Interview / Silvia Toffanin: "Elegance? It's an innate thing"

by Laura Frigerio

Silvia Toffanin is a refined and extremely professional woman. For seven years she has been the "hostess" of "Very true", a program that has made her one of the most loved and familiar faces on Italian TV.
In her curriculum we find a participation in Miss Italia, the "Passaparola" quiz (it was one of the "letters"), a degree in foreign languages ​​and literature (with a thesis on TV series) and "Nonsolomoda", a program that formed her as a journalist.
It is precisely in the world of fashion that Silvia is back, thanks to the talent "Fashion Style". It is therefore inevitable to have a "fashion chat" with her ...

Let's start by talking about "Fashion Style", the first Italian talent dedicated to the world of fashion. How did you find yourself as a judge?
It was a great experience, which for the first time saw me in a more straightforward and severe way. On the other hand, a judge, in my opinion, must be like this! I must confess that between us there have been fires and flames, also because we are very different from each other (Alessia Marcuzzi, for example, has a more maternal attitude towards boys ) and we happened to have heated arguments, but I think it's part of the game.

Did being on a thematic channel like La5 allow you to have less listening pressure and to work in a more relaxed way?
It is obvious that it is not like working on Canale 5 from the point of view of the ratings, but I have put the same effort into it. More than anything else, I was happy to work on this channel dedicated entirely to the female audience, to which I am very attached.

The talent aims to enhance the "Made in Italy" right?
Exactly, and it is one of the reasons why we have so gladly joined the project. It is important to enhance our talents and here we do it, giving space not only to stylists, but also to hair stylists and make-up artists.

Yours is a sort of "back to basics", since you started with fashion ...
Yes, I have worked for many years in Not only fashion, both in front and behind the scenes. Fashion is my first professional love and one of my greatest passions as a woman.

Since you are an "expert, in your opinion what should never be missing in" a woman's closet?
So, let's see ... a white shirt, a jacket, a pair of jeans and a sheath dress. All "basic" garments that can act as a joker.

Are you from the "class is not water" school of thought?
For me, elegance comes first of all. They are for the few things, but right. As for taste, a person "has it or doesn't" have it, it is an innate thing. Of course, it can be cultivated, but it is not the same thing.

What about the current beauty standards instead? I know you've been carrying out a discussion on model sizes for a while ...
Is very true we started to touch on the subject of models too thin and in Fashion Stywe continued on the same wavelength, giving space to more curvy girls. I think it's important to get the message across that thinness doesn't rhyme with beauty.

And we end with the "classic question": future projects?
“In my future, for the moment, there is always very true. It is a program that absorbs all my energy, but which is giving me great satisfaction. It is now my second home.