Runway

9-5: From School Runs to Board Meetings, Varley Co-Founder Lara Mead Is the Her Own Best Muse

“Well, we always say that Varley goes deep into women’s wardrobes. We’re that wardrobe for the modern woman on the move,” she explains. “Comfort is obviously important to me, so there’s a huge crossover between my personal style and the brand. Being COO, I’m lucky that I get to mold a brand that works for my lifestyle.”

It’s this synergy between her life and her work that makes Lara so compelling to watch—and, yes, to dress like. Her days may be packed to the brim, but she navigates it all with a wardrobe that blends practicality, elegance, and just enough flair to keep things interesting. Ready to see how she does it? Let’s dive into her week, one outfit at a time.

Photo: Mackenzie Hunkin

A Statement Knit for Travel Days

This is actually my favorite look. I would say this probably represents me the most on a day-to-day basis. I travel a lot, whether it’s to London or to America. I’m wearing our Varley double soft sweatpants with a slim cuff. I actually get them a size bigger because I like to have lots of room in them, and I like a slightly slouchy look. As for my shoes, they’re just old The Row black boots I’ve had for years now. I love them because they give me a little bit of height, but they’re still flat and very comfortable. My Etro cardigan was a bit of a splurge purchase—I’d say that was an investment piece. It’s unusual for me to have something printed or with so much color, but I loved it. I hope that it’s the kind of thing that maybe in 20 years, I’ll still have, and my daughter might like to wear it. (That’s how I sold it to myself!) My bag is also The Row—the Park bag, which is super soft and in a beautiful red color. I get my laptop in there and get all my travel bits in there, so it’s lovely to travel with.

Etro

oversized jacquard cardigan

Varley

The Slim cuff track pants

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Marella

Jolly Intarsia button-down cardigan

Hemant & Nandita

Dea floral intarsia-knit cardigan

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Photo: Mackenzie Hunkin

A Monochromatic Look for the Weekend

Regarding my weekends, I’ve got two kids, so often I’m standing at the sidelines watching football or going for a family lunch—so that means flat boots because I’m often running around. I obviously wear trainers when I’m working out, but I’m not really like trainer-with-a-trouser-girl—it just never feels quite me. So I’m either often in a loafer or a nice boot, and this Gucci boot was a nice in-between and it’s great for London because if it’s often raining. I love brown at the moment; it’s actually the color of the season. I’ve got my Varley cords on, which have quite a slim fit and a Varley ribbed high neck in a greenish color. It goes so well under a blazer or a cardigan because my arms are free—I don’t like the sensation of having lots of fabric layered on my arms. On top, I’m wearing a long-line cardigan that’s about to launch. I’ve belted it and I just think that elevated and finished the look off. My handbag is a Hermès because I’m all about classics and this was bought at an auction. It’s imperfectly perfect—it has scratches on it, and it’s got some stitching mix missing, but I kind of love that about it. I like things not to be too perfect.

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Prada

suede shearling lace-up booties

Image may contain Clothing Pants Blazer Coat Jacket Accessories Bag Handbag Jeans Jewelry Necklace and Footwear

Photo: Mackenzie Hunkin

Denim Date Night Look

I need to tell you, I stole this look off of somebody—which is actually quite a funny story. I collect beautiful jackets and I love a black blazer. Then, Lisa [Aiken, Vogue’s executive fashion director] wore this to the Varley store, and I was obsessed with it. She said it was Bottega Veneta 2016 and that there was one on Reluxe, and I immediately bought it. I stole that whole look from her. My jeans are Wardrobe.NYC—I love a baggy jean. I’m a comfort girl. I’m not really into tight denim. For me, a skinny jean is just a big no; I can’t bear the sensation, never have. Underneath is a white T-shirt from Varley—Varley’s always sort of that underpinning of my wardrobe. The boots are Cos, they’re super comfy and very simple. I’m not a massive high-heeled girl, even on a night out. My clutch is actually from Etro. Date nights are usually early dinner after work—Ben and I work together, so often we’ll probably have been in the office together in Soho, and we’ll go to an early dinner or a quiet little bar.

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Favorite Daughter

Diana single-breasted jacket

St. Agni

collarless raw edge blazer

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Photo: Mackenzie Hunkin

Bundled Up for a Morning Commute

Here I am in a Varley coat, Varley top, and Varley corduroy pants—they’re really soft and a bit stretchy; plus, they’ve got an elastic elasticated waistband. I’ve just tucked a T-shirt in them under that jacket. I get really cold and I hate being cold. London obviously rains a lot and it’s quite cold so having a nice puffy jacket keeps me warm when I’m on my commute. Those are Cos boots; they have a low heel but still feel quite smart and I can walk miles in them around London. And my bag—I love red at the moment, so just like a splash of red—sort of lifts the brown; otherwise, I’d just be head-to-toe brown.

Varley

Ana long wrap puffer coat

Cos

square-toe leather Chelsea boots

Tiffany & Co.

extra large link earrings

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Photo: Mackenzie Hunkin

White Jeans in the Boardroom

So my jeans are The Row—again really baggy!—and actually my jacket is from The Row as well. My glasses are Celine—I wear contact lenses, but when I get tired, I have to put my glasses on. My watch is an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, a mini gold one. I love a white jean and I love monochrome looks as well, so white and black works really well for me. My jacket’s obviously smart, but mixing it with the denim makes it less of a head-to-toe suit. I think it’s important to be smart and well-presented.

Audemars Piguet

Royal Oak gold quartz watch

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Slvrlake

Grace high-rise wide-leg jeans

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