Ramona Tabita’s Visual Language Merges Glamour and Seduction

Ramona Tabita, Stylist

Hometown: Augusta, Sicily
Based: Milan

How did you first discover your passion for styling, and what specifically led you into the world of styling?
I was studying photography at the Academy of Fine Arts, and even then, editorial work sparked something in me. Purple Magazine and Self Service felt almost like a Bible. They made me realize this was the world I wanted to belong to. The decisive moment came when Lady Gaga appeared at the MTV Awards wearing the meat dress. I immediately wondered who had come up with that idea, and that was how I discovered Nicola Formichetti. At the same time, I was witnessing the explosion of the magic he and others like Alexander McQueen were creating. Everything felt visionary, theatrical, and revolutionary. I was in awe and knew I wanted to create that kind of magic, too. In the beginning, I wrote for Vogue Italia, and for a long time, I worked as an editor for various fashion industry magazines. When I realized that styling was truly my path, I stopped considering other options and dedicated myself to it entirely.

How would you describe your work? What’s your trademark?
My work is born from an incessant search for beauty. I am not interested in conceptuality when it feels forced. I seek an aesthetic that is impactful, magnetic, and seductive. My idea of beauty is deeply shaped by early-2000s pop imagery, a kitsch universe à la Paris Hilton coexisting with a provocative darkness. The result is a visual language that merges glamour and tension, sensuality and dissonance. I want every project to contain something irresistible, sexy, and slightly dangerous, an image that does not simply please, but truly captivates.

What non-fashion influences (art, film, literature, music, etc.) shape your creative perspective?
I studied art, and I have always been drawn to the power of Delacroix’s paintings. The way he uses light, color, and emotion has influenced me immensely. I am also inspired by certain cinematic atmospheres, such as the delicate and ambiguous mood in Kubrick’s Lolita. Then there is the pop culture of the era I grew up in. Britney (Spears) is an icon, but also a symbol of a certain kind of decadence. That imagery shaped my taste profoundly. All of this art, cinema, and pop culture blends naturally within me, and that is where my vision is born.

You have worked extensively with Mariacarla Boscono. How does your collaboration develop from concept to execution, and how has it evolved over time?
Mariacarla (Boscono) always been one of my icons. When we met, we immediately connected, as my intention was never to change her but to celebrate her uniqueness. We have been working together for five years now, and our creative process feels truly special. It is an ongoing conversation, like two friends who are passionate about fashion and constantly exchanging ideas and visions. She places great trust in me, and that means a lot. It is thanks to this mutual trust that we are always able to create something powerful, authentic, and deeply ours.

What’s your process for conceptualizing a look? Do you start with references, emotions, or something else entirely?
I always start with purpose, with what I want to convey. I ask myself, “Ramona, what do you want to say with this look? What do you want to evoke with this editorial?” From there, I begin building everything else. I identify the feeling I want to communicate and look for the tools to translate it into an image, including silhouette, color, references, and atmosphere. The process begins with intention and then takes shape, step by step.

What’s something outside of your work that you would like people to know about you?
Outside of work, I am very different from what one might imagine based on my styling. I am quiet, reserved, and even shy. I like to disappear, observe, and take my space. It is my way of staying connected to reality, even though I am a dreamer with my head in the clouds. These moments help me stay connected to my inner child, which is the most important thing to me and my constant source of inspiration.

What has been the most difficult moment of your career, and what did it teach you?
The hardest moment was facing toxic work dynamics and people who tried to make me doubt myself. That experience taught me to stay centered, protect myself, and carefully choose the energies I want around me. It also taught me to deeply trust my instincts and not let the chaos around me affect my vision.

Who is one to watch?
For me, a talent to watch is the fashion designer Samuel Lewis. I had the honor of being part of the jury for his graduation show at Polimoda, and since then, he has made incredible progress. He has a clear personal vision, and I truly believe we will hear a lot about him in the future.

Selected Work

D Repubblica 10/19/2024 Covers
We shot this story in just three hours on the day of Mariacarla (Boscono’s) wedding in Sicily. For the shoot, she wore only custom pieces I created for the various moments of her wedding, a project I had worked on for almost a year.

Lindsay Lohan for Vogue Czechoslovakia
Lindsay (Lohan) has always been one of my icons, so meeting her felt truly surreal. We prepared the shoot in a very short amount of time in Los Angeles, together with the Morelli Brothers, who are close friends of mine.

Karol G for Vogue Mexico and Latin America
We shot the story inside the Vogue US studios. It was my first time working in such an iconic place, a studio where so many extraordinary personalities have passed through, making it an experience I will always keep close to my heart.

Cicciolina Ilona Staller for Studio XYZ
This story is especially important to me because it was my first shoot as fashion director of Studio XYZ. We photographed Cicciolina (Ilona Staller) in Milan, and in one of the images, I am actually in the frame, eating spaghetti with her during a lunch break on set.

Mike Tyson for King Kong
Meeting Mike (Tyson) was incredible. We shot this story in Los Angeles at the iconic Sheats Goldstein Residence, designed by John Lautner, and in one of the images, James Goldstein himself appears alongside Mike.

Isabella Ferrari
This was my first look for Isabella Ferrari, created for the Venice Film Festival. I chose this Saint Laurent look because Anthony Vaccarello’s vision of womanhood truly reflects Isabella’s sensuality, strength, confidence, and magnetic presence.