We call it Giobsession! Should you ever have experienced the incontrolable urge to look up Fashion Week photographs in the hope of spotting beautiful Giovanna then you've got it too. Fashion director with panache for Vogue Pelle and Vogue Gioielli and fashionista with flair she has also surprised us with her honesty and simplicity and her very ow brand of humour. Come meet Giovanna.

IN HER MORNING SLIPPERS

 Does fashion royalty ever wear slippers?
Barefoot.

What usually is your first thought upon waking up?
What's the weather like?

Where do you find inspiration when getting dressed?
Depend how I wake up... from the mood I have , and maybe some time just because I want to wear that pair of shoes and I work around that..

Do you ever have off-days?
Yes I do and I dress like a boy in that days..

Do you feel any pressure when dressing for Fashion Week?
You cannot think too much about it. It's a marathon... You go with the adrenaline and it works out...
Just better to be a bit ready before it starts of course...

How does it feel having your picture taken so often?
It feels very flattering...and you cannot complain about it..and it makes my mom very happy!

Do you enjoy your status of ultimate fashion icon?
Hahahahahahahaha...it's a big responsibility...;)

Who are your personal style icons?
Nobody really , but I love Monica Vitti, Audrey Hepburn...

The great fashion week marathon: ...

... pace is the trick...

... though sometimes you gotta rush to the finish line!

A streetstyle darling, here in a shooting match with Garance Doré.

IN HER 10AM EDITORIAL MEETING STILETTOS

To what extent has your career influenced your style?
Like every woman, you evolve with time, age and of course your environment influences your style to a certain extent.

Can one survive in the fashion industry without a sense of style?
Wrong Career.

Who is your role model in the industry?
The industry evolves and changes so quickly... You just need to keep up with it...Cannot look at one person in particular...need to keep on going and looking forward...

Whose work do you look up to?
I don't look up to anyone in particular...
I try to do my best and follow my vision.

What was the best piece of advice that was ever given to you career-wise?
When I didn't know how to start I asked Charlotte Stockdale [stylist who has worked with Vogue UK, Vogue Nippon, Dolce & Gabbana, Paul Smith etc.] and she said ... "Just start!!" Simple but direct!

No industry role models but many industry mates: here with Mario Testino...

... there with model Chanel Iman.

IN HER LUNCHTIME BALLET FLATS

Do you remember the last time you wore flats?
Hahaha yes, I do wear flats ..but glamour flats! [Proof here!]

Biggest food craving?
Kelley and Ping in NY Soho

Biggest fashion craving?
500 meters in rue St Honoré, 100 meters in Via della Spiga, and 4 blocks on Madison Avenue.

What gives you fashion indigestion?
My closet!

We'd never have stood you up for lunch Giovanna...

AFTERNOON SHOPPING IN STRAPPY SANDALS

What is your favourite thing to shop for?
Gifts.

What do you enjoy buying for others?
Hats for my younger brother Luigi in every country I travel to. I always bring one back for him!

What do you enjoying receiving?
Gifts from my boyfriend...:)))))

Where’s your favourite city to shop?
New York.

EMBELLISHED SANDALS ON A PHOTOSHOOT

Where do you find ideas for the shoots?
Daily life

How did you feel on your first shoot?
Anxious...

Which has been the most fun?
Fashion Scarecrow for the September cover of Vogue Pelle.

The most traumatic?
Italian Vogue's Black Barbie Issue.

Do you prefer working with Barbie dolls or flesh and blood models?
Cannot make up my mind still...:-)

Giovanna at work... while the models are at play!

The infamous spread...

WEARING PLATFORMS AT A VERNISSAGE

Which art form do you find the most inspiring?
Any type of art form.

Who do you consider the ultimate artist?
Marcel Duchamp.

How much is fashion about art and how much is it about fun?
Fashion is not about art, it's supposed to be all about fun.

Do you paint, draw or write?
I paint...and do little collages...for the past 15 years.
They are all of the same size and represent the diary of my life...they cover a whole wall in my house in Milano.

Dressing for a vernissage, Giovanna style: match the art on the walls with the art on your feet!

Fashion may be all about fun but Giovanna has sure turned dressing for the shows into an artform!
 

IN HER PARTY THIGH HIGH BOOTS

Which do you prefer: industry parties or dinner with friends?
Party with friends

Do you dress up for both?
Yes..but with different mindset.

What do you consider sexy?
My boyfriend.

What do you consider trashy?
Uggs.

Ever had an embarrassing moment under the influence?
Not sure what you mean...but of course I've had embarrassing moments but I like to laugh about myself!

BAREFOOT AFTER HOURS

What is the golden rule in Giovanna’s little book of seduction?
Ask my boyfriend!

Do you rely on fashion to be seductive or solely on what Mother Nature gave you?
Both.

Which would you say was the sexiest language?
For a girl Italian.
For a guy French. 

With special thanks to Giovanna Battaglia whose generosity is as great as her love for shoes!

Aurelie Bellavigna

Photo credits: Various

Twitpics courtesy of Giovanna Battaglia