I attended the creator of New York Fashion Week and author of two volumes of “Fashion Lives, Fern Mallis’s interview with menswear designer Todd Synder at 92Y.

These Fashion Talks are something I always look forward to. You won’t find talks like these anywhere except in New York. 

Fern described her special guest as the patron saint of approachable menswear. She said Tood Synder’s clothes embody ‘cool’ and ‘classic.’ 

I don’t think anyone would consider his clothes edgy. He’s known for turning the J. Crew menswear collections, mostly preppy dressing, into a big business. According to Todd, his customers are looking for beautifully constructed basics. He doesn’t push color, print, or silhouette. As Fern said, his clothes resemble those of an elevated Mr. Ripley.  How many shades of beige are there? Todd Synder probably knows. 

It’s fun to catch Fern during these Fashion Talks, not listening to her guest’s responses. With her head down, looking at her notes, she seems more focused on the next question than the discussion. I’ve seen her do this more than once during the evening.  Don’t get me wrong, I am a big Fern fan. I love what she’s doing and getting top designers to discuss their processes. 

The good news is Todd Snyder has a lot of personality. His down-to-earth, friendly mannerisms made his story so compelling. He was born on a farm in the Midwest, not in a fashion capital as he shared insights into his life, inspirations, and professional milestones. you could tell the key to his success has been hard work and determination. 

From his humble beginnings in Huxley, Iowa, to being voted Best Dressed in high school, reading GQ for the first time was an eye-opening experience that ignited a passion for fashion. While working in retail, Todd Synder hung out in the tailor shop, learning the tricks of the trade. He applied to all the fashion houses in New York before landing his first intern job at Ralph Lauren.
His big break came when one of his bosses noticed the shirt he was wearing in a meeting. It was one of his designs. He said his weekend sewing hobby helped him relax and quickly moved up the design ladder. 

He ping-ponged back and forth from Ralph Lauren to the Gap, J. Crew, and back to Ralph Lauren. Eventually, he left J. Crew in 2009 and launched his label. J. Crew’s success had a lot to do with it. “I wanted a chance to have my own crack at it,” he said. His goal is to create clothes that help guys look their best. Todd mentioned firsthand how clothes transformed lives when he worked in retail. 

Craft is essential to him. He told Fern that tailoring is front and center in all his design collections. 
He told Fern he’s always looking for people who ‘go the extra mile’ to join his team. 
He has been part of my successful fashion collaborations. First and foremost, L.L. Bean creates high-style New England outdoor gear. Most recently, he started designing for Woolrich’s Black label. He chose to work with Woolrich because he feels the pandemic turned outdoors into a trend. Todd Synder’s outerwear embodies the fusion of Woolrich’s rich heritage, quality, and craftsmanship. The Woolrich Black Label comprises two distinct and complementary lines: Heritage and Technical.

Since becoming an impactful presence on the global fashion stage, Todd Snyder has branched out to create twenty interiors for rustic Maine bungalows for the Hidden Pond resort.  He saw this new collaboration into interior design as an “opportunity to really take a deep dive into Maine aesthetics,” he told Architectural Digest. “What’s so interesting and remarkable to me about this place is that it’s so diverse, area by area. You drive half an hour, and it’s totally different.” Snyder’s narrative is a testament to the blend of heritage, hard work, and visionary creativity.

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