A Pattern Fiend

A Color Chameleon

A Fashion Maverick

& An Insta-Fav! Sandra, aka Lady Violante, gave us a quick sneak peek into her fabulous life as a fashion blogger and it is as exhilarating as we expected.

Dress by Dolce & Gabbana, Saint Laurent clutch, Oscar Tiye shoes & Shourouk necklace

We love how you have been advocating body positivity through your blog. On a personal front, how was your own journey of self-acceptance?

I have to admit, I have always blessed enough and there wasn’t too much struggle. I’ve changed clothing sizes through the years but I never thought it had something to do with my worth as a person. The key to this mindset was—and is—the fact that I am loved fiercely; by my family, friends, and husband. A strong web of people who always have your back and encourage you to thrive and reach the best of your potential is what it takes to not feel the pressure.

What shocked me, though, was the fashion world and its shallowness. In fact, when I began my Instagram journey and some time later, the website, I had women bashing me night and day for my weight. People said I was deluded to think I was even suitable for fashion! Yet, love was key again: Two of my friends who work in the industry told me to go on and to find my public, and to pursue the message I wanted to give to others. To them, I am still grateful, and they are dear to my heart. Following their advice, I soon discovered trolls were just 1% of the people populating social media, and most definitely not worth any sweat.

Your Instagram is proof you don’t shy away from bold colors or loud patterns. What advice would you give to women who are stuck in the prison of fashion do’s and don’ts?

I once read a funny meme on this: You don’t like what I’m wearing? Unless you’re paying my bills, you don’t get a say. Although a bit exaggerated, it gives you an idea of my line of thought. To me, it is important to pick what suits my figure, age, and personality. Colours play a big role there.

The only don’ts I would suggest: Don’t follow fashion trends at any cost; don’t be a sheep in the mass; don’t let brands dictate your style. The rest is up to each woman’s desire, character, and aesthetics.

Dress by Dolce&Gabbana, Skirt by Valentino, Shoes by Oscar Tye; Dolce & Gabbana gown

What drives your decision to buy something? Is it easy to find pieces online that reflect your fashion sensibilities and manage to fit well?

I am not an impulsive buyer. You will never see me hoarding pieces just because they are on sale or because they are marked down. I often look, try, then take my time and sleep on it. If a piece still lingers on my mind the day after, then that means it’s a serious contender.

I also pick based on my pre-existing wardrobe, on what’s currently going strong, and what I think would last many years in my closet. (I will allow the occasional trend craziness as long as it comes from a low-cost chain, that’s the only way to justify the expense.)

Online shopping is useful as you can send back your order if you’re not entirely convinced. Also, most of the shops I use online offer a wide range of styles and sizes and when it comes to the latter, it is much easier to find a good fit when shopping online. Brick-and-mortar stores often make some weird buying choices that don’t necessarily resonate with every customer’s taste and sensibilities. 

Dress by Christian Dior & Shoes by Christian Louboutin, PC: Simone Martucci 

What is your favourite fashion find? Tell us about a designer or just a fabulous outfit that you cherish.

It’s an extremely difficult choice but my heart will always lie with Dolce & Gabbana. They were the first brand to dress my curves fully and beautifully. I embraced their concept of a woman and filled my closet with their pieces. They are joy, empowerment, quality, and they are also my fashion family because of everyone I know in the company.

As for the outfit—a silver brocade gown from Dior wins, hands down. It is from the Raf Simons era and it took me a long time to get my hands on it. These pieces were very rare and produced in small sizes only. My closest friend went to Paris and found the last existing dress (that I had dreamt about the whole season), a size smaller than I wanted. Dior was amazing enough to get me fabric for the dress to be altered, and it was flown from Paris to Milan for me a few days later. I wore it for my 34th birthday bash and felt every inch the queen. Now, it is a cherished piece both because of the piece itself and its story of how my friend managed to get it for me.

Dolce & Gabbana Dress

Would you deem yourself a brand loyalist or do you love discovering new labels and designers? If so, then how do you stumble upon them?

A bit of both. I am a brand loyalist. It’s only logical that I should go back to places that know me and know how to dress me, I guess. I love certain brands’ philosophy more than others, no doubt, and I am known for my relationship with them. At the same time, I am always on the hunt for new designers! Sometimes they contact me through Instagram and offer to make something for me, other times I find them online. Magazines and friends who work in the industry are a great source for such information, too.

Preen by Thornton Bregazzi dress, Dolce & Gabbana belt, Hermès Bag & Manolo Blahnik shoes

2016 has been a mix of throwback trends and outrageous fads. 2017 seems to be following the suit. Any particular trend that you absolutely hate or love? Or do you not pay heed to trends?

I detest vulgarity in any shape. So, you could say I hated the Almost Naked trend on red carpets. I do not wish to see private parts of anyone, thank you. No see-through dresses, no shocking splits, no barely-there hems. I am no prude but I still prefer a certain dose of ladylike… after all, my nickname suggests just that, doesn’t it? 

Following trends blindly can make you a tragic mess, not an elegantly dressed woman with her own style. In fact, it does not contribute to creating your own style, it just makes you a true fashion victim who purchases just because others say you should. Also, too many women are ruined by this when they put on pieces that aren’t for their body shape. That should be our compass—What looks good on me? V/S Is this trendy enough?  

Would a platform like obsessory.com make your shopping experience easier?

Absolutely yes! I love a good website that brings me the latest trends, discusses fashion without being biased, and interacts with its readers by listening to what they want. Fashion should be for everyone, not just a certain type of people, and anyone who champions that gets a big resounding Yes! in my book.

All image credits: Lady Violante

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