February, 2019 - NATALIE OFF DUTY

Natalie Lim Suarez

Modeling since the age of 15, Natalie Lim Suarez has been a notable figure in the fashion industry for years. Based in NYC, she is 1/2 Chinese, 1/4 Spanish, and 1/4 Mexican. With her passion for photography, creative direction, design, music, writing, modeling, and style, NATALIE OFF DUTY was born. Completely inspired by the "model off duty" on-the-go lifestyle. Sharing her stories, inspirations, and projects through her own photography and writing. Already noted for her winning fans in Harper's Bazaar UK, featured editorials in ELLE, and WWD for her "Good Taste." Along with campaigns and ambassadorships to top fashion and beauty brands from around the world. Some including COACH, DKNY, L'oreal Paris, Saks 5th Avenue, Sunglass Hut, Levis, and Nordstrom. Her eclectic, unique style has launched many successful design collaborations sold in top retailers around the world. Next to fashion, Natalie's other passion is music. Singing along with piano/guitar continue to pop up in her upcoming fashion campaigns.

Represented by FENTON MODELS.

contact: natalieoffduty@gmail.com

19 inch leather gloves: Portolano. Cashmere scarf: Portolano. Blazer: Sonia Rykiel. Pant: M. Missoni. Shoes: Dr. Martens.

How incredibly dramatic are these pink leather gloves? They are made by Portolano, an innovator in the industry, founded in 1895, in Naples, Italy! They have stayed true to their craft and continue to make accessories of incredible quality. Nobody does leather better than the Italians! These gloves feel soft like butter and though Portolano sells all of the classics of leather gloves, cashmere scarves, hats, and more, I went for the extra stand-out pieces to make my look really pop. I adore these really feminine 19 inch gloves simply with a tucked oversize menswear blazer and trouser. It’s elevated and could easily been plucked off the runway at NYFW. Their black cashmere scarf is my must-have, while you’ll also find the bold blue leather gloves in my bag on the daily. This bold blue is like my everyday neutral… it goes with just about everything. For those of you who are dabbling into wearing more color on these winter days, start with the accessories. Nothing gets more classic and fun to play with than leather gloves and cashmere scarves. Now which color is your favorite?

Blue gloves: Portolano. Puffer jacket: Khrisjoy. Sweater: COS. Pant: Veronica Beard. Handbag: Marni.

Shop all accessories on Portolano.

TAGS: accessories, Portolano

Black/Red midi dress: DVF. Paillette jacket: DVF. Blue dress (on Dylana): DVF. Pumps: Malone Souliers. Sunglasses: Cutler + Gross.

It’s certainly in statement pieces like these that Dylana and I feel most like women in charge. We gravitate towards pieces with character. Pieces that tell a story. We’re excited to reveal our latest shoot for DVF, where we took 3 amazing DVF looks through an evening of getting cocktail ready. It always begins with shoes all over the floor as we’re finding just the right sock to pair with our sandal. It could be texting one another from our houses with dress options. We ‘ll help do each other’s makeup on the living room floor. But most of all, we love color and color coordinating and complimenting. Dylana and I ended up going for black fringed pieces made for shimmering on the dance floor. No matter where we’re going, we wear pieces that have that wow factor.

Diane Von Furstenberg is such an empowering woman and whenever I hear her speak, I leave the room with a new, brighter perspective. She represents strength, softness, wisdom, and everything in between, and she just fills as room with her lovely presence and energy. As this shoot came up and we sat down to chat with the DVF team about what it means to be a woman in charge, I started really thinking about it. Women can do anything now. You can create your own path and I feel like I never followed the traditional path in life, whatever that is. I feel women can really invent their own future. I think it’s about having that mindset of waking up in the morning feeling in control and excited, and ending the day feeling proud of what you achieved, big or small, and keep going. It’s the ability to think for yourself and use your voice. It’s the ability to be strong and vocal, yet kind. It’s the ability to laugh at yourself. Most of all, being a woman in charge involves respecting and valuing your self worth. Dylana and I have each other to lift ourselves up from just about anything. We are each others daily reminders to be kind to ourselves and to believe in ourselves. I feel most in charge when we’re together. Nothing can stop us now.

Dotted dress: DVF. Green dress (on Dylana): DVF. Pumps: Manolo Blahnik. Pink heels (on Dylana): Christian Louboutin.

Black dress: DVF. Black top (on Dylana): DVF. Black skirt (on Dylana): DVF. Pink bag: STAUD. Blue/Green bag (on Dylana): Charlotte Simone.