Interview with fashion designer Carlotta Actis Barone

Carlotta Actis Barone Interview by Jack Oughton. Photography by Lin Vitali.

Note: The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of RetoxMagazine.com

Exclusive interview with Carlotta Actis Barone:

Retox Magazine got the exciting opportunity to speak to a rising star in fashion, designer Carlotta Actis Barone. What did we do? We immediately seized it as both, an opportunity to learn about the business and ask a lot of ridiculous and semi informative questions.

Read on to hear what Carlotta told Jack about the fashion industry, Sylvester Stallone, hand grenades, wasps and more...

 

Retox Magazine: How do you define 'fashion' and why do people care about it so much?

Carlotta A Barone: Fashion to me is self expressive communication. People care so much about it because it's a way to show viewers who we are and how we feel before even speaking.

Retox Magazine: What does your job entail, in a nutshell?

Carlotta A Barone: My job entails me working really hard to achieve my goal, which is to spread messages and sell my dreams.

 

Retox Magazine: How do you take your design from initial idea to finished product and make an income off of it?

Carlotta A Barone: My initial ideas are never my final outcomes. I definitely stick to my research and purposes, but the creation of my garment always alters as my ideas evolve and change. I'm never 100% satisfied! To make an income out of it, I've had to strip down and simplify my ideas many times to make them more wearable in order to sell them.

 

Retox Magazine: How did you get started and what do you think is the most important trait of a fashion designer?

Carlotta A Barone: I remember when I was 6 years old I designed a mini collection for little girls! I then discovered that was my passion when I asked for a sewing machine for my 18th birthday. After careful consideration I knew this was it; this was what I wanted to do. The most important trait for a fashion designer is a lot of will power, hard work and of course creativity.

 

Retox Magazine: Where is the capital of fashion?

Carlotta A Barone: Paris, 100%.

 

Retox Magazine: How do you spot trends and draw inspiration?

Carlotta A Barone: From the streets, from vintage markets, from movies, from books, from art; from everywhere!! Inspiration is all around us. When something really catches my eye, I'll research it and mix it with my ideas from my weird little world ;-)

 

Retox Magazine: What would you tell anyone who wanted to break into the field?

Carlotta A Barone: Mmmm really?! Another competitor?! Oh for God's sake!! ;-)

 

Retox Magazine: If you weren't a fashion designer what would you do instead?

Carlotta A Barone: I don't think I would do well at anything else to be honest. I've spent a long time looking for my role in life; doing lots of random jobs and going to university to be a journalist and an ancient literature professor! That's not me. I was miserable all the way through until I found my true drive in fashion.

This is the point where we ask exciting and absurd questions. Ready?

Retox Magazine: If you were suddenly put totally in charge of Google, what's the first thing you'd do?

Carlotta A Barone: Put my name in every search result. ;-)

 

Retox Magazine: If you could invent a religion, what would you call it, what would it be called, what would it be about and what would it's Holy City be?

Carlotta A Barone: I would call it 'The Ring' and it would be called the 'Prophecy' and the holy city would be my cosy studio in Dalston... After all if I invented it so I can be bossy! ;-)

 

Retox Magazine: If you got into the business of manufacturing musical instruments, which would you choose to make?

Carlotta A Barone: Oboe

 

Retox Magazine: If you were forced to sing every line you'd speak for the rest of your life, which singer's voice would you choose to do it with?

Carlotta A Barone: Maria Callas

 

Retox Magazine: If you were forced to travel everywhere in some sort of military vehicle for a year, which would you pick?

Carlotta A Barone: I would fly a SR-71; the world's fastest jet. I don't like wasting time and I want to get straight to my destination.

 

Retox Magazine: At what point do hand grenades become an option?

Carlotta A Barone: When someone tries to stop and fool me.

 

Retox Magazine: What'd you rather, not sleep for 3 days, or not bathe for 3 days?

Carlotta A Barone: I'd definitely rather not sleep; I rarely do anyways.

 

Retox Magazine: If humanity appointed you as its ambassador for momentous first contact with aliens, how would you introduce our species?

Carlotta A Barone: "Look guys, I know we kill each other, destroy each other's planets, are always unhappy, stressed and bla bla...but we really are one of a kind. Individually we have great spirits and great hearts but mostly we can produce art. Isn't that a good enough reason to become friends?" and that would be when they shoot me with a laser gun! hahaha!

 

Retox Magazine: Do you think that Sylvester Stallone would make a good housemate?

Carlotta A Barone: No! I hate fake tan, I'm sure he would stain my beautiful white sofa.

 

Retox Magazine: What about Julius Caesar?

Carlotta A Barone: Yes he would be great. He never lost a battle so he would teach me how to always be a winner; nevertheless at least I'd get the latest gossip on Cleopatra. ;-)

 

Retox Magazine: If you were stuck in the plot of a book for 2 weeks, what book would you pick?

Carlotta A Barone: 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I love magically absurd situations and I love family bonds.

 

Retox Magazine: If you were a Native American chieftain, what name would you give yourself?

Carlotta A Barone: Rising Star

 

Retox Magazine: If alligators could speak, what could we learn from them?

Carlotta A Barone: That they don't enjoy being purses.

 

Retox Magazine: What about grizzly bears?

Carlotta A Barone: That manicures are not an option when you have to fish for salmons ;-)

 

Retox Magazine: And wasps?

Carlotta A Barone: How to sting nosey bitches.

Please finish the following sentences…

Retox:Today I feel so much better because...

Carlotta:...I had a great party last night.

 

Retox:Sometimes I forget that...

Carlotta:...I must not trust everyone.

 

Retox:When I watch the news, I feel...

Carlotta:...sad.

 

Retox:Coffee goes well with...

Carlotta:...cigarettes ;-)

 

Retox:I don't like cats when...

Carlotta:...they are in heat.

 

Retox:The most important thing my Mum taught me was...

Carlotta:...never be satisfied.

 

Retox:The most important thing my Dad taught me was...

Carlotta:...thinking with my own mind.

 

Retox:It's not good to believe in...

Carlotta:...revenge.

 

Retox:If I were to get stuck with Bill Murray in an elevator I'd...

Carlotta:...piss myself.

 

Retox:Cooking is better when you...

Carlotta:...know how to do it.

 

Retox:These interview questions are making me feel...

Carlotta:...euphoric.

 

Retox:Exoplanets are...

Carlotta:...not in my vocabulary.

 

Retox:What I like about hobos is...

Carlotta:...freedom.

 

Retox:When I want to cheer up, I...

Carlotta:...dance.

 

Retox:Facebook likes are...

Carlotta:...annoying.

 

Retox:Smooth jazz is...

Carlotta:...relaxing.

 

Retox:Having a pet owl is...

Carlotta:...super cool.

 

Retox:I hope that this year brings...

Carlotta:...success.

 

That's it. Graci! – Jack Oughton, RetoxMagazine.com