FERN MALLIS INTERVIEWS TODD SNYDER FOR FASHION ICONS SERIES
“Fashion’s godmother,” Fern Mallis, the creator of New York Fashion Week and author of two volumes of “Fashion Lives,” interviewed menswear designer Todd Snyder at New York City’s 92NY last Thursday evening as part of the organization’s Recanati-Kaplan Talks. Snyder shared insights into his life, inspirations, and professional journey, marked by both personal and career milestones. From his humble beginnings in Huxley, Iowa, to his impactful presence on the global fashion stage, Snyder’s narrative is a testament to the blend of heritage, hard work, and visionary creativity.
After a brief introduction Mallis jumped right into the interview, starting literally from Snyder’s very beginning, asking him his age (he’s 56), where he was born (Ames, Iowa, but he grew up in the much smaller town of Huxley, population 2,000), and confirming that he’s a Sagittarius. His parents met in college, his father was an engineer and his mother, an interior designer and art teacher.
“Both my parents grew up on farms… they were the first of the family to really go to college. My dad used to be an engineer, and my mother is an artist and interior designer… I think I got my love of drawing and building things from them. It’s interesting, growing up in such a simple setting in Iowa, but it instilled in me the values and the drive I have today.”
Snyder played sports and was on his high school’s football and basketball teams. He got into fashion early and was voted “Best Dressed” in his class.
“Discovering GQ magazine was a pivotal moment for me… it was like opening a door to a world I didn’t know existed but instantly knew I wanted to be a part of. My journey through various jobs, from detasseling corn to working at a men’s haberdashery, each played a role in shaping my understanding and love for fashion.
“I remember coming home after shopping one day and my dad saw on the receipt that I’d spent $50 on a shirt. ‘How could you?’ He was very upset. We have to remember may parents grew up on farms, so clothes really were not part of their means to an end.”
After spending a summer detasseling corn (which forces it to go to seed), he decided to attend Iowa State, his parents’ alma mater, where he began studying engineering. He eventually changed majors to architecture, then business and, finally to fashion design, graduating 6 ½ years later. Inspired by a book written by Ralph Lauren, Snyder’s first job in the industry was with Badower’s in Des Moines (Snyder and his brothers considered buying the store when it closed in 2020 after 71 years in business).
Snyder eventually landed an internship at Polo, which led to a paid position. He was “discovered” when, during a meeting, somebody said, “hey that’s a really cool shirt, who made it?” and it was one he’d made himself. He eventually worked under John Varvatos while both were still at Ralph Lauren. He eventually moved to Old Navy and Gap and, finally, to J. Crew. (Snyder developed the brand’s hit Ludlow Suit.) Snyder eventually tendered his resignation on a Friday, preparing to start his own collection, and Lehman Brothers collapsed on Monday.
The interview went on to cover how Snyder built his eponymous business, including the importance of relationships and mentoring, as well as his influences and inspirations.
“Fashion for me is about storytelling, taking what’s classic and twisting it into something modern yet timeless,” says Snyder. “Whether it’s reimagining a suit or integrating the ruggedness of outdoor wear into everyday pieces, it’s about pushing boundaries while respecting tradition.”
