Ep 1: Building a Fashion Brand From Scratch in NYC
How does an Argentinian psychoanalyst and sommelier with no formal design training build a beloved fashion and bridal line in New York City? We dive into Delfina’s journey in the first episode...
In this Substack:
An introduction to the 30 minute podcast conversation
My deeper analysis as a coach on why Delfina is so aligned and thriving
Delfina’s New York City recommendations
Meet Delfina…
Delfina Baldassarre is an Argentinian artist and fashion designer who lives and works here in Brooklyn. She is especially known for her modern and non-traditional bridal line, but she also has a beautiful ready-to-wear line where I personally get a lot of my wardrobe. Delfina actually started her career as a psychoanalyst and a sommelier in Buenos Aires before launching into design shortly after moving to NYC.
In the podcast we discuss:
The culture and influences that shaped her early career and life in Buenos Aires
Making the move to New York and exploring a variety of careers
Using intuition to guide the launch of her first collection and the launch of her widely successful non-traditional bridal line
The powerful role ayahuasca played in her ability to navigate this growth and tap into her authentic self-expression and creativity
The lessons learned from 14 years living in New York and building her own brand
NOTE! I record every episode in the guest’s creative space so that it’s more intimate and relaxed (as opposed to recording in a formal podcast studio with a producer listening). However, this means that sometimes the audio isn’t perfect, as I’m still learning how to capture the audio well in this context. Please forgive this as a small cost to a richer conversation. 💜
My Deeper Analysis as a Coach: 4 lessons from my conversation with Delfina
TLDR: Delfina followed her desire, created from a place of lightness, and has done extensive work on herself to release her blockers and connect to her authenticity. She actively cultivates a network that supports and inspires her and she prioritizes honesty as her filter for who she lets in.
Lesson 1: Delfina followed her desire
“We would come to New York fairly often, so I would get to know a lot of other designers … and I always looked at it with a lot of desire, like, oh my God, I would love to do that or have this kind of life or live in that neighborhood. Everything created a lot of desire for me … And I wanted to make that my life.”
Following your desire is something a lot of people ignore because they write their desire off as a fantasy reserved for others.
Maybe we believe we don’t get to be happy in that way.
Maybe we believe it’s not possible.
Maybe we’re too wrapped up in the life we’ve already created to consider the unexpected desire pulling us somewhere else.
But this is missing a trick.
When you feel desire it’s the universe telling you to go this way.
It can feel light, playful, sparkly, exciting… or it can feel like jealousy or envy, important emotions to pay attention to!
However it comes up for you, give yourself permission to make space for your desires.
Believe they’re possible and you’ll get as close as possible.
Lesson 2: Delfina’s followed the sparkle, created through lightness
“We were just back from a trip from Tulum … and I had … a tunic state of mind. And so I just started going to the garment district and like texting some friends that were in the industry and … I was just doing, I was like … this top could be cool and … I can use this fabric that could look really nice. And I was just like experimenting.
And then I wanted to make a party to show my friends what I have been up to … and some of my friends brought people from the industry and … then came the owner of a wholesale showroom and she liked what I had done, and she offered if I wanted to start selling wholesale”
This is what happens when you follow the sparkle, when you create from flow.
Delfina didn’t put pressure on herself to launch a clothing line.
She created for the joy of creating.
She shared for the joy of sharing.
When you live like this you live in flow, and that’s when the magic happens.
You magnetize the perfect people and opportunities to you because your signal is pure and clear.
You want to find time to express yourself in however feels authentic to you.
Create from a place of play and exploration to get into flow.
You’ll be surprised what comes out of the woodwork from there.
Lesson 3: Delfina didn’t let her lack of formal education stop her
“I created a very big network and a lot of people that helped me a lot at the beginning, they all went to Parsons, [they] were like super academically prepared … but I didn't have that…
At the beginning [it] gave me insecurity that … I don't have those tools, but then… I would go to my factory every day and I would … spend time with the sewers and they would explain so many things to me. At this point, I am an expert in an education that was given to me more … by working in the field”
It can be tempting to say I can’t because I don’t have the right training. But in most cases, this is just an excuse to avoid the discomfort of growth.
Delfina shows us how to navigate that.
Find people doing the things you want to do that and build those relationships.
Create a network that can guide you and mentor you.
And then learn everything else on the job.
Lesson 4: Delfina’s done extensive work on herself
“I've had a therapist or a psychoanalyst for the past 22 years … we've done so much work together … but [the] much stronger work [was fueled] by the Ayahuasca… I respect so much this plant … you're able … to rethink your entire existence from a completely different perspective… You're able to forgive much faster. You're able to let people in or let people out with a different confidence because that's what this plant helps you to do. The collaterals [are] actually my life. The way that you are left to live after”
Whether it’s ayahuasca, therapy or any other modality, doing work on yourself will change your life.
No matter what you think of your childhood, we all have limitations and blockers.
It can be tempting (as I did for many years) to think that you’re fine because you’ve moved on intellectually from whatever was hard in your past.
But until you’ve energetically released those wounds from your body they will continue to hold you back.
The more work I’ve done on myself the more my life has expanded in accordance to my dreams.
I continue to surprise myself with who I am and what I’m capable of - and I credit all of it to the deeper healing work I’ve done.
The reality is, the woo works.
That’s why my career work combines classic career coaching tools with deeper somatic and healing work.
As Bessel van der Kolk says, The Body Keeps the Score
Delfina’s New York
I also asked Delfina for a flavor of her New York life.
EAT. We host a lot of dinners and bbqs at home. We love having a big dining table and a big yard, we love people coming to us. But for going out we love this old school Greek restaurant Agnanti in Astoria. Everyone is greek - the clients, the servers - you really feel like you’re in Greece. It’s so genuine and the food is incredible.
DRINK. The best drinks are in my house. My partner Jens distributes non alcoholic beverages that are amazing through his company Less Than 0.5%. We always have friends over for tastings of all his products.
SHOP. Delfina always wears her own line, Delfina Balda. Her Williamsburg studio is right by McCarran Park; and while she occasionally does Open Studios, the best way to visit is by scheduling an appointment.
RESET. Meeting a friend and going for a walk I do a lot. We walk my dogs Rio and Bibi and chat for an hour - in Prospect Park or Fort Greene Park. It’s an easy touch and go thing that gives me fresh air.
FUN. I buy everything a year before for concerts and artists that inspire me. I also like Public Records in the sound room if there’s a good dj but haven’t been more recently.
Inspired and want this for yourself?
I help people create energizing careers they love.
I do this by helping them connect to themselves, trust themselves, and build a network around them to guide them and open doors - just like Delfina.
You can learn more about my philosophy by downloading my *free* Career Fulfillment Playbook.
Or learn more about my 3 month group coaching program, The Career Studio.
Surround yourself with a group of others committed to creating fulfilling careers that support their lifestyle priorities. Through a mix of 1x1 and Group coaching you release long-held blocks creating fear, insecurity, and confusion and get clear on your most aligned next step.
You build a network around you to guide you and open doors.
You leave clear, in momentum, and full of self-trust.