Motherhood à la Mode with Bianca Balti
From supermodel to designer, Bianca Balti is reinventing maternity wear through inclusivity and intention. Motherhood has never been more stylish.
An intensely stunning Italian brunette with piercing blue eyes and a well-known name, Bianca Balti is an iconic gem of the fashion industry. You might recognize her sultry look from Dolce & Gabbana’s promotions for Light Blue Fragrance, or her envy-worthy locks from L’Oréal ad campaigns. The list goes on… runways and editorial shoots for Roberto Cavalli, Bulgari, Valentino and more– you name it, she’s done it.
While Balti may have already conquered the modeling sphere of fashion with her Italian sensuality and appeal, motherhood led her to a new sphere of fashion creativity: maternity wear. Launched in 2017, Bianca Balti Collection set out to elevate the wardrobe options for mothers-to-be, after Balti personally struggled to find beautiful pieces to wear to important events during her first pregnancy. Tastefully inspired by vintage motifs, thoughtfully collaborated with real mothers, and faithfully devoted to sustainable practices, Bianca Balti Collection is reinventing maternity wear with inclusivity and intention.
How were you introduced to the world of fashion?
I was introduced to the fashion world at a young age. My father received all the magazine/newspaper distributions, and his business was just downstairs from my home. My mom literally read every single fashion publication; I grew up fully immersed in the “fashion dream.”
Personalities who inspired you to embrace your career as a designer?
My mother above all; she would tear pages out of the magazines for inspiration and then hunt for the perfect fabric. She had a network of local tailors and knitters in my hometown and she’d have clothes tailor-made all the time for herself, my brother and me.
How does your Italian background influence the way you approach your business?
Being Italian means loving fashion; we are very “appearance-focused.” We would never leave the house wearing the first thing we find in our closet. That being said, my maternity wear does not consist of leggings and sloppy dresses, but rather dressed-up, proper pieces so that pregnant women don’t have to give up fashion.
How does being a mother influence the way you approach your business?
Being a mother inspires me every day to build a sustainable business that has the smallest impact on the environment. Bianca Balti Collection is entirely made with deadstock fabrics and produced in my current city of Los Angeles, making it a truly sustainable business.
A definition of style?
Style is a second skin; it’s the projection of your inner self or what you decide to show to the world.
Your daily look?
My daily look is a pair of FEEL jeans, a vintage T-shirt, an Alanui sweater and a pair of Hide&Jack sneakers. Or, a Sapopa activewear outfit.
Last purchase?
A pair of Alevì shoes; the sexiest option for my nights out.
The most iconic piece in your wardrobe?
My Dolce & Gabbana Devotion bag.
Your favorite piece from your line Bianca Balti?
Definitely the Laurel Dress; it’s so elegant, edgy and luxurious that I was able to wear it at the Green Carpet Awards at La Scala last fashion week in Milan, and make it to the cover of the Russian edition of Grazia Magazine.
The piece of jewelry you always wear?
A MARAMCS gold chain, as well as a gold toe ring that I bought in Laguna Beach three years ago and hasn’t left my foot since.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
The best piece of advice I’ve ever received was from my mom. She told me: “If you always wear makeup, if you always dress up, if you always wear heels, then people won’t notice anymore when you do,” and that has literally been my life’s style mantra ever since.
What would you say to other women about how to be in world right now?
I would tell them that they can be it all – women with careers, mothers, sexy lovers. It takes a lot of work and nobody is going to give you a prize for it, but the reward of not giving up anything in life will be amazing.
Originally from Los Angeles, Alicia lived in Shanghai for 11 years before moving back to the states to attend the University of Miami, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and minors in art and philosophy. Currently residing in New York City, Alicia applies her knowledge of strategic communication and design in her career. She enjoys painting, rugby, exploring, and more often than not, you’ll find her petting someone’s dog.
