Featured VentureMoms - Meredith Melling, Valerie Macaulay, Molly Howard - La Ligne
La Ligne started in 2016 with three women who had one simple thought: stripes just work. Former Vogue editors Meredith Melling and Valerie Macaulay had spent years watching trends come and go, but stripes? They never left. Add in Molly Howard, who had been growing businesses over at Rag & Bone, and the trio decided it was time to build a brand around this timeless classic.
They wanted clothes that felt easy—things you could throw on in the morning and still feel pulled together by dinner. A striped sweater that worked for school drop-off and date night, or a dress you’d actually want to wear all day. Basically, pieces that looked good without trying too hard.
From the beginning, they leaned into a direct-to-consumer model, which meant better prices for quality clothes. But they also made a smart move right out of the gate—launching with Net-a-Porter. That gave them instant visibility and a little luxury stamp of approval.
Still, La Ligne wasn’t just about selling sweaters online. They wanted to build a community. They started hosting small trunk shows in living rooms and created “La Bande,” a portrait series featuring women they admired rocking stripes in their own style. Those moments gave the brand personality—and gave customers a chance to feel like they were part of something bigger.
And the founders listened. When they noticed clusters of loyal fans in certain cities, like Dallas, Palm Beach, and New York, that’s where they opened boutiques. No guessing, no over-expansion—just smart moves based on real customer love.
Today, La Ligne is proof that fashion doesn’t have to be complicated. Three women spotted something universal, trusted their gut, and turned it into a brand that feels chic, fun, and wearable. At the end of the day, stripes really do look good on everyone.
