Wow, I can't believe it has been a year since we launched LES Collection. I can remember that mid-September day so vividly; I can still feel the excitement and nerves. We had just hit 10k on IG, which felt like such a big deal. Our Instagram direct sales over the summer had been good, but I was worried no one would shop through the website. Instead, sales on launch day were staggering. 

I COULDN'T BELIEVE HOW MANY PEOPLE CHOSE TO SUPPORT LES COLLECTION AND OUR ARTISTS. IT WAS OVERWHELMING, TOUCHING, EXCITING, AND A LITTLE SCARY.

(Left) Work by Kirsten Perry, Evamarie Pappas, and vintage. (Middle) Work by Kirsten Perry and De La Jardin. (Right) Work by Keavy Murphree, Eileen Braun, and Kirsten Perry. Photography throughout by James Smolka

We have seen many highs and lows over the last year. Our launch was a massive success in my eyes, but I didn't know what would come next. After those first few days, sales began to decrease, and we often went days without a purchase until a new launch, when they would spike again. Although sales have become much more regular, we still have those lulls that leave me wondering if we will make it. 

Vintage, Photography by Eve Singer of BROYT

"LES COLLECTION WAS DREAMED UP AS A PLACE TO FIND UNIQUE AND ONE-OF-A-KIND ART AND DESIGN. AS A DIGITAL HOME FOR OUR ARTISTS AND A PLATFORM TO TELL THEIR STORIES"

I am not insecure, but as an entrepreneur, it is hard to stop those doubts from creeping in and keeping me up at night. I sincerely believe in our brand, team, and artists. The pressure of that can weigh on me, but it also fuels me to go deep, work hard, be creative, and continue to iterate on a concept I dreamed up early in the pandemic. 

I STARTED LES COLLECTION AT THE WRONG TIME. LOOKING BACK, I MUST HAVE BEEN NUTS.

The pandemic was raging, I had a newborn baby and a toddler, and I was not adjusting well to life with two kids AT ALL. I was overwhelmed, out of my depth, lacking the skills to cope, and probably struggling with postpartum depression. Nevertheless, I did start LES Collection, and I have to admit I did a pretty good job.

(Left) Work by Talia James and vintage, (Right) Work by Evamarie Pappas and Gary Oglander, Photography by Natalie Black

Not to say I didn't make mistakes. I made some BIG mistakes, some expensive mistakes, some silly mistakes. But a mistake is only a problem if you don't learn, and learn I did, quickly. Looking back, it is staggering how much I have learned. How to operate a website, shoot products, build a team, create a customer service infrastructure, and get a magazine published; I had zero experience in any of these areas before starting LES Collection. I have found that learning is the most rewarding aspect of this job, which is good because I have so much left to learn. 

(Left) Collage by Kristin Yezza, Photography by Kelley Shaffer. (Middle) Vase by Nathalee Paolinelli, Floral design by Love Me Not Floral. (Right) Wall art by Susan Maddux, Photography by Max Burkhalter

LES COLLECTION WAS DREAMED UP AS A PLACE TO FIND UNIQUE AND ONE-OF-A-KIND ART AND DESIGN. AS A DIGITAL HOME FOR OUR ARTISTS AND A PLATFORM TO TELL THEIR STORIES. MORE THAN A SHOP AND NOT JUST A GALLERY LES COLLECTION IS A PLACE TO FIND THOSE FINISHING TOUCHES. THE PIECES OF ART AND DÉCOR THAT MAKE YOU FEEL DEEPLY AND SET YOUR HOME APART.

Work by Gianfranco Briceño and vintage, Photography by Eve Singer of BROYT 

With our content, we aim to help our community look at the home differently. Not just as a place to fill with furniture and "things." But as a place to build an intentional and thoughtful collection of beautiful objects that fill you with joy. That is my "why." 

WE URGE YOU TO THINK ABOUT SHOPPING FOR YOUR HOME AS A WAY TO FOSTER THAT JOY WHILE SUPPORTING ARTISTS AND MAKERS WHO PUT UNBELIEVABLE AMOUNTS OF LOVE AND CARE INTO THEIR WORK.

(Left) Work by Aleksandra Krasnopolska. (Right) Work by Sarah Mijares Fick.

This is the spirit of LES Collection, the lofty goal that makes all of the late nights and stress worthwhile. I can't tell you exactly where we will go in the future. I believe that as a start-up, we must remain nimble, flexible, and able to pivot. But as we navigate our future's windy paths, I plan to always keep my "why" in mind. 

To our community, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. LES Collection is, at its core, a labor of love. Love for our artists, love for beautiful art, love for history, and love for our community. I can't wait to discover what is in store for us this year.   xoxo Lauren

Lauren holding Necklace Neck by Kirsten Perry, photography by Lacie Hansen

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Top image features work by Eileen Braun and Evamarie Pappas, Photography by James Smolka