It’s no secret that St. Louis is home to many inspiring entrepreneurs and makers. When it comes to fashion design, Laura Kathleen Baker has blazed the trail for many designers to come.
Baker began sewing when she was just 8 years old, and the first thing she ever made was a pair of pajamas. She went through phases of designing various garments, making everything from formal to casual clothing. “It just sort of evolved,” says Baker, who has found her niche in contemporary womenswear.
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Baker is inspired by her surroundings and personal journey. “Where I am in life inspires me,” she says. “The woman I want to design for is the woman who is sophisticated, and the most interesting person in the room, and she’s always dressed appropriately.” She’s also known for her jumpsuits, which are her favorite pieces to design.
Many recognize Baker from season nine of Project Runway, where she finished as a top-five finalist. She also competed on Project Runway All-Stars season two, where she finished in the top six. “I had an awesome time on Project Runway. It taught me a lot about myself as a designer,” says Baker.
Since competing on Project Runway, Baker has enjoyed casting the program. “I get to evaluate the new talent that goes on the show. It’s been nice to see people grow,” she says.
Baker’s career in fashion did not end after Project Runway. She produced a line that was featured in New York Fashion Week and has since produced collections that have been showcased around the country. Her Fall 2014 line was recently featured during Kansas City Fashion Week. Her line is produced in New York City and is available for wholesale.
Baker’s success in fashion has been accompanied by several major life events. “I’m getting ready to be a mom, so that’s my big focus right now,” she shares. Family is her number one priority, but she plans to remain an entrepreneur in the fashion industry and continue designing to some capacity. “I think I would love designing handbags,” says Baker. However, she is not yet sure what the future holds.
The business-savvy designer is interested in helping other designers launch their careers. “Make sure you’ve got access to money. It won’t happen without the funding.” She also stresses the importance of designers establishing a great team of people with differing areas of expertise. “People think that fashion is all fun and fancy, and that’s really just for the consumers,” she advises to those interested in becoming designers.
For more information, visit laurakathleen.com, and follow her journey on Twitter.
