Timeless Fashion
In conversation with Wardrobe Icons girls: Laura Fantacci and Petro Stofberg.
Laura Fantacci and Petro Stofberg Wardrobe Icons
How do you build the perfect wardrobe? One that is playful, inspiring, sustainable and that never goes out of fashion?
You may find the answer by checking Wardrobe Icons, a brilliant platform created by fashion editors Laura Fantacci and Petronella (Petro) Stofberg.
I met Laura and Petro before Covid struck, at a time when sustainability in fashion was very much at the centre of our conversation. I was inspired by their approach to clothes, a reflection on what makes certain items worth our investments. Listening to their approach made me purchase a Burberry trench - I am so pleased I did. But timeless fashion doesn’t always have to be pricey.
Now that we are gradually getting ready to fold away our tracksuits, I decided to ask them about their post-Covid approach when it comes to fashion but also about Wardrobe Icons as a brand and how it came about.
Laura: Wardrobe Icons came about from a need to build a platform that has fashion longevity at the forefront. I wanted to build an intelligent wardrobe, with things that I wanted to wear time and time again. I talked to Petro about this idea and we decided to build the platform from scratch.
At the time, the concept didn’t really exist. Fast fashion was very much the thing of the moment. We wanted to do the opposite and show women what never goes out of fashion.
Petro: I think every woman biologically gets to the point where they want to shop with longevity in mind and want to stop contributing to the wasteful landfill with crap fashion.
Eleonore: One of my favourite aspects of Wardrobe Icons is your online magazine, which you publish fortnightly. Can you tell me more about the latest issue?
Laura: The jewellery designer Carolina Bucci is on the cover of our latest Wardrobe Icons issue. The issue is dedicated to easy style, the effortless look that feels pulled together. Carolina is the perfect cover star - she wears a lot of jeans, blouses and shirts - and adds her iconic jewellery. We also wanted to recreate a little bit of fun of getting dressed. At the moment we are rediscovering our staples, our shoes, our bags. There are a lot of ideas to add a bit of colour to your wardrobe.
Petro: Yes, Carolina is a typical example of the great women we want to talk about. We also talk about icons on how to style them for the new season. And we also have beauty advice. There’s always a good reason to come back to the issue!
Iconic staples
Eleonore: What you define as 'icons' is a timeless piece. Can you tell me a bit more about your favourites?
Petro: Carolina Bucci hoops are timeless, and will always be chic and stylish but also a bit different. Icons have something special.
Laura: My Burberry trench, that was a present to myself for my 39th birthday. And an LVMH tote bag with my initials that was given to me by my family and friends for my 40th.
Eleonore: I am also really keen to hear about what you want to wear this spring and summer...
Laura: Co-ords is a trend I love to gravitate to as it captures both comfort and style. So I am looking forward to summer co-ords. I invested in a linen top with a matching skirt last summer. I wore it non stop. In terms of what I am looking forward to wearing, definitely a bare leg and a barefoot; sandals and open toes shoes!
Eleonore: Laura you are Italian and Petro you are from South Africa. Like me, you moved to London a long time ago. You are what I call the 'true new Londoners'. Can you share with us your favourite addresses?
Laura: I have been in London for more than half of my life. My neighbourhood is Notting Hill. I adore Gold restaurant on Portobello. My favourite dish is la burrata with parma ham and pears. I adore the Gelateria Trevis which is on Portobello Road as well. My favourite flavours are pistachio and nocciola.
In terms of shopping, I love Westbourne Grove. It’s really west London typical with the pastel colour houses. Daylesford, Smythson, Bon Ton and a lot of great designer shops. I love that little area. And you can also get a delicious hot choc from Ottolenghi.
Petro: I am a massive foodie. 28 Church Row in Hampstead serves amazing Spanish tapas. I also love Norma on Charlotte Street.
You can’t go wrong with Matches Fashion Town House (on Carlos street) in terms of shopping. I also adore Liberty which for me is the ultimate department store. It always has something unexpected, that you don’t need but want.
You may find the answer by checking Wardrobe Icons, a brilliant platform created by fashion editors Laura Fantacci and Petronella (Petro) Stofberg.
I met Laura and Petro before Covid struck, at a time when sustainability in fashion was very much at the centre of our conversation. I was inspired by their approach to clothes, a reflection on what makes certain items worth our investments. Listening to their approach made me purchase a Burberry trench - I am so pleased I did. But timeless fashion doesn’t always have to be pricey.
Now that we are gradually getting ready to fold away our tracksuits, I decided to ask them about their post-Covid approach when it comes to fashion but also about Wardrobe Icons as a brand and how it came about.
Laura: Wardrobe Icons came about from a need to build a platform that has fashion longevity at the forefront. I wanted to build an intelligent wardrobe, with things that I wanted to wear time and time again. I talked to Petro about this idea and we decided to build the platform from scratch.
At the time, the concept didn’t really exist. Fast fashion was very much the thing of the moment. We wanted to do the opposite and show women what never goes out of fashion.
Petro: I think every woman biologically gets to the point where they want to shop with longevity in mind and want to stop contributing to the wasteful landfill with crap fashion.
Eleonore: One of my favourite aspects of Wardrobe Icons is your online magazine, which you publish fortnightly. Can you tell me more about the latest issue?
Laura: The jewellery designer Carolina Bucci is on the cover of our latest Wardrobe Icons issue. The issue is dedicated to easy style, the effortless look that feels pulled together. Carolina is the perfect cover star - she wears a lot of jeans, blouses and shirts - and adds her iconic jewellery. We also wanted to recreate a little bit of fun of getting dressed. At the moment we are rediscovering our staples, our shoes, our bags. There are a lot of ideas to add a bit of colour to your wardrobe.
Petro: Yes, Carolina is a typical example of the great women we want to talk about. We also talk about icons on how to style them for the new season. And we also have beauty advice. There’s always a good reason to come back to the issue!
Iconic staples
Eleonore: What you define as 'icons' is a timeless piece. Can you tell me a bit more about your favourites?
Petro: Carolina Bucci hoops are timeless, and will always be chic and stylish but also a bit different. Icons have something special.
Laura: My Burberry trench, that was a present to myself for my 39th birthday. And an LVMH tote bag with my initials that was given to me by my family and friends for my 40th.
Eleonore: I am also really keen to hear about what you want to wear this spring and summer...
Laura: Co-ords is a trend I love to gravitate to as it captures both comfort and style. So I am looking forward to summer co-ords. I invested in a linen top with a matching skirt last summer. I wore it non stop. In terms of what I am looking forward to wearing, definitely a bare leg and a barefoot; sandals and open toes shoes!
Eleonore: Laura you are Italian and Petro you are from South Africa. Like me, you moved to London a long time ago. You are what I call the 'true new Londoners'. Can you share with us your favourite addresses?
Laura: I have been in London for more than half of my life. My neighbourhood is Notting Hill. I adore Gold restaurant on Portobello. My favourite dish is la burrata with parma ham and pears. I adore the Gelateria Trevis which is on Portobello Road as well. My favourite flavours are pistachio and nocciola.
In terms of shopping, I love Westbourne Grove. It’s really west London typical with the pastel colour houses. Daylesford, Smythson, Bon Ton and a lot of great designer shops. I love that little area. And you can also get a delicious hot choc from Ottolenghi.
Petro: I am a massive foodie. 28 Church Row in Hampstead serves amazing Spanish tapas. I also love Norma on Charlotte Street.
You can’t go wrong with Matches Fashion Town House (on Carlos street) in terms of shopping. I also adore Liberty which for me is the ultimate department store. It always has something unexpected, that you don’t need but want.
TRY CULTURE WHISPER
Receive free tickets & insider tips to unlock the best of London — direct to your inbox