NOLCHA is filled with wonderful, upcoming fashion designers every year. I feel like too many of these designers go unnoticed far longer than they should and that NOLCHA is doing a wonderful job to help get the word out about independent designers and their clothing lines by introducing them to the world. Therefore, I’d like to introduce you all to Danilo Gabrielli, fashion designer and owner of the gorgeous clothing line Danilo Gabrielli. I recently had the priviledge of interviewing Danilo and wanted to share our conversation with you!

While Danilo is a fabulous designer, he also has a kind-hearted soul to go with his creativity which is not exactly an everyday find in the fashion world. Danilo’s Fall/Winter 2012 collection has me floored, literally. I have always watched movies from the 1940′s and drooled over the beautiful st

yles of the era. Nowadays, taller women have a hard time finding clothes that cover just the right amount. Either the tops are too wide or the pants are too short. Today is nothing like the 1940′s: the dresses fit curves in all the right places, the tops hit at just the right spot on your waist, and the hemlines were feminine and ladylike. Now, the dresses that “show off your curves” are ten inches too short and five times too tight, almost anything but classy.

So, you can see why I would fall out of my chair when I saw the Danilo Gabrielli Fall/Winter 2012 collection: the 1940′s were his full inspiration. The collection is stocked with classy hemlines and figure-flattering dresses. Think Joan Holloway of Mad Men! The only accessories needed with this gorgeous line is a great pair of pearl studs and bright red lipstick that’ll last you all night long.

How did you fall in love with fashion design?

I grew up around fashion and was always excited about it, even from an early age.  When I was 6 years old, I remember my mother and my aunt making all of the cloths for us kids and using a pattern maker.  I used to draw pictures of women in cloths from when I was 6 years old.  I also always loved old Hollywood movies.  I fell in love with the fashion and glamour of the legendary stars like Greta Garbo & Lauren Becall.

What/who inspires you?

I am definitely inspired by Old Hollywood Glamour.  The fashion that the stars wore in movies like Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Sabrina & Roman Holiday.

If you could pick your two favorite pieces from the Danilo Gabrielli Fall Collection, what would they be? Which pieces make you the happiest that you designed them?

My two favorite pieces from my Fall Collection are the Herringbone Coat Dress with the touches of Lurex and the Sequin Trench style coat. I would say that the sequin trench style coat makes me the happiest.  It a classic design but yet is very unique with the material that I chose.  It’s so versatile that it can be worn out in the evening or casually with jeans.

Who inspires you to be your best self?

It would have to be my elementary school teacher. One day during Math class, I was 8 years old, she caught me doing a drawing on my notebook.  She decided to buy me a canvas and oil colors.  I used to practice every Saturday. She eventually organized a show for the school with all of my work hanging on a wall.

She used to say to me : My Son I believe you have a  gift , please don’t ever abandon this blessing that God has given to you. Promise me you will follow your dreams and be the best you can.  Make me proud one day and prove to me that I was 100% right about you being a special child.

At  that time I didn’t realize those words, and I didn’t know too much about fashion. But, that 5 years with my teacher definitively created a big impact on my career and on my personality and taught me to always push myself to learn and to be the best, and eventually to make her proud.

Who is your fashion idol?

My fashion idol is Jean Paul Gaultier.  I think he is a genius with fashion. He is a very nice person. I met him once in a restaurant in NYC when I was having brunch.  I had the opportunity to talk to him and bought him brunch.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I see myself successful and famous at a level that will allow me to help my family, close friends, and my charity which is the hospital at Lourdes.

I see that the inspiration for the Fall collection came from the 1940′s era. Is that your favorite era? Why?

It is one of my favorite eras.  The fashion in this era was elegant and sophisticated.  It has a sense of confidence in the designs.  This was the era when women became more prominent in the workforce.  They became stronger and more self-confident.

What is your favorite 1940′s outfit? Think of one outfit you could wear from the 1940′s. What would it be?

I would say the outerwear from the 40’s.  I would wear a beautifully tailored trench style coat.  It’s a classic design that is very sophisticated.

What is your advice to someone who wants to become a fashion designer but doesn’t know where to start?

Definitely start with attending a good fashion school.  I think this gives you a good foundation and teaches you the disciplines that you will need.  While you are in school, you can try to get an internship with a good fashion house.  Even after you graduate, go to work first at a major fashion house.  You need job experience to really learn the industry before you go out on your own.

Has anyone famous or anyone you look up to worn Danilo Gabrielli?

I had the honor of dressing country singer Lisa Matassa for the CMA awards last year.  She looked absolutely beautiful! I am also honored to have the opportunity to design gowns for Carrie Ann Inaba from Dancing With The Starts.  She will be wearing them on the show this season.  The gowns are being created now.

In three words, describe the Daniel Gabrielli Fall Collection.

Strong, Confident, Feminine

You can view more designs by visiting www.DaniloGabrielli.com.

 Photos and biography courtesy of Danilo Gabrielli.

Born and raised in Porto Santo Stefano, Monte Argentario – a small island off the West coast of Tuscany, Italy. Danilo graduated from the Accademia Pistoiese in Rome, Italy and achieved a duel degree in Fashion and Costume Design. He moved to New York to pursue his career in the Fashion Industry and after many years of designing for high end labels, he is excited to launch his new line.

Danilo Gabrielli’s mission is to design beautiful, timeless designs for women that allow them to feel elegant and confident while being guided by a combination of rustic Italian beauty and classic American luxury.

It might sound a little ridiculous but I always try to look and feel my best when I go. That way, I’m not in the most horrible mood. When I feel better about myself, I’m such a delightful person to be around! These adorable powder blue shorts and white top and blazer are absolutely gorgeous for this beautiful spring weather. These Tory Burch flats add a little sophistication to the outfit.

For you eco-friendly women, I’ve found this gorgeous tote by Bungalow Co. that you can take with you to the store and forego the awful plastic sacks. Plus, what grocery shopping trip is the right one when you haven’t scooped up your favorite bottle of wine? You’ll need the adorable “Spirit Liftah” (isn’t that the cutest name ever?) tote for it. Trust me, when Monday hits you’ll be thankful you had it.

Blazer: TopShop

Top: J. Crew

Shorts: TopShop

Grocery Tote: Bungalow Co.

Wine Tote: Bungalow Co.

Shoes: Tory Burch

We swore we would never ride that bicycle ever again. We even made up a really neat story as to how it did (or did not) happen. All of our friends wanted to see our battle wounds. It was exciting to show our wounds then, until they became scars and we became women. Scars aren’t all that interesting anymore.

As women, we enjoy mini skirts, midi skirts, bikinis, shorts, and tank tops. They’re a god-given right. However, it’s not so easy to enjoy them when you have to worry about your scar showing every minute of the few hours you wear it. I always looked up to Padma Lakshmi when I started to point out things I didn’t like about myself physically.

Padma has modeled for Versace, Armani, and Ralph Lauren to name a few and is now the host for Top Chef. She did all of this with a seven inch scar adorning her arm for all of the public and national television to see. Why can’t we all be that confident? It’s okay if you don’t exactly think it’s cute to show off the scars from every tumble. Truth be told, I don’t like to show mine off either.

I was so excited to be able to try out DNA’s Scar Therapy. I have never attempted anything like it for fear of it not being worth the money. I, too, had a small scar on my knee from the first time I fell off a bicycle. I decided to test out Scar Therapy on that scar and see what happened. After using the product once a day for about a week and a half, I could already notice the scar starting to lighten up. I am so amazed with the results and will continue to apply it to the scar and see what happens.

To get help lightening up your worst scar (err, enemy), visit www.DNAEGFRenewal.com

Kaitlin Vocker is the Style and Beauty Editor for Chic Galleria and loving every minute of it. She is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. In her spare time, she runs her own blog www.secretivestyle.com! You can also follow her on twitter @secretivestyle or Facebook.

In all reality, you only truly need a few things for a small getaway: swimwear, shorts, one to two tops per day depending on whether you wear one while on the beach, a few dresses for your evening happy hour, one pair of your favorite heels that match all of your outfits for the trip, minimal jewelry, and minimal makeup. Leave your blow dryer behind and opt for your bare necessities instead! Most hotels offer you a blow dryer as well as shampoo, conditioner, soap, and lotion.

For our honeymoon next month, we are traveling back to Hawaii. This time around, I’m listening to my fiancé. I’ve learned the hard way that overpacking gives you a headache like no other. We’ve decided to each have one carry-on bag and check one bag together. That way, we can forget the extra cost of checked baggage and stop stressing!

The Duffle, $77: The duffle is for the lady on the go. A perfect go-to, this bag is essential for any getaway whether it’s overseas or down the road. With enough compartments for your makeup, your toiletries, and your clothing, you’ll be fit for a vacation like no other with this duffle.

Toiletries Bag, $20: This bag is absolutely perfect for your toiletries, makeup, and unmentionables for the big getaway. Store away and worry no more about what you’ve packed, this bag has a water-proof coating!

Travel Accessory, $20: With enough room to hold your cell phone, keys, and credit card, this wristlet is perfect for the girls’ weekend. Also, it’s water-resistant. I’d love to use one of these when we are in Hawaii hiking to the waterfalls. That way, I can attach it to my wrist and take off without a care.

Tote Bag, $43: If you’re like me and hate carrying a purse, a carry-on, and having to worry about stashing away a beach bag, then this bag is perfect. Take your purse and empty everything out. Leave all of the unnecessary items such as bulky wallets, large makeup bags, and receipts. Take your keys and other important items like your license, money, and passport and stash it in this tote. That way, when you get ready to hit the beach you can simply toss in your sunscreen, towel, and your favorite read. When you’re ready to hit up the tiki bar, you won’t have to run back to your room for your purse. You’ll already have it with you!

Cross-Body Satchel, $23: A cross-body satchel is always the most effortless bag, especially when traveling. Like the travel accessory bag, it’s perfect for the small items such as your keys, cell phone, and credit card. Unlike a larger tote or purse, it won’t hurt your back and shoulders. You’ll pretty much forget it’s there. I always use mine when I go out places that make me a little nervous with a purse (Bourbon Street, New Orleans for example). It’s a little harder for someone to snatch your cross-body than it is a purse.

These gorgeous bags come in so many colors. Plus, they’re the most inexpensive bags out there that are still absolutely gorgeous. Be sure to pack lightly and go check out www.BungalowCo.com for your travel essentials.

It’s usually so difficult for me to find a moisturizer that I truly love. If it’s not too watery, it leaves my face feeling (and looking) oily. If it doesn’t break my skin out, the smell is too strong. There is always a reason that I’m not satisfied with any of the moisturizers I try. I’ll be honest, for the past few months I have been opting out of using moisturizer before applying my makeup (I know, I know). My skin started to look and feel dryer and more lackluster than ever.

With my wedding coming up, it’s extremely important that I keep my skin in tip-top shape! Who wants to see a bride have dry, blotchy skin? Let’s all be real here. Makeup does not exactly do you justice when your face feels like an emory board. I’ve even tried to soften my skin with microderm and facials. Nothing works.

Recently, I was contacted by DermaQuest and asked to try out their new K-Q10 Moisturizer so I thought, “why not?” I didn’t have a moisturizer I was using, obviously. Plus, what could it hurt?

Let me just tell you: this stuff is a miracle in a bottle.

There was no harsh smell, no runny consistency, and my face wasn’t left looking and feeling oily! I was able to apply it under my foundation effortlessly without my face shining like a mirror and I had no breakouts whatsoever. My favorite part is that my face was left feeling softer than ever from just two applications! I have definitely been won over. Thanks, DermaQuest!

You, too, can experience beautiful skin by visiting www.DermaQuest.com.

What is your favorite moisturizer?

Kaitlin Vocker is the Style and Beauty Editor for Chic Galleria Publications, LLC. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing from Louisiana Tech University in 2011. Kaitlin can also be found at her website, SecretiveStyle, her Facebook, and twitter @SecretiveStyle.

]]> http://www.chicgalleria.com/2012/04/finished-3/feed/ 0