously crafted garment. The first collection explored sustainability in fashion and specifically the ethics and recycling of undergarments. “Sustainability is a major issue of the fashion industry,” she says. In order to do her part, Laux doesn’t support fast fashion. “It is important to me to understand the ethics of other companies before buying from or supporting them in any way,” she says. The second collection explores London in the 1840s specifically weddings, wedding traditions, brides, and the development of the white wedding dress. “I have also worked on two independent corsets and some embellishment techniques such as feather work, embroidery, and beading.” Next semester she will design and fabricate a three-look collection still to be determined!

Laux’s goal is to continue her independent work as well as become a career fashion designer under a larger and more established company. But for now, her pieces can be found on her Instagram and sold on a commission basis. “Expressing yourself and using fashion as a tool in your daily life is a powerful thing that I believe everyone should take ownership of,” she says. “Your clothing tells your story—say what you want to say!”

@donovanjordanlaux