Lara Miller is a woman of true beauty and talent, which resonates within herself and within the clothes she designs. Her designs are influenced mostly by architectural and cultural landscape. The playful geometry of the garments created connects the the personalities of the women who wear them. We caught up with this busy woman to ask her a few questions we were CRAVEing to know the answers to.
What is it about Lara Miller Designs that you love the most?
I love so many things about my company! I love that everything I make is made in my hometown, Chicago. I love that I support my local ecomomy by paying fair wages. I love the amazing community that I have been so lucky to create through my business. I love that everything I create and the way that I run my business acknowledges the responsibility I feel we all have to protecting and respecting our enviroment. I love getting to meet my customers and playing dress up with them. I love that people know that “eco” doesn’t have to be unflattering, that organic cotton is luxurious, and that hemp in fact is not itchy. I especially love that almost all of my pieces are designed to “wear it your wayTM” meaning they can be flipped, wrapped, and reversed to have multiple garments at once.
What is the most important thing about yourself that you’ve learned through running your business?
Wow, there’s a lot that I can say to answer this question as well. I have learned so much about myself since beginning my company 5 years ago. I think the most important thing that I have learned is that I am easily excited which leads to easily exciting others, and that is a ton of fun! Daniel Burnham’s quote sums up everything I have learned about myself to a t.”Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans. Aim high in hope and work. Remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will not die”
When did you first know you wanted to be a designer?
According to my father, the first time he let choose what I wanted to wear, which I guess was around 1? My first memory was in high school, taking a fashion and interior design elective. Before that, despite working for an infamous denim store in Chicago, I wanted to be in neuro research. The brain still fascinates me.
What is currently your most popular design?
Hand-loomed Sweaters – Any of the flips, especially the Elizabeth Flip. Wovens – The Donna Dress.
What is the best piece of advice you could give about starting a business?
Stay true to yourself and your vision, but make sure that aligns with your target market. Know your market inside and out. Know them like you know yourself. And be ready to eat, sleep, live your business – and have fun doing it! If it’s not fun then it isn’t worth it. If it’s not fun for you, it won’t be fun for your customers. Be ready to be flexible and make the changes that you need to make to keep it fun!
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