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For Love & Lemons Walks Us Through Their Dreamy LA Studio

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Photos by Elizabeth Daniels


Best friends and For Love & Lemons founders, Gillian Mahin and Laura Hall, met when they were 12 in their History class in Wyoming and have been inseparable ever since. After high school, Mahin attended FIDM in Los Angeles and Hall moved to Colorado for business school. Both ended up in Australia for internships with Bec & Bridge and One Teaspoon. Needless to say, their resumes aren't too shabby.

The girls moved back to Jackson Hole after their internships were completed and worked as waitresses while they saved money to start their line, eventually moving to LA. For Love & Lemons, and their ultra-hot SKIVVIES line has been a hit among celebs and bloggers, recently appearing on style icon Erin Wasson's Harper's Bazaar cover. Known for fun silhouettes and sexy fabrics, the Lemons girl is confident, creative and "likes to go against the grain," according to Mahin. As for what's next for the brand, For Love & Lemons is launching a knitwear collection next fall and other than that, "We like to keep it a surprise."

When did you decide to do a line together?
"After living in Australia we moved back to Jackson Hole and were making patterns and sewing samples after work. When we completed enough pieces we had a 'fashion show' in the ski bar where we worked. Surprisingly some photos from that reached a couple buyers who inquired about carrying the collection."

What's the meaning behind the name "For Love & Lemons"?
"We used to have lemonade stands so we joke that we have been in business since the lemon days. And we are best friends, so we also do it for the love!"

How did the line end up in Los Angeles?
"We couldn't avoid it! We produce 50% of our garments in Downtown LA and that requires us to be in LA 24/7 so we don't miss anything. We love LA, it's a great place to be when you have a fashion line."

Tell us about your design process.
"It changes every season! Sometimes we start with a fabric we absolutely love and then base the vibe of the collection around that. Or we will visit a place and will design our collection around the culture, colors, and style of that place! But the design process always starts with fabrics, a theme, and a color story. Then we start sketching, draping, patterning, and sewing in our studio."

You recently introduced mega-sexy intimates into the brand. What sparked that?
"Our clothing is mostly sheer with low armholes, low back, low front, etc, so we wanted to create undergarments to pair with these pieces, Undergarments that are meant to be shown and don't look tacky hanging out of your clothes."

Describe your personal styles.
Laura: "I am more of a basics girl. I love to wear high waist jeans with a SKIVVIES bodysuit and a leather jacket over it."
Gillian: "I have much more of an eclectic style, I love to mix and match prints and textures. But I usually don't have time to get ready in the morning to my full potential so I resort to little baby doll floral dresses and boots."

How do you unwind after a stressful day?
"We both have pups that we bring to the office everyday so sometimes we will leave work a little early and take them on a hike in Griffith Park. Other times will go across the street to Bestia and have a glass of wine and apps."

You've gotten some great celebrity press. Anyone in particular you love seeing in the brand?
"Everyone! It would be impossible to narrow down any girls cause they are all such babes! But we do get overly excited when Amber Heard wears our pieces; we have the biggest girl crushes on her!"
· For Love & Lemons [Official Site]
· Inside Johnny Depp-Favorite Sandast's DTLA Showroom [Racked]
· AGAIN's Adorable DTLA Studio is Retro-Heavy, Dog-Friendly [Racked]
· For Love & Lemons' New Skivvies are Lacy, Racy and Crazy-Hot [Racked]