Nagnata’s Laura May Gibbs on sitting out of ‘gross’ Black Friday

Since launching nine years ago in Byron Bay, Australia, Nagnata has been evolving from a local “movement wear” brand, focused on premium-knit activewear styles, to a global lifestyle brand selling categories including ready-to-wear, swimwear and menswear. More categories are coming next year, as are the brand’s first international stores. According to founder Laura May Gibbs, who joined the Glossy Podcast this week, Nagnata has its sights set on a New York store, following a successful experience hosting a Soho pop-up in September. The U.S. is Nagnata’s second-largest market, following Australia, thanks in part to the brand’s retail partners which have worked wonders for awareness. They currently include Bergdorf Goodman, Ssense and Louisaviaroma, plus Net-a-Porter’s support gave the brand legs early on. It’s not bad for a brand that has been completely self-funded. On the podcast episode, Gibbs discusses Nagnata’s values-driven processes, which have earned it a dedicated fan following. She also discusses its growth plans and its Patagonia-like holiday strategy.