THE DREAM
I grew up surrounded by fashion magazines. My father’s business, as a distributor of all kinds of publications, was on the ground floor of my house. My mother owned a collection of glossy periodicals, which she would carefully leaf through in search of her next project. A good amount of mine and my mother’s clothes were handmade by a seamstress, inspired by an image in a torn page from those very magazines. I remember dearly the hunting for the perfect fabric and trims, the first design meeting where the photograph of the garment would be accompanied by my mother’s sketches, and the fittings.
In my rebellious teens, I ended up living in a squat where in the desperate attempt to collect some money, I used my mother’s sewing machine to tailor sweatshirts and sell them at rave parties. I recollect the times of breaking through dismissed warehouses to find rolls of fabrics and improvising the art of sewing with my fellow squatters. This was the most rewarding part of this “phase” in my life. When I made up my mind that I would learn how to properly stitch a garment and become a seamstress, I got scouted as a model and my life took a different turn.
During my first season of fashion shows in New York, Marc Jacobs himself asked me where I got the dress that I was wearing and when I answered, “I did it myself,” he said he would hire me anytime. For the last 14 years, I have had the chance to wear many marvelous clothes, touch them, study them, and witness the creative process at first hand. And for the last 11 years, since my first pregnancy, I have dreamt of creating beautifully tailored maternity clothes. In the over saturated fashion market, I have found myself searching desperately for something decent to wear during those 9 months. Something that isn’t overpriced and cheaply made t-shirts or jeans, or shapeless and outdated baggy dresses.
I have finally won over the fear of starting a business to achieve my dream. Using the inspiration from my childhood and teenage years, the taste defined by my 14 years of modelling, the experience of being a two-time mother, and the courage in the resourceful and independent woman that I am today, I have committed myself to create these fun, fashionable, luxurious and sustainable dresses devoted to the best 9 months in a woman’s life.
The process of working hand in hand with inspiring women gratifies my commitment to my brand. From Mariam and Yvette, who I run the business with, to Sarah who assists with sourcing deadstock fabrics, and Marta who manages the manufacturing; the list goes on to all the segments of the production.
Bianca Balti maternity is a brand dedicated to women and therefore exclusively designed, crafted and tailored by women. Focused on sourcing and producing locally, in Los Angeles, with deadstock fabric, it reflects the value of the sustainable way of doing fashion, keeping the future of the “babies in the making” at heart.
THE DREAM
I grew up surrounded by fashion magazines. My father’s business, as a distributor of all kinds of publications, was on the ground floor of my house. My mother owned a collection of glossy periodicals, which she would carefully leaf through in search of her next project. A good amount of mine and my mother’s clothes were handmade by a seamstress, inspired by an image in a torn page from those very magazines. I remember dearly the hunting for the perfect fabric and trims, the first design meeting where the photograph of the garment would be accompanied by my mother’s sketches, and the fittings.
In my rebellious teens, I ended up living in a squat where in the desperate attempt to collect some money, I used my mother’s sewing machine to tailor sweatshirts and sell them at rave parties. I recollect the times of breaking through dismissed warehouses to find rolls of fabrics and improvising the art of sewing with my fellow squatters. This was the most rewarding part of this “phase” in my life. When I made up my mind that I would learn how to properly stitch a garment and become a seamstress, I got scouted as a model and my life took a different turn.
During my first season of fashion shows in New York, Marc Jacobs himself asked me where I got the dress that I was wearing and when I answered, “I did it myself,” he said he would hire me anytime. For the last 14 years, I have had the chance to wear many marvelous clothes, touch them, study them, and witness the creative process at first hand. And for the last 11 years, since my first pregnancy, I have dreamt of creating beautifully tailored maternity clothes. In the over saturated fashion market, I have found myself searching desperately for something decent to wear during those 9 months. Something that isn’t overpriced and cheaply made t-shirts or jeans, or shapeless and outdated baggy dresses.
I have finally won over the fear of starting a business to achieve my dream. Using the inspiration from my childhood and teenage years, the taste defined by my 14 years of modeling, the experience of being a two-time mother, and the courage in the resourceful and independent woman that I am today, I have committed myself to create these fun, fashionable, luxurious and sustainable dresses devoted to the best 9 months in a woman’s life.
The process of working hand in hand with inspiring women gratifies my commitment to my brand. From Mariam and Yvette, who I run the business with, to Sarah who assists with sourcing deadstock fabrics, and Shannon who manages the manufacturing; the list goes on to all the segments of the production.
Bianca Balti Collection is a brand dedicated to women and therefore exclusively designed, crafted and tailored by women. Focused on sourcing and producing locally, in Los Angeles, with deadstock fabric, it reflects the value of the sustainable way of doing fashion, keeping the future of the “babies in the making” at heart.