Interview with Rebecca Baglini

Bonjour fashion lovers,

Here we go! This article marks the beginning of a new project for TheFashionLover. A project that I had to put on hold due to health reasons (2024 was a year to forget) is now ready to roll and about to become a reality. I wanted to delve into the daily lives of those who have a deep understanding of fashion, those who make fashion their reason for living, making us dream and sparking discussions with their choices.

Who am I talking about? Stylists, of course. A professional figure without whom many celebrities would never have become style icons, would never have made headlines (beyond their professional talent). And this fashion project of mine from Italy starts with an interview with stylist Rebecca Baglini. It all began one afternoon a few months ago: I was at home recovering and, as usual, browsing on IG, I noticed a photo of Mattia Stanga (a very famous TikToker with millions of followers) with a very glam look, styled by Rebecca Baglini, and I commented on the photo in a sincere, straightforward way: "let's talk about it", wanting to emphasize the intriguing curiosity that photo, that look, had generated in me. And that's exactly what happened. That comment was followed by initial polite exchanges of phrases between me and Rebecca Baglini, and then a phone call, two phone calls in which we chatted about her work, about how it's not easy to emerge so high for a woman, about how special relationships are created with the celebrities she takes care of (I like this expression), about her work for Sanremo 2024 (where she made Garden D'amico irresistible, how can we forget the teddy bears and the Moschino looks), about how she revived the look of the duo Ricchi e Poveri and much, much more. But it wasn't enough for me, I wanted to know even more and so we decided that an interview would be the perfect setting to get to know Rebecca Baglini and her talent as a stylist.

Of course, her talent will be on full display at Sanremo. Let's talk more about it here and on Instagram. As a teaser, Rebecca will be styling 10 celebrities at the Ariston, such as Alessandro Cattelan, Ludovica Sauer, and Mattia Stanga. But I won't spoil it all. Let's keep the excitement going!

So I leave you below with my many questions and Rebecca Baglini's beautiful answers.

What inspired you to become a stylist?
Becoming a stylist was almost a natural vocation, something that has always been part of me. From an early age, I perceived fashion as an intuitive art, linked to emotions and instinct. It is an innate talent, but like any gift, it must be nurtured and cultivated through experience, culture and personal growth. Everything we see, read, taste or experience influences our taste, which evolves with time, just as we do. For me, fashion is a metaphor for life itself. When everything seems difficult, you can always look for the best side, just like in styling, it is not just what you have that counts, but how you interpret it, how you make it your own. This philosophy guides me every day, fuelling my work with passion and vision. Styling, for me, is a reflection of our being and a unique form of expression.

Can you describe your personal style and how it influences your work?
My personal style is authentic and timeless, deeply rooted in memories and emotions. I do not follow trends or the hype of the moment, for me fashion is history and culture, a story that is built through conscious choices. In my wardrobe I still keep garments I bought when I was 12/14 years old, each piece represents a moment, a person, an emotion. This approach is also reflected in my work, I don't just dress a person, I try to tell a story through clothes. I believe in beauty that resists time, in the value of design and in the depth that each fabric can convey. Fashion is an art form that must nourish the mind and the eyes, and this requires special attention to detail and meaning.

What is your typical day like as a stylist?
There is no such thing as a typical day, and that is what makes my job so stimulating. One day I can be in Milan, the next in Paris, or on a TV set. I manage 18 artists and collaborate on a wide range of projects, from creative direction of advertising campaigns to consulting for brands and creating positioning strategies. The pace is hectic with many phone calls, many decisions to be made and a constant need to adapt. However, I always find a moment to reconnect with my roots and remember where I come from. My work is not just a career, but a fundamental part of my identity.

What is your favorite part of being a stylist?
The creative phase is the one I love the most. Often, ideas come to me at night and end up in the notes on my phone or in chats with my team. It is a meditative moment, where I imagine and design, often collaborating with photographers like Sara Scanderebech or Attilio Cusani. The greatest satisfaction comes when I see my ideas come to life and when collaborators or clients show enthusiasm. And then there is that moment at the end of the day, when we hug or toast together, knowing that we have done a good job. It is in those moments that I realise how fulfilling this job, although challenging, is.

What challenges do you face in the fashion industry?
The fashion world can be ruthless. It is an industry that requires mental strength, resilience and the ability to deal with criticism and pressure. Personally, I have experienced bullying and faced prejudice related to gender and my identity. Moreover, there is a tendency to reduce creativity to numbers and profits, often stifling young talent. However, these challenges, although difficult, are also what makes the job so compelling.

How do you collaborate with designers and brands?
Collaborations with brands and designers are a fundamental part of my work and are developed through a versatile and tailor-made approach. I currently work as a creative consultant for Cycle, but at the same time I collaborate with various brands and designers in areas ranging from creating lookbooks and advertising campaigns to developing video projects.
I have worked with prestigious groups such as Gruppo della Valle, BasicNet, Tod's, Roberto Cavalli, Prada and Trussardi and many others. In these contexts, I contributed not only to the design of lookbooks or communication strategy, visual concepts for the style offices, but also to creative direction, creating custom-made garments that were later integrated into the collections.
Among the custom-made projects in which I have participated are the costumes created for Ricchi e Poveri at the Sanremo Festival.

How has social media changed the role of a stylist?
Social media have increased the visibility of our work, but have also introduced new challenges. They have democratised access to fashion, but sometimes risk trivialising its complexity. Personally, I don't consider myself a social phenomenon, but I appreciate the possibility of showing the work behind the scenes to a wider audience. I believe it is important to use these tools to educate and inspire, without losing sight of quality and authenticity.

Who would you have loved to style in the past?
I would have loved to dress Monica Vitti, Marcello Mastroianni, Anna Magnani and Ingrid Bergman, timeless icons embodying elegance and personality.



Who would you like to style now?
Today I have the privilege of being able to choose who I work with. I work with people I respect and with whom there is a mutual understanding. This is the great luxury that so many years of my career have given me, the freedom to select projects that really excite me.

Your fav stylist?
I do not stop too much to look at other people's work, because I am completely immersed in creating my own, in perfecting every detail of my vision. However, if I had to think of someone, an artist who really inspired me, it is definitely Gianfranco Ferré. His ability to mix elegance, culture and innovation has always fascinated me. He was a true master in treating fabric as a language, he could tell stories with his fashion. I admire him greatly, but also as a man of great culture and sensitivity

How do you feel about the concept of inclusivity in fashion, and is it something that can be truly achieved?
Inclusivity in fashion is a complex issue. While I appreciate the advances in the representation of different bodies and faces, I believe that fashion, like all arts, remains selective by nature. It is important to promote health and authenticity while avoiding harmful extremes. The goal must be to celebrate diversity in a conscious way, valuing what makes each individual unique.

What do you see as the future of the fashion industry?
I see a sector that is constantly evolving, but is often distant from the direct dialogue between the creative person and the end customer. It is essential to mend this connection, re-establishing an authentic relationship with those who live and wear the garments. However, the path to finding a balance between creativity and economic sustainability is still long and complex

What advice would you give to aspiring stylists?
Being a stylist is a profession for the few. It requires dedication, mental strength and the ability to face and overcome rejection. You have to be a real tank, ready to fight every day to prove your worth. My advice is to invest in your training and surround yourself with people who believe in and support your talent.

I'd love to hear more about your work on Sanremo 2024, specifically for Dargen D'Amico and the Ricchi e Poveri. Their outfits were fantastic.
Sanremo is always a unique and unrepeatable experience. Dressing artists like Dargen D'Amico and Ricchi e Poveri was a great honour. Their looks are the result of modernity, with a conscious look towards the future. The aim was to express their identity in an authentic way, celebrating their artistic and personal history.

Remember when we talked about Mattia Stanga? It's always a fun challenge to style someone who's not exactly a fashion pro, isn't it?
Absolutely! Mattia brought freshness and spontaneity, and finding the right balance to best represent him was incredibly rewarding

How does it feel to see your name in the New York Times? Irene Maiorino was stunning in Schiaparelli. 
Seeing one's name in a prestigious publication like the New York Times is certainly gratifying. It is concrete proof that hard work, dedication and determination pay off. For me it was an important moment, a great team effort by Rebecca Baglini, Schiaparelli and the New York Times, an example of quality and recognition. Every achievement like this reinforces my passion for the work I do.