HOW DID YOU FIRST BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH JONATHAN COHEN?

I met Jonathan and Sarah when I was at style.com.  They had come in with one of their first collections to the office. They recently reminded me this was a matter of days before I had my son George. Since that time, I have always admired and kept up with the collections as my roles changed from editor to fashion director at Barneys.

WHAT HAS DRAWN YOU TO WEAR JONATHAN COHEN'S GARMENTS IN YOUR OWN LIFE?

The color, the energy, the textures—Jonathan’s designs have always captivated me. I’ve long admired his construction, and since launching my own brand, his pieces have been a part of my most special moments. His prints tell stories that resonate deeply, making the act of getting dressed even more meaningful. And with our collaborations, it’s been incredible to wear his artistry from head to heel!

WE READ THAT YOUR LOVE FOR SHOES STARTED WITH YOUR MELISSA RUBBER SANDALS AND TRIPS TO LOCAL SHOE STORES WITH YOUR GRANDMOTHER. HOW DO YOU THINK THOSE EARLY EXPERIENCES SHAPED YOUR SENSE OF FASHION?

Those early memories are so special to me. My grandmother would take me to buy shoes, and I remember how magical it felt to choose the perfect pair. That experience stayed with me and shaped the way I think about footwear: as something deeply personal, something that can transform your confidence and bring joy.

LARROURDÉ WAS BORN DURING COVID-19. CAN YOU SHARE MORE ABOUT HOW THE PANDEMIC SHAPED THE BRAND'S ORIGIN STORY?

Larroudé was born in the middle of uncertainty, but also from a place of resilience. When the pandemic hit, my husband and I both lost our jobs overnight. We saw it as an opportunity to build something of our own. Very stressful time indeed, but we saw it as an opportunity to grow. We wanted to create a brand that felt fresh, joyful, and accessible—something that could bring people a bit of happiness in tough times. The direct-to-consumer model made sense, and we leaned into building a brand that was digitally native while maintaining the craftsmanship and quality of traditional luxury brands.

HAVING WORKED IN BOTH EDITORIAL POSITIONS SUCH AS FASHION DIRECTOR OF STYLE.COM AND AT TEEN VOGUE ALONG WITH RETAIL AS VP FASHION DIRECTOR AT BARNEYS, HOW HAVE THOSE EXPERIENCES SHAPED YOUR APPROACH TO BUILDING LARROURDÉ?

My editorial background gave me a sharp eye for trends, storytelling, and what makes a brand desirable. At Barneys, I learned the business of fashion—how to build a retail strategy, price products, and create something commercially viable. That combination has been invaluable at Larroudé. I understand how to create a compelling narrative around our shoes while ensuring that every product we launch is something people truly want to wear.

COMMUNITY SEEMS CENTRAL TO THE BUILDING OF THE LARROURDÉ BRAND AND THE TEAM. HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE IN EDITORIAL AND RETAIL FASHION INFLUENCED THE COMMUNITY YOU BUILT WITHIN THIS SPHERE? WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE CO-FOUNDING THE BRAND WITH YOUR HUSBAND?

Fashion has always been about community for me. From my early days in editorial, I saw how powerful a strong network could be in amplifying a brand’s message. At Barneys, I built relationships with designers and customers that I carry with me to this day. With Larroudé, I wanted to create a brand that felt inclusive, fun, and welcoming—not just for our customers but for our team as well. Building this with my husband has been a dream. He’s the CEO and ultimate my boss, and he pushes me and the entire team to do our best. I focus on all creative aspects of Larroudé's creative. We trust each other’s strengths, and we both have the same vision and drive for what we want Larroudé to be. It’s a family business in the truest sense, and that makes it even more special.

IN YOUR LARROURDÉ BLOG, YOU'VE MENTIONED THAT LARROURDÉ ENCOURAGES CUSTOMERS TO CHOOSE THE "MOST FUN" OPTION RATHER THAN THE SAFEST ONE. HOW HAS THAT PHILOSOPHY SHAPED YOUR DESIGNS TODAY?

I always tell people—go for the shoe that makes you smile! We’re not about playing it safe. We want to create designs that feel joyful, that bring energy to an outfit. Whether it’s a bold color, a sculptural heel, or a metallic finish, we love adding that extra touch that makes a shoe feel special. That philosophy is what sets Larroudé apart: we’re here to make fashion fun again.

HERE AT JONATHAN COHEN WE ARE VERY CONSCIOUS ABOUT OUR SUSTAINABILITY AND WASTE. AT LARROURDÉ, YOU PRIORITIZE WORKING WITH COMPANIES THAT FOLLOW ILO STANDARDS, USING LEATHER FROM TANNERIES WITH GOLD CERTIFICATION FROM THE LEATHER WORKING GROUP. HOW HAS THIS COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY IMPACTED THE BUSINESS SIDE OF RETAIL?

Sustainability is at the core of Larroudé—we were founded with that commitment in mind. We own our factories in Brazil, ensuring full control over our ethical and environmental standards. We also prioritize working with companies that adhere to ILO standards and use leather from tanneries with Gold certification from the Leather Working Group. Additionally, our pre-order model helps minimize excess inventory and waste. For us, building a business that is both responsible and profitable isn’t just possible—it’s essential.

IN 2024, LARROURDÉ WAS RECOGNIZED AS BRAND OF THE YEAR BY FOOTWEAR NEWS, THE "OSCARS OF THE SHOE BUSINESS." HOW HAS RECEIVING THAT AWARD IMPACTED YOU AND THE BRAND?

Winning Brand of the Year was such an incredible moment! It was validation that we are building something truly special. For a brand that started in the middle of a pandemic, to now be recognized at that level, it’s beyond rewarding. It also motivates us to keep pushing forward—there’s so much more we want to do.

IS THERE ANY WISDOM FROM YOUR CAREER JOURNEY THAT YOU'D SHARE WITH OTHER WOMEN ENTERING THE INDUSTRY?

Trust yourself and never give up. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that resilience and belief in your own vision are everything. I’ve had moments where doors closed, but those setbacks always led to new opportunities. Surround yourself with people who support and uplift you. And most importantly, don’t be afraid to take risks—the best ideas often come from the boldest moves.

AS YOU HEAD INTO THE FOURTH SEASON WITH JONATHAN COHEN, DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE SHOE FROM THE COLLECTION? WHICH ONE WOULD YOU SAY IS A MUST-HAVE?

I love them all! But if I had to pick, there’s always one standout that I know our customers will go crazy for. The mix of Jonathan’s incredible prints with our classic silhouettes creates something truly unique. I’d say the must-have is the one that makes you feel your best—whether that’s a statement sandal or a sleek pump, go for the one that excites you the most! The boxing boot is already such a hit! Celebs, influencers, and clients are going crazy after it.