Donna Cuna Pita, former Fashion Editor, Cosmopolitan Magazine, former Associate Fashion Director, Summit Media, freelance fashion stylist, writer, image consultant, and above all, wife, and mother of two beautiful kids, Mateo and Amara.
On a normal day, you'll see Donna in shorts, a jacket, and never without some statement footwear.
A bright eclectic spot at the home where Donna grew up, vintage finds, and rings she has been wearing since college.
Clad in a high slit jersey maxi from Abrace. Above her hangs a commissioned Lydia Velasco painting of her and her sisters.
My style has evolved a lot since i entered my mid-thirties. I used to be much more into the glam-sexy look. Now I'm easing more into classic silhouettes, but still with a little bit of sexy thrown in.
My fashion icons are Bianca Jagger, DVF, and all those glam, fab women of the 60s and 70s.
What are you wearing this fall?
I'm not really a fall/winter kind of gal, so the usual items I enjoy every time this season rolls around are smart jackets/blazers and booties. I love the rich hues of fall, though.
Closet staples?
A classic black dress, statement heels, well-cut trousers, good-fitting dark-wash jeans, shorts, comfy flats, and quality underwear! I'm not really that big on accessories, I just have a few pieces that I rotate.
What is that one piece you can't live without fashion/motherhood-wise?
An easy to wear, wrinkle-free jersey dress that you just slip on and spice-up with accessories depending on the occasion.
How are you influencing your children's personal style?
I let them make their own decisions when it comes to their clothes. They can wear their spiderman or princess costume to the grocery if they want to, or layer on a multitude of prints. Whatever they feel good in.
Style icons?
The free-spirited, sexy and glam women of the 60s and 70s. I've always liked their easy take on glamour. When I still had my clothing line in Crossings, my clothes were always heavily influenced by what the women of that era wore - jersey jumpsuits, long wrap dresses. Flowing, sexy clothes that celebrated your femininity without looking like you tried too hard. But i also appreciate the minimalist style of the 90s and the ultra-feminine silhouettes of the 40s.
Tip or 2 for all mums out there who want to stay stylish amidst all the hullabaloo motherhood brings?
Always make a little effort to look good - both for yourself and for your family. Stock up on clothes that make you look good with minimal effort like wrap dresses, a crisp white top, good-fitting jeans. Things that you can always depend on to make you look good even on your blah days.
Any shopping advice?
I'm a big thirft store and ukay-ukay shopper! I'm always on the look out for bargain clothes (I have actually scored clothes for as low as Php10!) but I also know when to shell out more cash for a quality item. Be a smart shopper and know what to scrimp on, and what to invest in. I scrimp on basic tank tops, shorts, etc, but I'm willing to spend more on classic pieces i'll be using for years to come, jewelry, and bags. Shoes, I buy mid-range, as long as the shoes are stylish and comfortable.
-------
Thank you Donna for sharing your amazing style. Your tips are priceless. Now we are more convinced that fashion and motherhood can happily coexist.
--------
Photography by Anthony Co.
Read the Prelude.
-------
