Welcome to Threadlines, our monthly blog dedicated to celebrating our passionate supporters who inspire our brand. This month, we’re shining the spotlight on none other than the effortlessly stylish and endlessly inspiring Laurel Yartz.
I first met Laurel in the summer of 2017, when she visited our boutique. In a memorable moment, she ended up ringing up her own purchase because my mom-our “sales girl du jour”-was still figuring out the iPad POS system. Since then, our relationship has flourished, and Laurel has become not only a dedicated customer and model but also a cherished friend.
Recently, we enjoyed a wonderful spring week together in Paris, where Laurel modeled much of her Mansawear collection at some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Despite her high-profile career, Laurel remains humble, generous and exudes quiet strength, grace -qualities that define her both personally and professionally.
As Chief Human Resources Officer at Lakeland Industries, a global leader in high-performance protective garments with close to $200 million in annual sales, Laurel is responsible for shaping the company’s people strategy and fostering a culture of growth, innovation, and excellence. With more than 30 years of experience in global HR leadership, she is known for her ability to align talent with organizational vision and drive meaningful transformation. Yet, she still found time to join me in Paris and showcase her signature Mansawear mashups-including a charming French-inspired look complete with berets.
Laurel’s dedication extends far beyond her professional life. In honor of her mother, she has been co-chair and an Executive with Heart for the American Heart Association Heart Ball and Heart Walk fundraisers, and serves on the boards of several community institutions. Her kindness is evident in the boards she serves and dedicates her time to.
And just like me, Laurel is the proud mother of one daughter, Annalise, who coxed for the Brighton High School crew team and is now heading off to college in Connecticut.
Here’s to Laurel—named after the Mountain Laurel flower and embodying all the quiet strength, grace, and presence of it. You’d never guess she’s a C-suite exec; her humility, generosity, and warmth says it all.
To see Laurel's favorite Mansawear styles, check out the Bicycle Skirts and other made-to-measure pieces at https://mansawear.com/collections/womens-bottoms/products/bicycle-skirts.
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