LAUREN WALKER FOUNDER/CHIEF PRODUCT OFFICER – Kendall Conrad

aficionada

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a woman who is very knowledgeable about an activity, subject, or pastime. a connoisseur, expert, specialist, cognoscente, an enthusiast.


LAUREN WALKER FOUNDER/CHIEF PRODUCT OFFICER

Lauren wears the ROCK I RING and ORIGINAL STACKING RINGS with the PAZ WRIST WRAP and DISCO SNAKE CHAIN ANKLET.
Lauren Walker is the founder of LA-based cashmere company, ParrishLA. With an emphasis on ease and comfort, Lauren's keen eye for detail and innate understanding for how people want to dress combine in her line of elevated yet accessible cashmere essentials. With modern cuts and flattering shapes, ParrishLA makes cashmere an everyday luxury. A fashion industry veteran, Walker grew up in New England and moved to California where she helped launch brands such as Splendid, James Perse, Yaya/Yael Aflalo, and Brochu Walker. With ParrishLA, she works with Rachel Zoe to create cashmere staples that are meant to feel as warm and comforting as a loved one's hug. The pieces are classic, versatile, and designed to be lived in, not to mention unbelievably soft. She believes everyone should have access to a fully rounded cashmere wardrobe, and with ParrishLA, there's something for every scenario. Subtle nostalgic details, like its signature red string on the back of each piece, make the designs feel thoughtful and personal. Inspired by her mother, family is very much at the heart of everything Lauren does. Lauren has been a passionate KC customer from the beginning, and we are thrilled to be able to announce an upcoming collaboration between KC and ParrishLA. Stay tuned for more details! For now, read on to learn more about ParrishLA, Lauren, and her journey as a fashion industry entrepreneur. 

 

PHOTOS Kendall Conrad
EDITOR Sofia Florimbi
 
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Where are you from and where do you live now?

I'm from Massachusetts. I was born in Framingham and grew up in Medfield, both small towns right outside Boston. I currently live in Pacific Palisades, California. I love the view from my home, and the fact that I can walk my kids to school.

What do you do?

I am the founder and Chief Product Officer of the cashmere company ParrishLA.

Life goals?

Being a great mom, lover, friend, and having a successful business that I am proud of.

 

 

 

 

Lauren pairs the MIXED ROUNDED RING CHAIN LARIAT NECKLACE with the HEMISPHERE CUFF, GUADIX VI leather bracelet, CRESTA FUSION RING and ROCK II RING.

 

What do you like most about your work?

I appreciate the autonomy I have, the trust between me and my colleagues, the incredible people I get to work with, and the genuine excitement I have for what we're doing. 

Tell me about your journey to founding ParrishLA. 

The journey of my career is long. I grew up loving fashion. I took all kinds of jobs--big, small, corporate, wholesale, and retail--to gain a well-rounded education in the industry, knowing it would one day help lead me to owning and operating my own business. I worked to launch brands such as James Perse, Yaya, Splendid, Ella Moss, and Brochu Walker. I like to say I was “growing up contemporary.” It was a time in the fashion industry when these brands were the it brands. They were fashionable, attainable, and lead the charge in opening price points with an edge. I loved the process of building and creating brands, selling them and watching them grow brick by brick. With ParrishLA, I've been able to apply the different skills I've gained through all these experiences.

How did you come to work with Rachel Zoe, and what has that partnership been like?

I was referred by a friend to meet with Rachel and when we met, we just instantly liked and respected one another. It’s been an amazing experience working with such an incredible stylist, mom, entrepreneur, and friend. 

What is the inspiration behind ParrishLA and what do you look for in a cashmere sweater?

My mom has always been at the heart of the brand, but I also look to my friends, my children, cool women and men I see out and around, whatever’s missing in my closet.

"It’s about the details. The shape, the fit, the color, the softness, the price. Did I say details? It’s all about the details!"

 

Lauren wears the MIXED ROUNDED RING LARIAT NECKLACE in sterling silver. 

"Be kind, be thoughtful, no judgement or guilt...lead with love."

 

Lauren wears the GRANDE, HEMISPHERE and GYRO II RINGS in sterling silver. 

 

 

 

 

You have such pretty skin and hair. What is your regime?

Why thank you! I take a lot of vitamins (a lot) and exercise (a lot). I take Nutrafol Balance, vitamin C, D3, ashwagandha, and prenatal vitamins (no, not pregnant). My favorite workout is soul cycle...I am a die hard. I also love yoga, hiking, and Barry's Bootcamp. For skin I use retinol and a lot of serums and oils...I am slightly obsessed. I love Aquaphor. There's this new thing called slugging and it works! And I love Skin Better, U Beauty, Colleen Rothschild. I do peels, masks, ice rollers and eye masks daily! I realize that I am getting older, but I want to embrace my age at the same time, fight what I can and do my best to stay natural. Living in LA is hard with all the fillers/botox and doctors so readily available, but I try to do as little as I can. I want to look like me! I see Danielle Stark at Dr. Parsa's office...she helps.

 

 

Female hero and why?

My mom. She was so brave, beautiful and left us far too early and loved so fiercely. Also, JLO...she leads her life how she wants to and doesn't care what anyone thinks. I need that!

What is your style credo?

I believe in casual chic. I love heels and a dressed up-dressed down approach. Cool sweater (ParrishLA of course) or rocker tee with a blazer and vintage Levis, Gianvito Rossi heels, jewelry, minimal makeup, done.

Who is your style icon, and why?

Joan Didion. Kate Winslet, Lauren Hutton, Charlotte Rampling, Ali MacGraw, Rachel Zoe. Robert Redford, Steve McQueen, Miles Davis. All have great, effortless style and know to own a room. A little bit of everything mixed in, but mostly to me, showing themselves through the clothes.

How do you like to style Parrish's cashmere sweaters?

I like to layer them with anything--under blazers, over tees, with jeans or a skirt or with sweats lounging in front of the TV. I want to make a sweater for every occasion for everyone at any time. Period.

What is the most popular style?

The Courtney Vee.

 

Lauren wears the ROUNDED HOOPS and the ARTEMISA CUFF

 

What was your first KC piece?

The MAJA CUFF! I still wear it all the time.


Which pieces from the new collection do you want the most?

The ROUNDED HOOPS and the ROUNDED RING CHAIN NECKLACE.


What do you like best about KC?

The simplicity of the pieces, the cool factor, how it lines up perfectly with everything I like to wear daily. It's elegant, refined and oh so sexy.


What's next?

I won't say too much, but definitely the upcoming collaboration between Parrish and KC! Stay tuned!

 

 

 


www.parrishla.com
@theparrishla