Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Laura Tanzer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Laura, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
I initially learned basic skills for my craft from my grandmother Loretta Tanzer. She was from the generation where everyone thrifted, up-cycled, reused and repurposed everything. They had to. They made do with what was available. People knew how to sew and to mend and to make stuff. I was a chubby 7 year old with a Barbie and I loved the clothes my grandmother made for me (although my mother did not). So, I learned first hand sewing, and when I got a little older I learned machine sewing. My grandmother was dramatic. She used color in a wonderful way (my mother liked navy blue almost exclusively). I loved coloring and drawing, and I knew I was quite talented as an artist, so it would be a natural transition into three dimensional expression using textiles.

When I got to junior high I was in a “home ec” class with a very stuffy straight-laced teacher who made us all sew the same thing – a very ugly (in my opinion) shift in a little floral print. I sewed the neck and armhole facings in the wrong places. This woman told me I would never amount to anything, and to leave sewing to others.

Ha Ha! I learned a lot from that experience! First, I learned how NOT to treat people. Second, I learned that persistence and perseverance do pay off. Third, I have confirmed, over and over, that I am very very good at what I do. And, finally, I am a terrific teacher of the skill set I have acquired through education and practice!

Over my lifetime I have learned specific skills to enhance my creative output. A few include illustration, color theory, model drawing, pattern making, draping, tailoring, millinery, embroidery, textile printing and dying, and textile development. I have also learned myriad business skills, web development, and teaching skills!

In my chosen life path, all of these skill sets are essential. As an artist first, the ability to draw ideas and then implement them in textiles as clothing, accessories, or other artistic expressions is paramount. As an artist who sells her work to clientele, the business skills come in handy. And as a teacher, I have learned how to teach with respect for my students, which enhances the experience for all of us!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am an artist and clothing engineer who works diligently to be as sustainable as possible. I do this by sourcing dead stock, vintage, and remnants, and using those textiles and other notions (buttons, ribbons, etc) to create my small collections and one-of-a-kind sculpted ArtWear. Basically I am taking what would otherwise be considered waste, and making wearable art. And I use everything. Small bits I cannot use are saved and donated to k-12 for art programs.

My work is an ongoing experimentation in which I create very cool one of a kind & limited edition clothing – draped, cut & sewn with particular attention to detail. My designs enlist the natural drape of the fabric to define & enhance the body.
I digital print my art photography on the textiles. Digital printing is much more sustainable than traditional screen printing: very little water use, very little energy use, & almost no waste.

I am currently working on a series of playful Frammento jackets, tunics and vests, and accessories. A Frammento is a garment or accessory I create from textile remnants. I sculpt; the remnants guide me to create a functional wearable art piece. These are sculptures for the body, made to be worn and styled as befits the wearer, from formal to casual.

I developed my Body Geometry pattern and style system as a way to recognize the various body types, and to design clothes that fit them. Those body types are circle, square, rectangle, triangle, inverted triangle, and hourglass. My clothes, which are artistic, are also made to enhance the wearer, flatter the wearer’s body geometry, and to be comfortable while doing so!

Credentials:
As an award winning designer I honed my fashion illustration skills at Parsons School of Design and technical skills at Fashion Institute of Technology, graduating with honors. I worked on Seventh Avenue in the fashion industry for several years before attending and graduating from NYU’s Stern School of Business with a bachelor’s degree in international marketing and an MBA in international finance.

To better understand the fundamentals of sustainable practice, I pursued a PhD at the University of Arizona’s School of Renewable Natural Resources. That knowledge was the final input for creating a sustainable clothing business.

While studying at UA, I developed and taught a number of courses on social, cultural and sustainability intersects with business and industry. I currently teach a textile science course as well as a course on social, cultural relationships with fashion. In addition, I teach workshops at my studio in Tucson (as well as off-site) in an assortment of fashion design and development skills from sewing and creative mending to pattern making, collection development and beyond.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
The most impressive time I have lived through is the present. This Pandemic is truly a time in which many of us have had to step back from the paths we were on before it began. I am one of those who have had to pivot – not just because of the lock downs and loss of path, but because I took time to really think about the path I was on. I assessed the pros and cons of that path. New pathways opened up for me as a result of that thought process. I have always considered myself to be an opportunist, open to whatever the universe throws my way. I am open to the risk of new opportunity. And I trust the universe to provide what I need when I need it. These traits have always worked for me. This Pandemic has simply dramatized the opportunities and the risks…

So, when governments closed down all non-essential businesses, of which mine was one (arts and fashion), I took a few days to consider what to do. I furloughed my workers (and they all found other pathways for employment -YAY!). It was just me and my workshop/studio.

We were all supposed to wear masks, but there were none. So, I decided to make a few for me, my friends and family. A simple note on my FB page resulted in a dramatic influx of orders for masks. I was overwhelmed, but not deterred! I asked for volunteers to help so I could get masks out to people as quickly as possible. My community obliged! This episode lasted several months, until I ran out of fabric (even donated fabric!). Several of those volunteers asked for lessons in sewing and pattern making, so I began individual and small batch workshops. The universe was simply responding to my readiness to serve both my community and my desire to keep creating.

During this time, I developed a new path as skilled teacher, which allows me to impart my skills to others and to also continue to create my art. It is great to be open to new opportunities!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect(s) of being an artist/creative is that I get to experiment with ideas, make stuff, and share it all with my friends, family, community, and clientele.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.LearnCraftSew.com
• Instagram: @LearnCraftSew
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/LearnCraftSew
• Linkedin: www.LinkedIn.com/LauraTanzer
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgw_evCFzbcPXi_h4vTEfDg
• Other: www.LauraTanzerDesigns.com @LauraTanzer