Check Out Lauren O’Bannon’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren O’Bannon

Lauren, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey with my label, Justin Christine, started 4 years ago. June of 2020. My journey with Written Remedy, my journal project surrounding mental health, began about a year later. Due to the pandemic, I was laid off from my job in Chicago. I then decided to move back home to Kansas City to be with my family for a bit. When I was moving my belongings into my childhood bedroom, I noticed a sewing machine on the floor of the closet, which happened to be my moms 30 year old machine. This soon became the machine I studied and practiced on until I bought a fully functioning machine.

As time went on I began to see and feel myself changing in many ways. Most importantly, I began to see how my life could change with this craft I had all of a sudden fallen in love with. So I started writing all of my progress down. I started noting all the challenges I had overcome. All for the purpose of being able to look back and acknowledge my growth. That’s how Written Remedy came to be. I had this newfound sense of ease, which is something I hadn’t felt in a long time and I didn’t want to forget that feeling. So I wrote it down. I’d say I never stopped writing since then.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Far from smooth. Divine? Yes. Easy? No. That’s what I love about the work I do. I wouldn’t be the artist I am if I hadn’t faced the challenges I’ve overcome. There’s so many places I can take both of my projects but I can only get there if I work hard. I love that.

I started out on my mom’s vintage sewing machine so it would malfunction every 10 stitches or so. I turned this into a way I could further my learning. I’d sew, stop, open up the machine, and work to fix the problem. It eventually began to malfunction in every way but before I bought a new machine, I made a point to know the ins and outs of the machine. This way, if something ever went wrong in the future, I knew how to fix it. Now if my machine malfunctions, I most likely know exactly what went wrong based off the noise it made when it malfunctioned.

I study, practice, study, practice, repeat. That’s my method. Study, practice, work hard, and the rest will follow. I’ve studied enough to know what technique or decision is best for my desired outcome. I’m self taught so I keep that mindset and energy throughout my journey. If one thing doesn’t work, I move on and try something different. There’s no rulebook. The process I choose just has to work for me so I can get the job done.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I split my time between two projects. Written Remedy, which is my journal project and Justin Christine, my fashion label. When it comes to Written Remedy, my advocacy extends to both children and adults. With this project, I’m able to push the conversation surrounding mental health, more importantly to me, in the black community. Writing has been a beautiful outlet for me and my hope is that my journals serve as a guide in someone’s journey. A portion of the proceeds from sales go to mental health resources in the Kansas City area. Then there’s Justin Christine, my fashion label. My journey with sewing began when I taught myself how to sew masks at the beginning of the pandemic. My whole life changed for the better when I became a designer. I pour so much of my creative energy into my label and I have the best time doing so. I’m really proud of where I’ve been able to take both of my projects.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I currently only design outerwear garments within my label, Justin Christine. It all started when the weather was getting cold and I wanted to sew jackets for the unhoused community in my city. The first piece of clothing I learned to sew was a jacket. I fell in love with the process and I just stuck with it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.justinchristinedesigns.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xlaurenchristine/ and https://www.instagram.com/written.remedy/
• Other: https://www.writtenremedy.co/