Laurette Rondenet is CEO of Edlong Flavors, the host of Owning Your Legacy podcast, and a mother of five boys. Her podcast ranks in the top 10% of all podcasts on Apple where she invites other leaders to discuss the legacy they will leave behind. Listen to the Owning Your Legacy podcast.
lauretterondenet.com/podcast
his month I shine
a spotlight on
Lauren Lein and
highlight her journey and impact on contemporary fashion. Discover the inspirations and innovations behind her standout projects and see why Lauren Lein is a leading force in the field of fashion.
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Give us a glimpse of your childhood and upbringing. Within that, what first sparked your interest in fashion and design?
I was a small-town girl - who loved paper dolls, mud pies, reading and endlessly swinging on my swing set in the backyard dreaming of imaginary castles and big-town life…. Prince Charming etc. My
interest in designing and fashion came from my love of art since I was a young girl. I take my love of art and put it into every single design and fabric that I design. My clothes end up being art that hopefully never goes out of style.
How has being based in Chicago influenced your personal and professional journey?
Actually, I was based in Detroit when I first started my business which helped to get my groove on with my funky style whether it was doing a suit or gown. I like to put a little whimsy and funk into all I do. Since I moved to Chicago in 1992, I’ve been very welcomed here, and Chicago has been very good to me. This is why I stay.
What inspired you to start your own fashion label? How did that journey begin?
It began my sophomore year in college at Michigan. I went to a New York fashion study and took my first step off the plane and then onto Fifth Avenue and realized that fashion was going to be my career. Before that, I was an art major, but I came back home and changed to a Fashion Design and Merchandising major with minors in dance and art.
In a city like Chicago with such diverse cultural influences, how do you ensure your designs reflect the local spirit of our city?
I am influenced by all of my customers and my main base is here in Chicago, although I dress women globally. I listen to their needs and watch what they like to wear over and over and over and over and then I just try to spice it up. I believe in making a woman show off her true beauty… I don’t want to hide it; I want to enhance her!