In my experience, there’s a point in a fashion editor’s career when he/she decides if A) this was an exciting job while it lasted, a cool thing to tell grandchildren about or B) this is a career within an important industry on which he/she wants to make an impact. Those who belong to column A tend to be 20-somethings who love the editor lifestyle – getting to see the latest styles from the industry’s most buzz-worthy designers – but don’t necessarily have the chops to cut it in the long haul. Those who belong to column B are women like Marina Larroude.
Larroude is Market Director for Style.com, a role in which she covers designers, accessories, home and children’s markets. “I like to find the best in each category,” Larroude told me. “I love fashion, searching for the newest trends, finding the best and the newest products, meeting with designers and finding new talents.”
Future fashion editors, take note: This is your mentor, a woman with great depth, intelligence and passion for this industry. Let’s meet Marina.
Julie Bensman: How does a Market Director’s position at a digital property differ from someone who works at a print magazine?
Marina Larroude: It’s the Market Director’s responsibility to find the best fashion for the magazine. In digital, the staff is smaller, so it’s less of a managing job and more of a production/execution roll. When finding the best of fashion for a daily publishing media and not a monthly, there’s less time to wait and think about a story. It’s a faster pace.
JB: When is the last time you stopped and thought, “Now THIS is why I love my job”?
ML: I’m lucky enough to have that moment very often. I was seated next to Amy Astley at a dinner the other night and we were chatting about the industry. It was a very inspiring conversation about being an editor and a mom, social media, print magazines and so on… I feel lucky to be surrounded by inspiring people on a daily basis. The access that one has being a fashion editor — I could take it for granted, or I could appreciate the little things — and I always choose the latter.
JB: You grew up in Brazil and seem to have a very worldly sense of style. What are some of your favorite pieces collected from your travels?
ML: Fashion is very global now and you can find everything everywhere. But I still like to buy my bikinis in Brazil, go to the Alaia store when in Paris, get my beach caftans when in the Caribbean and I love the coral pendant I got when I was in Capri. My tip to find the best “souvenirs” is ShopLatitude.com. Maybe it’s not as special as traveling and finding something great, but if you’re looking for a unique Indian earring or Mexican mochila, they will have it.
JB: Who do you think are some of the most promising young designers on a global level right now?
ML: Edgardo Osorio will be the next Manolo Blahnik — he is very talented and his shoes are super feminine and special. I’m happy to say we were the first ones to ever cover his collection. Ana Khouri is doing amazing work in fine jewelry. The evolution of her work makes me super proud — she is also Brazilian and a personal friend. Fausto Puglisi in ready-to-wear is very promising. I like what he is doing under his own line and at Ungaro.
JB: What’s the best piece of advice you have for someone wanting to break into this industry?
ML: It sounds cliché, but it’s pretty simple: Get your foot in the door, work hard and don’t give up. You must have a passion for what you do.
