My Style: Natalia Barbieri
Photo: Courtesy of Bionda Castana
Do you believe in role models?
Absolutely. On a work perspective, we really admire Tamara Mellon. Like us, she had no formal design training, yet her natural entrepreneurial, fashion, and creative instincts are what drove her to success. In only a short space of time, she built an international, iconic, and luxurious brand. She is proof of what can be achieved. Our goals of building an empire are attainable.
Please describe your style in three words.
Understated and high heels.
What is the biggest mistake one can make when getting dressed?
Forgetting to put on high heels.
What are your favourite fabrics?
It changes with the seasons, but for now Nappa and python skin, and together they look super luxurious on a pair of shoes.
Are there any style combinations that you object to?
None. Fashion is about freedom.
Which city has the best-dressed women?
London, definitely London.
Would you say that you are conservative or bold?
Both. Depends on how I have awakened that day and what mood I am in.
What are the rules, if any, in the way you dress?
It all depends on the weather.
Celebrities and style...
Don’t always get it right, like the rest of us.
One garment/accessory that you can never have enough of?
My grandmother’s wedding ring is a permanent fixture on my left hand.
A woman should always look...
Feminine.
Who taught you what you know about style?
It was probably my brother Alberto. He pays a lot of attention to his appearance and has a very classic style. I always looked up to him when I was growing up, and he actually used to style me. He bought me a pair of Sergio Rossi sky blue crocodile skin pumps when I was 15. It was pretty much the stamp on my shoe obsession.
How do you select your clothing every morning?
By choosing which shoes I want to wear and taking it from there.
The three essential things a woman should know about style are...
Don’t follow trends; be individual; and invest in a good coat, handbag, and shoes.
Do you have any shopping rituals?
I always buy online. I don’t have time to hit the stores.
We will never see you wearing...
A jumpsuit. They just do not suit my body shape at all.
Which new designers do you follow and why?
Gabriele Colangelo. Amazing fit, incredibly feminine, and beautiful fabrics.
The most stylish person you have ever seen...
Jessica J. Walsh. I want her wardrobe.
What is the first thing you notice on a woman?
Her shoes.
One article of clothing that a woman needs to pay close attention to is...
Her shoes!
Is comfort an enemy of style?
Not at all. We don’t have to suffer to look amazing.
Who would you like to see next in My Style?
Tim Wild. One of the few men I know who looks amazing in a fedora.
The best word of advice you have ever heard?
“To achieve great things, we must first dream.” — Coco Chanel
