Behind the Seams

By Anna Grace Moore
Photos by Jonathan Norris, Zachary Riggins & Contributed

Alluring generations of innovative minds, the fashion industry is ever-evolving, constantly changing “keeping up with the times” as timeless and trendy designs evoke a sense of self-expression–a yearning to be understood, to be loved or even to be put on a pedestal. Such a seductive art form is one rich in talent, and Mountain Brook native Laken Thompson is diving head-first into the industry.

A senior apparel and textiles major at the University of Alabama (UA), Laken grew up in Crestline, where she says her community influenced her to “think outside of the box.” Her parents, Michael and Cheryl Vann, too, encouraged her artistic endeavors, beginning when Laken developed a passion for drawing.

“She has been drawing dresses since she was 6 or 7 years old,” Cheryl says.

Cheryl often found her daughter sketching colorful blouses and skirts–anything that she wanted but could not find in stores. If she could dream it, she could draw it.

After working in dental hygiene, Cheryl took a leap of faith and opened her own online clothing store, Gypsy Girl Tween Boutique, of which Laken helped run behind the scenes.

“I helped her with buying [apparel] at the Atlanta Apparel Mart,” Laken says. “I really enjoyed helping my mom. I thought it would be fun to turn that into a career.”

Like many other Mountain Brook students, she says attending UA was a no-brainer, thanks to the university’s diverse range of majors. Laken started out as a finance major with hopes of earning a business degree, but not a semester into her freshman year did she decide to pursue a more creative outlet, fashion.

“Laken is an exceptional student who consistently demonstrates creativity, drive and a genuine passion for design,” says Brian Taylor, Senior Instructor in the Department of Clothing, Textiles and Interior Design at UA. “She is not only dedicated to her own work, but is also highly collaborative, always contributing thoughtful feedback during group critiques.”

Each year, the university hosts the Tee Time Fashion Show, which features clothing designed and created by students. The real kicker is that all of the materials are sustainably sourced.

One of Laken’s first projects involved repurposing wedding dresses into outfits brides could wear after their “big day.”

“I took this wedding dress–a ball gown–and I completely deconstructed it,” Laken says. “It had a bunch of beading on it. I took all of the beading off, and made it into a strapless top with a long skirt at the bottom. I put different flowers going down the skirt. My idea behind that was to take different florals from your wedding day and the different color schemes and put them onto the dress as well.”

Another outfit Laken created involved detaching a wedding dress’ lace overlay, refabricating it onto a silk bodice for a top-and-skirt set.

“She spent all night trying to get [the fabric] to lay correctly,” Michael says. “Most people would have folded and said, ‘Forget it!’ She made it work, and it looked incredible. People raved about it.”

Michael believes Laken is truly an inspiration due to her sheer tenacity in overcoming obstacles. During the summer of her junior year, Laken interned with Brooklyn-based designer Paul Carroll at his studio in New York City.

Unlike most interns, Laken received a hands-on experience, from sketching designs to creating and cutting out patterns to even constructing bodices and sewing fabrics together. Michael says everything Laken did, she did on her own–fear was no factor for her living so far away from home for so long.

“When most people run from fear, she takes on a big task and runs to it,” Michael says. “I think that’s something that makes her special. When everything is said and done, she’ll make a difference.”

Laken’s love for travel has inspired her to explore sustainable fashion sourced from ethical materials. She and her family even traveled as far as Thailand and Vietnam for weeks on-end, meeting designers and textile workers face-to-face to learn about how materials are created.

“There are stores where you can go in and get your measurements taken, and they’ll actually make the outfits for you,” Laken says. “It was pretty cool to be able to see first-hand how different things are made.”

Several of these fabrics Laken brought back to use in her school projects. To create her designs, Laken begins by sketching a dream onto paper, utilizing different graphite pencils and alcohol-based markers for definition.

Once she decides on a design, Laken will choose her fabrics–often various muslins and silks–pinning cut-out pieces onto a dress form in the arrangement of the drawing. After constructing the pinned bodice, Laken will take to the sewing machine.

During Laken’s junior year, she created a two-piece outfit made of pillow piping for the Tee Time Fashion Show. The top featured a sweet-heart neckline fashioned in a crocheted-style design; the matching mini skirt gave off a beachy vibe.

“Her ability to take inspiration and translate it into innovative designs is impressive,” Brian says. “Laken approaches every project with a sense of curiosity and professionalism, making her a standout in the classroom.”

Looking forward, Laken says New York City is on her horizon. After graduating, she plans to move to The Big Apple, working under designers as she gradually builds her portfolio and starts her own fashion line.

To other young, aspiring designers, she says to heed the counsel she was given: Think outside the box.

“It’s important to have a different take on creativity within the industry because if you’re starting out doing a business, and you’re doing whatever everyone else is doing, it won’t get you far,” Laken says.

Fashion is visual humanity on display–an intimate form of storytelling unspoken yet understood to the naked eye. Harnessing such creativity, Laken will emerge as the next top designer in years to come.

Look out, Mountain Brook. Laken Thompson is on the rise.

To follow Laken Thompson’s career, follow her on Instagram @lakenthompson_.

Innovations in Fashion at UA

“The department of clothing, textiles and interior design stands out with its blend of traditional craftsmanship and the latest industry innovations. We are proud to offer students a new building, Drummond Lyon Hall, equipped with industry-standard equipment and state-of-the-art technology, immersing them in an environment that mirrors a real-world design studio. The new design studios provide students with all the tools they need to develop their skills in a professional setting. Our student exhibition space allows students to showcase their work and communicate the story behind their design concepts. These resources, combined with internship opportunities and our emphasis on both creative and technical skills, make our program truly unique.”

-Brian Taylor, Senior Instructor in the Department of Clothing, Textiles and Interior Design at the University of Alabama