New Threads, New Vision: Inside the TGR x LCO Collaboration

Laura Obermeyer is not just an artist; but a visionary who understands the raw, kinetic energy that defines the TGR world. A multidisciplinary creative with a deep love for the mountains, Laura has long worked with Teton Gravity Research on collaborative projects that blend art, adventure, and authenticity. Laura’s work is informed by winters spent on the road filming skiing, summers spent in the saddle, and a true passion for playing outside. We’ve teamed up with Laura to inject their love for ski culture into our newest line of graphic shirts, bringing in a new perspective to help us celebrate our thirtieth anniversary. As we gear up for the launch this week, we sat down to talk about Laura’s inspiration, process, and how they managed to design graphics that feel both rooted in tradition and refreshingly original.

Laura: I’m thoroughly inspired by the landscapes I have had the privilege of interacting with. Playing outside is an absolutely crucial part of my creative process, no matter what time of year. I try to avoid making things in alignment with a monoculture of ski media, but rather as honest reflections of the feelings I get from being on a pair of skis and wiggling down a hill, no matter the size of the mountain or the quality of snow. 

Laura: My muse, a grey mustang I got from the Forest Service this summer named Hanson, aptly nicknamed Handsome. He’s amazing, and training him has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve balanced a lifelong passion for working with horses with one of skiing, a good combination when it comes to calling Colorado home. Both are fantastic and therapeutic ways to engage with the land. 

Laura: When designing, I try to “design for designers”, if you will. I try to have my work be thoughtful in composition, energy  and language in a way that resonates with a broader audience than just the subject matter. The same goes for other mediums I work with- I want someone who has never clicked into a pair of skis to take interest in a film or graphic, not because of the skiing itself, but because it is visually interesting and engaging. 

Laura: This collection is calling upon the infancy of TGR. The 1990’s and early 2000’s were such a fantastic time for ski culture, a tipping point for what the sport could be. So many milestones of that time: Salomon 1080’s, icons like McConkey, ski blades, and the rise of pipe and park skiing. I wanted to use imagery directly from the archives, especially with the cycle of current fashion also touching heavily on this time period. (I’m looking at you, Oakley eye jacket wearing teens!)

For the long sleeve, I leaned on a grungier, hand drawn approach with the type. I also wanted to honor the Wyoming roots, incorporating hand drawn stitching from cowboy boots on the sleeves. I like that it can be interpreted as a DIY sketch book style, or an old Sturgis bike rally vibe. The short sleeve was made in similar process, an old photo of TGR co-founder Todd Jones behind the camera manipulated to put emphasis on the analog textures of the time. Think grain, raw film borders, and messy mark up notes on a roll of 16mm.

Laura: I’m currently working on a few street skiing videos that will be out in the coming months, which I spent last season on the road filming. It’s always nice to reach this point in the lifecycle of a film project, a time to really hone the creative tone. As my inspirations shift, so do my mediums, and I’m excited to continue exploring ways to make art- be that print making, clay, music, photography, etc. 

From the slopes of Jackson Hole to the studio, LCO continues to blur the lines between art, adventure, and authenticity — crafting work that’s deeply personal yet universally connected to the mountains we all love. Laura’s latest TGR collaboration celebrates that spirit. Keep an eye out for the new TGR x LCO tee line, dropping soon, and for whatever creative lines they draw next.