Lara Presber: From Architecture to Fashion

Calgary-based designer, Lara Presber has always had an interest in structure and fashion.  As a kid, she spent part of her leisure time helping her dad in the garage and the other half sewing with her mother.  The interest in structure eventually led her to architecture school sin Boston where she eventually obtained a  B. Arch.  After spending a few years in the field, she decided that it wasn’t for her and went off to fashion school Milan, where she graduated with a master’s degree.  Upon graduation, she remained in Italy and gained valuable experience while interning with Rosa Auito for Bruno Magli.

After her experience in Italy, Lara returned to Canada to launch her own line.  The first collection debuted at Downtown Calgary Fashion Week 2007, and publicity came quickly.  Since the launch, Lara has appeared in a variety of publications, including Sweetspot.ca, the National Post (where she was one of its “40 under 40″) and the Globe and Mail.

Lara’s line primarily targeting women in their late twenties to mid-forties with versatile outfits for the office, after work as well as weekends. She felt that there was a lack of clothing for the crucial age group – these women want something  more grown-up than many of the styles seen in media, but find the more mature styles too much like their mothers’ wardrobes.  Therefore, the looks have a very classical/timeless feel to them, yet elements of trendiness. 

When it comes to designing, Lara uses her background in architecture and approaches each piece as if they were buildings, with each piece designed for a ”sustained period of use.”   In addition, Lara’s pieces are all created in Canada, which minimizes shipping costs.  Curently the collection is available in stores across the country, with prices ranging between $125-700.  Lara will be opening a flagship store in Calgary this fall.