The luxury footwear label, Bionda Castana, represents a modern day success story in an era where quitting your investment banking job and striking out on an entrepreneurial venture is scarier than ever. Natalia Barbieri and her business partner, Jennifer Portman, did not let dire economic predictions stop them from their dreams. In 2007, with only a small amount of start-up capital and no previous experience in the footwear industry, Barbieri and Portman started Bionda Castana (the label translates as “Blonde Brunette” from Italian). “We really set ourselves a tough challenge. We set up this business with nothing other than passion, which is what we are most proud of,” shares Barbieri with us exclusively. Their determination paid off quickly. Barbieri elucidates the fast pace of their success: “For our first season, we showed a very small capsule collection for Spring Summer 2008 at the WSA show in Las Vegas. We are now stocked in some of the most influential stores in the world – namely Browns, Harvey Nichols, Saks, Nordstrom, Symphony Style Dubai, and Tea Rose Milan.”

After their 2007 launch and 2008 capsule collection in Las Vegas, Bionda Castana became a buzz-worthy brand. Barbieri shares, “Winning the ‘Who is on Next’ award was the stepping stone for our brand to get noticed by people that mattered in the industry.” Since becoming a footwear design maven, Barbieri’s opinion carries significant weight. On a more personal note, she divulges her favorite trends of the moment: “Neo-Goth, dark, and romantic. We designed booties for Osman Yousefzada’s FW12 show using an embroidered brocade print he had custom made. Stunning and currently obsessed.”

Clearly, they’ve made their mark at an astonishing rate, but why abandon a stable career in investment banking to design footwear in the first place? “The reason I design shoes is because I love the way they accentuate the foot. The beauty of a high-heeled shoe is how it transforms a look. It changes peoples personalities and attitudes,” Barbieri states. The touchstone of their success is the beautifully crafted product that they’ve lovingly designed from start to finish. A Bionda Castana shoe really does have transformative powers.

Read below for our quick-fire interview with Natalia.

Most treasured possession? My grandmother’s wedding ring. Most romantic place in the world? Sardegna, Italy. Greatest extravagance? A very expensive Vassilisa gown which I have worn to death. So you could say I got my money’s worth. Labels you love? Elle Saab, Jenny Packham, Stella Mcartney, Chloe, Celine, and Gabriele Colangelo. Perfect idea of happiness? Being the best person that I can be. Dream client? Emma Stone. Fantasy dinner party guests? Mary J Blige, Al Gore, Jay Z, Karl Lagerfeld, Pedro Almodovar, and Charlize Theron. Favorite food? I’m currently obsessed with tacos. But next week, it will be something else. Favorite smell? Lavender.
 Favorite sound? The rain hitting the window pane whilst all cozy in bed. Best film? The Notebook. It gets me every time. Best book? The Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell.
 Best advice? Don’t dwell on the negatives. Learn from your mistakes and celebrate your victories. Secret hobbies? Knitting.
 If you weren’t a designer, you would be… Definitely more relaxed.

interviewed by GRACE GORDON|edited by HALEH NIA