AUTER x Maxfield
The luxury outerwear brand by Rob Zangardi celebrates the brick and mortar release of Fall 2026
This October, Maxfield Los Angeles welcomes celebrity stylist and designer Rob Zangardi to debut AUTER, the creative director’s breakout outerwear brand-brainchild. Trusted by Jennifer Lopez, Ciara, and Rihanna to craft their most daring looks, Zangardi has rendered himself a foremost authority on the instinctive, statement-forward dressing AUTER enables. Available at Maxfield until October 26, the Fall 2026 collection features animal free fur, cashmere, and pony hair manipulated into luscious silhouettes built to move with their wearer, pioneering the “His Coat on Her” philosophy on which AUTER is built. Amidst this momentous collaboration, RESERVED sat down with the founding powerhouse to discuss AUTER’s rocket to success, the women he’s inspired by, and how far he plans on pushing the boundaries of design.
As a stylist and creative director, what prompted you to found AUTER?
I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible clothes and designers throughout my career, but I still couldn’t find the coats I wanted. As a stylist, I’ve always understood how much a coat can change the feeling of a look and the way someone carries themselves. I wanted to create outerwear with that kind of presence, comfort, and versatility. AUTER grew from the idea that it’s what’s on the outside that counts.
Could you tell us more about where the name comes from?
AUTER is pronounced “outer,” like outerwear. I wanted a name that connected directly to what we make, while feeling distinctive as a fashion label.
In selecting a pop-up partner, how did you end up collaborating with Maxfield? What makes this such a great match?
Maxfield is one of our new retail partners, rather than a temporary pop-up. We spent our first year selling directly to customers, and now we’re so excited to be expanding into wholesale with incredible stores around the world. The coats look beautiful in photographs, but I can’t wait for people to touch the fabrics, feel how the coats move, and try them on in person. That’s when you really understand them.
Maxfield was a particularly meaningful place to celebrate this next chapter. We’re an LA-based brand, and I have a personal history with the store, so it felt like such a natural fit. I still can’t quite believe walking into Maxfield and seeing AUTER on a rack alongside some of the biggest names in fashion. I was also so happy that my friends, fellow stylists, celebrity friends, and peers could come in and share that excitement with me. Having Maxfield host a party to celebrate AUTER made the whole experience even more special.
Where do you source inspiration when designing collections?
A lot of my inspiration comes from the years I’ve spent styling: the people I work with, the way clothes change a person’s energy, and the pieces I’ve wished I could find for a look. I’m also drawn to the ease and attitude of ’80s and ’90s fashion, and to vintage references that can be reinterpreted in a modern way. I start with the feeling and shape of a piece, then think about how someone will wear it and make it their own.
Share more about the “His Coat on Her” philosophy.
“His Coat on Her” is about playing with proportion and borrowing that relaxed feeling of wearing a coat that might not traditionally be considered yours. The coat can feel generous and effortless, while still being styled in a way that feels personal. I love when someone puts on a piece and makes it completely their own.
Why the outerwear space and why now?
A coat can be the first thing people see, and it can define the whole look. I’ve always felt there was room for a brand with a real point of view about outerwear. There are so many amazing designers who make coats, but very few brands that truly stand for them. AUTER is built around the idea that the coat doesn’t have to sit on top of the outfit. It can be the outfit.
What’s next for AUTER?
We’re focused on growing thoughtfully, building relationships with the right retail partners, and continuing to develop collections that feel unmistakably AUTER. I’m excited for more people to discover the brand in person and to see how they wear the coats in their own way. We have a lot we’re looking forward to, and I’m grateful for how far AUTER has come in such a short time.
Written by Delaney Willet
