Sunday, 5 August 2012
Monday, 26 September 2011
Fashion Is In The Air
Recently, I had the opportunity to chat with one of the most stylish
people in Toronto, Natasha Penzo. In her young career, this energetic woman did Public Relations for ACPR Boutique, has worked at the Bay as a Marketing Specialist, while at the same time is studying to achieve her MBA. She has also been judging and hosting several fashion events such as the Boobyball. We met at her posh apartment in beautiful Summerhill, to discuss Natasha’s career and what she plans to do next!
Growing up with the fashion industry (her mother was a buyer for The Bay) Natasha naturally gravitated to familiar territory. “Fashion was always around me. My mom was always getting dressed up to go out.”. “It’s my passion, I have a real appreciation and love for aesthetic. It’s about how you live your life.” When Natasha mentioned she was a “little bit of a rebel as a teen”, I was caught off guard. Was she always this ambitious as a teen though? “Being a ballerina, I guess I always had some sort of drive."
Having such a wonderful closet filled with the latest fashion trends, I challenged Natasha by asking her if she ever has a day where she doesn’t know what to wear. “No I don’t have a day where I don’t know what to wear, but there are days when I just want to stay in sweats. I generally know what to wear.” She likes to add a fashion twist to sophisticated outfits. Some of her favorite pieces include a hot pink Jil Sanders skirt from Chicago and Leopard print shoes she was wearing during the interview. 
Working currently at the The Bay, as the company is undergoing a total transformation, Natasha was involved with so many of the new exciting things that happened this fall. For example, the opening of “Topshop” (one of my favourite European stores) as well as helping create a photography exhibit with Vogue Japan editor, Mitsuko Watanabe. Natasha is so pleased with what Bonnie Brooks, the President and CEO of The Bay has initiative to re-invent the 341 year old department store. Catering to every level from the savvy shopper to the luxe market consumer. Natasha made me excited to hear about the plans for the upcoming fall season.
Natasha is a social butterfly like myself and loves to attend the many fashion events held in Toronto. One of her favorites is the Science Center Innovators Ball, where she was a Co-Chair. She says it is always a “great party.” Of course Toronto Fashion Week is one of the favorites as well.
Though she loves fashion, one of her favorite things to do with her husband is go to sports games, such as hockey or basketball. Natasha loves living in Toronto for the culture for the wide variety of theater, film, people and restaurants. The one thing she would like to see happen in the future is a new department store to rival The Bay and Holt Renfrew. “Something native to T.O.” I would love to see this happen very soon. I love competition!
While her fashion job is fun and exciting, the most important aspect of Natasha’s life is her charity work, which she takes “very seriously.” One charity she is most proud to participate in is the Re-Think Breast Cancer Foundation, which targets women under 40 years old who have cancer and helps to educate more about breast cancer. Last year she was the Co-Chair of the Boobyball, a high profile fundraising event for young philanthropists in Toronto, which raised over a million dollars for breast cancer and helped educate a new demographic of supporters.
Having such a wonderful closet filled with the latest fashion trends, I challenged Natasha by asking her if she ever has a day where she doesn’t know what to wear. “No I don’t have a day where I don’t know what to wear, but there are days when I just want to stay in sweats. I generally know what to wear.” She likes to add a fashion twist to sophisticated outfits. Some of her favorite pieces include a hot pink Jil Sanders skirt from Chicago and Leopard print shoes she was wearing during the interview. 
As the interview was drawing to a close, I asked Natasha if she intends to open her own store someday. “Nope, nope, I could say it 100 times over. I appreciate the aesthetic. It is a real challenge to market a company during recession. A designer really needs financial backing. Asked who her favourite Canadian designers are and she replied “ Joffer Kael and Shay Lowe, who creates beautiful statement jewelry.” Joffer Kael is actually the designer for her bridesmaid dresses in her wedding this week.
Having just started my first year in the Fashion Communications Program at Ryerson University, I was curious to hear her advice for me. She laughed but said, “I don’t want to sound cliche, but follow your heart. Their will be times in school and work where you will know something does not feel right, it will be a struggle, if something does not feel right don’t do it.” “Don’t underestimate your abilities and network.” Natasha achieved enormous success because her days don’t end at 6:30. “I always want to be a part of something, any committee or organization. Since Toronto is an amazing city filled filled with so much art and culture, networking is one of the main components of a successful career.”
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