Brooklyn based, Creative
Director and Founder Bronté Laurent’s fascination with the female mind led her
to create clothing that make women feel confident, rebellious and sensual. Her
nomadic lifestyle from living in New York to London create truly one of a kind
designs that empower women to feel themselves through clothes by creating
timeless pieces.
1. Par Bronté Laurent, your brand name sound French? Is there a story behind it?
I get this question all the time and it makes me excited to share with people I named my brand after myself. My name is actually Bronté Laurent in which I must first thank my parents for such a cool name! I then incorporated ‘par’ which means "by" in French.
2. How did you get into the fashion world?
I knew nothing about the fashion world when I entered. I always knew I would enter it because it's all I dreamed about as a child. My childhood was spent sitting in my room reading fashion magazines pretending these models and celebrities were wearing my clothing. However, I took a turn and majored in Public Relations at Florida A&M University imagining I would become a publicist for a Fashion Mogul. I moved to New York after receiving my degree and worked as an assistant to a Publicist and that’s when I began to feel lost. My only happy times were running home to help my roommate at the time make designs for his collection. After a while he began to teach me how to sew and allow me to practice on his machine using all of his tools and materials. From there I found my true calling and haven't stopped creating and building a brand I love since.
3. You create a stunning rebellious sensuality collection to empower women. How did you come with the idea? Is satin fabric difficult to work with?
It all started with my fascination with the female mind. Us women are just awesome powerful beings so it was a no brainer when it came to who I would be making my clothing for. Satin is a tedious fabric to work with but it's the most comfortable fabric on the skin, so I went with it.
4. Love the “The Say My Name” set. How did you find the inspiration for this design?
That’s actually my favorite design! That design came from something I envisioned myself looking powerful and sensual in. When it comes to my design process, I always start off by thinking of what I would want to wear.
5. How are you getting your sustainable packaging right?
I am just doing my research daily and working with companies to ensure our packaging is biodegradable. I also work to source dead-stock fabric which means recycled fabric or fabric that was going to be thrown away. This is a start to help our environment.
6. You create a T-Shirt featuring brown ‘Honor Black Women’ logo. What is it to be a black woman in American society?
Yes, that shirt was very important for me to create. It’s a saying I've lived by and express to the women in my community daily. Black women are constantly dealing with culture appropriation, colorism, lesser pay and the last to be recognized in our fields. However, I can say times are changing and we are dominating as entrepreneurs and our voices are louder than ever but there is still much work to be done. Growing up my passion would be taken as too much, my ideas and excitement taken as too loud, but I noticed my white and Spanish friends did not experience the same feedback. Their loud voices were taken as strength and passion and so on. It was discouraging and always left a sinking feeling for me. I knew I should be honored. So, the word honor me is what kept me remembering who I am and how the world should welcome me.
7. Who are your style icons?
Aaliyah, Traces Ellis Ross, Rihanna, Michelle Pfeiffer and Bianca Jagger.
8. What role do you think social media plays in fashion today?
A huge role. Our social media influencers are deciding what’s trending and what everyone should be wearing. I struggle with social media because it can be draining but as a fashion label owner, I log onto my social media swiftly to get work done and I'm out!
9. How would you like to see Par Bronté Laurent grow in the future?
First, I want to see my clothing
being made in different corners of the world such as my favorite countries like
Ethiopia and Australia. This would give me the opportunity to provide jobs for
artisans and intertwine my other passions which is traveling and learning
different cultures and helping in anyway and form to help them grow. I also see Par Bronté Laurent in my favorite luxury retail stores such as Nordstrom,
Bloomingdales, Sax Fifth Ave, Dover Street Market, and more.
Contact Bronté Laurent
https://www.parbrontelaurent.com
https://www.instagram.com/parbrontelaurent
https://www.facebook.com/parbrontelaurent
https://parbrontelaurent.tumblr.com
Vanity Afro, 29/01/2021
