A former New Yorker now based in Los Angeles, I’m a multidisciplinary designer with over 20 years of experience in branding, fashion, and creative direction. I graduated with honors from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in 2006, earning a BFA in Advertising Design and an AA in Communication Design.

While studying at FIT, I worked in some of New York City’s most celebrated restaurants. Those formative years in hospitality refined my taste, expanded my network, and laid the foundation for the creative empire I would eventually build, including meeting my future business partner, Angel Garofalo.

During that time, I went through a tough breakup and, as I’ve always done, turned to art to process and express my emotions. One day, I began doodling poetry on a plain bag — a spontaneous, cathartic act that resulted in something truly beautiful. I brought the bag out with me one night, not expecting anything, but my friends immediately took notice and wanted custom versions of their own.

That moment sparked BoyfriendBags™ — a brand born from heartbreak, authenticity, and artistic expression. In 2007, BoyfriendBags quickly gained national and international attention. The line was picked up by the iconic Patricia Field Boutique (of Sex and the City fame), and featured in Time Out New York, BlackBook, WardrobeWire, Twist, and MetroMagazine (Australia). That same year, I was recognized by Cambridge Publication House as one of the “Who’s Who Among American Executive & Professional Women.”

Soon after, Angel approached me with an idea: she was planning to launch a swimwear line and admired the emotional storytelling behind BoyfriendBags. Together, we reimagined the concept in a new form — and Boyfriend Bikinis was born. We took a deep dive into symbolism, assigning specific fish, colors, and patterns to reflect different stages of relationships and emotional expression.

In 2008, we co-founded Skyfish Swimwear — a luxury swimwear brand based in NYC and LA. Our collections were featured in Cosmopolitan, Condé Nast, Zélé, and showcased at both New York and Los Angeles Fashion Weeks. We opened a showroom-turned-storefront in the Lower East Side and made a lasting mark in the swimwear industry for over a decade.

Parallel to my work in fashion, I’ve led a thriving creative studio, laurencpratt.com, where I’ve delivered standout branding and design for iconic clients like Playboy Enterprises, JetBlue, Delta Airlines, Sunset Marquis Hotel, Revlon, Hilton Hotels, Deutsch, Michael Lang (of Woodstock), and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. My work has been recognized in The One Show, CMYK Magazine, and Lürzer’s International Archive.

I’m passionate about learning, kerning, resourcefulness, and creating beautiful, meaningful work. I specialize in building brands from the ground up and have helped launch dozens of acclaimed restaurants and fashion ventures around the world.

In 2022, I set out to fulfill another lifelong dream: starting a family. Within two years, I met my partner, bought a home, had a daughter, and got married. Throughout it all, I remained dedicated to my clients — many of whom I’ve worked with for over 15 years.

Now, with my daughter in full-time daycare, I’m back to designing full-time. I’m committed to staying sharp and relevant in an ever-evolving creative landscape (yes, even alongside AI) and continuing to deliver thoughtful, strategic, and striking design that tells a story — beautifully. And yes, I love using em dashes 🙂