Laura Tanzer.
My first introduction to Laura Tanzer was as an attendee of F.A.B.R.I.C. November 2019 Runway Show.The show featured a variety of local fashion designers, each designer showing one piece.
Laura Tanzer’s piece was somehow tailored while still full of movement. Then I found out she was from Tucson, Arizona. I had to meet her! It is important to me (and fun) to meet local designers, hear their vision and what difference or uniqueness they bring to fashion so I can best relay that to my clients. This allows me to provide my clients with more options so they can really dive into their own unique, personal style. One aspect of Laura’s designs is her knowledge and awareness of body shape and how this affects the way clothes drape on the body. These elements are important in her designs. My friend, Karen, and I had a great time talking with Laura (in 2019), trying on (and possibly buying) a few of her pieces. Her Frammenti, which are created from fabric leftover from her other designs, have such unique shapes and look all together different when on the body. Laura also creates fabric prints using her photography. She then engineers clothing with this fabric. There are many reasons to like Laura Tanzer’s designs, like how she believes in and is highly educated in sustainability or her extensive experience in the fashion world from here to New York and beyond. I will leave it to her words to explain more about what she does. Bonus: if you are local she offers sewing classes from the Novice to the Advanced.
What is your name, business and what do you create?
I am Laura Tanzer, I am a clothing engineer, I create clothing.I also teach various skills associated with clothing and accessories, such as sewing, pattern making, draping, embellishment, etc. 
Tell us about your background, experience, education, motivation and mission.
I was born an artist and learned to sew at a very young age. I went to art and design school in NYC-Parsons, then Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). I worked in the garment center in NYC, for various companies to gain experience from mass market to designer brands. I then went back to school at NYU to study business, graduating with both a BS and an MBA.
My motivation to create comes from all things beautiful.
What is your design Focus? Why? How do you create (methods, materials etc.)
My focus combines wearable art, easy to wear and sustainable sourcing and production. Why? Because I need to create, the human body is my palette, and I do not want to despoil the planet with my art. I want to utilize sustainable inputs and create long lasting outputs, with a minimal amount of waste during the process. I utilize dead stock and remnants-leftover textiles and trims, buttons, etc. Many are vintage. I make my own patterns, cut my own textiles, and sew my garments. (**Editor’s note: I have seen her designs from Vintage Fabrics, they are brilliant, wearable pieces with such ingenuity.)
What is one big lesson you have learned in your years as a Designer?
I have learned that everyone needs help, you can’t do it all alone. Finding the right help though, is a challenge.
What, in your opinion, is the difference between Fashion and Style?
Fashion comes and goes, is transient. Style lasts. (**Editor’s note: spot on, couldn’t agree more)
Do you have a favorite Designer?
My favorites Designers are all dead: Geoffrey Beene, Coco Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent are just a few.
Love it! Thank you Laura for taking time to tell us more about you. You can find Laura Tanzer’s Designs here or find her in Tucson at a her store. (located at 410 N. Toole Ave. Tucson, AZ 85701)
