Bavlnka brand is a lifestyle brand of clothing, accessories, and home decor designed and crafted by Laura Bavlnka in Milwaukee, WI. Laura has a love of natural fibers and one-of-a kind textiles. As strongly featured in her clothing line Laura dyes, paints, and embroiders her materials and then turns them into wearables and special wall art pieces. Her favorite technique right now is called Shibori. The traditional Japanese shibori technique is the process of folding and wrapping the fabric and then applying removing color. You never really know what it’s going to look like and that is what Laura loves most about the process. Bavlnka Brand is designed for the free spirited, socially conscious woman who intends for clothing to not only tell a story of who she is but also where her clothing has come from.
Laura received her Bachelor’s Degree of Art in Apparel Product Development at Mount Mary University in 2014. Throughout her studies Laura had the absolute pleasure of learning and practicing at the Rhode Island School of Design and Paris American Academy. Upon graduating college. She started her career at Kohl’s Corporate, designing girls’ clothing for the brand Jumping Beans. In June of 2017, despite being terrified, Laura left her job at Kohl’s to pursue her passions head on. And thus, Bavlnka Brand was born.
Currently Laura is working full time as a master barista at Stone Creek Coffee while she builds Bavlnka Brand. Laura is a featured artist at LOCALmke in Milwaukee’s third ward, selling her hand dyed silk scarves and silk wall hangings. Over the years Laura has accomplished custom bridal gowns and countless alterations for brides, bridesmaids, and business women. She loves working one on one with a client to help make their wardrobe dreams a reality, whether it be to make their favorite pair of pants fit again, or to create from scratch a one of a kind piece for that special event. Looking forward to January 2019, Bavlnka Brand will move out of Laura’s home and into its own studio space and showroom in the Uptown Crossing Neighborhood in Milwaukee.
Click here for the archive of Milwaukee Fashion Initiative Member Spotlights.