La ligne celebrates a decade: from dtc darling to brick-and-mortar success

Ten years ago, the fashion landscape was poised for a seismic shift, and La Ligne was riding that wave. Founded in 2016 by former Vogue editors Meredith Melling and Valerie Macaulay, alongside Molly Howard, the brand aimed to capture the essence of the modern, stylish woman—a woman juggling a demanding career, a vibrant social life, and an impeccable sense of style. Now, marking a decade in business, La Ligne is proving that a commitment to simplicity and quality can indeed build a lasting legacy.

The unsung heroism of building a brand

The early days, according to Howard, were a relentless all-hands-on-deck effort. “We didn’t have the extensive team support we have now, so we were involved in every aspect of the business,” she explains. Beyond the glamorous photoshoots and trunk shows, the real work—the “unglamorous stuff,” as Howard puts it—proved to be the bedrock of La Ligne’s success. The founders’ experiences at Rag & Bone and Vogue provided a crucial foundation, but navigating the complexities of running an independent brand proved to be a unique challenge.

The reward, however, lies in the everyday moments. Howard reveals a trove of photos on her phone—snapshots of strangers sporting La Ligne pieces on city streets. “You feel like you had a role to play in getting a person to wear this thing—taking their hard-earned money and walking into your store or ordering your product,