When it comes to Fashion Week — or for the style mavens out there: Fashion Month — Virginia Varinelli doesn’t mess around. The influencer and entrepreneur is a pro at prepping for the upcoming season’s collection previews, all while taking in everything each host city has to offer.
We caught up with Varinelli to chat about her Milan restaurant recommendations — perfect for those craving something delicious and aesthetically pleasing — her expert advice for nailing a killer outfit, and her secrets for staying glowing all season long. (Hint: Sunday Riley’s best sellers might have a little something to do with her enviable complexion!)
How would you describe Fashion Week for those who haven’t been?
Fashion week is one of the most beautiful but also stressful periods for people like me who work in this sector. For me, it is worth double because in addition to participating in fashion shows and meeting the designers, I had to prepare my own fashion collection as I am a fashion designer too. The beauty of Fashion Week is meeting people who come from all over the world. Being able to participate in this type of event makes me feel very lucky. Another thing I love about the Fashion Week is the possibility to wear pieces from famous fashion brands.
Getting ready for Fashion Week is always exciting; the weeks leading up to it feature plenty of fittings in the various fashion ateliers and then these clothes will be worn to attend the events. In truth, Fashion Week lasts a month around the world — starting in New York, then London, Milan, and Paris. This year, I attended New York, am in Milan now, and next I’ll be in Paris.
Aside from the upcoming season’s style trends, what else do you look forward to during Milan Fashion Week?
During Fashion Week there are a lot of places that I love to visit but that I also experience in my daily life. Don’t miss the Socialista, a famous New York Club that also recently opened in Milan at Casa Cipriani. I recommend a nice lunch at the Paper Moon Giardino, and a nice dinner at the Beefbar, which has landed in Milan after making a splash in Paris and Montecarlo.
What advice would you give someone struggling with finding their personal style?
First of all, you have to feel comfortable with what you are wearing. Every woman is different and every body has its own shape. If a woman has a very noticeable waist, I would advise her to wear an A-line skirt or high-waisted flared trousers. Fashion was created to make people feel good so your style must go hand in hand.
What’s the most common misconception you get as a content creator?
I started as an influencer 12 years ago and even today people still don’t understand what kind of work we do, but it’s part of the game. Personally, I haven’t had any major misunderstandings because in addition to being an influencer, I am also an entrepreneur; I have my clothing brand called Virginia Varinelli, a brand of Bijoux Viridì; I’m owner of Floo Agency, and I’m the author of the novel A Hypothesis of Happiness. I love what I do and I dedicate myself, body and soul, to it.
What does your skincare routine look like? Do you have any go-to products?
My skincare routine involves many steps and especially over the years I’ve learned to use creams by combining them with facial massages and tools like gua sha to help tone my face. I use Sunday Riley Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment — this gentle exfoliator is never missing from my beauty routine. Another product I love incorporating into my daily skincare routine is the Sunday Riley ICE Ceramide Moisturizing Cream, which is light and leaves my skin feeling soft to the touch. And recently, I’ve started using the Sunday Riley C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Gel Cream, which helps give my skin the touch of radiance I’m always searching for.
Shop Virginia Varinelli’s Sunday Riley Favorites
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