Sydney Lauren

I’m an industrial designer with a focus on soft goods, sustainability, and creative problem-solving. My work often blends function with personality. I’m inspired by upcycled materials, vintage aesthetics, and a hands-on approach to making.

Through my design projects, I’ve explored trend research and concepting, pattern-making, rendering, and prototyping across a mix of product types. Some of my best projects include a sustainable mini collection, a family camping toiletry bag designed with Otterbox’s brand language, and a medical oxygen concentrator focused on usability and form. I work extensively in Illustrator to create tech packs and detailed line drawings, utilize Photoshop, Vizcom, and SolidWorks to bring ideas to life.

At Hillman Group, I worked on glove design concepts for a workman’s line. My main responsibility was form and overall aesthetics. I also participated in in-person research for other product initiatives, learning how to translate user insights into design direction. Working closely with other designers taught me more about collaboration and how each role shapes the final product.

Outside of university work, I run my own upcycling brand, Retrofit SLB, where I design and handcraft garments from secondhand materials, participate in pop-ups, and collaborate with other creators. I also took on a freelance design project, developing custom clothing tags and a brand reference guide. Balancing independent work, design projects, and collaborations continues to drive my creativity and build a strong foundation for my future in product and fashion design.

Young woman with short dark hair modeling her handmade, brown leather and blue denim patchwork leather jacket. The materials are recycled. She is wearing a khaki skirt and standing in front of a white brick wall.

RETROFIT SLB

Upcycle the world with me.

Retrofit SLB was created to reduce clothing waste through thoughtful design and creative reuse. I upcycle secondhand pieces into something new, from approachable methods like patchwork and airbrushing to fully reworked designs made from fabric scraps and original patterns. Each piece is made with intention, balancing creativity, craftsmanship, and sustainability.

Retrofit SLB comes to life through pop-ups, custom orders, and collaborations with other small businesses. I sell my work on Depop, at local markets, and in a small business store, connecting with people who value individuality and conscious design. At its core, Retrofit SLB is about bringing new energy and purpose to what already exists.

People are shopping at an outdoor sustainable/vintage clothing and accessories market stall with various clothes hanging on racks under a canopy. A woman is browsing the display, and other shoppers are nearby.
A woman walking across the stage to display my design dress. The lighting is dramatic, and the floor is the University of Kansas's mascot. You can see a few watchers in the background.
Model showing the handmade purse from recycled leather. She is sitting on the rocks at the beach in a white flowy skirt and red top.
Two models showing off upcycled panchos made from second-hand white doilies. They are standing on a beach with trees in the background.
A group of six young models posing to show off a new summer line of upcycles. They are standing on a tennis court with a viney fence in the background.
RETROFIT SLB INSTAGRAM
LINKED IN PROFILE

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