Charlotte Collard interviews Barbara Martelo

If you don't know her yet, you have to know that Barbara is one of the most stylish lady! Usually running with your favorite Balmain jacket or jeans, the stylish woman is certainly more than aware about fashion and must haves! She wear them all and makes you want them all!

I have to say... Barbara is certainly a blogger's must have! And what I adore about her is that she doesn't taker herself too seriously. She is such a nice person and she will never make you feel uncomfortable. She is HUMAN and I think it is the most important.

CC: Barbara, tell us a bit more about your childhood, how did you grow up and what were your parents doing ?
BM: I was born in Madrid,when I was very young my familly moved to La Coruña in the North of Spain where I went to School and when I became 18 I moved back to Madrid to study Law and I´ve lived there since then. My father is a plastic surgenon and my mother is a nurse

CC: Was fashion a destiny or you made it all came true? tell us how you got into the fashion world.
BM: I graduated in Law and started working in the Legal Department of Inditex(owners of Zara)but really it was through a series of coincidences that I ended up working in fashion which had always been MY hobby. My first job was as a fashion editor at Telva magazine.At the time,the most popular fashion publication in Spain.Although it didn´t represent my view,it did give me the opportunity to enter in the fashion world and the most important to attend to the fashion shows. After 6 years I joined Spanish Vogue and three years latter(after I gave birth to my twins)I became freelance. Now I work for Spanish Vogue,El Pais and the best multibrand store in Madrid called Ekseption.

CC: Tell us, through the best shooting you ever had, a bit more about your everyday job as a stylist?
BM: I can´t tell you about the best one because it will come out next December,Spanish Vogue issue.My second best,so far,was with Chanel Iman shot by Thomas Schenk.She has such an energy ,the hole thing just flew. A stylist has to be always on top of what is going on in the fashion world, trends, new brands, new webs and blogs, celebrities, parties and new faces...I spend a considerable amount of time everyday in the net.
Once I have decided the stories for the season I have to share them with the publications and come up with a finally idea. It is very important to my contact with showrooms to make sure that I get LOOKS I really want for my shootings(it is hard,I have to compete with publications like French Vogue or American Vogue!! ). Normally my shootings take place in Paris,London or New York.

CC: For this winter, what are your favorite designers? and who are the designers to watch ?
BM: For me the best collections of the season are, Alexander McQueen for a remarkable and imaginative collection despite the crisis. Christophe Decarnain for the Balmain collections,once again he makes woman feel sexy. Alexander Wang,his collection so rock and roll,you want to wear everything. Andreas Melbostad,I really liked his Phi collection . Isabel Marant,all the looks were really nice,the lepard printed coats,the ankle boots

CC: I really find your style as an ideal, every pieces that I dream about, you wear it and every outfit you put on is just perfect. What is your little secret when it comes to putting clothes together and what are your main concern whenever you dress up?(Mine is to stay elegant and never turn vulgar)
BM: I avoid total looks. Combine important pieces with casual ones and always a bit sexy for my husband..

CC: Tell us more about your closets ? I guess you must have a walk-in one ;) ? what do you have most? Shoes? Bags? Dresses?
BM: Perfecto leather jacket,better if it´s got shoulder pads! And for the rest..Can´t comment..ja,ja...Let´s say I haven´t run out of space yet.Mainly jackets(I love them),jeans and of course lots of shoes.

CC: Never caught wearing ?
BM: I usually never wear long skirts.

CC: Any addiction to food ? shopping? others?
BM: I love buying clothing but I wouldn´t call it an addiction ,it is an investment.

CC: What does your schedule looks like when it comes to such a stylish woman ? Do you ever have time for yourself and your family?
BM: Of course,my family is the most important thing in my life.I try to spend a lot of time with my children and husband.I love to travel with them.

CC: Another passion than fashion?
BM: Modern Art and lately reading.

CC : The best city to shop and some of your favorite trendy boutiques ?
BM: Paris and New York.In Paris I love Montaigne Market and in New York Jeffrey´s and Barneys.And of course EKSEPTION in Madrid

CC: Is there something else you want to share ? (it can be something else than fashion, a tip for being healthy, a shopping tip)
BM: Don´t be a fashion victim,the way you dress should reflect the way you are

Many thanks to Brabara.