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- [00:01]
Lauren Sherman
We're so done with New Year New you this year it's More youe on Bumble. More of you shamelessly sending playlists, especially that one filled with show tunes. More of you finding Geminis because you know you always like them. More of you dating with intention because you know what you want and you know what?
- [00:18]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
We love that for you, someone else will too. Be More you this year and find them on Bumblebee. Foreign.
- [00:30]
Lauren Sherman
Welcome to Fashion People. I'm Lauren Sherman, writer of Puck's Fashion and Beauty Memo Line Sheet and today with me on the show is Morgan Stewart McGraw, founder of Wrangly. We talk growing up in Beverly Hills, why luxury brands are losing customers, being a non influencer influencer, and the state of Angelino style. Before we get going, I wanted to remind you that if you like this podcast, you'll definitely love Puck where I send an email called Line Sheet. If you're a fashion person, you get that reference. It's an original look at what's really going on inside the fashion and beauty industries. Line Sheet is scoopy, analytical and above all, fun. Along with me, a subscription to Puck gains you access to an unmatched roster of experts reporting on powerful people and companies in entertainment, media, sports, politics, finance, the art world and much more. If you're interested listeners of Fashion People get a discount. Just go to Puck News fashionpeople to join Puck or start a free trial. Happy Friday everyone. I am coming at you from Los Angeles. This week on Line Sheet we saw it all. Sarah Shapiro documented the rise of the shoe brand Laroude co founded by Xstyle.com editor Marina LaRude. Big fan of hers and Sarah really got into the ups and downs of building a shoe business in 2025. I suggest you check it out. It's not an easy category to get into, so very impressive. Rachel Strugatz broke the news on Hailey Bieber and Rhodes foray into multi brand retail and I was all over the place. Some HR news about a big exit at Celine now that Michael Ryder is in the Creative director seat. Intel on a walkout threat by New York Magazine's union. A report on a matches fashion relaunch. We don't love to see it but you need to learn more on lychee. And of course there's always lots of LVMH Intel. I also wrote about how Ozempic, Manjaro and the like are affecting the plus size modeling industry. There's so much going on so don't miss it. Let's get going with Morgan. Just an FYI, we recorded this before the fires in Los Angeles. So I just want you to know that we're not monsters. We don't talk about it because they hadn't happened. But I hope you enjoy the conversation and learn something anyway. And I hope to see many of you in New York next week. Morgan Stewart McGraw. Welcome to Fashion People.
- [03:10]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Thank you so much. I'm so excited. I'm going to hear that. And by the way, and I'm going to hate how I said that. I always do the thank you so much. But we're here. I'm excited.
- [03:18]
Lauren Sherman
I'm from a place called Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I don't know if you've ever been there, but the way people speak there. And I think it has to do with. There's like, something to do with, I want to say Scottish or something. Some background. And they up talk. So at the end of sentences. And I still do it. But when I went to college in Boston, not Harvard, I just went to a regular school. But you know. You know when people, like, are like, I went to school in Boston. And you're like, f off. I know where you went to school. No, I really just went to school in Boston. But they would make fun of me constantly because I'd be like, well, are we going there? Or, like, instead, at the end, it always sounds like a question, so I understand. There's all. We all have our weird stuff.
- [04:01]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
I also wish, like, I had a cooler story to go with it, but mine is just, like, straight anxiety. There's no around nothing.
- [04:08]
Lauren Sherman
Well, you know, you wear it well.
- [04:10]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Thank you. I appreciate it.
- [04:12]
Lauren Sherman
First question, what'd you have for breakfast?
- [04:14]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Oh, my God. This is all I think about. I had scrambled eggs, a side of blueberries, and a piece of toast.
- [04:21]
Lauren Sherman
It's a perfect coffee meal.
- [04:23]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Yeah, I need it.
- [04:25]
Lauren Sherman
I was just thinking about this this morning because I skipped breakfast because I went to the Doan fundraiser.
- [04:34]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Yeah.
- [04:35]
Lauren Sherman
And ate a very small amount of food because it was at Genghis Cohen, which I'd never been there. It was fun.
- [04:43]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Okay.
- [04:44]
Lauren Sherman
There was. Adam Brody was there. He is a delight. He is way hotter in person. Like, he is not my. That's not my vibe. And I, like, I think he's cute, but I. But he's really cute in person.
- [04:55]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
No, I feel like he's really cute on camera and in person. I feel like across the board. He's doing well.
- [05:00]
Lauren Sherman
Yeah, he's doing very well. But I had, like, a butterfly. A butterfly. Deep fried shrimp and some lo mein, and that's it at like 9pm So I was still hungry. It was not enough food, but I was like, you know, I'm not gonna have breakfast. But the thing I was thinking about was the fact that I love toast and scrambled eggs. Like, that's my. I could eat that for every single meal.
- [05:25]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
That's your. Is that, is that your everyday breakfast?
- [05:28]
Lauren Sherman
When. Yeah, I, I tend to.
- [05:33]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Or.
- [05:33]
Lauren Sherman
Or my lunch. It depends. If I eat really late at night, I won't eat breakfast. But if I eat at 5pm then I have breakfast. That type of thing.
- [05:41]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
But do you feel like your eating habits post having a child have changed? Like, I am unfortunately in a position where like, if I don't eat breakfast, I'm. The ambulance is being called by 11:00. Like I cannot function without food. And before I had kids, I could have gone two days, no food.
- [05:55]
Lauren Sherman
Yeah, I, I think that my habits have changed in that I really love eating dinner early. And so the fact that he wants to eat dinner at five best. I'm on board. And we try to eat as only child, so we're. We try to eat as a family. And my husband would eat at like 8:30 if it were up to him. And I'm like, it's 5:15. We gotta get going. We gotta get this meal moving because this kid's getting annoyed and he's gonna end up eating a bunch of crap before dinner if we don't eat now. So. Yeah, it's interesting how. And your kids are. You said four and two.
- [06:31]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
They're gonna. Yeah, no, they're gonna be. Ro is gonna be three in February. No, I've already fucked up. How old she is? How old is she gonna be? She's gonna be four in February and Gray is gonna be three in February. They're literally the year and the day. So she's the 16th and he's the 17th.
- [06:43]
Lauren Sherman
Oh, wow. So Irish twins. Almost literally.
- [06:47]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
That's why I have to have breakfast now. I understand. Yeah, that's the whole thing. But it makes me feel really good that you have the same family dynamic. Because my husband is the same way. I guess it's like a ma'am thing. Dinner at 8:30 to me is not. It's like not ethical. Like I. There's not a shot in hell I'm eating dinner at 8:30.
- [07:02]
Lauren Sherman
No. When I'm in Europe I do it, but I really only eat dinner. Like I. You know what, you know, when you're traveling for the shows and stuff, like, it's just. So I'll eat it like 10 o'clock at night there. And then for the rest of the day I'm like, oops, I forgot to eat something. Which doesn't affect you.
- [07:17]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
It doesn't affect you. Nothing counts there. There's no hangovers. You can have 100 cigarettes. Doesn't matter.
- [07:22]
Lauren Sherman
No, this is not a video. Video. It's not ever. The video is never going to live. But I do notice some bags in the background. Is that a background or is that your real bag?
- [07:33]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
This is real life.
- [07:34]
Lauren Sherman
Oh, my God. It's amazing.
- [07:36]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Well, this is all just to really, like make it. And then there's a new one up there that I haven't unpacked. So these, this. I had this case made because I had no room for any of these bags. So these are my size 25 Birkins and mini Kelly K. So all my 35 Birkins and my Hawks live in my main closet. So this is just for like the babies. And then I have on top, there's like some Chanel, if you can see.
- [08:00]
Lauren Sherman
I love it. It. It is a piece of art.
- [08:03]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Thank you. It really looks so good. It really works. And it was really actually just more. It was less of a display case and more for functionality. But it's kind of giving both.
- [08:14]
Lauren Sherman
Do you have a favorite of these? 25 inch?
- [08:21]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Yeah. I'm gonna show it to you.
- [08:23]
Lauren Sherman
Show me.
- [08:24]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
I have. It's a Kelly, though. It's not a Burton. And I haven't worn this one, which is. This is a disservice. We have this matte gray Birkin. My favorite.
- [08:33]
Lauren Sherman
Oh, wow. It's beautiful.
- [08:37]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
This 25 or excuse me, 28 brick Kelly box with the white stitching is this. I figured you'd appreciate this one. This is a special bag.
- [08:47]
Lauren Sherman
You know, I just did the Proust questionnaire with Monica, who has like a fancy French last name, who's based in Paris, who's Canadian. And it's the fashion Proust questionnaire. And it said, what would you. If you were gonna come back as a luxury item, what would you. Or a fashion item, what would you come back to back as? And I said a red Kelly.
- [09:10]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
There's. This is. I would give every single one away and just keep this one above all the skins about everything there's just. Because, you know, the more beaten up. It's just like one of those. It's just a beautiful.
- [09:20]
Lauren Sherman
So good.
- [09:21]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Thank you. I got lucky with this one.
- [09:23]
Lauren Sherman
So, Morgan, how did you get so into Hermes bags? Like, who are you? How did you. How did you. How did you come to be a fashion person.
- [09:34]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
I feel like I've always been a fashion person. I know that that's such a weird answer, but, like, my mom is a fashion person. I grew up around it. It's just literally something that has, like, been ingrained in me. Like, clothes have always been really important. Like, they've always been a priority. It's not something that was ever, like, an afterthought. Like, clothes were prioritized, and looking good was prioritized in terms of just, like, good taste, not in terms of, like, plastic surgery or a certain image. And so I feel like I was born with it. And I was also just. I was heavily influenced by my surroundings and the people that raised me. And that was just something that was the thing, the Hermes. I feel like when I was 25, it was just really popular, and it was impossible to get one. Like, it's not like now it's still impossible, but for some reason, every single person and their mother has one. They're kind of. It's almost starting to, like, turn a bit. Like, the mini Kelly is like. It's like you kind of cringe a little bit. Like, oh, like, are we really going to wear these still? And I got. I was in Switzerland in Stod for Christmas break, and I somehow managed to get my hands on a brown 35, because I begged, and I was like, that was it. I was hooked. And the 35 was, like, the size to have at that point, which is like, 10 years ago.
- [10:51]
Lauren Sherman
Yeah.
- [10:52]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
And I guess since the last few years, I've just sort of started collecting, but it's almost just, like, happened. It wasn't. I didn't set out to do it.
- [10:59]
Lauren Sherman
Yeah. And I do think if. So if you're going to collect a fashion thing, that is the thing. Or Chanel jackets, and that's another thing. But these are things that you can really become a connoisseur of them in the same way people collect, I don't know, cigars or whatever. It's a similar thing.
- [11:20]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Right. Or rocks. I mean, everyone cuts something. And these. I mean, I think at the smartest part is that obviously it's such an investment. I mean, I could flip any of these bags for, like, triple the amount I paid for them. And I'm a connoisseur in the sense of, like, I love them, I'm emotional about them. I buy them if I like them, but I'm not like, these. This is, you know, this color and this size. Like, if somebody brings something out and I like it, I like it. And I forget all the facts about it. Like, I am not. Like, things aren't in the box and they don't have the stuff around them. And I'm like, I know this one's called Brick because I remembered I couldn't tell you any other color behind me.
- [11:51]
Lauren Sherman
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [11:53]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
You know, like, it just sort of is.
- [11:55]
Lauren Sherman
Well, this is what they say about art. It's kind of like you're supposed to just buy the stuff you like and not worry about what the value is or what the context. Like, you're just supposed to buy what you like. And if you do that, then you do. They do end up creating value. Unless you're really bad taste. But we don't. So you grew up in Los Angeles?
- [12:16]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Yes, I grew up in la. Born and raised. Went to school here my whole life.
- [12:21]
Lauren Sherman
What do you think in terms of your personal style and also the way you think about fashion? How did that inform your way of being.
- [12:32]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Well, this is the thing. And I hate to always, like, bring up my mom and go back to that. My mom is not American, so I feel like I.
- [12:38]
Lauren Sherman
Where is she from?
- [12:39]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
So my mom is Swiss. So, like, she was, like, in Jill Saunder my whole life. Like, that was sort of like that. Like, I grew up, we were going to Barney's. It was own. Like her. Jill Saunder was my row.
- [12:51]
Lauren Sherman
Yes, totally.
- [12:52]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Or, like, there was some Etro or a crease or like, just all of these sort of, like, you know, different Chanel pieces sprinkled in. Um, and so I kind of followed in those footsteps where I don't feel like I have such LA style, except for the fact that, like, I wear jeans basically every single day and I don't feel the need to get dressed up all the time. But, yeah, I guess my LA style is really just sort of how Californian I am in the fact that, like, I wear jeans everywhere. It's like, I'm casual, but it's not really, you know.
- [13:23]
Lauren Sherman
Yeah, you're really polished and. And. Oh, yeah. Oh, please. You know, you look great every day, but you are very polished, but not in. It doesn't feel forced. It's very. It just feels like that's who you are. And so you always look really put together. And I. I know what you mean. I was looking through my closet today because I'm going to a couple holiday parties, and I realized I really. My closet is. I have really nice clothes, but it's jeans now and it's not. And it's. Yeah. And there's just I have dresses and things, but they don't feel appropriate for here. So especially going out at night, unless you're going to a really fancy thing, it's a little bit odd to dress, get dressed for here. I think that's a huge reason high sport has been so popular here, because it's the sort of medium between wearing jeans and, like, a lighting kind of.
- [14:21]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Yeah, yeah. And I think. And that. That is sort of the thing that's sort of depressing here because you always feel a bit overdressed. But then if I'm like, in New York, I'm like, I have nothing to wear.
- [14:30]
Lauren Sherman
I know, yeah.
- [14:31]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
It's really tricky. And then I have a 4,000 pairs of slacks, but then I'm like, do I want to wear baggy slacks that only look good in jeans? Like, there's just some holes, right. That I'm struggling with.
- [14:41]
Lauren Sherman
I think the trouser situation in fashion is not great. Great either. There are. I have the same issue. I have tons of pants, and I don't even end up wearing them when I go to New York, even though I buy them for New York, essentially. But then when I get there, I'm like, I think I actually am just gonna wear jeans all day.
- [15:02]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
I know, I know. I really. I just appreciate having these conversations so much because these are the things that take priority in my brain. And I'm like, you should probably think about something else. And all I do is stare at, like, these mountains of clothes in front of me. And I genuinely sometimes am like, I'm so overwhelmed by it that I just, like, put some, like, the thing that's on the floor on. And I just go on about my day, and I keep dying to solve the problem, and I. It's. It's making it worse, I think.
- [15:29]
Lauren Sherman
Lauren, Sandra Domingo was just on this new podcast that Harper's Bazaar is doing called the Goodbye, and she actually had a lot of very pragmatic shopping advice. Even if you are not buying the robe, boots, and whatever coat she suggested, which sound fabulous. I mean, it is a luxury magazine. But the. What she said that I was really helpful for me was she does. It's not even the one in, one out rule, which I do try to do. She does one and two out.
- [16:00]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
I know. That is wild. That is a really big commitment.
- [16:05]
Lauren Sherman
She was talking about black sweaters, and I've just recently bought several black sweaters because I feel like I don't have the right one. And I thought, oh, I really do need to get rid of the other ones. If I'm gonna keep. Keep. I still haven't found the right one, to be honest.
- [16:22]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Okay, well, you don't. Not even to do shameless plug. But like you don't have the wrangly crew neck like thin cashmere sweater.
- [16:28]
Lauren Sherman
I need to get it.
- [16:29]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
No, I'll get. That is. I'm not. I made that sweater for this exact purpose because I could not find the right sweater. It will solve your problems.
- [16:41]
Lauren Sherman
If you need three new reasons to love Jack wraps at Jack in the box even more, here they are. Chicken fajita, chicken caesar and delicious starting at $3. Coincidentally, those are the same three reasons you should come to Jack in the box right now at Jack, every bite's a big deal. College holds a mythic place in American culture, embodying both its highest ideals and deepest flaws.
- [17:07]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
The higher ups are concerned about one thing, and that is avoiding scandal.
- [17:11]
Lauren Sherman
I'm Margo Gray on the new podcast Campus Files. We cover college scandals and explore what these stories reveal about us. Listen to and follow Campus Files, an odysey original podcast available now on the free odysey app and wherever you get your podcasts. So how did you. And you went from being a fashion collector and a fashion person to being a fashion designer and a fashion entrepreneur? Tell me about your journey, Morgan. How did you get from here to. To here, from there to here, there to there?
- [17:52]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
To be honest with you, I really feel like it was just sort of destiny. I don't even know if there was a journey. I did a reality show in 2014 called Rich Kids of Beverly Hills. I don't know if you watched it.
- [18:01]
Lauren Sherman
I'm sure I don't watch reality television, but I love the concept of it. Who else was on it with you? I feel like the people, the vibes were good on this television.
- [18:12]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
It was a great. It was a great. I mean, look, I never watched it when it was on, and I can barely watch it now. But it was with my friend Dorothy Wang, who was kind of the originator of the show. Like, she. It was her sort of like they basically came to us together, but she was the one that spearheaded it. And. And then some other kids. I like another friend of mine, this girl Roxy. Just like we were a group of friends. We grew up in Beverly Hills together. It was fantastic. I was like really into fashion, wore fashion on the show, consistent to the fashion I wear now and then. I think it was like my third season and somebody approached my agent to do a line and it ended up being a sportswear line. And so I Did activewear for, like, five years. So that was amazing and really successful. And I did, like. I hate to say this, but I was like, the first person to do, like, seamless leggings. Truly. And I think. And then it just sort of became like, do you know what I'm. You know what that means?
- [19:04]
Lauren Sherman
Yes.
- [19:04]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Yeah. It was like. It's like the high waisted seamless leggings. I was doing them in a bunch of different colors. And so I did that for five years. We had some unbelievable pieces that I still, like, wear, and people really loved it. And then that fell to shit. And then I continued. The show ended. Two years after the clothing line ended, I went to go work at E. And I did their nighttime show, daytime show, and then a bunch of digital shows for them. And then in 2022, that ended, and I think it was like a few months later. And then somebody put me in touch. My agent put me in touch with my business partners that do Wrangly now.
- [19:38]
Lauren Sherman
The lacrosse boys.
- [19:39]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
The lacrosse boys, who we love. We love the lacrosse boys. Max and Xander.
- [19:43]
Lauren Sherman
Guys, come on the pod.
- [19:45]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
On the pod.
- [19:46]
Lauren Sherman
Can you imagine? They'll be like, oh, like, mumbling the whole time.
- [19:49]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Oh, but no, no, no, they're wonderful. And we were. We did that deal, and it just. That it just worked out.
- [19:56]
Lauren Sherman
When you say it went to shit, what happened? Was it just, like, not a great situation?
- [20:01]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
It was not a great situation. And the people that I did it with, it just sort of. It really just fell to shit, to be honest with you. And it was probably time to move on. And Wrangly always existed in my brain. Like, I. At, like, 16, I was like, I'm gonna have a brand. It's gonna be called Wrangly. I don't know how that's gonna happen, but that's just gonna happen. And then it happened.
- [20:21]
Lauren Sherman
What is. What does the name. Is it like a surname? What does the name mean?
- [20:26]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
So it's my mom's maiden name.
- [20:27]
Lauren Sherman
Okay.
- [20:28]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
It's my middle name, and it's my daughter's middle name as well. And I actually hated the name growing up. I was like, you know, to use this, I was like, why can't my middle name be Molly? Like, why do I have to say this name out loud? Like, this is fudgeing crazy. And when they approached me and I was working on this deal, I was like, it has to be called Wrangly. And I think it fits perfectly.
- [20:46]
Lauren Sherman
It's. I love it. It's such a. It's such a great name. And what did you want to do? Like what was, especially after you had this experience that wasn't. It was good in some ways and not good in others.
- [20:59]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Right.
- [21:00]
Lauren Sherman
What was like sort of your vision for what you were going to put together?
- [21:04]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
I mean, I wanted to make wearable clothing that like was my exact taste. And to go back to the point of like filling the holes in my closet and just sort of like instead of buying it, like making things that I need, like that black sweater we talked about, like we came out our first season, it was a black sweater, a yellow sweater and a beige sweater and this like very fine cashmere because I could not find that. I couldn't find any fit I want. And that was the sweater that I wanted to wear like for a lunch meeting with a T shirt underneath and then also kind of wear it as a blouse to dinner and sort of be able to like fit both of those roles. So just sort of paying attention and creating the sort of detail in clothing that I was lacking was really important. I feel like that's just something like there's a different variation, a million variations of things. Except for the thing you want.
- [21:50]
Lauren Sherman
Yeah, always.
- [21:51]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
You know what I mean? It's always like so like shopping for me lately especially has become challenging and I'm really fortunate where I can buy a lot of what I want and I'm like, what is this crap?
- [22:04]
Lauren Sherman
Yeah. Yeah. I think that's how a lot of people feel right now.
- [22:08]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Yeah.
- [22:08]
Lauren Sherman
And because the thing is, the luxury industry has been relying on people like you who can buy stuff.
- [22:14]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Right.
- [22:14]
Lauren Sherman
And if you're not satisfied, they're really screwed.
- [22:18]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
There's just no attention to like. I feel like I'm going to all of these high luxury. First of all, I'm going to most of these luxury brands because there is no multi brand store anymore that I can walk into and find or discover like a lesser known brand that's Japanese or something cool where I can pick an item up that like not everybody has. Like that does not exist. And it used to. So that's also really depressing. And then I'm kind of getting fed all of these different things. Like somebody from Gucci just messaged me a bunch of dresses and I'm like, I'm never wearing that dress.
- [22:47]
Lauren Sherman
Yeah.
- [22:48]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
You know, so it's kind of sad.
- [22:51]
Lauren Sherman
Yeah. Because you also actually have taste. Whereas a lot of people, they're betting this is the thing, they are betting that people don't have taste and that they'll do whatever they say. But the problem is everybody has taste and is. Has developed their taste because they've been consuming this stuff for the last 20 years. And so now totally there, there aren't options. Why did you decide to do something? Like the prices are very reasonable. The sweaters are like 400 bucks for a cashmere sweater or whatever. It's not, it's not cheap. It's not like Quince.com or something, but it's not, it's not crazy expensive. Why did you decide on that price point?
- [23:32]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Because I wanted things just simply to be appropriately priced. I think the inflation of some of these pieces as my light dies. Thank God this isn't being recorded. Kind of chic though. I just feel like it was so inflated. Like it genuinely was like unethical. Like this is not $4,000 worth of merchandise. Like you need to, we need to stay in reality a little bit. And I think for me it was really important for my consumer to trust me and get a piece of clothing from Wrangly and be like holy. Like this is legit. Like they have done their research. She, she has sourced this material. She is most importantly going to wear this. Right. Like Mary Kay and Ashley. Like they're wearing some of the row. But it's really hard to really love the thing. It's like I've said this before but when you make dinner for someone, you don't really want to eat it. You're like, I snack the whole time. Like I prepared it for someone else. When it's time to eat, you're over it. And that's the same thing with I think if you make clothes. But. So that's why with Wrangler was really specific that this stuff was stuff I.
- [24:29]
Lauren Sherman
Was going to wear and what. I know that you do a drop and stuff sells out immediately, but what has the reaction been? And you have a lot of followers on Instagram. I don't know if you're on TikTok because I never go on there. But I'm sure you're doing it. But I mean that's a built in audience so people are going to be interested. But what has the feedback been and what did you learn in the first. I mean you've only been doing this for what, two years?
- [25:01]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
No, not even. It's been.
- [25:02]
Lauren Sherman
Not even.
- [25:03]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
It was a year. September. Yeah. And the feedback has been honestly unbelievable because I, I think like we really cared. I really cared and I wanted to make sure that like I am not gonna sell to the audience that has watched me for the last 12 years put different clothes on that's been consistent. Right. Like, I didn't have that big of a difference taste 10 years ago than I do now. And I wanted them to kind of be able to trust that. So when they started to get stuff in the mail, they were like, oh, you weren't playing. Like, you really showed up and you really made sure that this was gonna be an extension of your actual taste and point of view. So it's been great.
- [25:42]
Lauren Sherman
So I wanna talk about your career as. And the interesting thing is maybe it's because I met you via Rangley and obviously I knew who you were, but I didn't think of you as a traditional influencer. And perhaps it's because you did reality tv, you did presenting as they would say in the uk. I don't even know what they would call it here. You've done all these different things. What did you want to be when you grew up? And how would you define your career? As someone who gets paid to post about stuff and who influences other people's choices and, like, shopping decision, that sort of thing, I think.
- [26:26]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Well, the thing is, the funniest thing is that I, like, barely get paid to post about stuff. And I think my career, like, what I wanted to be when I grew up, first of all, was I always wanted to be on television. That was number one. This sort of, like, fashion girl. It's always been in the background of how people knew me, and now it's at the forefront. Like, in this last year, I think it's really changed with Rangly and just. I think people who have been following me for many years have been like, oh, she's always been that girl. But it's just I have more of a presence in, like, the fashion space, like, where people, like, you know who I am. But for me, TV has always been the forefront of my ambition and my interests. And this is actually the first time in my entire time kind of being in this world or in this business where I don't have a television show, I don't have a podcast. Like, I don't have an actual vehicle that people can come to every single day, aside from my Instagram or my TikTok, where they can come and see, like, the personality side of me, which is actually the largest part of what makes me who I am. And I totally forgot the second part of the question, so I hope I answered some of it.
- [27:26]
Lauren Sherman
No, that was. That's really interesting. And it's interesting to know. So, like, when you look at the makeup of the MSM enterprise, the part of it where you're getting paid to post and doing content partnerships or sponsored posts or brand partnerships. That's a small part of your, your overall business, the business of you at this point.
- [27:51]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
That is something that like, I will take those on if it makes sense. And like, I really do feel passionate about what I'm doing. And, and I'll obviously like link things that I'm wearing just to kind of, you know, I know people are interested, so I'll do that. But in terms of like actual content posting, I'm not really doing that as much as I probably should or could. And so, yeah, I think the in. I think I've said this also before, but like, I'm not an influencer. I'm just influential. I think people really trust that I'm not gonna bullshit them. And I, I am who I am no matter what. Like, it's not like, oh, we're doing this style this season, so I'm jumping on top of that. Like, we're gonna do the same version of me no matter what.
- [28:31]
Lauren Sherman
Yeah, I think you're more of a personality.
- [28:35]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
I appreciate that.
- [28:36]
Lauren Sherman
Than, than you weren't like outfit posting 12 years ago. Right. Like that was. Did you have a blog or anything or was it.
- [28:44]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Yeah, I mean, geez, I had a blog called Boobs was very. Yeah, it was.
- [28:49]
Lauren Sherman
Love it.
- [28:50]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
It was epic. It was epic. I was like so obsessed with all the different Louboutins. I bought all of them. I had a blog that was really personality based. I definitely have posted. I mean, most of my Instagram is me in different outfits. I think it was heavier like a few years back and now I've just gotten less interested in posting in general because I don't know, we're tired. We have kids.
- [29:09]
Lauren Sherman
Yeah. You have a life and, and you have about five different other. Their jobs. Yeah, it's. It's interesting because every in, in some ways everyone is an influencer.
- [29:21]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Right.
- [29:23]
Lauren Sherman
Or anyone who has an online or, or public Persona at this point. So you see it in celebrity and, and you see it with actors and musicians. Same kind of thing. They have to choose how much they want to do that stuff. And then there are the people who sort of have built an entire business around that specifically. And I think that's when it gets tricky because if, if your whole life is doing these outfit posts or whatever, like, you have to evolve it. And a lot of them aren't able to or, you know, maybe they don't want to, but it's an interesting thing. How much are you thinking about? Like, I Just said the MSM enterprise. But, like, what are your kind of ambitions? For what? All the different things you want to do, like tv, podcasts, what else?
- [30:13]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
I mean, for me, I think, like, I've really enjoyed the last year of just being able to focus on wrangly because I do think a lot of why it's been so good is because I've had the time and space to like, send back and forth thousands of different fabric samples to make sure we have this shit off the ground. And. But tv, for me, I think, like, is. Is in the future. I think that that's gonna align when it's meant to. And I think it's tv. I think it's continuing to build wrangly. I don't. I've always said this. I don't wanna do a podcast. Of course, like, cut to me, in six months, having to do a podcast because everyone is like, do a fucking podcast. Just have one. But everyone has a podcast. Do I really need to pile on and also have one? Like, I'm also really good on camera.
- [30:54]
Lauren Sherman
Yeah.
- [30:55]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
And everyone, you know, not everyone can get out of just like a little box and actually like, carry stuff. So that's kind of the main. The main goal again.
- [31:04]
Lauren Sherman
I guess the other thing is how much money. Most people don't make a lot of money off podcasts, which. Not that. Not that that should be the driver, but if you're not interested in it, why do it? And even if it becomes fairly popular, like, there are very few that are going to get the call her daddy money. You could probably do it.
- [31:25]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
But I think if I were to build a podcast, I could probably get there. And I mean, she is. I love her. I've gone on her show, I've spent time with her. She's amazing and she's definitely the real deal. But yeah, I just think, like, the right opportunity will present itself and it probably won't be a podcast.
- [31:48]
Lauren Sherman
What do you think about style in LA now versus when you were growing up?
- [31:55]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Bad.
- [31:56]
Lauren Sherman
What happened? Do you think it was Covid?
- [31:58]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
I. You know what I think I just. I'm so happy we get to talk about all the things that just occupy my brain all day long. When I grew up in la and not just like Beverly Hills, like, I'm talking Malibu, just like the whole. All the different areas. Yeah, it was magical. It was truly like such a special place. Like, the sun was shimmering, like, everyone got dressed, you saw different women walking around. Like there was just. It was just way more New York. I mean, obviously with a Warmer climate. But there was. There was some standards. And now I feel like I'm, Like, I feel the way in my life right now, like, I'm taking the back streets through everything I do because there's just no sense of, like, glamour at all. Like, I don't even. I go out and I don't see anybody dressed well.
- [32:44]
Lauren Sherman
No sense of presentation.
- [32:46]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Nope. No. I tried to get there with standards. There's no sense of presentation at all. And it doesn't matter where you go. Like, if you're going to any of these places that are sort of like the trendy IT places. I mean, we had dinner not too long ago. Like, what was anyone wearing?
- [33:03]
Lauren Sherman
Like, No, I have no idea. Except for the people at our table.
- [33:07]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Exactly. And it doesn't need to be the fucking row.
- [33:10]
Lauren Sherman
No, but, like, we can get a.
- [33:12]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Crispy white T shirt and wear it with a nice blazer. Like, let's just, like, put some stuff.
- [33:15]
Lauren Sherman
On, you know, it's very funny. I was at South Beverly Grill the other night.
- [33:21]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Nothing better. Did you get the ribs?
- [33:23]
Lauren Sherman
No, but next time I got. Oh, I get the yellowtail salad, the best, with fries and a martini. It was perfect. It was so good. Then I went to the movies. I was in bed by 10.
- [33:38]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Nothing. Nothing. But I'm telling you right now, though, the ribs off, like, you need to eat.
- [33:41]
Lauren Sherman
Okay.
- [33:42]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Yeah.
- [33:42]
Lauren Sherman
Okay. But the thing was. I mean, it was early, but everyone was in sweats. Yeah, it's just like, that's a nice. I know that it's a chain, sort of, but, like, it's a nice restaurant.
- [33:53]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
It's a nice restaurant. It has.
- [33:54]
Lauren Sherman
Don't wear sweats.
- [33:55]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Mood lighting.
- [33:56]
Lauren Sherman
Yeah.
- [33:57]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
You're drinking there. Like, I. And I. I also just like, to me, if you're wearing sweatshirts, you haven't changed from the night before. Like, you slept in that and you left.
- [34:09]
Lauren Sherman
Yeah.
- [34:09]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Leggings with, like, a chic jacket over it that's, like, covering your bum. Like, there's a way to do that. Athleisure wear. I think Nicole Richie did it really well in 06. That worked. I'm not happy. And that's also why I'm so grateful again, to be able to have this brand that operates out of New York so I can go and wear some of the clothes I buy.
- [34:28]
Lauren Sherman
So what has that experience been like to. You lived in New York for a while, too, right?
- [34:33]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
I lived in a year. I lived there for a year, year and a half. It ate me alive. Or I ate it alive. I gained literally 20 pounds in six weeks.
- [34:41]
Lauren Sherman
Wow.
- [34:41]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
No, it was a whale. Like, I got off the airplane and my parents picked me up. It was like, my first, like, first semester of college, and they were like, are you. You having an emotional crisis?
- [34:51]
Lauren Sherman
Oh, it was. It was in college.
- [34:53]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
No, it was in college. It was a long time ago. But that.
- [34:55]
Lauren Sherman
That happens to everybody. Because of the buffet.
- [34:58]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Yeah, but it was, like, really big. But, yeah, I. I lived there for a year and a half, and until I was like, I can't do this anymore. I need to come home. Mama needs to come home. I had to surrender. And forever since I've always been. It's like a toxic relationship. Like, I'm always trying to, like, get the city to take me back. And now I'm in a nice groove where, like, we see each other over a few months. It's casual, but, like, kind of serious.
- [35:19]
Lauren Sherman
Yeah. I feel like I also have a toxic relationship with New York in that I tried to break up with it for. I lived there for 15 years, and the last five I tried to break up. Finally was able to break up because of COVID Right. But then every time I go, I'm. I don't want to move back in any way, but I am addicted to it. And I'm like, I got to go. I got to go. I got to go. I got to get there. I got to get there. My husband's there this week. I'm like, I should have gone. Why?
- [35:47]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Right? For what?
- [35:48]
Lauren Sherman
Why? To go some dumb party? No, that I'm not going to. That I'm going to go to for five minutes and be like, I hate all of you. I'm leaving. Like, it's just.
- [35:55]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Oh, it's.
- [35:57]
Lauren Sherman
But it is. Part of it is to wear the clothes. That is part. Now it's really cold there, though, so. So we're lucky. But I think people from here, if you're from California or honestly from the West Coast. I went to college with a lot of California kids, some LA kids. This is the best quality of life in America. Like, there isn't. It's. You can't. The east coast is so crowded, and the quality of life there is so much lower than here. I don't think I can ever move back because of that. Like, it just is, too. Life here is too good. But what has it been like for you to. You go to a lot of fashion shows and stuff, too. I don't know if you've been doing that forever, but I've seen you at Hermes and other shows in Europe.
- [36:40]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Yeah.
- [36:41]
Lauren Sherman
What has it Been like to be sort of incorporated into that world.
- [36:46]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
It's such a privilege. Like, I know that sounds cheesy, but it's so fantastic. Like, you know, I've met a bunch of different people that work in the brands and obviously they're all just wonderful, cool like people. I know, I know you know a lot of them and it's just, it's honestly an honor to be invited. And I love the toxicity of it where it's like, we're going to invite you this time, but we're not going to invite you next time, but maybe invite you in the future. And my ass is like with her tail wagging, like, ready to go no matter what, flying my ass over there myself. But every time, I mean, these shows, there's so much effort that goes into them. Even just like for my own self, like getting myself there, getting myself dressed, doing all the things and they're seven minutes long. I know, but there's no rush. Like, it, it's the best.
- [37:30]
Lauren Sherman
But people should be paying, pay, pay for Morgan to come. Guys, people should, should be paying for your flights. You know that some, I don't think this happens a lot with like people who aren't a list actors, but sometimes they get PJs. Listen, this is like 250 grand flights to get people to these shows. Like, it's, it's on a regular basis.
- [37:54]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
No, it is. Literally. And I, I hate to say this, but I'm gonna say it here because this is the time to say it. Like, people have had a really hard time, I think, in these different brands, like, placing me because they're like, well, yeah, are you our client or are you our influencer? Like, and I'm just like, guys, I'm the best thing that's ever happened to you. Don't underestimate me. I will sell the literal fuck out of everything out of a price point that you're not even comfortable with.
- [38:15]
Lauren Sherman
Yeah.
- [38:16]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
And I can speak to it because I actually wear it and I actually buy it, you know, like, it's, it's, it's all of these silly. And then like, I see no shade, no tea. But like some of these other girls that are doing some of these promotional posts and I'm like, that's who you chose?
- [38:33]
Lauren Sherman
Well, it's interesting. You, you see the people who invite you and you can tell those are the brands that are a little smarter.
- [38:39]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Yeah.
- [38:40]
Lauren Sherman
I saw you at the Ralph Lauren show a couple like last year. At some point I thought it was really smart of them to Invite you to that. I've seen you at the Hermes show. Not all of these brands have creative people thinking about who to invite to the show.
- [38:57]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Right.
- [38:58]
Lauren Sherman
And so they invite the same people every single season. And they're people 10, they've been doing it for 10, 15 years posting these outfits. And you're like, this person is never going to sell anything. And also looks that I, I under. It's a business. It is a business. I know you're friends with them, you don't need to invite them. And that's the, like, that's when I, I get excited when there's a new designer at a brand or there's a new group of people running it because I know they're going to switch all that stuff up.
- [39:27]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
It honestly, like, I have shivers, like chills on the body because it's so well said. And I have said this to so many people because I'm always a little grumpy because I feel like I don't get the credit I deserve. Like, I'm selling out all of these different Chanel flats and like, and I don't obviously get a dime from that. But then like, every person from every department store is like, they're all gone. In your size or in every size. And I, I say this specifically. The Rolodex is dusty. Like, we gotta shake it out and like, invite some new. And it doesn't even need to be me, but it needs to be other people 100%. Like, come on. Like, what I Valentino what they did at the last show with just like straight A list actors and like true fashion people. I was like, oh my God. Like, respect. Like you. That's fantastic.
- [40:14]
Lauren Sherman
Yeah. You know, it was interesting at the Alaia show in New York also. It felt like they tried really hard to get everyone who wanted to be there there. I'm sure there were a million people who were, who wanted to go who were not invited. But when I looked around that room, I thought, okay, they really made an effort. It was all the cool people, but it was also some people who are important but not cool. And it felt very genuine and that I was like, damn. A. I'm very, I feel like you said honored. Like, look, this is my job. It's a little different. I'm not like, I don't think I, you know, like, the only reason they invite me is for me to write about it. And I get that. But I was like, thank God I got to go to the show. Like, sometimes I don't care. That time I was like, Wow. I feel really lucky that I got to experience this. And yeah. And I just don't think, look, it's a big job and they are under a lot of pressure. But the problem is, like, not everyone who's working in those positions is like a super creative person. And not everyone running the companies are super creative from a, like, strategy perspective. They need more people like you and they need to think more the way you think about things. And, you know, I think the industry is changing, but. But there's a lot of ways to go, I would say.
- [41:47]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
I think so too. I really. And I appreciate you saying that because I just feel like this is such, like a simple fix. Like, you do need to think, because I also feel like the people that are getting by, it's almost like that's all set in stone. As we said, the Rolodex is so dusty, but it's like, no, you need to like, think about this from all angles. And I think also just even like with Kim Kardashian, kind of what she has been able to accomplish. This woman has made billions of dollars flying around on her own whole ass plane with multiple homes, brands worth billions. I mean, she started on a reality TV show. The fact that people in positions of influence to help cultivate like a strategic plan for their brand or the people they work for, don't think of every single person as like a potential next Kim Kardashian is mind boggling to me.
- [42:37]
Lauren Sherman
It's so true.
- [42:38]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Don't underestimate people just because you're not that familiar with them. Like, that's silly.
- [42:42]
Lauren Sherman
So true. Speaking of not underestimating you, what is next for wrangly? What are. What, what should we expect in year two?
- [42:52]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Oh, my God, Year two. So we have, we just, we just launched holiday sweaters. We have spring coming up. Spring is a delight. There is, we're just expanding in terms of design range. There's going to be a little.
- [43:03]
Lauren Sherman
There's.
- [43:03]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
We're going to have some organza coming, which I know everyone's like, that's had a moment, but we did this a year and a half ago. Like, that's when we decided it's just gonna get bigger and better. And I don't want to give away what we're doing, but, like, we're just expanding in terms of style and design in a major, major way.
- [43:24]
Lauren Sherman
I think you should also do home. But I will, I will decide that when I come to your house with my child and he runs around and wrecks it.
- [43:35]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
You realize I have zero child. Friendly items. My kids have learned, like walk around like my gro table. But I have a full playroom and he can draw on the walls if he wants.
- [43:44]
Lauren Sherman
I'm just kidding. He's actually very good. Because we also have no child friendly items.
- [43:48]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
I think it's the smartest thing to do. Like, your kids need to acclimate to your. That's the one thing my father in law told me when I was pregnant. Your children are joining your life, you're not joining theirs.
- [43:58]
Lauren Sherman
This is the truth.
- [44:01]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
They are.
- [44:02]
Lauren Sherman
Thank you, Dr. Dr. Phil. Right?
- [44:05]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Literally, he said, he's like, your children are joining your life. You're not joining theirs. And I was like, oh, my God. Like, does he think I'm not going to be a good mom? But it was so brilliant because we brought Ro home. We have a very modern house. Danger everywhere. God forbid. But there has not been one accident because the kids know to sort of avoid this stuff.
- [44:27]
Lauren Sherman
Look, this is a huge reason. I only want to have one kid.
- [44:30]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Yeah, no, there's that.
- [44:31]
Lauren Sherman
Clearly it can help no matter what. But this idea of like, this is our life and you're here for a while and when you're 18, you get to enjoy your life. This is why I don't play Titibo. Titibo. This music from this Korean cartoon he loves in the car. And I told him, I said, that doesn't play on my phone. That's only Daddy's. Cause I'm not playing this. He loves. He has great taste in music. He loves R.E.M. he's really into Haim. Every morning. I would like Haim. He's very into. Want you back right now. He loves Chaim. He loves all these. A lot of bands like Chaim is fine, but he really likes them and we listen to it. I'm not listening to Titi Bo Tebow.
- [45:14]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
No, don't.
- [45:14]
Lauren Sherman
And it's the same thing. Your kids are not going to screw up your beautiful home.
- [45:18]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
No, it's. So the music thing is. I should have probably started with that. A little bit stricter. But everything else, I'm aligned. It's true.
- [45:25]
Lauren Sherman
To live by.
- [45:26]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Yes.
- [45:27]
Lauren Sherman
Morgan, this was so great. Congratulations on being a great person and interesting and having a successful business.
- [45:34]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Thank you so much for having me. And just come over anytime you want next week. Seriously.
- [45:37]
Lauren Sherman
I can't wait. I won't bring you one.
- [45:39]
Morgan Stewart McGraw
Don't.
- [45:41]
Lauren Sherman
Fashion People is a presentation of Odyssey in partnership with Puck. This show was produced and edited by Molly Nugent. Special thanks to our executive producers, Puck co founder John Kelly. Executive editor Ben Landy and director of editorial operations Gabby Grossman. An additional thanks to the team at Odyssey, JD Crowley, Jenna Weiss Berman and Bob Tabador.