Head Games

Designer Lauren Machen tells us about her innovative headwear line.

By Andrea Kasprzak
Published: May 26th, 2010 | 10:50am

Heel-less shoes, sunglasses made of cigarettes, defaced Birkin bags: Lady Gaga's over-the-top sartorial charades have more flavor than an everlasting gobstopper. Although she has easy access to pieces from the world's most renowned fashion houses, Gaga doesn't just restrict herself to looks from fashion power-players.

Meet designer Lauren Machen. The talented 24-year-old only spent a year in the biz before attracting the interest of the pint-sized fame monster. Back in November, Gaga posed in some of Machen's black crowns for her "Bad Romance" video and for the cover of the Bad Romance: The Remixes album. These crowns were Machen's very first pieces from her namesake label.

We chatted with the Los Angeles-based designer about musical inspirations, what's next, and the other petite performer she'd love to dress.

Venus Zine: Tell us a little bit about your line. What types of pieces do you create? Who is the girl you design for?

Lauren Machen: The majority of my pieces are commissioned by stylists and photographers for a specific musician, celebrity or concept. I also have archive pieces that are available for rent. Not all of my work is made-to-order I also design ready-to-wear pieces and collaborate with other designers and artists on a wide variety of projects.

VZ: How long have you been designing and styling, and how did you get started?

LM: I come from a science and fine art background, but I’ve always been interested in fashion. A year ago I came to L.A. with the goal of becoming a fashion stylist. Shortly after my arrival, a very close photographer friend of mine and I did a shoot. It was a narrative about a milliner. We had to build the whole entire set AND design all the hats—which I found to be way more enjoyable than styling the shoot! From there, I started making headpieces and accessories.

VZ: Where do you get your ideas and inspiration? Any current muses?

LM: My inspiration never comes from just one place. I get it from art, different cultures, nature, and a lot of the time it comes from the materials I find—if something has an interesting shape or texture I’ll build from that. Also, because the majority of my work is commissioned for a certain concept or person, I find inspiration in those realms as well.

VZ: How important is music to your overall design process? If you collection had a soundtrack, what would be on it?

LM: Music is incredibly important to me when I’m working because it encourages a natural design flow. I work best if my process is spontaneous and loose. If I’m designing for a specific musician, I’ll listen to her music to better understand her aesthetic. If my collection had a soundtrack, it’d be an eclectic mix including Prince, Nina Simone, Portishead, Syd Barrett, Al Green, Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails, Bjork, and Ace of Base.

VZ: Who else would you love to see wear your pieces?

LM: The one and only Prince.

VZ: What are some of your favorite fashion sources—online stores, sites, or designers?

LM: I always have a hard time choosing favorites, but of all things, I’d have to say the blog Twisted Lamb. It showcases A LOT of really unique work from really talented people.

View Lauren's work at MachenMachen.com and see her work in the fashion feature in our summer issue, on stands June 1.