LAUNE x Matt Travaglini
Matt Travaglini is a New York–based creative with a reflective eye and an energetic approach to everyday life. His content captures the rhythm of the city through day-in-the-life moments, favorite rituals, and small details that make each day feel intentional.
Below, Matt shares his creativity and routine, finding inspiration offline, New York as a lifelong obsession, and learning to settle into postgrad life while staying curious about what’s next.
1. Tell me about yourself.
My name is Matt Travaglini! I’m originally from Boston and I moved to New York City this summer after graduating from college in the spring. I’m currently an Investment Banking Analyst, which I’d like to think is the least interesting thing about me. I grew up as a competitive gymnast and theater kid, and I’ve been creating social media content in one form or another since I was a freshman in high school.
2. What is your LAUNE (mood)?
My current LAUNE is reflective and energized.
3. What inspires you?
“In the beginning, I was so young and such a stranger to myself I hardly existed. I had to go out into the world and see it and hear it and react to it, before I knew at all who I was, what I was, what I wanted to be.”
— Mary Oliver, Upstream
4. What drives your creative process and content?
I feel most creative and inspired when I engage with physical media—coffee table books, magazines, newspapers, matchbooks, stationery—so this is always my first step in the creative process. If all else fails, a Pinterest scroll always gets the creative juices flowing.
5. Your Day-in-My-Life videos are a big part of your content. Walk me through a DIML.
Since moving to the city and starting work full-time, the average DIML is largely consumed by excel sheets and Zoom calls, so, if I could craft the ideal day, this is where I would start:
01. Podcast walk to The Elk on Charles Street. Iced cinn-ful latte with oat and a ginger lemon steamer.
02. Move my body in some way, either a run on the WSH or a workout class (Corepower Sculpt has been a recent favorite, but I will always be a Soulcycle truther) (EM: Corewpower Sculpt forever!!!)
03. Flip through this month’s editions in Casa Magazines and / or browse new reads at McNally Jackson
04. Read! Recent favorites include The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt and When The Going Was Good by Graydon Carter
05. Window shopping on Bleecker Street
06. Streak frites and a martini at Raoul’s
6. What do you love about New York?
I’ve wanted to live in New York for as long as I can remember. I think I decided as soon as I watched Kurt and Rachel receive their acceptances to NYADA in Season 3 of Glee (was crushed when I discovered this is a fictional school). There’s a pulse that runs through the city that I am so energized by, and there’s so much creativity, intelligence, and capital in such a small perimeter that change always feels on the horizon. I’ve also always been obsessed with restaurants and hospitality, and there’s no city in the world that competes.
7. What are you looking forward to in 2026?
The first months of postgrad have been hugely overwhelming, so I’m most excited to just begin finding my stride in the city. I had a Maître D' shake my hand on my last night in the city before leaving for the holidays, and it felt like a sort of Manhattan anointment. Looking forward to more moments like this.
8. What’s next for you?
The million dollar question! One of my biggest “resolutions” for 2026 is to act no older than my age, which will be 24 in February, so right now I’m hoping “what’s next” is just more good books and sexy dinners with my friends and shitty dates and fun workout classes and learning to accept the grand impossibility of postgrad. I, of course, do have goals though. I really want to pour back into my social media channels this year, and to start exploring ways to marry my career with my creative passions.
Rapid Fire:
1. Describe your style in three words.
Elevated basics or bust (sorry, four)
2. AM or PM skincare?
PM. After going on accutane in high school, I have the routine down to a science.
3. What’s one product you could not live without?
rhode Glazing Milk. I’m convinced it’s the perfect product. I reach for it through all seasons, and for your male readers, it’s the most refreshing aftershave. (EM: Holy grail product!)
4. If you could only wear one designer for the rest of your life, who would it be?
5. Early mornings or sleeping in?
Early mornings. I’ve always loved the energy of being awake when the world is quiet.
6. Favorite place?
Harwichport, Cape Cod.
7. Favorite drinks spot in New York?
Could sit in The Portrait Bar for hours. When I’m feeling dancey, ACME never disappoints.
8. Favorite restaurant in New York?
9. Dream collab?
J.Crew without question. I remember stealing their catalogs off the kitchen table as a kid and circling my favorite pieces. The brand has positioned itself back in the cultural zeitgeist in a really smart and authentic way, and I would love to learn more about their creative process.
10. Favorite brand?
A huge fan of Buck Mason. Their in-store experience is always so fun and personal, and I got a few pieces for Christmas that I’m excited to style over the winter months.
11. Favorite icon or mentor?
My Mom <3 my biggest cheerleader and first call.
12. Favorite movie?
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
13. What are you loving right now?
In no particular order: peppermint tea, Calypso by David Sedaris, my new Paul Smith boots, needlepointing (I’m a sucker for a hobby), blue hour on Greenwich Street, postcards and handwritten letters, Morandi’s Polletto alla diavola, Lennon Stella’s debut EP
