As Fashionista’s West Coast Editor since 2017, Mau has redefined coverage of the LA fashion scene while maintaining global expertise in luxury business strategies. Her work bridges runway analysis and corporate boardrooms, with particular interest in:
Dhani Mau’s journey in fashion journalism began as an intern at Fashionista in 2009, where she quickly demonstrated a knack for dissecting industry shifts. After stints at Elle.com and Tractenberg & Co., she returned to Fashionista in 2011, rising from assistant editor to editorial director by 2016. Her 2017 relocation to Los Angeles marked a pivotal shift, positioning her as the publication’s West Coast Editor and a key voice analyzing LA’s burgeoning fashion scene. This transition allowed her to spotlight emerging designers like Jamie Okuma while maintaining coverage of global luxury houses.
“Fashion isn’t just about hemlines—it’s about the economic undercurrents shaping what we wear.”
Mau’s analysis of Nike’s 2025 earnings report exemplifies her ability to translate complex financial data into accessible fashion commentary. By contextualizing the 9% revenue drop against CEO Elliott Hill’s “Win Now” strategy, she revealed how sportswear giants are balancing innovation with market realities. Her interviews with supply chain experts and retail analysts created a multidimensional view of post-pandemic recovery strategies.
This early-career piece established Mau’s signature blend of poetic critique and technical analysis. By contrasting Pierpaolo Piccioli’s bold color choices with the house’s archival designs, she demonstrated how heritage brands adapt to millennial tastes. The article’s lasting impact is evident in its continued citation by fashion academics studying 2010s luxury branding.
While not a traditional byline, this career retrospective offers invaluable insights into Mau’s editorial philosophy. Her emphasis on “critical, analytical, and creative” thinking reveals why Fashionista remains a leader in balancing trend reporting with investigative pieces on labor practices.
Mau prioritizes stories that challenge New York/Paris dominance, as seen in her 2024 series on LA’s sustainable denim startups. Pitches should highlight local manufacturing partnerships or unique material innovations.
Her Nike analysis shows appetite for financial deep dives. Successful pitches might explore how mid-sized brands are restructuring post-IPO or the impact of AI on design patents.
While Mau avoids tokenism, she consistently amplifies projects like magnetic closure systems for disabled consumers. Focus on measurable outcomes rather than good intentions.
While Mau maintains a low profile regarding accolades, her influence is evident through:
