In honor of Women's History Month, we’re launching our Savvy Sleepers lifestyle blog interview series, highlighting women in all different industries and their journeys. Today, we’re excited to feature Lauren Kurfirst, Associate Social Media Manager at Banana Republic, to share her insights, experiences in the industry, and her latest with the crew of The White Lotus Season 3.
Lauren & coworkers creating content for Banana Republic
A growing number of Gen Z and Gen Alpha are setting their sights on careers in social media, with many aspiring to become content creators, or YouTube stars. Traditional career paths seem to be taking a backseat as younger generations prioritize creative freedom, digital entrepreneurship, and the ability to build their own brands online. Yet, how realistic is it? How can someone work in both social media and the corporate world? You'll find out today.
Lauren Kurfirst has built an impressive career in this space, starting with her time at UC Santa Barbara, where she laid the foundation for her future in the industry. Her keen eye for style and a deep understanding of branding has led her to her current success at Banana Republic. Ready? Let's meet Lauren.
Lauren at a Banana Republic corporate event in Sea Ranch, CA
Savvy Sleepers: Hi Lauren! To start, can you tell us a little about your journey into the social media industry?
Lauren: "Prior to working in social media, I worked my first job post-college at Gap Inc.'s photo studio, where I assisted with the sample photoshoot process. I made sure all samples were getting photographed for the online websites (Banana Republic, Banana Republic Factory, and Gap Factory). While I loved working in the fashion space, I longed to do something a bit more creative. It was here that I made many connections with photographers and art directors, which was the key to entering the social realm. A coworker of mine knew I was interested in transitioning to marketing within Gap Inc. and referred me to my first job in social media as a community manager. I have now been on the social team for Banana Republic for three years and am currently the Associate Social Media Manager for the brand."
Lauren makes frequent trips to LA for photoshoots and was able to be part of the Banana Republic home collection launch in 2023
Savvy Sleepers: What advice would you give to those looking to break into social media as a career?
Lauren: "One tip I have for those seeking to work in social media would be to start creating your own content within your personal life. This will help you build a portfolio, test social trends, and start figuring out your own style when it comes to social. Learning your creative style is an important aspect of the job and will set you apart from others. Another general tip would be to always foster meaningful connections. This is key for any job in fashion but also particularly helpful in the influencer marketing space."
Lauren's behind the scenes styling with Patrick Schwarzenegger
Savvy Sleepers: Social media is such a fast-moving industry. Can you tell us about any exciting projects you’re currently working on?
Lauren: "I am so excited to share Banana Republic's newest collaboration with HBO's The White Lotus. This is a limited edition collection that dropped today and can be shopped online and in select stores. I was able to work with Patrick Schwarzenegger and Nicholas Duvernay of The White Lotus Season 3 and created some amazing content with them in the new collection that can be found on Instagram and TikTok @bananarepublic." (Where you can see Lauren's posts too!)
Lauren's photoshoot of The White Lotus actor Nicholas Duvernay in LA
Savvy Sleepers: That sounds like an incredible project, we've been watching Season 3 too! Social media is always evolving—how do you balance staying ahead of trends while managing day-to-day content?
Lauren: "I am always working ahead as a social media manager but also try to stay very grounded, with social trends becoming such a big part of marketing nowadays. I try to work two weeks ahead in calendar planning so that when we need to pivot to address a social trend, we have a general framework for the rest of the content for the month."
Savvy Sleepers: Thank you again, Lauren, for sharing your journey and expertise with us. Stay tuned for more inspiring interviews on the Savvy Sleepers lifestyle blog and check out the The White Lotus x Banana Republic Collection here!
