FREE SHIPPING ON U.S. ORDERS $100+

THE WORLD OF NOTTEVERA

KNOW YOUR LEATHER: LAMBSKIN VS. CALFSKIN

Leather is a living, natural and durable material. At NOTTEVERA, we use several types of high quality Italian leather, including lambskin and calfskin. It’s not a matter of one being better than the other - both hides are considered luxury leathers - but there are in fact several differences between the two.

Lambskin is a remarkably soft, buttery, lightweight and delicate leather. And yet, in spite of its thinness, it is windproof and protective, and stands up to cold climates better than most other natural (or even synthetic) materials. On the other hand, Calfskin is firmer, and more well balanced in terms of softness and durability. It is stronger, making it good for harsh conditions and withstanding abrasions.

As a general rule of thumb, lambskin is best for leather garments (jackets and coats) because its soft texture easily forms to the body, whereas calfskin is better for accessories (shoes, handbags, wallets, and related accessories) because it is tougher and retains its shape better. Either way, if properly maintained, both hides will last for generations.

Our designers often like to mix things up. Our sleek Carla clutch is an exquisite example of an accessory made with genuine lambskin leather. It has bold design and a unique look, making it the distinctive choice for the sophisticated woman on the go. If you prefer a sturdier bag, then the Borchia clutch is more your style. Made with genuine calfskin, it sports raised gunmetal pillars around the frame and a rhinestone ornament, giving it a very glamorous look.

Can't choose? Get both, you only live once!




Radi Budyounova

CUSTOMER PROFILE: RADI BUDYOUNOVA

Today we have the pleasure of meeting international cover girl and Instagram star Radi Budyounova in New York where she has been living and working since 2015.  

We caught up with Radi at Ground Support in Soho and asked her a few questions about modeling, how she built her social media presence - and of course - her fashion style.

 

Hi Radi, tell us a little about yourself. 

I was born in Bulgaria, but have made New York my home after living mostly in Europe.

 Radi BudyounovaRadi Budyounova

You are an accomplished international model. How did you decide to become a model, and what does it take to succeed in the industry?  

I always liked the spotlight and started modeling at 18. At first, it was small gigs here and there, but I quickly embraced this line of work and made it my career. Modeling is not an easy job, you have to be strong and determined. You cannot let people pull you down. You must stay focused and keep going even when things seem very hard. You just have to keep going at it.

 

Take us back to your first catwalk - what did you feel the first time you were behind the camera? 

I was very scared at my first runway and even more scared at my first photo shoot, but after I saw the results of my hard work I fell in love with creating art.

 

As a model, I am sure you travel a lot for work. You are a regular at all European Fashion Weeks and at New York Fashion Week. How did the pandemic affect your work?

The pandemic has affected the entire world, not only me. During this difficult period, I am focusing more on my influencer work, keeping my content on point and collaborating with many brands.

 

Yes, you are an Instagram star with over 1.7 Million followers and your posts regularly gather tens of thousands of likes. How were you able to build such a large fan base? 

You have to believe in yourself, pursue your dreams and work hard. At first, no one believed in me, even my mom was skeptical about me becoming a model and investing my time to build my social media brand, but after she saw my work she became my number one fan. The secret is to always work hard because nothing is given. But nothing is impossible if you believe in yourself.

 Radi BudyounovaRadi Budyounova

What are your plans for 2024?

Live, love and create art.

 

What music do you listen to? 

I love k-pop and hip-hop.

 

Are you a BTS fan?

I love BTS!

 

What are you wearing today? 

A plain black tee and my favorite skinny jeans, which I complemented with my Evalina laminated leather trench. It is such a statement piece, it transforms my look effortlessly.

 

How’s the coffee? 

Sweet.

 

Thank you Radi!

Thank you!

 

Connect with Radi on instagram @radi_budyounova.

NOTTEVERA Privilegiata rewards loyalty program

GET MORE WITH PRIVILEGIATA REWARDS

Attention fashionistas: NOTTEVERA is introducing a new global rewards program dubbed "Privilegiata Rewards" loaded with fabulous perks, such as member-only discounts and promotions, attendance at special events and much more. 

 



The program, which is free to join, offers enrollees 200 points just for signing up. Members ​will ​then earn points every time they shop at nottevera.com and/or complete other eligible actions. Specifically, members will earn one point for every dollar they spend and between 50-100 points each time they like or share NOTTEVERA on social media. A member's status grows as points are accumulated -- and so do the rewards. 

Points never expire and can be redeemed for discount vouchers and free products. But perhaps the best perk of all is that Privilegiata Rewards members are automatically included in the Company's global events guest list giving them the unique opportunity to attend exclusive art gallery tours, private wine tastings & style events and cultural performances.  

"We always strive to deliver exceptional experiences to our customers, and today we are excited to ​roll out a generous loyalty program designed to reward ​those who choose to shop with us​. Our hope is that our Privilegiata Rewards program will allow us to do three things: connect with new customers in a different way, deepen ​our​ relationship with existing customers and enrich NOTTEVERA's ​overall ​value proposition​ by leveraging member data to provide ​​members with a more personalized experience and exclusive benefits based on their status level within the program​​​" said NOTTEVERA's Founder & CEO Sam Hinedi​.

For more information about the new NOTTEVERA Privilegiata rewards program, click here.

CUSTOMER PROFILE: MALIN LINNEA

In our second customer profile, we meet Swedish DJ and music producer Malin Linnea Cronholm in London where she has been living and working since 2010. Malin actively spins in some of the city's hottest venues and often travels internationally to work art and fashion events for some of the world's best known brands. Her clients include Bulgari, Christian Dior, W Hotels, Elle, Details, InStyle and many more. She is managed by London's legendary Ministry of Sound.

We caught up with Malin at Kaffeine and asked her a few questions about music, what it takes to be a great DJ, her future plans, and - of course - her fashion style.

Malin Linnea | NOTTEVERA

- Tell us about yourself.
I am a London-based Swedish DJ. My background is in finance, but I made a quite unusual career switch a few years ago and have been DJ-ing globally ever since.
 
- Where did your love from music come from? 
I was always into music and I recall being obsessed with Michael Jackson when I was 6 years old. I saw him in concert in 1992 which was really cool. At the time, my mom said I was the youngest person in the crowd!
 
- How and when did you first start DJ-ing, and at what point you realized that you wanted to do this for a living? 
Back in 2008 I took a DJ course in Stockholm to learn it for fun, and I loved it so much that I quit my full-time finance job in 2013 to focus on DJ-ing. 
 
- What is your most memorable moment as a DJ? 

I get new ones all the time, but DJ-ing on a super yacht under the stars in Croatia in the middle of sea is definitely one of them.

Malin Linnea | NOTTEVERA

- How has working late at night affected your personal life? 

Working late nights definitely has its drawbacks when it comes to personal life. Back home in London, I do lots of PR and fashion gigs that tend to be earlier hours thankfully. Often when you travel for DJ-ing, you are put on flights that might be a few hours after you finish your set, which can be exhausting.

- What are the essentials for being a great DJ? 

Reading the crowd is the most obvious one. The second one is probably always hunting for music which takes A LOT of time.

- Is there a gap in musical tastes between the US and Europe? 

Generally speaking, the US used to be much more Hip Hop and R&B focused but I think that's gradually changing now.

Malin Linnea | NOTTEVERA
 
-Are you producing? 
Yes! I studied music production in London and as soon as my travel schedule quiets down a bit I hope to be able to find the time to go back to the studio.
 
- Have you had any interesting experiences or stories with fans while Dj-ing? 
Sometimes people come up to me to request a song, and it’s the same track that is playing. That always fascinates me!
 
- How would you define your fashion style? 

Very eclectic. For DJ-ing big events or dressing up, I love a bit of 70’s glam with statement jewelry. I also tend to wear anything low back cut.

- What are you wearing today? 

A white Tahari cotton dress, Diesel sneakers and my NOTTEVERA Effie snakeskin bucket bag.

- What is your favorite pastime when you're not Dj-ing?
DJ-ing is very intense work, so I prefer to take it easy when I’m not working. I love doing yoga and meditation to balance my crazy lifestyle. That and spending quality time with friends and family.
 
- Thank you Malin!
- You're welcome!
 
Connect with Malin at malinlinnea.com.
 
 
Model Bag Anna Leather Tote | NOTTEVERA

10 ESSENTIALS EVERY MODEL NEEDS

Professional models have busy schedules and are constantly on the go. Whether it’s a booking, an audition or just a meet-up with friends after a long shoot, a good model is always prepared.

If you’re just starting in the industry, here’s 10 absolute essentials you’ll want to have with you at all times:

 

1. The Bag:

It goes without saying that you’ll need a bag that is polished yet deceptively large to fit all your personal and work-related essentials. The NOTTEVERA Anna Leather Tote is on-trend and at the same time it’s big enough to fit everything you need to carry. Crafted in Italy with the finest snake-printed calf leather, it sports a shimmery strip of laminated sheepskin, making it ideal for day or night use. Two hidden side zippers, a large interior pocket and an interior zipper make for easy storage of your smartphone and make-up accessories. The five metal feet give this structured bag the support to stand up, not only to put the beauty on display but to keep it from touching the ground. This is your new go-to bag, take it straight from work to happy hour.

Model Bag | NOTTEVERA

2. Your Modeling Portfolio (book):

A model should always carry her portfolio (book) with her, even when going to a shoot you are already booked for. Your portfolio should only contain your photos and comp cards, along with your contact information on the back of each photo.

3. Makeup Kit:

A basic makeup kit (compact mirror, lip gloss, blush, concealer, eye shadow and mascara) is a must. Add-ons include tissues (or wet wipes) and some hair care accessories (brush, clips, etc.).

4. Basic Oral Hygiene Kit:

Hummus may have seemed like a really good idea at lunchtime, but if you’d rather not breathe it all over your agent, then bring along a toothbrush, toothpaste and breath mints. But no gum, please. Chewing gum on the job or during a casting is tacky, so don't do it.

5. Healthy Snacks & Bottled Water:

Your job will almost always go on much longer than planned. No one wants to work with a grumpy model, so be sure to bring along bottled water to stay hydrated and some healthy snacks. Fresh cut fruit, plain yogurt, nuts or a cereal bar can be perfect to get you to your next meal. And remember, a professional model does not eat while wearing the client's clothes!

Model Bag Anna Leather Tote | NOTTEVERA

6. Clear Varnish or Spare Hosiery:

Ladders are not a good look. If you are wearing hosiery, you can catch early ladders with a dot of clear nail varnish. For total piece of mind, include spare hosiery.

7. Extra Pads or Tampons:

You never know when it starts or when someone else needs one.

8. Flat Shoes or Sneakers:

If you plan on wearing heels, bring a spare pair of sneakers or flats.  

9. Cell Phone, Charger & Headphones:

We know you'll remember your cell phone, but don't forget your charger and your headphones. Your phone can keep you occupied during down times when you’ll have to wait for photographers to set up lighting or makeup artists to finish with other models. Put your cell phone on silent or turn it off while you are working.

10. Vouchers:

If you are going on an actual booking with a client, you must take your vouchers with you for the client to sign. Without a signed voucher to record the time you worked you may not get paid. Your modeling agency will make sure you have vouchers or some other way to record your jobs.

Italian Leather High Heels US

A BRIEF HISTORY OF HEELS

For generations, heels have embodied femininity and glamour but a pair of high heels was once an essential accessory for men.

Although high heeled shoes are depicted in ancient Egyptian murals, the earliest known heel wearers were 9th century Persian horseback riders who wore 1.5 inch heels for functionality as they kept the feet from sliding out of stirrups when riding or standing up to shoot arrows during battle.

In Europe, men started wearing heels following a 1599 visit by Persian diplomats to the continent to rally support for Persia’s war against the Ottoman Empire. A craze for Persian culture developed and wealthy European aristocrats embraced heels enthusiastically to highlight their social status.

One of the first European women to wear heels was Catherine de Medici, an Italian noblewoman from Florence. On her wedding day to the French Duke of Orleans in Marseille on October 28, 1533, the rather shy 14-year old bride astutely compensated for her short stature with an extravagant dress and a pair of 4" heels she had commissioned from a master craftsman in her native Florence, thus starting a trend that would last to this day.

Catherine de Medici would eventually become Queen of France from 1547 until 1559. Following her husband’s death, she assumed extensive, if at times varying, influence ruthlessly ruling France as its regent at times. Often described as “the most powerful woman in 16th century Europe”, she always dressed impeccably. A true style icon of her time, she is credited with importing many of Italy’s luxuries and customs to France, including perfume, underwear, ballet, table manners and, of course, Italian style (although the French may disagree).

Heels would drift in and out of fashion in 18th and 19th century Europe, with men eventually walking away from the trend to differentiate themselves from women. For a while, women too got away from heels as they were not practical to walk in on muddy or cobblestone roads. The advent of photography in the mid-19th century brought back the heel, as photographers would often dress their risque’ models in heels. The paving of roads also contributed to the renaissance of heels. Fast forward to the 1950s, French designer Roger Vivier re-popularized the high heel with the invention of the stiletto. The rest, as they say, is history.

So next time you hit the streets with your NOTTEVERA heels, remember to thank Catherine de Medici. She may have terrorized her people, but she looked damn good doing it.