Explore Moda Operandi: The Platform for Fashion Discovery

If you’ve been craving a deeper dive into luxury fashion, Moda Operandi might just be the shopping experience you didn’t know you needed. Beloved by fashion insiders, this unique platform gives you early access to runway collections through its preorder model—offering exclusive pieces you won’t find at your typical luxury retailer. 

In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Moda Operandi, including how it works, how it compares to other luxury shopping destinations, and what kind of price tags to expect when shopping runway-ready looks.

What Is Moda Operandi?

Founded in 2010 by fashion icons Lauren Santo Domingo and Áslaug Magnúsdóttir, Moda Operandi is a game-changing luxury fashion retailer that lets you preorder designer runway looks before they hit traditional retail shelves. With curated collections from both established and emerging designers, the platform makes shopping a thrill—especially when it means scoring exclusive pieces you won’t find at your typical luxury department store. Trust us, we’re obsessed!

The Moda Operandi Business Model

Here’s what makes Moda Operandi so unique: it lets you preorder runway looks before they even hit store shelves. Want to snag next season’s must-haves before anyone else? With their trunk show model, you can secure your favorite pieces months in advance with just a 50% deposit.

The concept was inspired by co-founder Lauren Santo Domingo’s front-row access at J. Mendel and Carolina Herrera runway shows. Her vision? Bring that same early access to fashion fans who don’t work in the industry. To make it happen, the Moda Operandi team follows the global runway circuit—think New York, Milan, and Paris—and photographs collections that appear on the site almost as soon as the models leave the catwalk.

And here’s why designers love it: Moda Operandi provides them with early trend data based on customer preorders, helping them scale production to reduce waste and markdowns.

The best part? The platform is designed to make luxury shopping feel less intimidating. From personalized services to access to stylists and concierge options, Moda Operandi is all about turning a splurge into a smart, informed investment.

The Origins of Moda Operandi

Curious about the name? "Moda Operandi" roughly translates to "mode of operating" or "way of doing something"—a fitting nod to how the platform has redefined luxury fashion shopping.

Based in New York, Moda Operandi employs over 400 people and serves thousands of customers across 125 countries. The idea for the brand came from co-founders Lauren Santo Domingo, a former Vogue editor, and Áslaug Magnúsdóttir, who envisioned a way for fashion lovers to preorder designer pieces directly after runway shows.

Their approach didn’t just close the gap between the runway and the consumer—it also helped solve one of the fashion industry’s biggest issues: waste. By allowing customers to preorder, Moda Operandi enables designers to produce pieces based on actual demand, reducing excess inventory and unnecessary markdowns.

Moda Operandi’s Luxury Selection

If you’re looking for fast fashion, this isn’t it. Moda Operandi’s platform showcases heirloom-quality pieces across women’s, men’s, fine jewelry, and home categories. These are timeless, collectable items designed to last—and they’re the kind of investment pieces you’ll want to pass down to future generations.

One of Moda Operandi’s strengths is its expert curation and unique partnerships. From bridal edits and fashion week collaborations to influencer and celebrity-backed capsules, the platform caters to shoppers with specific tastes and style goals.

Take, for example, the Moda Operandi For the Bride collection—a luxe, shoppable edit that covers everything from wedding dresses and accessories to the perfect Hermès lipstick for the big day. Or, check out the standout capsules that keep the site feeling fresh and exclusive, like the POSSE x Moda Operandi line, Dani Michelle and Stacey Singer MÉGA collection, and the buzzworthy Club Moda capsule, which launched with pieces from 40 top designers, including House of Aama, Rosie Assoulin, and Christopher Esber.

And of course, Moda Operandi delivers for those who love signature luxury labels. 

Expect to find enduring favorites, like:

• ALAÏA
• Balenciaga
• Bottega Veneta
• Brandon Maxwell
• Carolina Herrera
• Chloé
• Christian Louboutin
• Etro
• Isabel Marant
• Jacquemus
• Johanna Ortiz
• Khaite
• Miu Miu
• Moncler
• Oscar de la Renta
• Prada
• Proenza Schouler
• Rabanne
• Stella McCartney
• The Row
• Ulla Johnson
• Valentino Garavani
• Versace
• Victoria Beckham
• Zimmermann

Don’t be misled by Moda Operandi’s trunk show roots—it’s far from a niche experience. The platform is built for full-on, head-to-toe luxury. Whether you’re curating a runway-worthy look or updating your everyday wardrobe with standout designer finds, you’ll have access to everything you need in one place. From statement dresses and elegant heels to covetable bags, fine jewelry, and chic accessories, Moda Operandi makes luxury shopping seamless and stylish.

Who Shops at Moda Operandi?

Moda Operandi’s shoppers are seasoned fashion lovers who know exactly what they want—and they’re ready to invest in pieces that make a statement. The customer base is more affluent than the average shopper, with a deep appreciation for luxury and exclusivity. These fashion enthusiasts aren’t just buying off-the-rack items—they’re building a personal, curated fashion collection that speaks to their unique style. For those seeking timeless, high-quality pieces, Moda Operandi is the go-to destination.

Is Moda Operandi Expensive?

Moda Operandi is all about investing in luxury—think of it as your personal fashion playground for collecting heirloom-quality pieces. As a high-end retailer, it offers premium designer brands, so prices can certainly reflect that exclusivity.

The items you'll find here aren’t your average off-the-rack selections. For instance, a dress from the Chloé trunk show could easily set you back five figures, while a Ferragamo coat might cost as much as a modest car. You’re shopping in the big leagues with Moda Operandi, where the prices match the prestige of the brands like Chanel, Valentino, and Givenchy.

That said, Moda Operandi isn’t just for those looking to splurge—it also offers some accessible options. We’ve seen exclusive collaborations like POSSE x Moda Operandi feature items priced as low as $70 to $90, and there are plenty of options in the $200 to $500 range for those looking to update their wardrobe without breaking the bank.

And here's a bonus: Keep an eye out for Moda Operandi promo codes to save on your next luxe purchase! While it’s not a discount retailer, there are still opportunities to snag some stylish steals.

Moda Operandi vs. Other Luxury Retailers

If Moda Operandi has a downside, it's the unpredictability of its collections. You'll also take chances on pricey preorders without knowing if a look "hits" for the season. We personally love the thrill of the catch. However, you may like some more predictable retailers with comparable brand access.

Net-a-Porter

Milan-based Net-a-Porter is a leading online luxury and fashion retailer offering access to Tom Ford, Balenciaga, The Row, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Burberry, and other lavish labels. Like Moda Operandi, Net-a-Porter lets you shop by collection. Net-a-Porter's Best-Seller edit is about as close as you get to Moda Operandi's consumer-led collections. There's also a New Season edit differentiating new looks from the rest of the ready-to-wear collection. For pricing, Net-a-Porter items generally cost the same as buying direct from a designer.

Farfetch

Since 2007, UK-based Farfetch has sold luxury clothing and beauty products from hundreds of designer brands and department stores around the world. Featured brands include Miu Miu, Gucci, Fendi, Prada, and Saint Laurent. A twist is that you can shop a preowned edit. We like this option for scoring authenticated vintage Birkin bags, Chanel flap bags, and designer watches. We also appreciate the fun collabs with ERDEM and Stadium Goods.

Saks Fifth Avenue

There's always a place in our heart for a Saks haul when the mood to window shop online hits. As the old guard of luxury retail, it's a timeless choice for getting safe looks from Chloé, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Givenchy, Gucci, Prada, Valentino, and more of the established designers on Moda Operandi. However, the bulk aspect of keeping Saks stocked means emerging designers don't often get chances for discovery.

Saks has a great personal shopping service that's similar to Moda Operandi's service. There's also the perk of in-store alterations if you live near a location. Of course, Moda Operandi and other brands can't touch Saks in the category of clearance sales.

Moda Operandi’s Impact on the Fashion Industry

You used to have to know someone to get this level of access. Moda Operandi's instant preorder platform is credited with speeding up the fashion cycle as we know it. Your shopping habits become data that's shared with designers to give a look the green light or put the brakes on certain styles. What's more, you're wearing looks much sooner after their debuts instead of waiting for them to show up on the racks at Saks or Bergdorf Goodman.

Moda Operandi is the first brand to truly initiate luxury curation in e-commerce. While no other brand does it at this scale, some have copied Moda Operandi's model of limited-edition collections and exclusive designer access. Moda Operandi was the first platform to realize the power in closing the gap between designer and shopper.

Far from reducing the exclusivity of a designer's pieces, the business model empowers designers to strengthen their collections by avoiding waste. Moda Operandi is also an amazing place for discovery for up-and-coming designers who can't afford the stakes of blindly producing their collections.

Is Moda Operandi Worth It?

Yes, it is! We consider this one of the best ways to buy luxury clothes online. Moda Operandi is the virtual trunk show you're waiting for! Aside from sitting with celebrities at the foot of the runway, it's your best bet for true designer pieces early in the season.

We’re obsessed with the carefully curated, high-end selection of ready-to-wear collections and exclusive collaborations that Moda Operandi offers. The limited-edition and exclusive pieces make shopping here feel like unwrapping a gift. Plus, it’s exciting to see so many emerging designers get the spotlight they deserve on this platform.

Finally, we love Moda Operandi's personalized shopping experience. They clearly want you to make informed, intentional shopping choices instead of dropping money on impulse buys.

Our verdict? Moda Operandi gives you a front-row seat to the runway, all from the comfort of your home. It lets you shop pieces straight off the runway, so you can be the first to rock the season’s hottest looks. If you’re ready to get ahead of the fashion curve, this is the place to be—just don’t expect outlet prices.