About
I grew up in the US, in Reading/North Reading Massachusetts, as part of a family of 4, together with my older brother Alex.
I was raised by my parents, Giuseppe and Agostina Di Fiore, who are from a small town in central Italy in the region of Abbruzzo, called Capestrano. I enjoyed when my grandparents would visit us as well as when we would travel to Italy to visit them during the summertime where I would play with all the farm animals on their farm and help make wine from the grapes in their vineyards. I loved arts and crafts of every kind, reading, playing outside and with dolls as many young girls do. My greatest passions were and remain today in modeling, clothing design, singing, songwriting and motion picture/television.
My family has been a constant throughout my life. The relationship I have with each of them is quite fulfilling. They are, and have always been, supportive of me and my career goals. Not to mention, there is never a shortage of fun whenever we’re together! We didn’t have ample financial means nor was I exposed to influential circles, so I learned that hard work, dedication, and a belief in myself were key to following my dreams and successfully achieving my goals. I never owned very fancy things or expensive designer clothes (I still don’t) but my parents made sure I never lacked any necessities. They were very good at stretching the value of money and finding a bargain whenever possible.
I used to participate in beauty pageantry contests with my mom as a recreational and bonding activity. My mother enrolled me in my first one before I could walk or talk. We had so much fun together! It was because of these experiences, and my admiration for my parents’ chic sense of style, that I developed a great passion and respect for fashion. I valued the need for a solid education and so I completed grade school in Reading and college in nearby Boston where I graduated with a BA in Marketing and an MBA from Simmons University.
I knew my life’s work would involve being a model because I always enjoyed posing for a camera, trying to come up with new ways of moving my body and of emoting using what I was wearing. I also admired great photography. I would peruse all the major fashion magazines looking at how the image was captured, the poses, lighting, or lack thereof among many other elements. I was around 3 years old when I developed the habit of looking through the big fashion magazines. Often, I would tear out my favorite pages and hang them up. When I began to learn how to dress myself, I would regularly put outfits together for the upcoming week and arrange them by day in my closet. Sometimes they were 2 or 3 different outfits a day. I still do this today on occasion.
I also knew I would become involved in fashion design at an early age because I had a never-ending fascination with fabrics, a curiosity to feel them and know what a garment is made of. I LOVE clothing. I have sometimes said, if I could eat an outfit instead of food I would! I would go with my mother to her weekly sewing classes, and she would make me different articles of clothing. My grandmother also knitted and crochet for me various kinds of garments. Sometimes I had the opportunity to choose the yarn color and fiber which I would look forward to. Everything I design and create is something I would also wear. It is my goal to create clothing and accessories that are beautiful, high quality, inspiring and affordable for many. Also, it is important that my products are made by ethically conscious manufacturers with fabrics that are safe for your body. I want to hear from you to create a brand that you enjoy so send me your feedback!
Music is a language I have connected with my entire life. I began playing the piano when I was 5 years old and had private lessons. Later I would spend time writing song lyrics and creating melodies as I heard them in my head. In college I sang in an a-cappella group, the Simmons Sirens. Doing this I learned to sing without musical instruments and imitate with my voice the sounds they make. Today, my music-making process is similar yet a little more organized. I am currently working on my first album and look forward to sharing this with you.
One of my fondest memories from growing up is of my family and I watching home movies projected onto a wall or bed sheet. I was so fascinated by this, seeing me in a video recording. I would imagine acting in movies based on a true story, which are my favorite to watch, helping to tell the tale of something deeply moving and informative. I would look forward to it very much and would ask if we could set up the projector for a movie night every so often. Popcorn was always included, and we would pop some fresh over the stove. This family event and the impact of watching various movies planted the seed that telling a story through motion picture is truly valuable. I have acted in different film and television projects as well as commercials and hope to participate in more inspiring, educational, and entertaining projects.
It is hard for me to fully understand the amount of rejection I have endured or the patience I have upheld to get to a level in my career where I see myself. For years I struggled with gaining ground as a full-time model and actor, never quite fitting what an agency is looking for. I was considered too thin, not thin enough, too tall, not tall enough, too old, not old enough, too muscular, not muscular enough, hair too long, hair not long enough or the color or style doesn’t suit me, not expressive enough, too expressive. I have endured YEARS of the hustle. It was a rough start, to say the least, but I know who I am and now know better what my capabilities are. I am grateful for this strength because despite it all, I Never – Gave – Up.
I am a very private person, but I still love to share myself with others and be silly. It keeps me grounded. This is important to me. My love for the creative process, meticulous attention to detail, artistic layering of characterizations and high level of motivation, quality and integrity is what I bring to collaborations. I also strive to keep learning and being better at what I do while staying true to my easygoing nature. I enjoy working with people who value the same. My goal is to continue to search and improve myself as a model and actor. Also, to become a respectable fashion designer, singer and songwriter.
In addition to sharing with others something that is both useful and inspirational, to me the purpose of business is to provide a product and/or service while advocating for those less fortunate and alleviating the conditions of their vulnerability. I have humanitarian objectives which I follow and intend to address throughout my lifetime. Including sexual freedom, mental illness advocacy, human and civil rights, and gender neutrality, among others. I hope that I can personally, and through my company, make lasting improvements for our world.
XO,
Natasha