We recently connected with Laura Lafrance and have shared our conversation below.

Laura, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

I have long contemplated entering the fashion design industry, but my earlier years were dedicated to being a Licensed Practical Nurse. Caribbean parents view this industry as a hobby rather than a career. I initially started telling my story on YouTube, about how I transitioned into the fashion world, and while it wasn’t easy, I have come to find that it is quite fulfilling to do and enjoy a career you’re passionate about. This is why I not only started a magazine to help promote folks like myself to pierce through their insecurities and follow their calling but also, most recently, I became a professor of fashion design in South Florida. That career aligns perfectly with what I strive to do: encourage, foster, and promote creativity in our community.

Laura, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Man, where do I start? I was raised in a Haitian-American Household where you’re either a nurse, a doctor, a lawyer, or an engineer. Anything else is a disgrace! Needless to say, my going into the fashion industry was totally against the grain. It took many years of successful job placements, for my father and his wife to see the value in that career that I love so much.
I obtain a Certification and became a Licensed Nurse in 2010 and two years later, in 2012 I enrolled in an art school. I took on every learning opportunity, and internship and volunteered in fashion shows in every major show in South Florida, while still pulling 12 hours shifts on the weekend in the nursing rehabilitation center. It took some serious “cojones” juggling a full-time nursing job and attending art school. Finally, in 2016 I graduated with a bachelor of science (BS) in fashion.
I was able to freelance for 2 years thereafter; as a designer in a local boutique in Boca Raton for 10 months, and as an assistant designer for two local businesses in Broward. While freelancing, I was free to call the shot in terms of schedules and how I get paid, however, some of the businesses no longer exist, so I had to get back out there. During that time I slowly started my departure from working in the nursing field altogether. My family insisted that I kept working in that field, but by then my heart wasn’t in it anymore.
Having gained enough experience as a freelancer, I started Laura Lafrance LLC shortly after in 2017. As creative director and sole owner, I developed resort looks for women my age and above. My signature looks are intricate and full of elegance and charm. I would create a whole collection and put them on my site lauralafrance.com for my client to pre-order exclusively. Nothing was a la carte. It was just myself and my sewing tools.
I still provide these services, but most recently, I have shifted my servicing to fashion skills education. I offer pattern-making, digital fashion, and niche fashion coaching services to those seeking to establish themselves in the fashion industry. While I enjoyed catering custom pieces to women like myself, I also had this passion for teaching.
I am most proud of the clients that have taken my fashion classes and established their courses or business. It is always a pleasure to see them again and see referrals they send my way via word of mouth. The work speaks for itself.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

I am actually very interested and invested in NFTs. I actually am in the process of learning how I can incorporate them in my fashion art!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Honesty and transparency is key to any successful marketing strategy. I have made it a point to involve my niche and audience into the decision making in anything I do with my business, whether it is via feedback, surveys or Q&A on social media. Having them involve makes us feel like we are in this together!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lauralafrance.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauralafranceofficial/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-lafrance/?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Flauralafrance.com%2F
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-dBFKvESONiKbBhqbS8_ug
• Other: https://www.behance.net/LauraLafrance/ https://www.pinterest.com/HouseofLafrance/

Image Credits
Phots taken by myself. :-)