ICYMI - Fashion Legend, Laura Brown

Summary

Podcast Summary: Climbing in Heels with Rachel Zoe
Episode: ICYMI - Fashion Legend, Laura Brown
Release Date: May 30, 2025

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Introduction

In the episode titled "ICYMI - Fashion Legend, Laura Brown," Rachel Zoe sits down with the illustrious Australian fashion journalist, Laura Brown. As a former editor-in-chief of InStyle magazine and former executive director of Harper's Bizarre magazine, Laura brings a wealth of experience and unique insights into the world of fashion journalism and female entrepreneurship.

Meet Laura Brown

Rachel begins by introducing Laura Brown with heartfelt enthusiasm, highlighting her multifaceted personality and impressive career trajectory.

Rachel Zoe [02:09]: "She is clever, she's smart, she's witty, she's funny. She is Laura Brown. She's an incredible Australian fashion journalist..."

Laura echoes this warmth, setting a comfortable tone for the conversation.

Journey from Australia to New York

Laura shares her motivations for moving from Australia to New York, driven by a journalistic instinct to experience the fashion world firsthand rather than through secondhand sources.

Laura Brown [05:00]: "I wanted to see them alone with my own eyes. I want to be at the fashion show or the freaking movie or whatever the hell it was."

She reflects on the challenges of feeling removed from the immediacy of the fashion scene in Australia before the digital age.

Laura Brown [06:23]: "I wanted to feel the culture happening, like, in my face in a way..."

Career Milestones: Harper's Bazaar and InStyle

Laura recounts her early days at Harper's Bazaar, emphasizing the collaborative and creative environment fostered by Glenda Bailey, the former editor-in-chief.

Laura Brown [12:00]: "I started working with Glenda Bailey in Valentine's Day 2005 and worked with her for 11 years..."

Their partnership was marked by innovative photo shoots and a shared sense of humor, which Laura credits for much of her success.

Navigating the Corporate Landscape

Despite her achievements, Laura discusses the transient nature of corporate roles and the importance of leaving on good terms.

Rachel Zoe [15:29]: "It was about how you leave."

Laura Brown [15:33]: "You can't just be gracious always."

She emphasizes the value of maintaining strong professional relationships and the lasting impact of her work.

Transitioning to Entrepreneurship

Anticipating changes in the media landscape, Laura reveals her decision to establish her own media company, LB Media. This move was initially a "slow boil" plan but accelerated unexpectedly when InStyle shut down.

Laura Brown [32:17]: "I actually registered my own media company a couple of years ago and stuck it in a folder on the back."

The shift allowed her to leverage her extensive network and the equity she had built over her career.

Building LB Media: An Umbrella of Creativity

LB Media is described by Laura as an "umbrella over a buffet," encompassing various facets of media production, including podcasts, films, design, and public relations.

Laura Brown [42:13]: "LB Media is characterized as an umbrella over a buffet... it's all the things."

She highlights her passion for connecting people and fostering a sense of community through creative collaborations.

Personal Life and Balance

Laura delves into her personal life, discussing her late marriage at 47 and the importance of self-reliance and personal fulfillment.

Laura Brown [26:57]: "I felt that I had my own worth. I made my own money. I was professionally established."

She shares a heartfelt story about meeting her husband, Brandon, and the balance she strikes between her career and personal happiness.

Lessons on Confidence and Purpose

Throughout the conversation, Laura imparts wisdom on professional confidence and the significance of recognizing one's own value independent of corporate affiliations.

Laura Brown [38:35]: "I can articulate the ownership of what I've done and the pride in the work that I've done."

Rachel echoes this sentiment, discussing the broader challenges women face in cultivating genuine confidence amidst societal expectations.

Impact of Single Parenthood

Rachel touches upon a recurring theme among successful women she has interviewed: the influence of being raised by single mothers.

Rachel Zoe [47:43]: "Every woman, except for two, were raised by a single mother."

Laura Brown [48:35]: "I was raised by a single mom, only child in Sydney, Australia."

They discuss how these experiences instilled resilience and a strong work ethic, shaping their paths to success.

Future Endeavors and LB Media's Vision

Looking ahead, Laura outlines her vision for LB Media, which includes a diverse range of projects spanning magazines, podcasts, films, and more. She emphasizes flexibility and community-building as core components.

Laura Brown [43:01]: "LB Media is like sections of a magazine... words, pictures, podcasts, film, producing, design..."

Conclusion

Rachel Zoe concludes the episode by praising Laura's dedication, work ethic, and her unconventional yet impactful approach to fashion journalism. Laura's journey from a determined Australian journalist to a pioneering media entrepreneur serves as an inspiring testament to female resilience and innovation.

Rachel Zoe [49:14]: "How could you not fall in love with Laura? The fact that she left Australia and moved to New York proves her work ethic, how dedicated she is and how ambitious she is."

Key Takeaways

• Pursuit of Authenticity: Laura's move was fueled by a desire to experience the fashion industry authentically rather than through isolated, secondhand information.

• Value of Relationships: Maintaining strong, positive professional relationships is crucial for long-term success and opportunities.

• Embracing Entrepreneurship: Transitioning from corporate roles to entrepreneurship allows for greater creative freedom and personal fulfillment.

• Confidence and Self-Worth: Recognizing and owning one's professional achievements fosters confidence and resilience.

• Impact of Upbringing: Being raised by single mothers has significantly influenced the work ethic and success of many women in the industry.

Notable Quotes

• Rachel Zoe [02:09]: "She is clever, she's smart, she's witty, she's funny. She is Laura Brown."

• Laura Brown [05:00]: "I wanted to see them alone with my own eyes. I want to be at the fashion show or the freaking movie or whatever the hell it was."

• Laura Brown [38:35]: "I can articulate the ownership of what I've done and the pride in the work that I've done."

• Rachel Zoe [47:43]: "Every woman, except for two, were raised by a single mother."

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This episode offers a deep dive into Laura Brown's remarkable career and personal journey, providing listeners with valuable insights into the interplay of passion, resilience, and community in achieving success. Whether you're an aspiring fashion journalist or a budding entrepreneur, Laura's story is a beacon of inspiration.

Transcript

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[Rachel Zoe]

We all have that piece, the one that's so you. You've basically become known for it and if you don't know yet, fashionistas, you'll find it on ebay. That Miu Miu red leather bomber, the Cousteau Barcelona cowboy top or that Patagonia fleece in the 2017 colorway. All these finds are all on ebay along with millions of more main character pieces backed by authenticity guarantee. Ebay is the place for pre loved and vintage fashion. EBay things people love.

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[Rachel Zoe]

Hi everyone, I'm Rachel Zo and you're listening to Climbing in Heels. This show is all about celebrating the most extraordinary superwomen who will be sharing their incredible journeys to the top, all while staying glamorous today with me, I am very excited. We have the most. I don't even know how to describe her. I have so many ways to describe her, but she is clever, she's smart, she's witty, she's funny. She is Lara Brown. She's an incredible Australian fashion journalist, former editor in chief of InStyle magazine, and former executive director of Harper's Bizarre magazine. I have known her most of my career. She is as funny as she is kind, stunning and talented. I am so excited for all of you to hear about Laura's journey today. So let's get started. Hi, cutie. So let me first start by saying we don't have to be formal, because I can't be formal with you.

[Laura Brown]

No, I don't know how to do that.

[Rachel Zoe]

Me neither. So basically, I started climbing in heels because.

[Laura Brown]

Because you're an athlete.

[Rachel Zoe]

Well, I'm pretty sure we know that's not true. But if you ask my dad, he would tell you. Up until I met boys, I actually was. But I love boys.

[Laura Brown]

Boys quit everything. Yeah, they do.

[Rachel Zoe]

They do. It's like a make or break. But what I did was I realized, very similar to you, how many extraordinary women that we're surrounded by in every field, in our friends circle, in our professional circles, in our fashion circle, like every circle, there's just badass women doing amazing things. But what I have found over my career is that people have asked me of any age, how on earth did you get here? How'd you become? How did you start this? How did you do it? And what I realized is that's actually always the question with anyone. Because most of the world knows you as Laura Brown, right? They'll say, oh, I know Laura Brown. She's amazing. I love her. She made fashion. She made it relatable. She made fashion human and not scary for me. Or she's really funny. She takes humor and fat. All these things, but I bet nobody, I don't wanna say nobody, but I would say the most people don't know how on earth you actually became Lara Brown. I know a little. I know a little because I met you so early. I remember the first time you interviewed me. I think it was at the Mercer Hotel.

[Laura Brown]

Oh, my God, the Mercer. It's a time capsule.

[Rachel Zoe]

And it was 400 years ago. So I sweet you, you're. You're a proud Aussie.

[Laura Brown]

I'm a proud Aussie. I have lived. Bloody hell, I've lived in America 21 years. I. In a. In a triumph of strategy, I moved here a week before September 11th. And. But, yeah, I've been. I've been here for. I mean, I've Been. Yeah, I'm Aussie. I've been here 21 years. I lived in London for a couple years in between to do that kind of like backpacking, like, I wanted to go see Paris fashion shows kind of thing.

[Rachel Zoe]

But you wanted to get out of Australia. Why?

[Laura Brown]

Delusions of grandeur. You just don't. But also, you've got to remember for us ladies who perhaps did not grow up with an iPhone in their hands, sure. We. When we didn't have access in Australia to everything, we have access there now. You know what I mean? We didn't. So I was like.

[Rachel Zoe]

You felt far away.

[Laura Brown]

Oh, so far. And I would get like, you know, two months old Vogues or whatever, like fashion on, like, TV or whatever. So we didn't have the immediacy. So I felt very removed. And I was so desperate to get well, you know, especially. It's a very fashion, like, journalism thing. Oh, I want to get out of here. I want to go where it's real, the action is. And. And I just wanted to go. But it was more that I felt like the experiences are having a fashion or film or creativity or arts or whatever were all diffuse because they had all come to me kind of secondhand.

[Rachel Zoe]

Right.

[Laura Brown]

So. And so I was like, no, no, no, no. I want to see them alone with my own eyes. I want to be at the fashion show or the freaking movie or whatever the hell it was. And so I was so hungry for that. I wanted to. I think that's just number one, like, a journalistic instinct. Like, I want.

[Rachel Zoe]

Were you a student? Like, were you someone who, like, you were a writer, right? You were. I mean, because I think that's very important.

[Laura Brown]

Yeah. I studied communications at university, so I studied journalism, and I was a writer. Yeah. And. And I just. But it was just. I wanted to feel the culture happening, like, in my face in a way, and. And get myself to where I thought it was, which it was at the time. You know what I mean? And it still is, obviously. Yes. Breaking news, New York, Paris. Like, it doesn't. Hasn't changed that much, but it has. But. And so I was just. Couldn't think of anything else but getting to where it was, you know, So I kind of spent, you know, after my college years so much time with my mind here.

[Rachel Zoe]

Right.

[Laura Brown]

You know, and I would get older, I would work at magazines in Australia, and we get a big bag of, like, a magazine from New York like, once a week. It was called Poetically in Australia.

[Rachel Zoe]

Interesting.

[Laura Brown]

Yeah. We call it the Airbag. And so the Airbag had come, and they would all, like, push each other out of the way to get, like, the Vogues and the details and the W's and, like, real top era of those, too. Remember, like, you know, and whatever. And. And I would read them and I remember I would. Sometimes I would be reading New York magazine or something, and I would, like, look up and I'd forget where I was. Like, I was just completely. It was very Aussie to say, let's forget where I was.

[Rachel Zoe]

No, but it.

[Laura Brown]

And I was just here, wherever this is in my head. So I just knew I had to go. And I think there's a thing about being Australian, and you're very far. We're very far, but we're very far.

[Rachel Zoe]

But that's what people say to me, that whenever I go to Australia or I meet friends from Australia, the first thing they say. I found it so remarkable the first time I went there that everyone who I met said, I'm so sorry. We're so far. They were so apologetic about being so far. And they would say to me, how are you enjoying your trip? I was like, I love it here. It's beautiful. The people are so kind, like, blah, blah, blah. But they would apologize. They would say, ugh, but we're so far from everything. We're so far. And it was this bizarre concept for me because I had always been like a New Yorker, like, lived, you know, in it.

[Laura Brown]

Yeah.

[Rachel Zoe]

Not realizing. Well, first of all, it is far, Right? It is far, but I think so special.

[Laura Brown]

It's. And that's what makes it special. And I think we used to be more apologetic than we are now, because.

[Rachel Zoe]

Yeah, it's different now.

[Laura Brown]

More part of things now, you know. But no, it used to be like. And it still is a bit like, oh, they're coming down, or they're international. And they used to be this kind of like, oh, we need to validate ourselves by international people like Rachel Zoe coming down. And, you know, I think there's a bit of that still because, again, we just. We just distance. Blessing and blessing and curse was complete, you know, that there. It has mellowed a bit now because there's so many things coming out of Australia that are new and exciting and part of the world and. But no, at that time, because this was like, you know, when I moved here, it was 2001.

[Rachel Zoe]

Yeah.

[Laura Brown]

You know, we had, like. We had the Internet, but, like, we still didn't. I still was like, but there's a thing about Australians, and it's oftentimes sometimes used as a criticism. But I love. I actually love it that. That the word guileless, you know, to be. And. And I love being guileless because you kind of. Then you get on the plane.

[Rachel Zoe]

Yeah.

[Laura Brown]

You know, you're like.

[Rachel Zoe]

And they don't mind getting on the plane. That's what I notice. They travel a lot.

[Laura Brown]

We don't have the option. We don't know if we have to. But, like, it's sort of like, oh, I'll go, I'll get on the plane. I've saved some money, I'll go. And also, like, I mean, you know, for. For us, your worst case scenario, if you. If it doesn't work out in New York, you can go back to beautiful Australia.

[Rachel Zoe]

Right.

[Laura Brown]

It's not the highest stakes coming from. We're lucky coming from Australia to New York because you can kind of go back. So. Yeah. So you just kind of just go for it, really. Just if you're a curious cat and I think, how'd you end up with.

[Rachel Zoe]

When you're younger, how'd you end up with Glenda, though? How'd you end. So Glenda Bailey is the former editor and chief of Harper's Bazaar. And I Met Laura probably 2005.

[Laura Brown]

Oh, yeah. Donkey's years ago, roughly. That's when I started there, 2005.

[Rachel Zoe]

Okay, okay. So probably around then, Glenda I met.

[Laura Brown]

Because I think I knew someone who'd worked at Harper's Bazaar UK or something. Someone there. One of the others that said, do you. No, Glenn, did you want to come in for a meet and greet thing? And so I did. And right off the same time, oh, it's just funny.

[Rachel Zoe]

Remember she said to me, we have similar humor.

[Laura Brown]

I can happily do. Well, we just have the Commonwealth in common, you know, we're like, sure. And. But I remember she was saying it was right. Like it wasn't that long after September 11, but business had to get on with, you know, it was all so. Was so surreal. The whole thing was like a dreamskers. And I remember Glenda going, laura, Laura, what are your fashion connections? And I'd be like, well, I knew all these people in London, like, sure. And there wasn't anything going then. So that was like an informational thing. Sure. And then. And this was. Yeah, a long time ago. And then 2005, I ended up there because Sarah Bailey, who was a deputy editor at the time, she called me and she was like, hello. And she said, we'd like to talk to you. Da, da. And. And I was about to take a job at Details magazine.

[Rachel Zoe]

Yeah.

[Laura Brown]

And, and I, I, I was like, oh, sorry, I'm about to go do this one. And, and I was only there, I was there for nine months and I, and, but they called me again and I said, do you want to come? And I went, yeah. So I started their Valentine's Day 2005 and worked with Glenda Bailey GB Glenda Bailey for 11 years. And through it it felt like so many iterations of a job and they're so funny. Just like about two weeks ago I hosted a party for her collection with Peruvian Connection. It was just that the old days, like Demi Moore came and Alan coming and it was so funny and we were all like, it was like we'd been like cryogenically frozen. And then we're like, all right.

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[Laura Brown]

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[Rachel Zoe]

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[Rachel Zoe]

That's a really. That's a big lesson that I like to share with people for a second because I've had people that worked with me for many years, 10 years, 11 years, 8 years, 9 years. And they move on. And sometimes they come back. Sometimes I hire them freelance, sometimes they consult with us four years later. You keep your family close, right? You stay close. And I always like to point out in business it's not that you leave, it's how you leave. And I imagine you would agree with that.

[Laura Brown]

Just you can't just be gracious always.

[Rachel Zoe]

Yes and yes.

[Laura Brown]

And it's actually got to the youth who. No, no.

[Rachel Zoe]

Really like to.

[Laura Brown]

Anxiety.

[Rachel Zoe]

Really.

[Laura Brown]

It's easier. It's easier. Being gracious and nice is actually the lazy man's.

[Rachel Zoe]

I agree because.

[Laura Brown]

Because I find it very stressful having a conflict. Of course we've had them. But I just like to. When I left, I mean I was. Because I'd been in approach for InStyle so that was very clear that I was gonna go and do that. And Glenda was the first one actually because I'd worked with her for 11 years and we'd done incredible stuff together. She was the first one to go. No, you absolutely have to go do that.

[Rachel Zoe]

Good for her.

[Laura Brown]

The publishers weren't so yeah, of course. Up for it. Her bosses. But she was like. And she had the most to lose. And she was like, no, no, you, you've earned it. Off you go. So I think if you just do good work and you're nice, but you're also clear like in Glenda again, who really could have benefited by having me working with her for another 10 years, you know, she was like, no, you've earned it. So just like to earn your stripes and then really stand on top of the opportunities that you are given and that you make for yourself and the equity that you make for yourself.

[Rachel Zoe]

Forever, by the way, forever. That's the thing.

[Laura Brown]

And it doesn't go away.

[Rachel Zoe]

I agree.

[Laura Brown]

You know, and you just put on it, it doesn't matter. On. Regardless of your professional situation. We all got fired from InStyle in February and that. But everything I did and do does not disappear because I've got, I've, you know, I don't bloody run a one of the three existing magazines, you know what I mean?

[Rachel Zoe]

I agree.

[Laura Brown]

And I think you stand on those related that work and those relationships and a little house you build.

[Rachel Zoe]

Well, I agree with that. And I think, you know, I've known you like really, I mean, 17 years and it's crazy because I think we've kind of come up in parallel. Like, you know, really we have a lot of the same friends. We gravitate towards a lot of the same people.

[Laura Brown]

Nice ones.

[Rachel Zoe]

Yes, nice ones. And I think that that was sort of always the thing that I found so captivating about you because you have, you're very different in this business. But I mean that in a way. I mean that in a way. Look, I've had people move on from me in a way that was so wrong. And it wasn't that, you know, and I remember someone going, oh, so you can't ever leave you. It's like, no, leave me. Everyone has to go and move on, spread their wings at some point, whatever. It's not, it's not that you do it, it's how you do it. And so I think with you, you know, you always stood out to me. You never felt to me in any way like a fashion person, a traditional fashion person.

[Laura Brown]

The one from the manual.

[Rachel Zoe]

Correct. You actually felt very against Manuel and you felt very. I found that's a huge compliment.

[Laura Brown]

Thank you. Against Manuel.

[Rachel Zoe]

Well, against Manuel. And I think that Manuel is very old and I think that Manuel is not what people want.

[Laura Brown]

You know, fashion can be so old fashioned.

[Rachel Zoe]

It can. And so can so many businesses.

[Laura Brown]

So many businesses. And it was weird because I would never. And now, I mean, I'm established enough and I. But I used to sort of strike me. I. I was always so confused that people would say I was so unusual and I'd go like, why am I, why am I so, like, wow, is that good or bad? But it's just because it's such a insecure business.

[Rachel Zoe]

Right.

[Laura Brown]

It's so, you know, if you're trying to get a currency based on the jacket you're wearing, then that's not really the way, is it?

[Rachel Zoe]

Right.

[Laura Brown]

And also I think when you realize. And I realized this reasonably Early. I mean, I was Harper's Bazaar at that point, but like this industry that I thought was going to be this incredible, like superhighway where everybody was more connected, more glamorous and smarter and more accomplished than me. And then I realized they weren't right. And. And I was like, oh, wait, so this is not like Mensa.

[Rachel Zoe]

Right.

[Laura Brown]

And so why would the people that are so far away from Mensa be, you know, not the great intellects of our time. Sure. So I met so many of them. Be influencing how I feel on the day to day. You know what I mean? And so when you realize that you had some. A voice and some stature in. In the room, quote, unquote, or you made great relationships just with your personality.

[Rachel Zoe]

Yeah.

[Laura Brown]

Then you kind of stand on that. So I just say it's kind of. Because people would say it was so unusual and I would get good work done and I would build great relationships or I'd make great friendships or with people. And it could be in fashion or it could be like actresses in LA or whatever. Be like, oh, wow, we've not. You know, and I think that I always just also will walked into a room with a good sense of myself too.

[Rachel Zoe]

Not like, yeah, this like, like, not insecure.

[Laura Brown]

Where are the species for me?

[Rachel Zoe]

Or.

[Laura Brown]

Or better than me or. Or had things that I should envy.

[Rachel Zoe]

Right.

[Laura Brown]

You know, because we know a whole lot of these people and I love a lot of them. I envy none of them.

[Rachel Zoe]

Right.

[Laura Brown]

And you know what I mean? I think to have that realization really helps, I think if you just. And also like, different because, yeah, I came from Australia, had to come here on my own. I think that I remember being so struck because people would go, wow, you're so. And I'd be like, Jesus, God. Like, can I? Can I? It's lovely to have a currency, to be unusual. But you were always unusual coming up as a stylist because you had.

[Rachel Zoe]

I just wanted to be nice and.

[Laura Brown]

Character and things to say and a real character, you know, and. And not just this sort of templatized idea of what a fashion editor should be or what a stylist should be or whatever. And so you're always very much yourself. You. So I think that, like, God, honestly, personality gets you so far and enthusiasm gets you so far and everything can work.

[Rachel Zoe]

Kindness, actually, humility. I think the other thing I want to say about you that has always stood out and it's not just like to stroke you. I think it's. I know so many women in this industry And I think, look, people have always said I was different because I was kind. Right. And they always said like you're such a nice, normal person and whatever normal is. Cause clearly I don't think I'm normal. Cause I don't know what normal is. But I. No, but I think the idea is you've always stood out as incredibly witty and smart, but really clever. And the reason I want to bring that up is I actually think that your success. Yes. As a person because you're so likable and you're funny and you're self deprecating and all those things. But I actually think that like you actually have this gift for ideating on things that are completely disruptive, controversial, game changing. I mean even the thing that we did that still sits in frames on my wall and still the story that people. I did a lot of photo shoots in my life and of all the ones I die is the one people talk about, they reference, they try and copy was controversial. It was this.

[Laura Brown]

I know you were being murdered all the time.

[Rachel Zoe]

I was. I was being murdered by designers.

[Laura Brown]

You couldn't get away with that anymore.

[Rachel Zoe]

No, you couldn't. You could not. Not on social media. Someone said how could you post a picture of Brian Atwood trying to kill you with a shoe? What poor taste. I'm like, God, is there no humor left in fashion?

[Laura Brown]

It just because it was so camp like that was the thing. I mean that's what. How you got away with it because it was a bloody wink. You know what I mean? But I know. But no, that's what honestly anything that I miss about magazines and it's not much. There's two things. Corporate health care and, and photo shoots and like having like having an idea and, and saying and collaborating go along with it and then, and then doing. And that's like. I mean I think especially during COVID We did our best, best work then. But I really, I do love that. I do love going oh my God, you know, it would be great. And then you call up someone and then I always used to get so. I still get so excited. So I mean I'm set for a while but like everyone shows up to a place because you've had an idea. Like in the shower.

[Rachel Zoe]

Yeah.

[Laura Brown]

And. And, and then you make it happen. The image comes to life in front of you. I find that the most thrilling thing I'm to make things to me with the giraffe. That was you something to me with a giraffe. I mean just so many. I mean Rihanna and the Shark. I did a Harper's Bazaar and the shark's mouth and Melissa Vinstar Like Dr. Fauci and Barack Obama.

[Rachel Zoe]

Amazing. The Barack Obama like I like cried I think when that happened.

[Laura Brown]

And the one I did, you know that, you know that one we did the COVID that was inspired by that or Manjili picture goes in the window.

[Rachel Zoe]

My favorite.

[Laura Brown]

And that was like right peak Covid and it was always people living in a house and sorry public building in Brooklyn. I was trying to do something about community because we were at risk of losing community two months, it was only two months into Covid. But no, those sort of like grand ideas that if you can pull them off. And I think that I certainly did those a lot with Glenda at Bazaar. But like I still had grand ideas at Insta are a little more rooted like on the ground. Glenda's a real fantasist and I like to take a reference and twist it. Take something that's iconographic and twist it.

[Rachel Zoe]

I wanna talk about your girls, Lara.

[Laura Brown]

My girls. Do I have girls? I do have a cat. I have a girl cat back here.

[Rachel Zoe]

You have an amazing, you have an amazing girl group. You are a girl's girl, but you're tough. I do like em, you're tough though. So I think like you obviously are a career person, right? You fall in love, you get married whenever at 47. But like I feel like you've only just begun. And I do think you lean on your girls a lot. Oh no, but I don't think you. I don't think you've ever been one to rely on the guy. To me when I say rely, when I say rely. I mean you've never ever come off to me as the girl waiting for the guy.

[Laura Brown]

Oh shit. Because if I was, I would have been wedding Faye. When I finally met my husband Brandon, I was four cutie pie. And, and I used to make jokes that I would be. I would be dying alone, eaten by cats and, and I wouldn't even have in this scenario I now do have a cat. But I wouldn't even have cats. They would come, they would smell my rotting corpse and they would come and eat me next door. So that, that was my scenario. I mean it was meant to be humorous. I wasn't actually his fatal. These fatalistic cat ideas. But no, I never. I was such a self propelled engine. I think there's something, look New York City kind of self possessed lady. I'm not super interested in, you know, oh, I've got to meet the man with the Hamptons House. And you have Malcolm. Yeah, exactly. As long as you know one person. And. And. But I never was looking for. Yeah. That sort of thing. And I think I. It says everything that when I felt. It's not like one day, like a gong goes off and you're like, I'm sorted.

[Rachel Zoe]

Yeah.

[Laura Brown]

But I think I felt that tacitly at like 40, 41, that I had my own worth. I made my own money. I was professionally established. And Brannon, you know, was my breakfast waiter at the Sunset Tower Hotel.

[Rachel Zoe]

The most romantic story ever, by the way.

[Laura Brown]

I wasn't going for him for his vast fortune, you know, and. But. But that when you. And there's a lot of New York ladies that wouldn't take. Go out with the waiter because they're trying to get some idea of something which just leaves them very, very unhappy. So I feel like I had to sort of be built in myself to be able to find the one that gives me happiness in all these other spheres of my life. Because at the end of the day, I take care of myself.

[Rachel Zoe]

Yep.

[Laura Brown]

I just do. I've got my savings, I do this. I've got my. Whatever it is that you need in life to feel that you're you. Okay. I have that to a degree. And. And so it gives you a sense of calm, you know, an openness to everything else, to a broader life than. Than. Than you would feel if you don't have that. So I think, yeah. Met Brandon at 41, got married. We were supposed to get married in 2020, but, like, breaking news. You wouldn't believe what happened in 2020. Covid. Covid. And so, yeah, finally got married April this year. So. No. 47 years old, wore a pink dress. And that was. Which.

[Rachel Zoe]

Also shocking. Also shocking, by the way, Laura, I have to say, you wearing pink. I mean, and then it made sense because it's by Pierre Paulo who. I mean, another love of your life and a love of.

[Laura Brown]

But. And I had pockets, though, so I had a pink dress, but they had to have pockets.

[Rachel Zoe]

Has to have pockets.

[Laura Brown]

I know. So I just said I had to be, like, pink but functional. And I was actually. I had to be really dissuaded for, like, taking my phone and putting it in my dress because, like, I would have taken my phone up the aisle.

[Rachel Zoe]

Well, let me ask you this.

[Laura Brown]

I don't miss a minute.

[Rachel Zoe]

Yes, Laura. So one thing that I really like to talk about in this is because I've had these moments in my career. You've had. I mean, there's challenges Right. There's rises, there's falls, there's.

[Laura Brown]

No, Never had a challenge. What are you talking about?

[Rachel Zoe]

I mean, tell me what. Like, obviously, most recently, we know. Well, maybe not everybody knows they closed in style. Which.

[Laura Brown]

Laura, they closed in style and we all lost crush.

[Rachel Zoe]

Can I say that? Wait, you crushed InStyle?

[Laura Brown]

No, I killed it.

[Rachel Zoe]

It was the best.

[Laura Brown]

I did. Sorry.

[Rachel Zoe]

And I say that in a positive. I. When I say killed, mean, like, just.

[Laura Brown]

I know I didn't actually kill. Did indeed die, but I did not.

[Rachel Zoe]

You made everyone talk about InStyle in style.

[Laura Brown]

We really did. I. I think especially through. Yeah, look, long story short, I had been doing this for a long time. I've been doing this 29. I. It was not my master plan to stick with magazines for the rest of my life because I'm not a total idiot. So I'd been thinking sort of beyond it and anyway, which does sound a bit like I was going to leave him, but I really was. And so I was probably going. I swear. No, I was.

[Rachel Zoe]

Sometimes life makes decisions for you, Laura.

[Laura Brown]

Yeah, I was looking to sort of.

[Rachel Zoe]

Really stand by that.

[Laura Brown]

Yeah. I was looking to sort of start making my way on to do my own stuff by the end of this year. And I remember the InStyle Awards last year looks so. Looking around and it was really great and everything. It was a really, really good one.

[Dansko Ad]

It was amazing.

[Laura Brown]

And I remember. I remember thinking that was my last. I was like, oh, that's good. All right. And. Yeah, but we all got. They shut it down and we all lost our jobs in February. And it was so early. I tipped out of the nest earlier than I planned, if I had planned. But that said, look, number one to my earlier talk about the equity you earn. So I was. I'm fully confident that the fact that InStyle kind of existed for as long as it did do to my hand, 100%.

[Rachel Zoe]

100.

[Laura Brown]

Rather than the other way around. I don't. I don't get. And I urge this of any woman.

[Rachel Zoe]

Yeah.

[Laura Brown]

Any man, anyone. Whoever.

[Rachel Zoe]

Take the accountability. Don't be proud of it.

[Laura Brown]

And. Yeah. And don't attach your value to the place where you work. Remember the value that you give to it and you keep wherever you work. So. So when that happened, it was. Yeah, it was a shock and I had to get my team placed and so all that out. But I knew that I had other fish to fry and I was already.

[Rachel Zoe]

Yeah, you were mentally kind of half there, you know.

[Laura Brown]

Yeah. Because I think what you work at, how much I think, look, it's a corporate life is a great life for so many people. And that's fine. I'm a good corporate girl and I have been. But I was starting to just tire of bringing so much value in and sort of having my fate fortunes day bonus mood decided by other people. I had a lot of autonomy. They're creative. Like they didn't come near me. Like in terms of that way I was very lucky and Meredith actually were great to work for. So I was. I never had any with the work I did. No one ever bothered me at all. But I just was starting to be like, yeah, I've been doing this for a long time. I'm worth something. And I did well with it and everything. But I was just like, I'm going to start to, you know when I want to run my own thing one day. And so I actually registered my own media company a couple years ago and stuck it in a folder on the back.

[Rachel Zoe]

Of course you did. Yeah, of course. Just in case.

[Laura Brown]

And then I was like because I was starting, you know to and you know, very slow boil plans. So then when I saw happen I was like, where is that binder?

[Rachel Zoe]

Yeah.

[Laura Brown]

And the best thing that happened was if I got this crazy outpouring of DMs messages from people.

[Rachel Zoe]

Like I lost my mind that if.

[Laura Brown]

I like industry people. Yes. I mean obviously lovely. But like readers from. I caught one from this lady and if I just left, I would never have gotten these right. So if I just gone on my way, I wouldn't have. So. So this will happen. I got this message from this lady called Boo and she was in Mississippi and she was 60 plus, I think. And. And she said, laura, I only ever read magazines that you worked for at. And like thank you for making me feel included.

[Rachel Zoe]

Yes.

[Laura Brown]

And that's. That's the shit, ladies. Like, that's it. Like I get. I'll. I sure I enjoyed your free handbags. That's fine. But like that stuff. And so that was. That was so unbelievable. It was light reading, like.

[Rachel Zoe]

But did that help you, Laura? Kind of like start to think about, okay, this is my purpose. Because I had many things throughout different touch points in my career that someone I didn't know would say something to me about an impact that I had. In what way? That was like something I had no idea could happen. And I go, huh? That's my purpose. Hold on. I have to pivot what I thought I was doing to now do this. Because this is actually my purpose now. This. I need to touch this. Right.

[Laura Brown]

But you, you have a community and you have bring a sense of community with you and so do I.

[Rachel Zoe]

Yes.

[Laura Brown]

You know what I mean? So I think that that's a lovely thing to have and to recognize and to be reminded of in those, in those situations.

[Rachel Zoe]

But did you ever. Were you scared?

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[Rachel Zoe]

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[Rachel Zoe]

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[Rachel Zoe]

I guess my question is like, have you had that moment where you woke up and go, what the actual just happened and I'm terrified, or you like, I'm good. It was in general, at any point, at any point in life, in your.

[Laura Brown]

Career, I think the guilelessness comes back. Honestly, it comes back of like, okay, there's things like that. And I am breaking news and accomplished, quote, unquote, successful lady. You know, and so for me to feel vulnerable about health care, God forbid. And I was like, I'm. I can afford it. You know that there's those kind of skewy things with life that, you know, you. You're taken care of when you work for a large company. So. And you feel vulnerable, you know, in those, in those moments, just those life moments. And then no, for the first little. And I really honestly haven't. I basically took six months off. So we went and got married and. And so I kind of only pressed go recently. But it's. It's a bit sort of the grinding of the gears to kind of work on this buffet of stuff I'm doing. And. But what I love about it, and even at those moments of, honestly, I'm not being bullshitty, not so many. And I kept wondering if I would. I kept wondering if I'd like, have a chuck a wobbly, as we say at home.

[Rachel Zoe]

Yeah.

[Laura Brown]

Like if I'd go to the Paris fashion shows and I wouldn't be going to all the ones I used to do, would I chuck a wobbly?

[Rachel Zoe]

Right.

[Laura Brown]

Would I? And I haven't because I don't not interested in doing all those things and being with those people that I wouldn't want to hang with in their sandbox anyway. So now what I think triumphs over all of if. Even if you have little twitches, is the ownership you've earned over what you do and that. So now it's like, oh, if you want me to work with you, if I'm going to do a. A podcast or make a movie with you or design stuff or consult or do whatever. Whatever I'm gonna do. But you pay me.

[Rachel Zoe]

Yeah.

[Laura Brown]

And I. Yeah.

[Rachel Zoe]

A hundred.

[Laura Brown]

And that is that, ladies, is the.

[Rachel Zoe]

And it's for you, Laura. That's the thing. It's for.

[Laura Brown]

And you. And you have to own that. And that's when you can be. That's when you have to always like, that's when you got to own your. And I, I learned this a little bit because Australians are self deprecating and yeah, we're not like, I'm not a big tosser, but I have sort of in the last, I've been in the States, just gone. No, I did do that work and that was good work. And, and I deserve that thing. And I think that's still sadly hard for, you know, and I, I, I can't, I'm not going around swinging saying, oh, you know, pay me this. But I do have a, I can articulate the ownership of what I've done and the pride in the work that I've done. And, and I really urge all women to. It doesn't mean you're like an ego, but it doesn't mean you're like an ego monster. It's just like, I did that and I'm proud of it.

[Rachel Zoe]

No, it's okay to have confidence. Yes, it's okay to have confidence. And I actually weirdly think lar. Funny enough, I actually think that's the thing as women that we struggle with the most, like, meaning. I know maybe I can count on one hand the amount of truly confident women. I know. Really, like, actually. Because I think a lot of what drives us very often is our insecurity. So we constantly go, do better, do more, outdo that person. You can do better. That's why they always say women are overachievers and men are typically underachievers because the expectation of them is not as high. Right. It's just different. And I think. But I have always found, you know, the thing I always get asked, and I'm sure you do too, is I love fashion. I want to get into the fashion business. You to me have never seemed like that person. I actually think what motivated you, it's almost like the fashion, weirdly, from where I sit for you was secondary. I never felt like you were that like, fashion editor in the front row that was like, look number, blah, blah, blah. Like, you were sort of like you wanted to like, write a story about the design, you know what I'm saying?

[Laura Brown]

A broader story. You came from a cultural story in some way. But not to be pretentious about it, I think it's certainly not. But just like, no, a bigger thing about the designer and the world they live in and the women they dress rather than like, like it's all about the wide pan.

[Rachel Zoe]

Yes. And we love a wide pan.

[Laura Brown]

I adore a wide pan. It is all about a wide pan. The whole my whole life and Most of yours, 100. But like, but like, I, I, that is just, that's not that challenging, is it?

[Rachel Zoe]

No, no.

[Laura Brown]

The new, I mean, the new coats, okay, it's a bunch of coats.

[Rachel Zoe]

I live in la. I barely get to wear a damn coat.

[Laura Brown]

It's just like the new, there's all this sort of, all those are prescriptive fashion stuff. It's just so dark. It's so dumb.

[Rachel Zoe]

So, Laura, so what happens? What happens? Like, I want to know what happens with Lara Brown next, because I have a feeling you have many irons in the fire.

[Laura Brown]

I actually do.

[Rachel Zoe]

I, I'm aware that you probably irons in the fire.

[Laura Brown]

And a little like, I gotta say, what I'm really enjoying right now is it's just things coalescing, but I'm not overdoing. I'll go and sort of bank in my days. I'll bank like some zoom command performances all together in the one day, and then I'll go for a walk and then I don't balance and if I don't have to do something on Friday, I won't like. So that kind of. I've been in Australia more like all those things, just a bit more holistically. But no, what I would say LB Media is and what I have characterized it as an umbrella over a buffet.

[Rachel Zoe]

But it's like, but it makes sense. You're touching a lot of things and.

[Laura Brown]

It is, but it is, I think. But even I guess another way to describe it I've just been thinking on is almost like everything I'm doing there would almost be like the sections of a magazine, which is, there's words, there's pictures, there's podcasts, there's film, there's producing, there's design, there's aesthetics, there's pr, there's hosting, there's all of these things. And I think what it's going to come back to, and again, I've really only been at it two months, you know, is a kind of community, you know, and, and I'll see which way, like, I'm producing a film that sort of, that I ended up makes sense, involved in. And, and so it's all these things that people will sort of call me and go, hey, how about. And I just really love it. I'm working on maybe a big beauty idea. Hopefully it's very slow, but who knows? But just like, I love this sort of touching.

[Rachel Zoe]

A lot of things I do, I.

[Laura Brown]

Like, like, here's some shrimp and here's some chicken and here's some Carrot sticks. And he is like some cheese. I, I really, I don't want to have to decide. I don't want to have to be linear. I don't want to have to describe it in a linear way, which is, again, still quite American. And I. And people go, so, what are you doing? And I sort of go, and it's. And even my agents, so what are you doing? I'm like, dude, it's all the things.

[Rachel Zoe]

Yeah.

[Laura Brown]

But, like, I never did even. I was in magazines. I never just did words, just did pictures. I did the whole world, create the whole world. So I feel like it's, like, it's weird. I'm talking about myself in the third person. It's kind of this LB universe.

[Rachel Zoe]

Yeah.

[Laura Brown]

And I'm very good at. And what I really love also is introducing people and connecting people so they can make beautiful things together. And I can. So I'm just going to, I'm going to be a, you know, a producer, but also sort of talent as well, a little bit. I've got manager now and all that sort of stuff, you know, so I'm just seeing where it goes. And I'm not pushing anything and I'm not. I don't have anything to prove to anybody.

[Rachel Zoe]

Right.

[Laura Brown]

I don't, you know, I don't get as many handbags. It's fine. I've got plenty. Like, you know, that sort of stuff.

[Rachel Zoe]

Yeah.

[Laura Brown]

Like, I also would like to make, you know, I, I. A real success is when you buy your own handbags, isn't it? You know, so. And you're not depending on other people's largesse and a lot of stuff with journalism and media, it's, it's lovely and luxurious, but it's not actually your life.

[Rachel Zoe]

No.

[Laura Brown]

Like, it's not. You get to go stay at the nice hotel for the Chanel show and then you go home to your apartment. So I kind of. I like to live my own life. It's been great. I went to Paris for some shows just recently because I was doing this video series with my Teresa, and I was kind of. I would scam rides from, like, Samira Christina o' Neal, but then I would, like, use my. Get on the Jason set, like taxi service and walk around. And I'm also really enjoying, like, feeling like I'm part of a city and I'm functioning and I'm not just looking at some car window, you know, because in between appointments with advertising, like, I just, I feel very solid.

[Rachel Zoe]

Yeah.

[Laura Brown]

And, and not eroded or dependent on things that I had or thought I needed.

[Rachel Zoe]

That's so interesting. And I want to just talk about that really quick. The thing is, it's definitely something I want to talk about because that's an incredible example with lots of takeaways about being. Working in corporate America versus being an entrepreneur. I haven't had a boss since I was 25. I've had no support in terms of if I don't show up, there's no one to show up for me. You know what I mean? Or like healthcare, any of the things. Or like, when I go to Europe, I'm paying for that. Do you know what I mean? Or like, I'm booking drivers. I'm booking. And so I wanna bring that up because there is this real pros and cons thing to being both. And some people really can only function in that corporate because whether it's insurance, whether it's. People really like that.

[Laura Brown]

Yes, yes. No.

[Rachel Zoe]

My sister, you know what I mean? She loves it.

[Laura Brown]

No rag on it at all. I mean, like, it's not better or worse.

[Rachel Zoe]

It's not better.

[Laura Brown]

I was like, I was a good corporate girl, like. And I would be always the one who'd be like, can you host the funny. They'd be like, can you host the funny sweater party at Christmas? I'm like, yes. Okay. You know, But I would be. You can't you just see them asking? Yeah, exactly. I'm very on brand. But I. I could see you wearing.

[Rachel Zoe]

The light up Dear one.

[Laura Brown]

Oh, God, yeah. Just right on my boobs. Anyway, and I, I just. And look, it's. It's a great. Especially like an editorial. Like, it can be like a great life and you get your perks and your bonuses and you can.

[Rachel Zoe]

I just was like, no, but you don't. It's not for you.

[Laura Brown]

I'm more me. I'm. My value comes from me. And I want to decide what that is. And it is. It is. It's certainly riskier in the early term.

[Rachel Zoe]

Oh, yeah.

[Laura Brown]

You know, but it's awesome. But it's awesome. It just gives you a whole lot more to stand on. And it's like the. It's the house that you built. And I am really, like, you know, raised by a single mom, only child in Sydney, Australia. So I'm like, I got on the damn plane and I'm here. So I. I really. I feel solid. I feel solid and good and optimistic and also not trafficking any of those old silly behaviors and tropes of fashion that we just don't need to bother with anymore.

[Rachel Zoe]

Can I tell you one thing, that there has been such a common thread, many common threads throughout the amazing women that I've interviewed. And I have to say that the most common thread is that every woman, except every single one, except for two, were raised by a single mother.

[Laura Brown]

Wow.

[Rachel Zoe]

A working blood, sweat and tears single mother. And I have to tell you that I'm here on the other side of it, watching the most extraordinary women as products of single mothers. And as hard as it is to be a single mother, it's nice to know that your children, particularly the daughters, really, even though it may suck in the moment, like how hard it is, you know.

[Laura Brown]

Yeah, yeah.

[Rachel Zoe]

It really does have an impact in a good way.

[Laura Brown]

I like, you know. Yeah. I'm. And that's another thing for when, like, if you know that you grew up with not much in you and you just worked. I worked for. When I was 14 years old. And so I feel very. I think that does give you equity as well. I got the five grand to get me the plane ticket to come here.

[Rachel Zoe]

You've earned this, Laura.

[Laura Brown]

You know, kind of. Yeah, yeah. Not kinda, you know, and so I feel like that everyone does. And it's so important to remind yourself of that. Whether you've got a. Three kids and a mom and pop with a.

[Rachel Zoe]

Doesn't matter.

[Laura Brown]

Picket fence or mums or dads or whatever it is, or whichever way you came out into the world, just do the work. Do the work and believe in yourself and then create something you can stand on. Then you create something else and something else and you can just stand a little bit higher.

[Rachel Zoe]

Can you give a kiss to your gorgeous husband and your kids?

[Laura Brown]

I will, I will.

[Rachel Zoe]

I mean, really, how could you not fall in love with Laura? I mean, the fact that she left Australia and moved to New York proves her work ethic, how dedicated she is and how ambitious she is. Because Australia, as we all know, is so incredibly far. It's just so admirable because she didn't do the sort of traditional, you know, path into fashion, which I don't know what is traditional, but a lot of people, I think, go to school. They major in fashion merchandising, they go to fashion school, then they become designers, or then they become fashion editors. And I think with Lara, as I said in our discussion, she has always stood out to me because she had so much humor about her approach to the industry, which. Which very often is lacking in humor. So thank you so much for listening to Climbing in Heels. And don't forget to write a review wherever you get your podcasts. I love to read them. And while you're at it, follow me on rachelzo and climbinginheelspod on Instagram for more updates on upcoming guests. I'll talk to you next week.

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[Ryan Seacrest]

Albertsons and Safeway, now through June 24. Score hot summer savings and earn four times the points. Look for in store tags on items like Pringles, Ritz crackers and chips, sliced soda, Wonder buns and bread and Natural Choice lunch meat. Then clip the offer in the app for automatic event long savings. Shop in store or online for easy drive up and go pick up or delivery subject to availability restrictions apply. Visit Albertsons or Safeway.com for more details.

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[Radhi Devlukia]

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An I heart podcast.