How to Navigate Moda Operandi to Stay Updated on the Latest Fashion

Moda Operandi is a luxury e-commerce platform where shoppers can browse top designer brands and shop or preorder straight from the runway.

If you’re a fashion media student at SMU, or just fashion obsessed, staying in the know on current trends, brands, and collections is imperative. As fashion media students it is important that you well-versed in the fashion industry and anything current. As much as students can read Vogue and stay up to date on Instagram, knowing the current landscape of brands and what they’re offering is so valuable for both fashion knowledge and developing personal style and opinions.

Moda Operandi was founded by Lauren Santo Domingo and Áslaug Magnúsdóttir in 2010. It was initially created as a way to give women the opportunity to buy straight off the runway, and help brands with over producing garments. Santo Domingo formerly worked at Vogue and was constantly around high-end fashion shows. She saw a gap for women who wanted to buy luxury brands, and created it. Moda Operandi allows clients to preorder by paying a deposit on a garment. This allows brands time to create the stock needed and clients will receive their luxury garments as soon as they’re done and ready to ship.

In addition to being easy to navigate and perfectly curated shopping platform, Moda Operandi is a great way for SMU students, or anyone, to keep updated on new collections, brands, trends, and style.

Curated Closets

One of the most unique elements of the platform is Moda Operandi’s caregully curated closets. These are different from other shopping platforms, like Net-a-Porter and Shopbop. Moda Operandi’s curated closets are not based on an event or season, but based on more specific themes and, more notably, people. Their most popular edits are where you can shop notable closets, such as co-founder Santo Domingo’s (pictured below) and Olympia of Greece.

These curated closet edits give clients insight into the exact pieces shaping fashion’s most influential wardrobes, while also making the shopping experience seamless and relevant. In addition to their personal edits, the site features similar collections to other websites, but with more niche themes. Some of these include, “What to Buy this Month,” “For the Bride,” “The Best Dressed Guest,” and more. These are especially helpful for students to follow up on specific trends. These curated edits are updated weekly, so clients know all their inspiration is up to date.

Trunkshows

Perhaps what Moda Operandi is most known for, are their trunkshows. This is where designer brands offer previews of their latest collection for customers to preorder garments. The trunkshows are only open for a set period of time, usually two to four weeks, and depending on the item or brand, can take up to six months to bed delivered. This is because the brands produce garments based on the orders, so customers should expect industry production times. However, for SMU students who want to stay up-to-date, trunkshows offer a fun opportunity to browse clothes that are straight off the runway.

It’s an easy way to learn about the garments, fabric composition, prices, and brands, while also understanding the styles of the current season. It allows viewers a quick preview at the styles they are likely to see in the coming weeks for the season. Moda Operandi’s latest trunkshows on their website.

The Weekly Refresh

Every Monday, Moda Operandi has a weekly “refresh.” They send out an email blast with a quick overview of their newest arrivals. Additionally, if you check the site (or app, which is much better) you’ll find a “new” tab at the front of the homepage. This collection is updated every week, and contains everything from clothes to accessories, beauty, and even housewares.

The weekly refresh makes it easy to see what brands have recently dropped new collections and what styles are trending at any moment in time. The collections are masterfully curated and make it easy to grasp what’s new and trending. The weekly refresh is available on their website and via email for those who subscribe.

Whether you’re looking to stay up to date on the latest fashion or simply shop the newest looks, Moda Operandi serves as both a resource and a tool for inspiration. The platform is free to use and easy to navigate. More than just a retailer, Moda Operandi offers a curated shopping experience, allowing users to explore thoughtfully selected collections and discover emerging trends in a way that feels elevated compared to traditional, all-encompassing retail sites.