Lauren Carlson – Memphis Flyer

I’m so thankful to have worked on the cover feature story and fashion spread this week. To follow the spirit of many of the style sessions I’ve posted here, the spring fashion spread shows fashion through the portrait of a person and their true style. Twenty-something Memphian Leah-Claire Friddle Grawemeyer portrays herself in familiar and favorite places in Memphis, the places she grew up in. Here, we learn more about Leah with additional images to supplement the original spread.

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Leah and her family are no strangers to the world of fashion. In 2011, her family opened a few boutiques on South Main – Everleahs and Sir Samuels next to their restaurant Grawemeyers, which has now become South Main Sushi. The two boutiques have since transformed as well into a vintage store called Broken Arrow run by Leah’s sister Olivia Friddle. Growing up in the boutique business along with traveling to fashion meccas such as Paris, Milan, and Rome has broadened Leah’s style.

“I’ve seen so many different styles. I always remember them and their influences. Anyone from Brigitte Bardot to Cara Delevigne to Elizabeth Taylor are my influences. I always find something about each style that I like. Whether it’s a scarf or even their lipstick. Body language and confidence is all about style too. The way you present yourself is major. ‘Perception is reality,’” she says.

As far as her personal style favorites for spring, Leah talks tassels, leather, and looking naturally beautiful.

“One of my favorite things I’ve been seeing is wrap-around sandals with tassels. I always love a good western influence too. Modesty is back in. Mid length skirts with booties, half turtleneck shirts, and long sleeve chiffon tops. You don’t have to show a lot of skin to be sexy, but exposing your wrist and ankles are always good. Good leather bags are always a good staple and investment piece. Look for local leather makers and spend a little extra for one. I love lots and lots of rings. Put one on every finger and own it. Natural hair and makeup is always beautiful. Especially when you add a simple red lip. For spring, let your eyebrows go wild and bold. It’s a defining feature of your face and dark eyebrows are always slimming.”

Leah is an artist, musician, and student now working with the Lansky family in their various clothing store locations. With her love for music and recent focus on the banjo, Leah also volunteers her time at the Blues Foundation and Blues Hall of Fame.

“South Main is my community. My sense of belonging is here. Everyone knows everyone and that’s a great feeling,” Leah says.

Check out the issue on stands now and see the full outfit list with links below to the local shops and designers used in the feature.

Cover Photo at City & State
Shirt and Jeans – Lansky 126
Scarf – Local Designer Garner Blue, Stock & Belle

Rainy day with umbrella
Dress – Broken Arrow
Clutch – Lansky 126
Bracelet – Lesouque
Umbrella – American Apparel

Grand piano at South Main Sushi
Floral Dress – Stock & Belle
Cardigan – Lansky 126
Shoes (black pumps) – Lansky 126
Belt (Leather Tassel) – Lansky 126
Rings – Broken Arrow

At Broken Arrow
Graphic Top – Stock & Belle
Necklace – Local artist Nikkila Carroll, Stock & Belle
Jean skirt – Lansky 126
Bag – Lansky 126

On Stephanie
Shirt – Lansky 126
Jeans – Lansky 126

Under bridge at new mural in South Main
Shirt – local designer Tara Skelley of Dilettante Collection
Jeans – Lansky 126
Shoes (Brown strappy wedges) – Lansky 126
Purse – Broken Arrow

Blues Foundation Stairs
Top with Kimono Wrap – Stock & Belle
Shoes – Lansky 126
Scarf – Broken Arrow
Banjo – Model’s own

Blues Foundation Wall
Dress – 20twelve
Necklace – Lesouque
Shoes – Lansky 126
Kimono Top – Free People

Ernestine & Hazel’s upstairs
Top and Skirt – Stock & Belle
Necklaces – local designer Lauren Carlson of Question the Answer

Playing Pool at Ernestine & Hazel’s
Dress – Lansky 126
Hat – Model’s own

On Olivia
Dress – Stock & Belle

Bike and Flowers
Top – Broken Arrow
Skirt – Broken Arrow
Shoes – Lansky 126
Sunglasses – Lansky 126
Bag – Madewell
Bike – Midtown Bike

South Main intersection with trolley
Top (white fringe) – Lanky 126
Jeans – Lansky 126
Shoes (brown leather pumps) – Broken Arrow
Necklace – Lansky 126
Bag – City & State

Memphis artist Lauren Carlson began her jewelry line Question the Answer in 2011 exploring materiality and creating artistic adornments with incredible detail. Lauren began hand painting skull pendants she shaped from wood and detailed with ink. A statement piece, she calls the “sugar skull,” can be considered her signature design after catching the attention of many in the local fashion community.

The name Question the Answer is her nod to material exploration as a means to unveil new perspectives. Continuing to question the answer, she has produced various collections of wood and metal – intricate yet simple in form. Now Lauren is launching a new collection using gemstones that is meant to be minimal as well as versatile.

“The gemstone collection is very minimal; simple pastel stones are set without any type of ornamentation or pattern. I really love the versatility of this type of design; it works for so many different women,” she says.

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“I’m still learning different techniques and finding what works for me. Some of the methods I’m trying for the first time, so staying minimal is key. This collection is my first step towards the inclusion of gemstones. The next step will be to acquire a couple more tools to quicken the production process, thus allowing me to launch new designs.”

To keep acquiring new techniques, Lauren will be launching a crowd-funding campaign in late August to add these new tools to her studio.

“Within the campaign I will be completing the evolution of my original design, the sugar skull, by casting it in metal. The sugar skulls represent the idea of inanimate desire and frivolity, in which sparked my journey into jewelry making. I am so excited to come full circle and to see how this design has changed over the years.“

Memphis is Lauren’s home. She’s surrounded by most of her family — being here is comforting. “It is my constant,” she says. Her Midtown studio is within her neighborhood and is in a building she shares with other artists.

“My Memphis consists of a tightly knit and incredibly encouraging creative community. I love seeing other artists thrive here and it helps me to know that the life I’m trying to make is possible. It’s really affordable to live here and that’s incredibly beneficial to me, start-ups cost money, and in the beginning it’s really nice to know you can at least have your rent paid.”

Seeing the style of her jewelry, it would be fair to assume that it relates to her own personal style, which she describes as functional and simplistic. Her clothing is almost the stage where jewelry can shine. “When I’m dressing up, I gravitate towards solid colors to show off my jewelry — that way I can layer lots of pieces without looking too loud or overdone.”

“I love the basics; most of my closet is filled with neutral colored tees and high waist jeans. That’s not to say that I do not own extravagant pieces. I’m a New Years Eve baby, so I know the importance of breaking out that sequined mermaid skirt from time to time. Occasionally, a girl just needs to feel a bit luxurious,” she adds.

A place like Memphis has the natural ability to influence one’s personal style. “I’ve always been attracted to highly patterned pieces and bright hues, but I’ve just now found ways to balance those complexities. Memphis radiates a similar liveliness and I think that aspect of my style is deeply rooted to this city.”

You can order from her line on her website or at local shops such as City & State and Menage.

Outfit Details
Dress, Elizabeth Suzann, a Nashville-based designer / Sandals, Madewell Sightseer Slide Sandal / Jewelry, Question the Answer (“of course”) & heirloom pieces from her grandmother

Gem collection photos by Annabella Charles Photography and courtesy of Annabella Brandon and Lauren Carlson.

Crowd-funding Campaign Details
Find updates on her campaign on her website: www.questiontheanswer.com & follow along on her Instagram page: @questntheanswr