A Very Modern Role Model: Carla DiBello On FOMO, Fall Fashion And Standing For What You Believe In

“As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to the awareness that there is a direct correlation between women who seemingly go against the grain and women who have a true sense of style”

While most people start their New Year on January first, I consider fall to be the beginning of my new year. Summer is when I give myself permission to take time off, to recharge, and reflect. So when fall comes around, I always feel motivated to jump back into action with a reinvigorated mindset. It also doesn’t hurt that fall just so happens to be my most favorite sartorial season of the year. Fall fashion just always seems to be a little extra thoughtful, a little more detailed, and a little more luxe, from opulent textures to the deep, rich tones that always accompany the season.

Sunglasses, Dhs1,480, Prada

This year, I decided to opt out of Fashion Week in order to get a headstart on a few projects while I was still in America. But that didn’t stop me from supporting my friends in the industry from afar, such as L’agence’s incredible collection (of which many pieces found their way into my closet), or from perusing the latest collections online and taking note of upcoming trends.

Shoes, Dhs2,840, Gianvito Rossi at Harvey Nichols

However, as much as I love a good trend, I also love sticking to what I know works best for me. As I believe it is with most women, it took a long time for me to realize that I don’t need to actively participate in a particular style just because it happens to be a trend. As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to the awareness  that there is a direct correlation between women who seemingly go against the grain and women who have a true sense of style. For as Ralph Waldo Emerson so famously said, ‘To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.’

Bag, Dhs11,900, Alexander McQueen

As women, when we are younger, we often second-guess ourselves or put emphasis on things we think are important only because we are told they are. And at this point in time with technology the way it is, having the ability to see what everyone else is doing at all times doesn’t help one bit. It’s perfectly normal to get FOMO or to feel like you have to jump on the bandwagon. It’s also totally normal to see everyone else’s success and wonder where yours is or when it will come.

Earrings, Dhs1,280, Alessandra Rich at The Modist

Sometimes when I meet young women in their early 20’s, I get flashbacks of the same uncertainty that I had at that age. I know what they are going through because we all go through it to some extent. More than anything, I want to tell these young women not to worry so much about what others are doing around them because there is no actual race. As long as you keep working towards being the best version of yourself and working toward your dreams and not someone else’s, you will be a success. If you put yourself out there and fail along the way, all the better, so as long as you keep getting back up because you are learning to fortify yourself with experience.

Jumper, Dhs7,600, Monse at Boutique 1

No matter what your aspirations are, whether it’s something as simple as developing your own style, or something bigger like starting a new business or even working towards a seemingly impossible goal, every hard knock or lesson learned along the way is a tool in your tool belt. Every little failure or obstacle is a teaching moment and they will work to your advantage in the end. And when your time comes, you will know it.

From the October 2018 Issue of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia