lauren kahn

Lauren Kahn is a fashion designer whose work derives from the intersections of memory, material, and emotion. Born and raised in Los Angeles by two bold and unconventional parents, Lauren grew up in a non-traditional household that encouraged creativity and hands-on exploration. From an early age, she was encouraged to make art—drawing inspiration from time spent at her grandmother’s home in Carmel, the eclectic visual language of LA, and the tactile fascination of exploring her father’s tool chest, where industrial fragments sparked a lifelong love for material experimentation.

This collection is rooted in themes of childhood nostalgia, filtered through the visual language of late 1800s ornamental fence designs and the emotional weight of SSRIs. Garments are constructed from a tactile palette of laser-cut silk and denim, metalwork, acrylic, and found objects, blending softness and rigidity to explore the tension between protection and exposure. Each piece functions as an emotional artifact, where delicate detailing meets structured form to evoke a sense of feminine transition—the evolving act of protecting my femininity while navigating the complexity of growing up.

Denim, specifically Levi’s 501s, is a personal cornerstone: a material memory from my upbringing. My mother, a horseback rider, and my father, a car enthusiast, wore jeans as their daily armor, workwear and comfort intertwined. Fence motifs were inspired by my dad’s unusual habit of photographing fences and doors he admired, an eye I’ve unknowingly inherited. The influence of SSRIs stems from my own lived experience of being prescribed Prozac at a young age, and the profound ways it shaped my adolescence and perception of self.

The use of acrylic, metal, and found objects draws directly from my childhood hours spent rummaging through my dad’s tool chest, marveling at every wrench, car part, and mysterious object with industrial reverence. That early obsession has since transformed into a love for mechanical and industrial design, now woven into the soul of this collection.

This project has been a journey of vulnerability, perseverance, and self-belief. There were moments I wanted to give up, but I persisted. Through this process, I’ve come to understand my own worth, my growth, and the power of honoring where I come from. The teachings of my childhood have shaped the designer I am today, guiding me as I continue to move forward.