Where are they now? Lulu LaFortune

Lulu LaFortune, a Niwot High School graduate, is conquering the world of design by making a name for herself as a furniture, textile, and interior designer in Los Angeles with her company "Lulu LaFortune Limited" brand.

LaFortune graduated from Niwot High School in 2014, and went to the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Furniture Design and Manufacturing, as well as minors in Textile Design and Interior Design. Though she initially focused on textiles and fashion, she transitioned into interior design, especially furniture design. Her fashion influence can still be seen in her stylish decor pieces.

LaFortune started designing under Kelly Wearstler and brought the stunning Santa Monica Proper Hotel to life. She then worked with James Perse before starting her own business in Los Angeles, which has grown into a successful company. Her designs blend art and furniture into beautiful and functional furnishings such as lamps, couches, and decoration. She believes furniture and furnishing should reflect her client's vision and lifestyle and should all be heirloom-worthy.

As a young and tech savvy person, LaFortune has built a rather large online presence on various social media platforms, particularly TikTok, where she posts videos about her life in L.A. and her recent projects. Some of her biggest videos have gotten over 44,000 views and several thousands of "likes." She is very open about her process, not just in designing furniture, but also in building a business and making a name for herself. She often posts videos where she responds to comments and questions from her followers.

LaFortune's presence isn't just felt in the online world, however. Her work has been featured in "Vogue," "The Times," and "Veranda." Recently, she was featured in the October edition of "Homes & Gardens," where she was featured as a "rising star," and a "name to know."

She has released three collections since she started her business in 2020 during Covid, and has recently expanded into interiors and lighting. Even with her success in breaking into the world of design, which can be particularly cutthroat and suffocating in big cities like L.A., her newsletters and updates remain very humble and down-to-earth. She's definitely a designer to keep an eye on as she rises in the design world.