DORÉ

The first time I met Ada I was seated next to her at my first PFW dinner. I was nervous, she was Italian, and we were in equal dismay over our vegetarian meal option. It isn’t easy being vegetarian at a fashion dinner in Paris! Like all good fledgling newcomers, I tried to blend in. But Ada, well, doesn’t blend in that easily! Her piercing blue eyes and long free flowing blonde hair are second only to her indescribable personal style.

Maybe her romantic name, upbringing in Brianza, or studies in Milan influenced how she puts together clothes. Whatever it is, I’m perpetually inspired by her choices and always look forward to seeing her combinations during fashion weeks. She’s called New York home for several years now, so I thought we’d catch up with her in her Tribeca loft to get a sneak peek into the musings of the queen of layering…

Describe your style in three words.
Layered, shapely, harmonious.

Did moving to New York from Italy affect your approach to fashion? Has the time you’ve spent working in the fashion industry?
Definitely, it’s constantly in motion and evolving.

When it comes to style, what’s most important: comfort, beauty, or innovation?
Beauty is the bond. For me, beauty means harmony, finding an organic correspondence to proportions, textures, and colors.

Does your interior decorating extend to your wardrobe?
There is definitely a sense of sharing the same aesthetic, yes.

When you travel for work, what are the three things you always pack in your suitcase?
A cashmere chunky pull over, a long silk slip dress and a stretch corset. Together they create an interesting look, and are always easy to layer, which I love.

You’ve consulted for many brands and most recently created a capsule collection with & Other Stories. How do you come up with ideas that will resonate with consumers while also staying true to your personal aesthetics?
I’m always trying to sharpen and improve my intuition, especially through meditation. I listen first to my intuition, which usually leads me to an idea. If a story evolves around the idea, I know it was a good one. It’s all about creating a story, a narrative.

What projects are you most excited to be working on in 2017?
I’m working with an Italian shoe brand creating a capsule collection of 5 shoes in the next few months. I’m very proud of this, because the shoe is going to be very original…stay tuned!