For years now, stylist Rob Zangardi has been creating memorable fashion moments both on and off the red carpet. To date, Zagardi, alongside his co-stylist, Mariel Haenn, has dressed Jennifer Lopez, Gwen Stefani, Kerry Washington, Suki Waterhouse, and others—and a signature element of his looks, whether on- or off-duty, is a great piece of outerwear. “I always feel put together with a great jacket or coat—whether it’s wearing a trench over your workout clothes, or a blazer as a dress,” he says. It was perhaps inevitable, then, that Zangardi would eventually design his own outerwear.
Today, Zangardi launches Auter—a collection of wool, shearling, faux fur, and technical waterproof styles, priced from $900–$1,600. The longtime stylist wanted to create everyday basics and statement styles that can make everyone feel like an A lister. “I started by making coats that I just wanted to wear for myself,” Zangardi tells Vogue. “I’ve realized that there’s a lot of brands that make coats, but not a lot of brands that stand for fashion-first outerwear. What I’m claiming is it’s what’s on the outside that counts.”
Highlights of the debut offering include sleek dropped-shoulder trench coats, raglan-sleeved peacoats, and plushy, Penny Lane-esque faux fur jackets. “I wanted to make coats that you don t want to take off when you get inside,” says Zangardi. “There’s a level of quietness about the jackets, and it’s all in the details. But I wanted more editorial pieces, too.” As a nod to his own personal style, Zangardi created matching baseball caps for each coat. “I always have a baseball hat on,” he says. “It doesn t matter what you have underneath—if you have the hat and the jacket, your outfit is done.”
Building his own brand may be a new venture for Zangardi, but the move from stylist to designer is not an uncommon one. Karla Welch has collaborated with Hanes and Michael Stars, and June Ambrose spent three years as creative director of Puma s women s basketball category. For Zangardi, though, the foray into outerwear was simply a chance to perfect what he has long been dabbling in. “As a stylist, you’re really just elevating your client’s taste, so it was about being able to [create] products that can be a fit for everybody,” he says.
Given that Zangardi has a close circle of celebrity and stylist friends, the Auter founder has already gotten some pre-orders. (Not bad for a label that is one day old.) Still, he is most excited for a wide range of customers to wear his coats. “I’ve had the luxury of outfitting all these very photographed men and women over the years, and to be able to bring that to everyone else is exciting,” he says. When asked if he has a dream celebrity to step out in one of his coats? “Obviously, all my clients,” he jokes. Well, J.Lo was already just spotted in one.
