In the polished but often predictable world of fashion, Lauren Altman stands apart. Her Brooklyn-based studio is less of a traditional fashion house and more of a living, breathing gallery of wearable artwork—each piece rooted in memory, intention, and a fearless sense of self-expression. What makes Altman’s work even more compelling isn’t just her dedication to sustainable design or her upcycled collections—it’s the deliberate craftsmanship and artistic vision that turns every garment into a narrative.
Altman’s story begins in Minnesota, in a home where art was woven into daily life. Influences from both sides of her family—graphic designers, painters, art collectors—shaped her early sense of aesthetic value and personal style. Her teenage years working with Minneapolis designer Carlos Chavéz introduced her to the couture world: fitting clients, sketching custom garments, and understanding how fabric choices intersect with identity.
But while her creative roots were in fashion, Altman’s trajectory was anything but conventional. A detour into communication design at Parsons gave her the agility to sustain a creative life on her own terms. She freelanced and consulted, all while continuing to refine a practice that merged art, memory, and sustainability. And when the pandemic disrupted the fashion industry, it served as the catalyst for Altman to launch her first full collection—20 reworked garments, mostly outerwear, that sold out at her Greenwich Village pop-up. That moment solidified not only her voice in the fashion world but a new direction: intuitive, made-to-order pieces created with purpose.
Altman isn’t chasing trends. She’s chasing meaning
From a bronze sculpture cast from her late mother’s garments to residencies in Berlin and Chennai exploring global textile traditions, her work carries emotional and cultural significance. It’s fashion as storytelling. With collections like Hearts and A Defining Moment, Altman channels inclusivity into her pieces, casting models like Paralympian Kanya Sesser to reframe how fashion engages with disability, identity, and confidence.
At the heart of her design process is a reverence for transformation. A trench coat isn’t just outerwear—it’s a canvas. Fabric scraps destined for landfills become bricks in collaboration with FabBrick, turning a runway show into a symbol of rebuilding. And while the pieces themselves are stunning, it’s Altman’s commitment to creating for real people—those who value individuality and creativity—that makes her work resonate so deeply.
Lauren Altman Studio isn’t interested in chasing mass-market appeal. It’s a space that invites reflection, celebrates imperfection, and offers fashion lovers something increasingly rare: garments that hold soul.
As fashion continues to grapple with its environmental impact, Altman offers a blueprint for what the future could look like—less about speed and sameness, more about storytelling and self-expression. Her collections serve as reminders that style doesn’t have to be disposable. In fact, it can be unforgettable.
