We had the good fortune of connecting with Helena Lau and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Helena, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Since early childhood, I was fortunate from watching and helping my parents with their business, it had taught me not to be scared to venture out on my own. But I’ve also grown up in the era where you were suppose to start from the bottom and learn your way up, pay your dues, so I’ve always work hard and tried to gain as much experience as possible until I felt I was ready. From that point of view, armed with my BFA in Fashion Design from Parson’s, I took on as many various roles as possible in the Fashion Industry from Design, Product Development, Production, to even Retail, finally deciding to focus on Textiles Research & Development. That is where I’ve realized my passion, with stints at Vera Wang, Rebecca Taylor, and Marchesa overseeing their materials sourcing and development. When I decided to move from NYC to LA, it was nerve racking at first to leave my position in the Industry, but I also felt that I knew how to help Designers on a larger scale in a better way. Instead of just working for one design house, I can work with as many designers as I wanted to. I love the collaborative process and I love being able to work with various esthetics and design sensibilities and offer my expertise to help them realize their visions.

What should our readers know about your business?
My company Artisanal Studios is an agency that represents mills and factories to develop textiles and embroideries for designers in fashion and home. What sets my agency apart from others is how I am able to offer all of my experience not limited to materials, but everything from developing the color story to tech pacs to printing and embroidery techniques to garment costing and production management and even logistics. I can help turn their vision from a sketch to the final product, ready to ship to their customers. I’m proud to be able to use my vast experiences to help young and established brands because I can literally say I have done it all. Last year, I’ve also started another company Le Bar Marche, focusing on home decor and design services. This has been a passion of mine for years and to bring it to life has been so rewarding. It started from curated products from my travels and I hope to expand it to custom products and services, working with my Artisanal Studios’ special mills and factories. I love that it goes full circle!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would probably start out by a hike at the Hollywood Reservoir near my house, the trail is dog friendly and the view spectacular. My favorite meal is Brunch, so we would either go to The Front Yard in Studio City or if it’s Sunday (Non-Covid times), we would first hit Santa Monica Flea, then head to Spitfire Grill for some after shopping grub and Bloody Mary. Another favorite is DAMA in DTLA, always our go-to place for happy hour rendezvous. A weekend trip to Joshua Tree is always a must, and I love staying at the Dakota House in Pioneertown. You can hang out with friends, cook and just relax under the stars, who can ask for more?

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My brother Rob. I’ve always joked that he got all the brains of the family and I all the creative talent. But it’s true. I’ve always looked up to him and go to him for advice personal and professional. He’s been my rock through the years, even when he’s not physically around, I know I can reach out to him and he would be there for me and that means more to me than anything in the world.

Website: www.artisanalstudios.com, www.lebarmarche.com
Instagram: @hlfemme, @artisanalstudios.com, @lebarmarche.com
Linkedin: Helena Lau

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