Founded in 2016 by Creative Director Tatiana Lim, Laveau is created with the hope of helping people appreciate beauty within imperfection. Drawing from childhood imaginations and experiences, Lim creates drawings of “monsters”, which are her nightmare in character form, to represent one’s fears, pains, anger, and other emotions. From these monsters, Lim extract pieces from the drawings and recreates it into the adventurous, whimsical, and ethereal prints featured in Laveau’s designs to commemorate and appreciate the hurdles one has to go through in life. Inspired by the childhood dreams and imaginations of Lim, the prints are symbolic of the boundless imagination of childhood that our Creative Director wants for those who wear Laveau to remember.
With a lifelong passion for fashion and the arts, Lim enrolled in Parsons School of Designwhere she studied to become a designer. As a true citizen of the world. Lim splits her time between United States, Asia, and Europe. This dichotomy of culture inspires the essence of the Laveau brand.
INTERVIEW WITH TATIANA LIM, FOUNDER OF LAVEAU
When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career as a designer?
I started designing monster dolls as a hobby at the age of 10. Around the age of 14 was when I began seeing fashion designing as a possible career.
How important is your cultural background for your brand?
Being a third cultured child highly impacted Laveau’s designs. Since I was never restricted to a culture, it translated through my prints and the ethos of Laveau. Laveau is unrestrictive, organic, and open-minded to the pursuit of discovery.
What would it be if you could go back and tell yourself one thing before beginning your career?
I would have told myself it’s ok if you get knocked down or make mistakes because we are all human. Believe that you will get back up and learn to appreciate even the little success in life because there’s no point trying to be perfect but miserable.
What was your biggest fear when starting your brand?
My biggest fear has been failing since I started Laveau during the lowest point in my life. I needed a lifeline, and Laveau was my desperate plea for change. Laveau was someone who I thrived on being, my ideal state of mind. And as Laveau grew, I adopted Laveau’s ethos and will continue doing so even if I fail; one day, I’ll be able to wear those scars proudly.
A letter to your future self. What would you write?
I would tell my future self do you love yourself? Are you happy? If not, it might be a good time for a change! You are the conductor of your own life, so don’t forget to celebrate all the little successes.
