Profile: Laili Lau |
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About Laili Lau : aili Lau is a Brooklyn-based designer born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. With a multicultural background that blends Asian and Lebanese roots with her Latina identity, her work reflects a rich fusion of cultural storytelling and refined femininity. Since moving to New York in 2017, she has expanded from fashion and costume design into textile art. Through her brand, Laili Lau, she creates small-batch pieces using deadstock and recycled materials, each one a reflection of personal evolution, resilience, and mindful craftsmanship.
STATEMENT OF ART:The Zalea Jacket began without a specific purpose. It started during the early days of the pandemic, at a time filled with anxiety and uncertainty. I began stitching small panels by hand, simply as a way to feel grounded. It became a form of meditation—something that brought calm and presence during those trying times.
Over the course of four and a half years, I collected and saved fabric scraps from past work, personal collections, and costume jobs. Each piece carried its own story, and through this process, I gave them new life. The jacket slowly came together, guided not by a plan, but by intuition—following textures, colors, and emotions as they surfaced.
Completed in 2021, the Zalea Jacket is a one-of-a-kind piece, hand-sewn entirely from repurposed materials. Its voluminous silhouette and layered surfaces reflect a quiet strength and a deep connection to time, memory, and transformation. The name Zalea evokes warmth and protection—like a soft layer that shields the body and comforts the spirit.
ORGANIZATION:
Laimayi LLC
NON-DESIGN OCCUPATION:
Fashion designer Media, graphic, printing, culture, design
EDUCATION:
* Fashion Institute of Technology 2022 Patternmaking summer course
* Fashion Institute of Technology 2019 Color specialist Certificate
* Marangoni School Paris Fashion Design 2008
* Brivil Institute 2007 - 2003
EXPERIENCE:
My professional journey began in Caracas, Venezuela, where I graduated and worked for a renowned doctor before transitioning into the corporate world of design. I specialized in print pattern design for a prominent sleepwear brand and later moved into prêt-à-porter and bridal design at a distinguished fashion house. Following that, I established my own womenswear brand, focusing on casual and ready-to-wear collections. After relocating to New York City, I expanded my expertise, delving into costume design and craftsmanship for Broadway theater productions. I have also collaborated with notable fashion designers, independent costume designers, and dance companies, further refining my skills and creative expression
PRIVATE EXHIBITIONS:
* 2024 Material Flux Surface Design Association Fall Online Exhibition Albuquerque
New Mexico, NY United States
* 2024 Quinceanerx Textile Art center TAC Brooklyn, NY United States
* 2024 Asian American and pacific islander art exhibition gallery B612 Seattle United States
* 2023 Roots textile art exhibition celebrating 45 years TSGNY El Barrio Artspace PS109 NYC United States
* 2023 Postcards from the Edge a benefit of Visual AIDS Ortuzar Projects NYC United States
* 2022 Los nevados Greenpoint Gallery, Brooklyn, NY United States
* 2018 selected to be part of BKLYN Fashion Academy - Les Sapeurs - Brooklyn Public Library Brooklyn/ NY United States
* 2016 " Smile, everything will be fine" a benefit of Dr Yaso 7 el cubo Dr Yaso Galerias Sebucan, Caracas Venezuela
* 2016 Avila y sus piezas Galeria Sebucan Caracas Venezuela
MIXED EXHIBITIONS:
* 2024 Material Flux Surface Design Association Fall Online Exhibition Albuquerque
New Mexico, NY United States
* 2024 Quinceanerx Textile Art center TAC Brooklyn, NY United States
* 2024 Asian American and pacific islander art exhibition gallery B612 Seattle United States
* 2023 Roots textile art exhibition celebrating 45 years TSGNY El Barrio Artspace PS109 NYC United States
* 2023 Postcards from the Edge a benefit of Visual AIDS Ortuzar Projects NYC United States
* 2022 Los nevados Greenpoint Gallery, Brooklyn, NY United States
* 2018 selected to be part of BKLYN Fashion Academy - Les Sapeurs - Brooklyn Public Library Brooklyn/ NY United States
* 2016 " Smile, everything will be fine" a benefit of Dr Yaso 7 el cubo Dr Yaso Galerias Sebucan, Caracas Venezuela
* 2016 Avila y sus piezas Galeria Sebucan Caracas Venezuela
AWARDS:
2022 Zalea Jacket - Bronze award IDA Award LA California, United States
2022 Zalea Jacket Gold prize Muse Award Beijing China
2021 Obishaka Necklace IDA Award LA California, United States
PRESS APPEARANCES:
https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-features/gall
ery/laili-lau-rtw-fall-2012/laili-lau-rtw-fall-201
2-5792276-portrait/
https://www.vogue.mx/estilo-de-vida/articulo/disen
adora-venezolana-laili-lau-habla-de-los-cubrebocas
https://www.diariolasamericas.com/cultura/disenado
ra-laili-lau-apuesta-la-moda-sustentable-araya-n53
44594
https://nyunews.com/culture/bstyle/2022/09/19/impa
ct-explores-sustainability-nyfw/
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
spanish (native)
english ( internediate)
french ( beginner)
COMPUTER LITERACY:
Adobe, Illustrator, Indesign, Word
COURSES, SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS::
Color specialialist Certificate FITNYC
Bussiness Essentials Yellowbrick Parsons School of Design
Fashion Design Istituto Marangoni Paris
SYMPOSIUMS AND ACADEMIC CONFERENCES::
2025 Spaces Between exhibition - Zalea Jacket - Florida Craft Art organized by Surface Design Organization, Petersburg, FL - United States 2025 Gallery 37, online exhibition Winter edition 2025 - Marea Vest - TSGNY Manhattan, NY - United States
2025 Postcards from the Edge a benefit of Visual AIDS at Berry Campell gallery Manhattan, NY - United States
2024 Material Flux online exhibition - Los Nevados - Surface Design Organization, Alburquerque MN - United States
2024 Quinceanerx - Enredaderas - Textile Art Center TAC Brooklyn, NY, United States
2024 Asian American and pacific islander art exhibition gallery B612 Seattle WA United States.
2023 Roots Textile Art Exhibition - Los Nevados - celebrating 45 years TSGNY at El Barrio Artspace PS109 Manhattan, NY, United States. 2023 Postcards from the Edge a benefit of Visual AIDS Ortuzar Projects Gallery Manhattan, NY, United States.
2022 Los Nevados Greenpoint Gallery, Brooklyn, NYC, United States.
2022 The Zalea Jacket was featured as a Good Brand Award at Sublime Magazine - Sustainable Lifestyle Magazine London, United Kingdom. 2020 Featured and Selected for the Masque AID Project Auction Contribution a benefit of the Actor Funds, organized by the Costume Professional For Wage Equity (CPFWE) online edition Manhattan – NY United States.
2018 Selected to be part of BKLYN Fashion Academy Runway Mode a Coleur - Les Sapeurs - Brooklyn Public Library Brooklyn, NY, United States.
2016 " Smile, Everything Will Be Fine" Pillowcase Intervention & Charity auction a benefit of Dr Yaso 7 al Cubo Dr Yaso Caracas, Venezuela. 2016 Exhibition Avila Tropical with the artist Carolina Galia at Sebucan Gallery Caracas Venezuela.
MEMBERSHIPS & ASSOCIATIONS:
TSGNY
Surface Design Association
COLLECTIONS:
2025 Spaces Between exhibition - Zalea Jacket - Florida Craft Art organized by Surface Design Organization, Petersburg, FL - United States 2025 Gallery 37, online exhibition Winter edition 2025 - Marea Vest - TSGNY Manhattan, NY - United States
2025 Postcards from the Edge a benefit of Visual AIDS at Berry Campell gallery Manhattan, NY - United States
2024 Material Flux online exhibition - Los Nevados - Surface Design Organization, Alburquerque MN - United States
2024 Quinceanerx - Enredaderas - Textile Art Center TAC Brooklyn, NY, United States
2024 Asian American and pacific islander art exhibition gallery B612 Seattle WA United States.
2023 Roots Textile Art Exhibition - Los Nevados - celebrating 45 years TSGNY at El Barrio Artspace PS109 Manhattan, NY, United States. 2023 Postcards from the Edge a benefit of Visual AIDS Ortuzar Projects Gallery Manhattan, NY, United States.
2022 Los Nevados Greenpoint Gallery, Brooklyn, NYC, United States.
2022 The Zalea Jacket was featured as a Good Brand Award at Sublime Magazine - Sustainable Lifestyle Magazine London, United Kingdom. 2020 Featured and Selected for the Masque AID Project Auction Contribution a benefit of the Actor Funds, organized by the Costume Professional For Wage Equity (CPFWE) online edition Manhattan – NY United States.
2018 Selected to be part of BKLYN Fashion Academy Runway Mode a Coleur - Les Sapeurs - Brooklyn Public Library Brooklyn, NY, United States.
2016 " Smile, Everything Will Be Fine" Pillowcase Intervention & Charity auction a benefit of Dr Yaso 7 al Cubo Dr Yaso Caracas, Venezuela. 2016 Exhibition Avila Tropical with the artist Carolina Galia at Sebucan Gallery Caracas Venezuela.
JURY MEMBERSHIPS:
2024 Brooklyn Fashion Academy ( Sustainable accelerator) class 2024 Brooklyn Public Library Brooklyn, NYC, United State
HOBBIES:
running, sewing, reading, going out to museums, theater, movies, spend times with friends.
WEB SITE:
https://www.laililau.co/
PORTFOLIO URL:
https://lai-lai-portfolio.wixsite.com/lai-lai
RSS URL:
https://lai-lai-portfolio.wixsite.com/lai-lai
REGISTRATION DATE:
2023-07-24 01:50:11
COUNTRY/REGION:
United States of America
ACCOUNT TYPE:
Professional
Awards received by Laili Lau
| Zalea Artwear Handcrafted Jacket A' Design Award Winner for Fashion, Apparel and Garment Design Category in 2024 Laili Lau for Laili Lau |
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