Let's Get Dressed – Episode Summary

Podcast: Let's Get Dressed

Host: Liv Perez
Guest: Daniella Kallmeyer
Episode: How Daniella Kallmeyer Is Forging A New Era of Luxury Fashion
Date: September 22, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Liv Perez sits down with acclaimed designer Daniella Kallmeyer, the creative force behind the eponymous brand Kallmeyer. Recorded just after New York Fashion Week and Kallmeyer’s much-talked-about runway show, the conversation dives into Daniella's distinct vision for luxury fashion, her intentional and patient approach to building a brand, the evolution of contemporary design, and the power of doing things her way in an ever-changing industry. Listeners will gain insights into runway showmaking, the tension between tradition and innovation, and the new era of luxury that Kallmeyer epitomizes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Aftermath of the Show & Theatrical Approach

• Daniella describes the post-show mindset, admitting to a sense of surrealism and creative “loop” from the recent runway event.
  • “We had that music on loop for the last week and a half... I’m stuck in the loop of this show a little bit. But it’s such a serene show and it was such a surreal moment.” (03:52)
• The show's cinematic inspirations, particularly the use of “On the Nature of Daylight,” set a deliberate emotional tone:
  • “I want my shows to feel really cinematic and theatrical. That’s the world I come from... it’s so amazing when the music is vibrating into your chest and you are fully entranced and sucked into the moment.” (05:28)

2. Intentionality in Presentation

• Daniella chose intimacy over spectacle, emphasizing audience closeness and savoring the collection:
  • “I want people to feel the clothes, like, almost as close as they would be touching them.” (07:03)
• The models walked slowly, reinforcing the brand’s identity and allowing a deeper appreciation:
  • “Let’s savor it. Let’s not rush to make it be over.” (08:12)

3. Styling Details & Authentic Inspiration

• Liv highlights wearable yet original styling—like the double sweater around the waist and notable scarf usage.
• Daniella credits her friend and stylist for the authentic, non-gimmicky styling, always referencing how “the Kallmeyer woman” would actually wear the pieces:
  • “I always want to come up with a fresh idea... but it always comes back to: Would the Kallmeyer woman wear it this way?” (10:26)
• Inspiration is grounded in real life and client observation:
  • “I’m so intimately obsessed with my customer and my clientele. If I see she keeps wearing it this way, why am I not leaning into that?” (12:33)

4. Resort Wear, Seasonality, and Practical Design

• The conversation pushes against traditional seasonal thinking in fashion:
  • “We don’t... put away our summer clothes anymore and take out our winter clothes or vice versa. Resort is a particularly funny collection because... you want a little bit of something for everything.” (15:56)
• Daniella defines her approach as “just good clothes you never want to put away,” aiming for versatility and timelessness.

5. Designing Without the Male Gaze

• Liv and Daniella discuss how the line is not made with the male gaze in mind, but with function, comfort, and sensuality for women—especially women who typically dislike wearing dresses:
  • “Somebody told me once, ‘You make dresses for people who hate wearing dresses.’” (18:09)
• Daniella recounts designing a signature open-back dress for her brother's wedding, emphasizing stature and drama without overt sexuality:
  • “It’s not about... the shortest skirt I could possibly wear to be as sexy as possible. It’s about bodily autonomy and feeling just cool.” (22:01)

6. Business Philosophy: Growth, Romance, and Accessibility

• Kallmeyer’s “old school” brand-building approach is deliberate, slow, and self-funded:
  • “I started it without money... one vest at a time, one shirt at a time... The profit from that bought the inventory for this.” (25:48)
• Daniella cherishes her connections with buyers like Elise Walker, romanticizes the “personal shopper” days, and insists on a high level of garment construction and fit:
  • “I long for the old school department store days where... [they] knew you by name and walked you through the store and styled you.” (23:48, 24:12)

7. The New Wave of Luxury

• Liv references Business of Fashion’s "new wave of luxury" and how Kallmeyer represents this movement: approachable, high-quality, but accessible.
  • “Everything we’re being recognized for now is exactly what we started the brand about 13 years ago... My background being in luxury and design, I just really wanted to make product that was quality.” (30:30)
  • Daniella is clear that expanding accessibility is central to her mission, even as the brand’s recognition grows.

8. The Grind: Perseverance and Growth

• Daniella reflects on the hardship and patience involved in growing her brand, from scraping by in the early years to the pivotal moment of opening her own store:
  • “I’m like a cat with nine lives. This brand has had so many ups and downs... as far as ‘keep going and grinding’, it depends on where you’re at. I was willing to keep going and look for quarters inside my couch so I could buy dumplings for a dollar twenty-five.” (36:27)
• The breakthrough came when she stopped trying to please others and focused on authenticity:
  • “You have to build something that’s based on what you love or that you’re an expert at. This brand really... started working when I stopped trying to please other people.” (38:13)
• On slow, steady success:
  • “Sometimes when your world gets smaller, it gets bigger... I could fill into it, and anything that happens outside of these four walls doesn’t matter.” (39:10)

9. Celebrity Moments and Viral Designs

• Zoe Kravitz’s custom pink dress (the mini “Eloise”): a highlight and PR dream, with other notable moments including red carpet appearances and viral styles.
  • “It worked out really perfectly... we’ve had so many crazy press moments with that dress.” (40:20)

10. Creative Fuel & Looking Forward

• Daniella looks forward to refueling her own inspiration by reconnecting with New York's art and theater scene:
  • “I want to get back to live theater, see a play... It’s not about [one thing] inspiring the color story, it’s more like just the act of living in New York.” (41:53)
• She draws parallels between her own path and the independent, sometimes rebellious approaches of Ralph Lauren and Alexander McQueen.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On honest presentation and connection:
  • “How do you feel in the clothes? ...The Kallmeyer woman... is offline more than she’s online. She’s living her real life in our clothes.” (08:44)
• On creating what she wants to see in the market:
  • “Why should the things I can afford not look like things I want to wear?” (31:42)
• On building a brand her own way:
  • “There's nothing about my brand that’s kind of followed the rules.” (25:37)
• On authenticity and lasting impact:
  • “You have to build something that’s based on what you love or that you’re an expert at.” (38:13)
• On Kallmeyer's unique place in fashion:
  • “This is a real old school brand. ...It’s like, you know, one vest at a time, one shirt at a time.” (25:50)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:52] — Post-show reflections & musical inspiration
• [06:47] — Show presentation, intimacy, pace
• [10:04] — Styling moments & the Kallmeyer woman's wardrobe
• [14:05] — Early days, practical design, and the evolution of ‘resort wear’
• [18:09] — Designing dresses for women who don’t like dresses, autonomy
• [25:37] — Building the brand independently, old-school business
• [30:30] — The “new wave of luxury” and Kallmeyer’s positioning
• [36:27] — Perseverance and the grind of an independent designer
• [40:10] — Zoe Kravitz’s custom moment; press success
• [41:53] — Personal creative sources in New York City
• [44:35] — On maintaining creative autonomy: “doing it your way”

Tone & Atmosphere

Conversational, sincere, and thoughtful—Liv’s admiration for Daniella sets a warm, insider tone, while Daniella’s candid reflections and occasional humor ("I'm like a cat with nine lives") ground the discussion in reality. Both share a love for the craft of fashion and the importance of personal style and authenticity.

Conclusion

This episode serves as both a celebration and a masterclass in forging an original—and quietly revolutionary—luxury label. Daniella Kallmeyer’s journey is proof that intentional growth, unshakable vision, and a focus on true connection can rewrite the playbook for success in fashion.