We love seeing the new companies that are popping up and are thrilled to work with Lawrence & Larimer, a company that is new to the Fashion Denver scene! They’ll be joining us at our poolside market this Sunday! Let’s see what they have to say in our Sizzlin’ 6 Questions!
What were your obsessions growing up?
Our obsessions growing up were not far from most kids. For John Chapman(Founder of Lawrence and Larimer) it was basketball and Karate. For myself, (Keyonna Chapman, Co-Founder) it was swimming, track and field and Barbies.
How did fashion become the symbol for your creative expression?
John: High School is when I really began to recognize my own personal style and individuality.
Keyonna: Honestly, I believe my aunts were my greatest inspiration. No matter where we went, they were decked to the nines, and I wanted nothing more than to be like that. So, I made sure no matter where we were headed, I looked like I was going somewhere fancy.
Do you see a stylistic connection between the things you do in your daily life that is reflected into your collections?
John: Yes, right now my daily life requires me to wear a lot of simple, yet essential clothing. And that in itself is challenging because I’m incorporating who I am into that and being the lifestyle that the Lawrence and Larimer brand is.
Keyonna: Absolutely. I’ve always got my eyes and mind open to the world. So no matter where I am or what I’m doing, I’m inspired by it in some form or fashion and am looking for ways to incorporate life and the movement of it into the Lawrence and Larimer brand.
What is your research process like before starting a collection?
Yes, we are continuously studying top collections of designers like Ralph Lauren, J. Crew, Todd Snyder, Scotch and Soda, All Saints and a few others to really help place focus on where we need to be each season, to become just as great (striving for better) as some of these brands. Sometimes, research can be a bit overrated, because we definitely believe in listening to the needs of customers more so than following trends, but it’s extremely important to know where fashion has come from, to know how to get it to the next level.
How has fashion impacted you?
What makes our team so great, is that we’ve all managed to use fashion as more of a conduit to recognizing our own personal style. We have a team of five and it’s amazing when we come together, because we are able to break the rules of fashion by playing with patterns, textures (something many cannot do) all the while keeping in great style.
What is your opinion on the fashion scene in Denver from a designers perspective?
Due to the current influx of transplants moving to Denver, it’s slowly becoming a fashionable city. As a brand, our style perspective is to continue to push out essential pieces that allow those who want to keep in great style, to do so without necessarily having to cave into what is trendy or hot.