"ENDLESS BLOOM" ✷ Bandits Bandanas

With "Endless Bloom," Lauren showcases her irreverent yet playful style with a colorful, cyclical interpretation of Southwestern flora and fauna. The coyote, a ubiquitous symbol for the region, is highlighted in the design looking rather fertile, with a bouquet of flowers. In Lauren's words, "Although the Southwest appears barren to the naked eye, closer examination and knowledge reveal a hearty, thriving ecosystem. This strength and perseverance through particularly harsh conditions is a perfect analogy for the current state of womxn’s rights. The title “Endless Bloom” is a nod to the resilience of womxn and our ability for growth through adversity."

For this series and her design, it’s also especially important to Lauren to acknowledge this region’s past. In particular, the history of violence against and decimation of Indigenous people. "As a queer white woman, I recognize my privilege and I always want to be mindful and respectful of how I am taking up space. For my design in particular, I would be remiss to not include that the use of geometric patterning is reminiscent of motifs made by traditional Navajo weavers. It’s important to me to highlight this connection, because so often the influence of these cultures simply stolen without attribution or erased. Furthermore I acknowledge that I am living on Tonkawan, Comanche, and Lipan Apache land."