A Conversation with Designer Laura May Gibbs
Laura May Gibbs, the founder and creative director of Nagnata, is known for her unique approach to fashion. Her style is a blend of masculine and feminine elements, always emphasizing ease of movement and mixing vintage and new designs. This balance reflects her creative vision and personal journey in the world of fashion.
The Oldest and Most Recent Items in Her Wardrobe
When it comes to the oldest items in her wardrobe, Laura has some nostalgic pieces. She recalls a couple of hot-pink slip dresses that were worn by backup dancers in a Kylie Minogue film clip her father worked on in the ’90s. As a child, she would dress up in them, showcasing her early fascination with fashion.
On the other end of the spectrum, the most recent addition to her collection includes iconic second-hand designer pieces from Tokyo. These items form part of her day-to-day uniform, including a blue Prada cross-body bag, a Comme des Garçons blazer, Chanel scarves, and a Dior men’s shirt. Each piece represents her evolving style and appreciation for both vintage and contemporary design.
Outfits for Different Occasions
Laura shared what she would wear in various scenarios. For a first date, she humorously notes that there are no more first dates for her. However, the night she met her partner, she was wearing a see-through silver lace Coperni dress that left nothing to the imagination. Since then, they have been together.
For travel, her go-to outfit is the Nagnata travel uniform: “Romeo” track pants, “Highlighter” tee, and “Sonny” sweater paired with Acne Studios sneakers. On the red carpet, she dreams of wearing an archival corseted piece by Vivienne Westwood, highlighting her admiration for the designer’s boldness.
Fashion Inspirations and Preferences
Laura’s favorite fashion era is the 1990s, a time marked by fierce creative energy and stripped-back refinement. She admires the clash of these elements and how they shaped the fashion landscape.
Her favorite designers include Martin Margiela for his conceptual approach, Vivienne Westwood for her activism, and Martine Rose and Grace Wales Bonner for their fresh and bold work. These influences reflect her diverse taste and commitment to innovation in fashion.
Personal Style and Accessories
Laura’s fragrance of choice is Ayu “Souq” scented oil, which adds a unique touch to her daily routine. The three essential items in her wardrobe are vintage men’s suit pants sourced in Italy, Eckhaus Latta knitwear, and Nagnata “R2E” denim. These pieces highlight her appreciation for quality and sustainability.
She also has a few go-to jewelry pieces, including an Agmes chunky silver ring and a Holly Ryan gold “Wabi Sabi” ring. These accessories add a personal flair to her outfits.
Childhood Memories and Fashion Moments
Laura recalls her childhood as a dancer, often dressed in bodysuits, tights, mini shorts, and leg warmers. Her favorite time of year was visiting Bloch to buy new dance outfits. Her first fashion moment came at the age of 10 when she started designing costumes for dance performances, such as a theme based on The Lion King.
Her worst fashion mistake was wearing a tiara to her year 10 formal, a memory that still makes her cringe. Despite this, she remains open to all styles and has never worn a Croc.
Current Trends and Future Goals
Laura appreciates the current trend of shifting towards natural and renewable fibers in sportswear. She notes that while this shift is now trendy, her brand, Nagnata, has been advocating for sustainable practices for over a decade.
When it comes to sleepwear, she prefers shorts and a bralette made from natural fibers. Her go-to shoes include Prada slides, Miu Miu slides, and “Blackout” sneakers by Puraai, a sustainable Italian brand.
Fashion Icons and Daily Wear
Growing up, her fashion icons included Christy Turlington for her understated style, Patti Smith for her rock ‘n’ roll sensibility, and Kate Moss during her festival era. Now, she looks to admire other women’s styles daily rather than relying on muses.
On a typical working day, she wears vintage denim, a men’s button-up shirt, and a knit. For a casual Sunday look, she enjoys being at the beach in a bikini and sarong.
