This feature delves into the travel habits of fashion insider Ramya Giangola, a renowned strategist and style icon, as she prepares for her upcoming trips to Paris Fashion Week and Milan. Unlike those who meticulously plan every outfit, Giangola embraces a more relaxed approach, trusting her innate sense of style to effortlessly curate her travel wardrobe. Her packing philosophy emphasizes versatility and comfort, particularly for winter excursions which necessitate additional layers. The article offers a comprehensive overview of her chosen travel items, personal styling tips, and the beauty essentials that keep her looking polished across different time zones. It's an insightful look into how a fashion professional navigates the demands of global travel with grace and practicality.
Ramya Giangola, founder of Gogoluxe and a celebrated figure in fashion, is currently embarking on a journey to Paris Fashion Week, accompanied by her daughter. Following this, they will extend their trip to Milan for a well-deserved period of relaxation. For these extensive travels, Giangola relies on her dependable matte black Away suitcases. These are filled with a carefully selected assortment of luxury items, including cashmere knitwear from Prada, elegant silk scarves from Celine, and form-fitting pieces from the Istanbul-based brand Nackiyé. She notes that winter travel invariably requires extra luggage due to the bulkier nature of coats, sweaters, and boots, underscoring her preference for practical yet stylish solutions rather than attempting to fit everything into a carry-on.
Giangola openly admits to being a last-minute packer, often leaving the task until the day before her departure, especially when faced with the demanding schedule of fashion weeks and international conferences. Despite this, her extensive experience has taught her to pack efficiently without the need for pre-planned outfits. She recalls an instance during a particularly rainy Paris Fashion Week where a power outage forced her to pack by flashlight. Surprisingly, a fashion critic later remarked that her style that season was her best yet, which ultimately led her to abandon the practice of meticulously planning individual looks in advance. This experience reinforced her confidence in her ability to improvise and create cohesive ensembles on the fly, proving that true style often emerges from a more spontaneous approach.
For her vacation wardrobe, Giangola favors specific designers that align with her aesthetic. For summer getaways, Vita Kin is her top choice, known for its vibrant and flowing designs. For other travel scenarios, she gravitates towards Natalie Martin, Nackiyé, and The Park, all of whom offer pieces that resonate with her personal style. When it comes to luggage, her trusty Away suitcases are essential for checked baggage, while a smaller Away carry-on safeguards her most valued possessions during flights. Her go-to carry-on tote is a vintage Phoebe-era Celine bag, chosen for its perfect fit atop her roller suitcase and its classic appeal.
Giangola's in-flight routine is centered on maintaining skin hydration and comfort. She insists on a bare, thoroughly moisturized face, with Skin Design’s Face Tight cream being a non-negotiable for long-haul journeys. For warmth and layering, she prefers sweaters over scarves, often bringing multiple thin knitwear pieces to create versatile looks and add color to her outfits. She particularly commends Rubirosa’s cashmere sweaters for their quality and diverse color palette. Her daily beauty regimen is streamlined, featuring Fara Homidi’s creations, including the Essential Lip Refillable Compact and Adipeau Strength gel, along with Westman Atelier blush, ensuring she looks refreshed and radiant even after long travel days.
Accessories play a pivotal role in Giangola’s travel style, allowing her to elevate simple outfits with thoughtful details. She highlights a wool felted peplum belt with leather strings from Celine as a current favorite, noting its versatility to be worn over a shirt, a coat, or cinched at the waist. Her collection of silk scarves, particularly from Hermès and now Celine, also serves as a key styling element. Given her schedule during Paris Fashion Week, she has embraced the practicality of pouches over large handbags, carrying only essential beauty items and her notebook to transition seamlessly from morning to evening events.
When it comes to the perennial dilemma of packing, Giangola admits to a tendency towards overpacking since she no longer plans specific outfits in advance. This often means checking an extra bag or, occasionally, acquiring a new suitcase to accommodate purchases and gifts. Despite this, she endeavors to leave some space for unexpected finds. A key lesson she's learned over the years is the strategic use of color stories, celebrating the freedom to mix traditionally clashing colors like brown and black. Her most significant realization, however, is the minimal need for numerous shoes, often finding herself reaching for the same comfortable pairs repeatedly.
Giangola’s travel wardrobe consistently features foundational items that offer both comfort and style. She is particularly fond of Nackiyé henleys and long-sleeve knit polos, which she prefers for layering instead of a single thick sweater. This layering technique allows for greater adaptability to varying temperatures and introduces dynamic color contrasts into her ensembles. Another cherished item is from The Park’s Lyocell collection; its exceptional fabric makes it easy to pack and suitable for both casual and formal occasions, solidifying its status as a most-worn vacation piece.