STYLE GURU BIO: Gianna Fontana

Ciao, Fashionistas! I’m Gianna, an Italian bella with the strongest coffee addiction you’ll ever find (iced mocha, please!). While my sugary drinks usually win the race for one true love in my heart, fashion pushes its way to the top more times per day than I wait in a Starbucks line (which is definitely saying something).

With all this caffeine and clothing, I must go to some kind of art school, right? Correct. I am currently at Columbia College Chicago. I study Magazine Journalism and Fashion Business with the hopes of one day fetching lattes not for myself, but the likes of the fashion writing greats. The Devil Wears Prada couldn’t have been that off about working at a publication, and I don’t want it to have been. That movie is my dream world. A world I hope to one day strut into with a red pen in hand and red soles on my feet.

While in school, I also work full-time as a receptionist at a blow dry bar, Blowtique, in Chicago. Aside from the amazing hair and clients’ fashion I am lucky enough to enjoy everyday, the dress code is black. Correction: all black. What more in a job could you want?

I love to write about fashion. I’ve just recently started my own blog called Haute Mess, about getting it together in your early ’20s. This forces me to get my own act together, even though I’ve long helped people look fabulous. I am the friend that people used to call up and say, “What should I wear to the party?” or “Come over and pick something out of my closet, please!” Actually, I’m still that friend, and I can’t wait to be that friend to all of you!

If I had to describe my style, I’d say it’s little pieces of who I am all rolled into one (probably black, let’s be honest) outfit. I’m Italian, so classic elegance is a must. My love for music, coffee and New York City shine through in my many graphic T-shirts. If you can’t say it, wear it. Be bold while looking adorable! I am a huge fan of leather, and having worked at AllSaints I own too much of it. If you were to look in my closet right now, you would find staple items and accessories. I truly believe in buying a few quality pieces and styling off of them. That’s my first piece of advice. Yay, I’m getting the hang of this!

As a first-time intern with some previous writing experience to boot (more precisely, a black leather bootie), I’m confident that this is going to be an amazing summer where we can learn from each other! Remember, the best way to find inspiration is by not looking for it! Just wait until you see something that makes your heart beat as fast as mine does when I see that pretty green lady on my plastic cup.

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