
Mother Stories
Street Style Star Ramya Giangola Invites Us Into Her New L.A. Abode
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
Photography by Nicki Sebastian
Nov 8, 2016
The style that oozes out of Gogoluxe founder Ramya Giangola is something that can’t be bought off the rack. That total originality and head-turning ability also extends to the new Los Angeles abode that the street style fixture shares with her husband and 9-year-old daughter, Chiara. Here, we catch up with the one-of-a-kind mama on business, fashion and beauty must-haves, and, of course, the cherry on top of it all—motherhood.
- "We just moved to Los Angeles this summer from NYC. So, we have been in this house since July. Our home is in Laughlin Park, which is a small community in Los Feliz, just below Griffith Observatory."
- Ramya wears an Equipment shirt, Rosie Assoulin halter top, Céline pants, slip-on shoes, and bangles, and Roxanne Assoulin mosaic choker. Chiara wears Zara jeans and jacket.
- "I would say that our home feels a bit like an older, West Coast version of our home in Sagaponack, NY, which was our weekend home out East. Our aesthetic is mid-century eclectic, I guess."
- "I am definitely partial to our Daido Moriyama photography, along with my daughter's art work. As for furniture, I love our Corbusier chaise lounge recliner chairs."
- "We love collecting pieces during our travels, and our spaces have always been a reflection of our lives, travels, passions, etc. We love color, texture, and natural elements."
- "We definitely try and keep toys and kid clutter to a minimum around the house. I want my daughter to feel free to play anywhere, but it's always important to tidy up at the end of the day, and try and keep things in her room or playroom."
- Stunning details, everywhere.
- "Her full name is Chiara Nalini. Her first name is Italian, as my husband is Italian and it means to illuminate, which we absolutely know she has done for our lives! Her middle name is Indian and means lotus flower, which is a sacred, beautiful bloom."
- The pool scene.
- "Everything! Exploring the world and experiencing life with Chiara is such a special thing. Seeing the world through her eyes and being on this journey together with her and my husband is a very special gift indeed."
- "I guess when I really think about it, I just hope she will grow up having confidence and believing in herself to go after her dreams."
- "Honestly, there are so many moms I look up to and respect. Starting, of course, with my mom and mother-in-law. The list is long and vast!"
- "Absolutely. My mother is a constant source of inspiration for me. She taught me to believe in myself and that I could accomplish anything I set my mind to and to also approach life and the world with kindness and compassion, which is an important lesson we try to instill in Chiara daily."
- "Typical 9-year-old stuff—art, ballet, sewing, reading The Little House on the Prairie books, playing with our puppy, Nero." Ramya wears a Vitakin dress, Roxanne Assoulin chokers, and Natasha Zinko slippers. Chiara wears a Zara shirt, Phillip Lim skirt, Bonpoint headband, and Golden Goose sneakers.
- "Take a deep breath and appreciate every moment. It really does go by fast!"
- That mother-daughter love.
- "Moving to L.A. has allowed Chiara to finally have both a playroom and a bedroom, which she loves being able to have full time (not just on weekends when we are out East!). It's definitely whimsical and full of color. She has certainly taken after us when it comes to collecting momentos, toys, etc. from our travels, which are featured prominently in both her rooms."
- "I love all the art work she has been creating with Sara Marlowe, who is an amazing art teacher here in Los Angeles. I also love her Missoni-print bean bag, and the painting of the dancing ladies we bought for her in Bali a few years ago."
- "So far it's still early days, but being able to be outside in November and really live in nature year round has been amazing. The vibe and pace are a little more relaxed than NYC and I think we are all appreciating that."
- "Very hard, and luckily as we still have our office and team there, we are back and forth quite a bit. Our desire to expand our business is what inspired our move West."
- "Ah, we fantasize about living in so many places! Mexico City, Paris, Jamaica...the list is long!"
- "Madeo for the best Italian, Gjelina for amazing food and Venice vibe, Petit Trois, which is just the coolest French/L.A. mashup. We go everywhere with Chiara, so she has been to all of these places. Sunset Tower bar for martinis and Cobb Salad is great for date night."
- "I run a fashion retail and brand consultancy called Gogoluxe. We work with retailers all over the world, helping them navigate the market in terms of all fashion lifestyle brands, to pick up the best of the best and newest for their stores. We work with them on collaborations with creatives and brands, and develop exclusive capsules for them across all categories. We help retailers develop new strategies for evolving and growing their businesses with new brands and approaches. We also work with brands on creative direction, merchandising, and international business development."
- "I grew up in Southern California and went to Trinity College in Connecticut. I had started university as a pre-med major, which quickly evolved into pre-law with a major in political science. Needless to say, in the end I was fortunate enough to be able to pursue my true passion, which was working in fashion, after completing my MBA in international business in Paris. After completing my MBA, I ran the New York office of what was a more traditional buying office. It was there that I was able to develop the idea for Gogoluxe, being able to connect creative talent with international retail, and working with brands and developing their international business."
- "I feel blessed to be in a position where I can be challenged and inspired by my work, and also have the freedom to be with my daughter when I need to. I grew up with an extremely strong sense of the pride my mom had in her career and professional accomplishments, and it's been great to be able to show Chiara how rewarding a life between work and family can be."
- "Motherhood has, if anything, forced me to be more focused and efficient with my time. So, I can be productive when I am working and engaged with my family and friends when I am not."
- "I had only had Gogoluxe for about a year when Chiara was born, so I wouldn't say I had a traditional maternity leave. I was kind of always working throughout, but I definitely felt like I was also able to take the time I needed with her and my family."
- "My husband Giancarlo has been our rock. We share equally all the parenting in our family and he has been the ultimate key in my being able to work and raise Chiara. Also, we have been blessed with amazing women in our lives over the years who have looked after Chiara when we have been working. And, of course, very supportive grandparents who have been there for us every step of the way. It does take a village!"
- "Not really. I feel like Chiara has been a part of my journey of being a working mom, and with the amazing support system we have in place, she has been surrounded by love and affection every step of the way."
- "I have some very dear friends in L.A. and family, as well. I do miss some of my dear friends in NYC, my mom friends, but I am starting to develop that network here, too."
- "I love being able to identify and support new brands and talent. It's exciting working with retailers who are visionary and are open to challenging and pushing boundaries and forging new paths in retail, art, fashion, culture, etc. I also love being able to work in emerging and new markets, honing my understanding of cultural attitudes and preferences across the world."
- "Date nights!" Ramya wears a Balenciaga sweater, JW Anderson skirt, and Céline earrings and shoes. Chiara wears Zara jeans and a Crewcuts top and jacket.
- "We are expanding our business to the West Coast, as we believe there is so much happening here! It truly feels like L.A. is undergoing a cultural evolution and we are excited to be a part of it."
- "Eclectic, modern, unique."
- "More sneakers and flats, less heels!"
- "Céline cashmere knits, Isabel Marant leather pants, Natalie Martin printed dresses, Natasha Zinko everything, Vetements jeans, Rosie Assoulin everything."
- "I have a never-ending love for Rei Kawakubo for her integrity and true original creative spirit. I also love Phoebe Philo/Céline for much of the same reasons. Rosie Assoulin, Natasha Zinko, and Sies Marjan are the new generation designers who I am obsessed with!"
- "I think the fact that fashion currently is all about individuality and personal style is really great. Not having to conform to a certain look or aesthetic, but being free to express yourself how you want is truly liberating."
- "I love to shop when I travel, but I also love to support local retail, as well."
- "I bow to the alter of Georgia Louise skincare. She is my beauty guru, and totally transformed my skin a few years ago. Sadly, since I moved to L.A. I have not been able to see her as often, but I use a combination of her own products, along with Biologique Recherche, and Environ. I also recently discovered Vintner's Daughter serum, and I have to say I now understand what all the hype is about!"
- "As much laughter as possible and eating as clean and healthy as I can." For more on Ramya and Chiara, check out her Instagram feed here.
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