QUILT COLLAB: SHAPEAU

You spotted them the second we sneak peeked the Nu Patriot collection and they sold out almost immediately once we launched it, pretty much day one, and there is no question as to why. The one-of-a-kind quilt creations – the draped coats and dramatic maxi skirts – were hands down the most coveted pieces of this collection, part of a collaboration we did with a company called SHAPEAU.

The garments speak for themselves in terms of being awe-inspiring, and we’d be enamored on that merit alone, but wait until you hear the story behind them and their maker. Dr. Lauren Shapiro, the founder of SHAPEAU, is an emergency room physician by trade, who’s been collecting vintage quilts for years, taught herself to sew, and began making these unbelievable pieces as a creative outlet. As the endeavor has grown, she’s been able to bring her mom and sister into the operations which adds an extra layer of joy for Lauren.

Despite her very busy life, she granted us a Q&A to give us some insight into her background and the origin story of SHAPEAU.

DDR: First of all, tell us a little bit about you – your origin story, if you will.

LS: My story is a bit unconventional for fashion. I'm an emergency physician by training, but I've always been drawn to creativity, craftsmanship, and finding beauty in unexpected places. During a particularly demanding period of my medical career, I found myself looking for a creative outlet and discovered sewing. What started as a hobby quickly became a passion. I fell in love with vintage textiles and the stories they carry. Every quilt represents someone's history, memories, and artistry. I began transforming heirloom quilts into wearable pieces, and before long, friends, family, and strangers were asking where they could find one. That spark eventually became SHAPEAU, a brand dedicated to preserving beautiful textiles while creating one-of-a-kind pieces that feel both timeless and modern.

DDR: From an ER physician to creating custom quilt coats -- how did that come about?

LS: People often think medicine and fashion are completely unrelated, but for me they both begin with caring for people and honoring their stories. As an ER physician, I have spent years in a fast-paced environment making critical decisions and helping people through some of the most important moments of their lives. Sewing became my creative counterbalance. It was a way to slow down and create. Long before SHAPEAU existed, I was collecting antiques, vintage textiles, and handmade items. That appreciation was instilled in me from a very young age by my mother, who inherited it from her mother. My grandmother passed away when my mom was in her twenties, but her love of antiques was passed down through generations. In many ways, collecting and appreciating handmade goods was part of my upbringing. With quilts, I became fascinated by the stories stitched into each piece and the extraordinary craftsmanship behind them. What started as a personal creative project evolved into something much larger when people began asking to buy the pieces I was making. I realized I wasn't just creating clothing, but I was preserving heirlooms and giving them a new life. SHAPEAU grew organically from that idea and from my belief that the most meaningful pieces are the ones that carry a history while continuing to tell a new story.

DDR: And are you still a practicing physician?

LS: Yes, I still practice medicine full time! Balancing both careers can be challenging, but they fulfill different parts of who I am. Medicine keeps me grounded and connected to people during some of their most vulnerable moments, while SHAPEAU allows me to create and innovate. Surprisingly, the two worlds complement each other more than most people would expect.

DDR: You mention that you taught yourself to sew. Did you have any mentors along the way, or did you just dive right in and figure it out?

LS: I was largely self-taught and learned through a lot of trial and error.

DDR: Do you design your own patterns as well?

LS: I didn't come from a fashion background, and I certainly never imagined I'd have a career in fashion. My education and professional training were entirely focused on medicine. That said, I've always loved fashion and have always had a strong sense of what I gravitate toward aesthetically. I may not have known how to draft a pattern, but I knew what I wanted to wear. As SHAPEAU evolved, I worked with an expert pattern maker to help bring my ideas to life. Together, we developed silhouettes that felt modern, effortless, and timeless while showcasing the beauty of the vintage quilts. I approach design from the perspective of a collector and a customer creating pieces that I genuinely want to wear and that I believe other women will love wearing as well!

DDR: Where do you source most of your quilts?

LS: Our quilts come from a variety of sources, including antique stores, vintage & antique shows, flea markets, estate sales, vintage textile collectors, and individuals who want to give cherished family quilts a new life. I spend a great deal of time sourcing pieces and each quilt is carefully selected. We approach every piece with respect for its story and the hands that originally made it.

DDR: It's kind of evolved into a family affair! Your mom and sister are in this endeavor with you now. Do you all create or does everyone have a different role within SHAPEAU?

LS: One of the greatest joys of SHAPEAU has been seeing it bring our family together. While I'm heavily involved in the design, product development, and overall creative vision, my mom and sister contribute their own talents and perspectives that help the business grow. My mom, besides being my partner in crime, has become our unofficial head of sales. She loves connecting with customers and sharing the SHAPEAU story with so much enthusiasm and passion. She's also my favorite person to go quilt hunting with—we make quite a team when it comes to sourcing special pieces. My sister is incredibly supportive, and I'm always grateful when I can convince her to step in front of the camera and model for me. When she's not helping with SHAPEAU, she's in New York working as a full-time attorney, so I appreciate every moment she's able to be part of the journey. What started as my passion project has truly become a family affair, and that's one of the most meaningful parts of building this business.

DDR: What was your experience like collaborating with Double D Ranch?

LS: Collaborating with Double D Ranch was an incredible honor. It was so exciting to see our quilted pieces interpreted through their iconic Western lens and to work alongside a team that values authenticity and artistry as much as we do. From the moment we met in Round Top, Texas, there was an immediate connection. As two family run businesses, we both value originality, craftsmanship, and relationships. It felt like a very natural partnership.

DDR: Do you have a particular favorite piece from the Nu Patriot collection?

LS: That's a difficult question because every piece has its own personality, but I'm especially drawn to the pieces that highlight the boldest quilt patterns and unexpected color combinations. I loved the how the Lady Liberty Quilted Maxi Skirt was styled with all of the vintage Americana pins! I love pieces that feel like wearable art, where you can instantly appreciate both the history of the textile and the new story it's telling!

DDR: And finally, the question we like to ask everyone -- do you have a mantra or life motto you like to live by?

LS: "Leave things better than you found them." That's true in medicine and in design. Whether it's helping a patient or preserving a treasured textile, that's a principle I try to live by.

If you weren’t able to snag one of the DDR x SHAPEAU pieces, you can shop some of her other pieces at ShopShapeau.com and follow her on Instagram at @shopshapeau!