Fashion Art Takeover: Lauren Altman’s textile paintings and Sustainable Designs

Artist Lauren Altman is deeply committed to sustainability, which she seamlessly weaves into her multimedia practice. By combining painting, textile design, and fashion, Lauren continuously explores innovative ways to repurpose and recycle materials across all of her creations. Whether working on a canvas or designing a garment, she blends her vibrant color palette without boundaries. Her fashion collections reflect that philosophy. 

Artist Lauren Altman with her works, Photo by Ana Valejo, 2024

I had the pleasure of meeting Lauren this past summer in New York as she was preparing for her solo presentation at Untitled Space Gallery. Her installation, “A Defining Moment”, included a full runway show, an exhibition of her textile paintings and part of her larger project, “Desert Garden”, a collaboration with Coca-Cola that she debuted earlier this year at Coachella’s “Sonic Desert” exhibition.

CD: How does your multidisciplinary artist background influence your design approach?

LA: As a multidisciplinary artist, through years of experimentation with various materials and techniques, I've honed my own expressive style that is reflected throughout the collection.

One piece, a bright red trench coat and pants set featured an allover print of the words "breathe, grow, let go.”

Those words came from earlier on in my practice when I was really delving into the world of art therapy and exploring art as a powerful tool for mental health awareness. 

At the time, I was teaching a program I called “Coping Creatively,” which sought to expose people of all ages to the therapeutic qualities of multidisciplinary art. We used techniques like blindfolded drawing, finger painting, mixed-media journaling, collage, and embroidery to build self-confidence through creativity.

Fashion, for me, became a natural extension of this journey. Upcycling emerged as a favorite technique because of its ability to physically and emotionally transform both the maker and the wearer. This transformative experience was central to the narrative embedded throughout the SS’25 collection show.

Lauren Altman Studio SS’25 Presentation, Photo by Alex Korolkovas, 2024

CD: Can you describe the interplay between your artistic work and your fashion designs in this collection?

LA: In this collection, the interplay between my artistic work and fashion designs is prevalent. The show aimed to capture moments where my garments serve as a bridge between art and life, blending work and play, seriousness and humor, past and future.

Each piece invites viewers to immerse themselves in a narrative that unfolds through eclectic contrasts and connections. It's an invitation for the audience to engage actively as if pulling up a seat to join us in a vibrant, dynamic feast of creativity and expression.

CD: How do you incorporate visual art concepts into your fashion collections?

LA: Incorporating visual art concepts into my fashion collections is integral to my creative process, often serving as a final layer to unify the entire project. Throughout the final installation phase—where I am working to bring the collection to the public through a presentation—I weave allegorical imagery into the display, inviting viewers to interpret and construct their own narratives about the collection.

My inspiration draws heavily from the paintings that adorned my childhood home, particularly those by the Haitian artist Jasmin Joseph. His surreal depictions of anthropomorphic monkeys in vibrant tropical settings left a lasting impression. 

One of my paintings featured in my Spring Summer show, "Fountain of Boots," depicts individuals dancing in boots adorned with gemstones and beads, directly influenced by Joseph's surrealism. Models in the show were also wearing boots adorned with finger paint and recycled pipe cleaners from past creative workshops.

During the presentation, models acted as living sculptures positioned in front of these paintings, seemingly emerging from them in garments mirroring the artworks' themes.

CD: How does your artistic philosophy shape the storytelling aspect of your fashion collections?

LA: My artistic philosophy influences the storytelling aspect of my fashion collections, emphasizing creativity as a journey of self-discovery and expression.

For this collection, I utilized upcycling as a central medium for narrating a story of environmental responsibility and positive impact.

Collaborating with sponsors like Smartwater, I transformed their aluminum cans into intricate flowers that became focal points in both the botanical garden installation and within the artworks themselves.

Exotic ferns, wild grass, and symbolic flowers such as the lotus were also part of the experience. In many Eastern cultures, the lotus symbolizes transformation and rebirth, aligning with my philosophy of art as a catalyst for personal and environmental well-being.

CD: In what ways do you use fashion as a medium to express themes or messages from your art?

LA: Fashion serves as a powerful medium for me to convey themes and messages from my art, often integrating them into public installations that set the tone for my shows. For instance, I recently transformed a billboard outside Cecilia, where my resort show was held, overlooking St. Marks Place. The artwork featured two figures adorned in custom-made prehistoric animal skeletons meeting beneath an intricately woven floral archway.

This artwork served as a call to action, raising awareness about the pressing issue of species extinction. My intent was to remind viewers of our interconnectedness with the broader natural world, emphasizing the vulnerability of plants and animals in the face of climate change.

Mixed media painting on fabric: acrylic, spray paint dye, indigo, embroidery thread, sequins, embroidered textiles, upcycled clothing, handmade stencils by Lauren Altman at The Untitled Space Gallery, 2024

CD: How does the concept of sustainability manifest in both your art and fashion creations?

LA: Sustainability is a core principle in both my art and fashion creations.

There is a dress in the Spring Summer ‘25 collection crafted from 15 pairs of upcycled denim yardage sourced from thrift stores, each dyed using various vegetable dyes such as botanicals from our local community garden and avocado pits from my kitchen. Though the collection also features pieces that are made of deadstock from discontinued designs by larger brands and even fabric scraps left over from our own studio. We added hand-painted pinstripes to a bolt of donated fabric and turned it into a vest, and we even cropped a pre-loved men’s blazer and adorned the lapels with buttons.

In essence, this collection embodies my commitment to sustainability by transforming discontinued and pre-loved materials into unique, wearable pieces of art, demonstrating how creativity can flourish within ethical and environmentally conscious practices.

CD: How do you think your unique perspective as an artist sets your fashion collections apart in the industry?

LA: My unique perspective as a multidisciplinary artist fuels my fashion collections, setting them apart in the industry.

By integrating art into fashion, I try to bring a fresh approach that blends creativity with sustainability. 

This allows me to not only continue to evolve my artistic expression, but also address important industry challenges such as environmental impact and inclusivity.

I believe my role as an artist and fashion designer is to inspire change within the industry. Through my work, I hope to encourage others to prioritize sustainability and innovative design practices.

Ultimately, my goal is to offer fashion that resonates with consumers' values, promoting positive social and environmental impacts. This commitment not only distinguishes my collections but also aligns with the growing demand for ethical and meaningful fashion choices.

CD: How do you plan to evolve your brand to further integrate your work as an artist and a fashion designer?

LA: Moving forward, I envision evolving my brand by deepening the integration of my roles as both an artist and a fashion designer. Central to this evolution is my commitment to circular and inclusive fashion practices. I plan to explore more nuanced applications within my collections, emphasizing sustainability and promoting inclusivity in every aspect of my designs. I see myself also branching out into other areas, like home decor, bedding, and even dinnerware – to offer a whole eco-conscious lifestyle for my customers. My goal is to inspire my growing audience to recognize their influence and power in shaping a more sustainable consumer culture. By choosing to shop local, support sustainable practices, and invest in artists and brands committed to positive change—we can collectively drive meaningful impact.

Lauren Altman’s work has been exhibited at Art Basel Miami, David Nolan Gallery, and House of Yes in New York, The ArtDept. in Los Angeles, as well as internationally in London, Berlin, Mexico, and India. WM

RSVP to her Miami Event December 3, 2024