Constituting America – Constituting America's 2016 Summer Patriotic Auction
Auction Ends: Jul 15, 2016 10:00 PM EDT

Clothing

Black Poncho, One Size! Donated by Camille Battaglia!

Item Number
2097
Estimated Value
278 USD
Opening Bid
55 USD

Item Description

Lovely Black Poncho in One Size: 19 1/2 x 29 1/2 made of 73% Vicose, 16% Polyester and 11% Metallic.  Perfect to make your outfit special!

 

Camille Battaglia writes: 

I am forever a work in progress and forever evolving at the speed of fashion. I am super passionate about seeing a woman's style come alive with each statement piece or classic staple that beautifully says it all without saying a word. Because, no two women are alike...I truly enjoy being a part of this highly personalized shopping experience that allows everyone's personal style to stand out in this unique and comfortable setting.
Creative classic with a modern twist and feminine flare. I used to love playing in my Grandmother's closet...because it was so glamorous. I discovered silver shoes, colorful stones with added sparkle, satin dresses with matching jackets, and faux fur coats that she made herself. These clothes could have been in an old Hollywood movie. The seeds for style must have been planted in my heart during those adventures. Today, I love anything feminine...lots of lace, glitz and ruffles with a European edge.
Enjoying being in the moment...with my loved ones and friends over fabulous food & stimulating conversation. My ever-evolving life has opened up life-changing opportunities for which I am incredibly grateful: to write a book, travel and connect with great woman all over the country.
Camille Battaglia
Author/Fashion Stylist
 
 

Item Special Note

 

Special Notes:

"It took Camille Battaglia a while to find her path in life, but she’s found it. Born in Fairfax, VA, she put herself through college at West Virginia University and later at George Mason University. She changed majors several times trying out fields like accounting or political science, about which she wasn’t particularly passionate. “I was trying to do what the world told me to do,” she says. Ultimately, she went in a different direction and graduated from George Mason with a B.A. in psychology — a field that fascinates her, but wasn’t the right fit professionally.

She was always drawn to fashion, but as a child and young adult she ignored that pull along with her natural talents. A creative career seemed unattainable. “I don’t think I even knew how to get there,” Battaglia says. “I didn’t understand then that there are gifts, or talents, and that we’re all born with them. I didn’t realize it was better to work within my strengths.” After college, Battaglia worked for a corporate concierge service in Washington, D.C., which she liked but also wasn’t passionate about. When her son was born, she left that job to stay at home with him. She was a stay-at-home mom to her children Paul, Gabby and Chas for eighteen years. She also kept busy with part-time work and volunteering.

It wasn’t until her divorce that Camille Battaglia found herself. Soon after she separated from her husband of 18 years in 2009, she went into business as a personal fashion stylist. As such, she consults with clients on their style needs and shops for them, finding unique outfits and accessories.

Battaglia also works within her clients’ existing wardrobes, suggesting alterations and updates to pieces they already own, as well as, helping select special pieces to best effect. She has about ten clients at a time and over the years has worked with hundreds of people. All are women, though she is open to working with men. Battaglia uses fashion to empower women. The key is to celebrate the client’s own personality. “I was afraid that I was going to dress them like I like to dress, but that’s not how it works. You make a woman look like herself, but better, and you give her an edge. I think that clothes provide power. You make a woman look good and you give her more power.”

 

"Her new children’s book, Princess Gabby Girl and the Sparkly Dress, came out of a discussion Battaglia had with her kids four years ago about difficult situations they faced at school. The kids problems broke Battaglia’s heart. She explained to them that they didn’t have to be like everybody else, but rather they could be the examples others might look up to. “The next day, the story came out of me like a rough draft. It’s all about being kind and doing good deeds and that’s where your happiness comes from. I feel like the book was a gift given to me,” she says.

Battaglia already has a crowd of delighted readers. Both boys and girls have responded to the story, so she’s interested in including more boy characters to appeal to her male fans. Her children each make appearances in the story, along with her niece Chloe and their dog Beau. The author has plans to write additional books in the series, as well as, create sparkly dresses and stuffed animals to go along with the story. “I feel like this is my journey,” says Camille Battaglia, “and now this is my path. I’m fifty. I’ve finally found myself.” The sky is the limit."