Designer Spotlight: Claudia Bertolero

By Francesca Claybrook

This designer spotlight features a woman with a seriously impressive resume that includes Prada, Versace, and the Haute Couture Parisienne.  Meet Claudia Bertolero, an Italian-Peruvian designer with a special love for horses that serves as one of the major inspirations behind her work.

BellaVitaStyle:  How did you get started in fashion?

Claudia Bertolero:  I started after graduating from the University of Miami with a degree in business administration and marketing.  In that moment I realized that something was missing so I decided to start studying Fashion Merchandising.


BVS:  You moved to Italy and had the chance to work for both Prada and Versace.  What made you decide to make that move, and how was it working at such fantastic design houses?

CB:  After graduating from business administration and marketing and fashion merchandising, I got the great opportunity of working first with Prada and then with Versace.  It was a great experience for me how those big design names have made it in the fashion industry.  I thought being half Italian I should take advantage of it and get a real exposure of how the fashion industry really is.  So I decided to move to Milan, the design city.  I learned a lot of business and marketing in the States, but the real fashion and design is not in the States it is in Italy.

BVS:  Then you spent time in Paris at the Haute Couture Parisienne.  What was that like?

CB:  I love Paris.  I think is the couture city.  I learned a lot by having the chance to study in the States, in Milan and in Paris because those countries gave me all the background that I needed in order to be able to create my own brand.

BVS:  Are there many differences between the Italian and French approaches to design?

CB:  Yes, Italy = made in Italy = design and innovation.  Instead, Paris = couture and how to build a garment.

BVS:  I know one of your inspirations is horses.  How does that translate into your work, and what else inspires you?

CB:  Fashion is my life and horses are my passion.  I think when you mix love and pleasure in what you do that is your work and your life at the same time; you enjoy each moment of the day because that fulfills you deeply. I get inspired as well by nature, by art, by culture, my parents (beautiful couple).  In order for me to create I have to feel an emotion, if I don’t feel that I cannot create.

BVS:  Who are your five favorite designers?

CB:  Difficult questions.  Some of them are: Valentino, Alberta Ferretti, Chanel (the real one), Jean Paul Gaultier, Givenchy,  Etro, Missoni, etc….

BVS:  In your opinion, what are the six pieces every woman should have in her wardrobe?

CB:  The little black dress, nice fitted trousers, ballerina shoes, nice corset and nice jogging pants and jogging jacket.

BVS:  Which designer or celebrity’s style do you admire the most?

CB:  Valentino

BVS:  What trends do you think will be big this summer?

CB:  Country look, but wait until you see my fusion with my brand style.

BVS:  What makes your pieces different from other designers?

CB:  My inspiration.  I get inspire in my culture and personalize it in my own may.  I mix a lot of techniques and materials.  I love to innovate and create my own fabrics.

BVS:  What has been the best or most surreal part of being a designer?

CB:  Believing in my dreams and in my style. So believe is a key word in my life.

BVS:   And most importantly, where can we buy your clothes?

CB:  You can get my cloths in Lima, Peru and soon in the States.  For more information contact us by email : info@claudiabertolero.com or check our web:claudiabertolero.com since we are working on a new way to shop on line.

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