Robyn Catinella of Catinella PR
Welcome to our Inspiring Women in Australian Fashion and Art Series, and our conversation with the beautifully talented Robyn Catinella, Founder and Director of CATINELLA PR, a global agency for leading designers and elevated fashion.
Robyn Catinella, Founder and Director of CATINELLA, an International PR, brand and wholesale agency in luxury fashion, is a formidable creative that is both visionary and forward looking.
Robyn launched CATINELLA in 2016, and has since played a pivotal role in shaping beautifully impactful press and brand strategies for indepenent, luxury labels such as SIR, Christopher Esber, Matin, ESSE, Matteau, Jacinta James and many more.
Showcasing Australian heritage brands and leading new guard designers both local and international, CATINELLA is a source of inspiration for creativity, new ways of working and ultimately, is recognised as an agency that makes each designer’s vision come to true.
“My work is incredibly rewarding because you’re helping turn a creative vision in to a profitable business, whilst also making a designer’s dream come true, and you’re doing it collaboratively.”
— ROBYN CATINELLA
Tell us about your creativity, drive and inspirations?
Working with the new guard has always been a passion of mine, as there is such an abundance of new energy, fresh eyes and unbridled passion involved, and nurturing that energy and talent has always driven me.
I also find inspiration in the most ordinary of places, but have found it’s more about the way you look at things rather than what you are looking at. Flowers, antiques, being in the ocean and time with loved ones always resets my energy and allows for a flow of new ideas.
I also think surrounding oneself with people who feed your soul will always be the biggest inspiration - connection is so important and while we’ve had to shift to new ways to connect this year, meaningful conversation, passion and sharing of ideas will always open ones heart and mind to the new.
What was the inspiration behind CATINELLA?
CATINELLA was a personal project that grew beyond dreams.
I started the agency as a consultant, but along the way have found a tribe of Catinelli’s, clients and supporters and could not be more proud of where we are today. Each moment is full of pride, from supporting designer visions through to developing new and exciting ways of working, it’s hard to pinpoint just one highlight as I feel grateful every day.
“For me, it’s the people you surround yourself with that is the most important, and the spirit of the humans I have in my life is what I can be proudest of.”
Tell us about women who have inspired you in your life? How have you empowered other women?
My mother inspires me daily, she is a wise soul who has lived many lives before. I am surrounded by inspiring, strong women daily. I would like to think I inspire my team and designers by pushing them to the unknown, it’s gets uncomfortable but that next step is where the magic begins.
We are seeing some truly beautiful Australian fashion labels launching into the market, shifting the focus to core and transeasonal collections. What do you feel makes Australian designers and our fashion so unique?
Australians have a sense of bringing an undone essence to the way they dress. Being geographically remote, and in the climate we have, we are uniquely poised in our lens on seasonless fashion as we’ve had to adapt to both international climatic seasons and our own milder ones. Australian designers also have a respect for fabrics because of this, and its also bred creativity in the way we design for layering and adaptability.
DISCOVER CATINELLA’S CLIENTS AND CASE STUDIES
2020 has been a year that no one could predict. What have you learned personally and how have you drawn inspiration and positivity this year?
This year has been wild, but it has given us all space to slow down and re-evaluate. I threw myself into new projects that have taught me so much about new technologies and industries and its been endlessly inspiring in repositioning the way we work. Core values have also become clearer, and allowed me to really look at who I want to be working with and the similarities in values I seek. I feel like 2020 has been a wild vortex and everyone is navigating it at their own pace: some are resisting, some are
DISCOVER CATINELLA’S CLIENTS AND CASE STUDIES
“I’m a true believer of you attract your tribe. To be inspired is great, but to inspire is the ultimate. I’m surrounded in life by all inspiring woman. My team are made of formidable humans each who didn’t necessarily come from fashion but have that human sparkle.
Our agency clients have all found us, I couldn’t call out any one designer, mentor, friend or team member because each is integral we are all, a weave that inspire one another daily.
Each represents a world in me, a world possibly not born until they arrive and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.”
@commonhoursofficial featuring @awengchuol, @alexandraagoston, @charleefraser @gemma
Creative direction @brunavolpi | Photography @georgesantoni | Styling @_sarahstarkey_ | Hair @darenborthwick Makeup @lindajefferyesmakeup | Production @theartistgroup | International PR & Sales @robyncatinella @catinella.pr
Tell us about CATINELLA VR?
We’re excited to have launched a new division of agency in CATINELLA VR - with lots of different opportunities for the various disciplines within our industry. I was invited to be a guest speaker with Imran Ahmed, Founder and CEO of The Business of Fashion for a round table discussion with our industry during COVID-19, prior to this, we were sent ‘The Report’.
I was so inspired and it got me thinking why our industry is so behind in technology. For the first time in my career, I had time to invest into a new space, and I am so excited to see this project come to life. It is a global first for our industry, fully digital workflow that we have created in conjunction with the best 3D artists, technical designers, film motion capture technicians, animators gaming designers that really allows for fashion narratives to be told in immersive and sensory way.
Definitely watch this space I look forward to collaborating with different industries in the travel and art space. One of the great things about being so isolated is everyone is so connected through innovation.
Introducing Catinella VR – a new way forward for fashion.
With most of us dreaming about resuming our travels abroad, what is an aspect of Australia that you have discovered?
There are so many places in Australia I have never looked into until now, and I am so in awe of what our country has on offer! Endless travel destinations throughout the states and our beautiful coastlines and outback are one thing, but also little things like stores I’ve discovered has fed my soul.
Just this weekend I went to Lunatiques and I had no idea we had such a place so close to home. In Paris and Italy I’ve loved these kinds of antiques stores and spend hours exploring, now I know there is one equally as incredible just down the road!
When you’re not working, how do you best unwind and reset?
Palo Santo, a long bath or ocean swim, an intuitive massage and authentic conversation with friends and inspiring humans.
Being a photographer yourself, tell us about some of your most adored photographers?
I have found myself immersed in the art world, I am really into supporting my artist friends of late and I met the most formidable human Saha Jones this past month, who invited me to join the Art Gallery of New South Wales Atelier. I’m passionate about creating magic together in this space.
We are all dreaming about resuming our travels, what will be your first destination abroad?
Straight to Mexico to see and hug my parents, followed by a return to Coqui Coqui, Mexico and Ca’Pa in Praiano.
What excites you about CATINELLA and what’s ahead?
Everything! Being in fashion, surrounded by creatives, new projects, our fluid team and approach, I couldn’t love what I do more than I do right now, and yet I know I will tomorrow.
Lastly, how do you see the fashion industry evolving with the new reality of our rapidly changing world?
Our industry has long been bubbling with a need for change, and now we have the chance to show just how innovative and creative we can truly be.
Our new Catinella VR aims to address issues of traditional showing, delivering and discounting of seasons, as well as the expensive process of sampling by creating new and digital ways of working, and I think shifts into this digital space are only going to get bigger and better.
New technologies are constantly coming through, and offer exciting ways to tell stories, connect with people and change the game even further - and this is the essence of what we in fashion aim to do. I’m excited to be at the forefront, and see it all come to life. Since our launch to market the response has been overwhelming.
At the moment it feels like a bit of a vortex. Some are not ready to step into the vortex, some are being thrown around in it, while others are on the other side and loving it.
Thank you Robyn for sharing your conversation with THE INSPIRED CO.