A DAY IN THE LIFE OF CLARE - OUR FOUNDER

Reserved and rarely seeking the spotlight, Clare O'Connell, founder of Nosetta, opens up for the first time in an exclusive interview. Behind her quiet demeanor lies a world of elegance, passion, and a deep appreciation for life's simple pleasures. Uncovering her inspirations, her dreams, and the story behind her remarkable journey.

What is your personal style signature?
Timeless pieces, high quality, with a clean and refined design. My wardrobe is a blend of iconic items—like a black Reverso (Jaeger Le Coultre) and Church’s college loafers—combined with relaxed, natural-fiber essentials such as cashmere sweaters, linen shirtdresses, and wool blazers.

A moodboard of Clare's favorite accessories

What was the last purchase you made that you love?
A fringed cashmere scarf from our latest collection. The fringes add a playful touch, and the neutral color effortlessly elevates any look. I adore cashmere for its lightness, softness, and natural warmth.

Is there a place that holds a special meaning for you?
There are a few. The Outer Banks in North Carolina, where I spent summers with my family, are filled with memories: long beach walks, hours of swimming, and water games. Then, there’s Lake Como. Its beauty captured my heart when I moved to Italy, and it’s been my home for 15 years now. I also love Sicily, a unique place with rich culture, natural beauty, and extraordinary cuisine.

What is the best souvenir you've ever brought back from a trip?
A vintage travel poster of Ireland, found in Beaune, France. A friend introduced us to the world of vintage advertisements, which I love for their design and the intrinsic historical elements they evoke.

What's the best book you've read recently?
Running a business leaves little time to dive into novels but I enjoy reading with my daughter to unwind together. Recently, we’ve been captivated by the imaginative and witty tales of Roald Dahl, like The BFG, Matilda, and George’s Marvellous Medicine.

Who is your style icon?
My mother. She has an extraordinary sense of style—always elegant wherever she goes, even now at 88. As a child, I would help her prepare for dinner parties, and I inherited some of her most fascinating vintage pieces.

Bridget Ann Dowling - Clare's mother in her 20s - The style inspiration

What's the best gift you've ever given?
The gift of travel is one of the most fulfilling gifts to give. My mother had not travelled for many years as my father was not able. We planned a trip to Florida for several Nosetta events this spring and I decided to invite her to join us. It was her first trip since my father’s passing, and I flew to DC to accompany her for a 2 week holiday in Florida. She was able to enjoy the lovely weather, good company of family and friends and begin exploring the world again.

What's the best gift you've ever received?
I was past my due date and had a few quiet days at home with my husband before my daughter’s arrival. I went to the fridge and I found a bottle of Franciacorta with a delicate diamond tennis bracelet around its neck. My husband said he wanted to celebrate and remember our journey together, whatever the future would bring.

Elements of Clare's life: Julia Roberts, Shea Butter, Roald Dahl, the clarinet, a diamond bracelet, a Pistacchio cream, cheese, design places,...

Do you have any collections?
I’m a minimalist and firmly believe in ‘less is more.’ So no, I don’t have collections of objects.

Do you have a nickname?
I’ve had many growing up. Recently, my husband and business partner calls me ‘Boss,’ and I’m also known as ‘Mama Bear’ for my protective side to our daughter.

Who are your beauty gurus?
Grace Kelly, for her sophisticated and understated elegance; Julia Roberts, for her contagious smile and natural beauty; and my sister Geraldine, who radiates a genuine inner beauty.

What can we find in your fridge?
Cheese. I could live on cheese and wine alone. I love aged Fontina from the Aosta Valley or Robiola from Alta Langa, perfect with a full-bodied Barbera.

What do you do to get inspired?
For me, it’s essential to step out of the office and dive into museums, design, and fashion stores. A change of scenery and seeing new things is fundamental to sparking ideas.

Sicily: one special place

What is something you've recently rediscovered?
This year, my daughter started middle school with a music specialization and was assigned the clarinet—the same instrument I played at her age. Following her lessons brought me back to my own childhood memories of learning.

Clare in Greece with her daughter Carolina - "Travel is is one of the most fulfilling gifts to give" 

What is an indulgence you would never forgo?
It’s a small indulgence, but an essential one: pistachio cream. It’s a delicate pleasure, almost like a personal ritual. The balance between sweetness and rich pistachio flavor turns each spoonful into a moment of pure comfort. For me, it’s the symbol of a luxury found in small, daily joys.

Is there an object you could never part with?
I love many objects, but not to the point of never being able to part with them. The only things I truly couldn’t bear to lose are the people closest to me.

Whose artwork would you collect if you could?
I’d love a print by Takashi Murakami. His work brings joy to any space, and we have one at our entrance- a positive message to welcome everyone who enters.”

Takashi Murakami: one of her favorite artists

What beauty staple do you never leave home without?
My shea butter hand cream. It’s one of those small pleasures that becomes essential over time. Shea butter is a blessing for the skin, especially in winter, and applying this cream has become a daily ritual. It’s a simple but essential gesture of care and attention.

What's your favorite room in your house?
The kitchen. I love to cook, and it’s always the center of activity, from morning cappuccinos to a home-cooked dinner.

What makes a perfect party for you?
The location, the food, and the organization are all essential, but it's the party guests who make all the difference.

Why did you start you career in fashion?
I find it fascinating and stimulating to create and market products. I love the idea of giving value to something, deciding how and where to position it.

What did you learn from the companies you worked for?
I worked with highly skilled, dynamic and entrepreneurial managers that thought outside the box. At Hugo Boss, I developed strategic skills thanks to Anton Magnani; at Furla, entrepreneurship and negotiation with Mrs. Giovanna Furlanetto and Sara Ferrero [Later Sara gave us valuable advices when launching Nosetta]; from Louis Vuitton, I learned the art of retail and client care; and Ferragamo taught me the importance of tradition and excellent quality.

Clare Oconnell with Marco Porcellana husband and co-founder

If you could have had another career, what would it be?
Fashion has always been my dream. As a child, I was fascinated by everything around it: watching how people dressed, admiring how a piece of fabric could become an unforgettable garment. Growing up, I realized it wasn’t just about clothes but expression, character, and storytelling through design. I never considered another career because fashion has always been my language.

What's the best advice you've ever received?
May you have the hindsight to know where you’ve been, the foresight to know where you are going, and the insight to know when you have gone too far.

Why did you start Nosetta?
My daughter was growing up, and I was constantly travelling, missing so many moments. It was impossible to combine personal with corporate life. I am still working a lot of hours but I am more flexible.
And it was the right time to launch an authentic Made in Italy product in a responsible way. I had been thinking of it for a while and I felt I’d reached the professional maturity to combine all these elements from design / production to the client. And I could exploit the expertise of my husband Marco in marketing and IT. 

What is your favorite Nosetta bag?
I don’t have just one. I tend to carry large bags with smaller ones inside to keep everything organized. The Este houndstooth backpack is very practical and organized, yet modern and elegant when I am going around Como by bike or travelling. The Carlotta coated canvas Poppy is lightweight, spacious and happy. And in all my bags, I carry the Gallia-s in many different materials. It my go-to for keeping my cell phone, card case, keys. I use the Margherita Jute Cuoio during the summer as it goes with everything and is hands free and compact when I am not working.

The Carlotta Totebag in coated canvas: the go-to bag when traveling

What is the future for Nosetta?
We will continue evolving and growing. We recently expanded our offerings to include beautiful scarves and have some exciting local collaborations in the works. Nosetta will continue to invest in our physical and online distribution so we can meet our clients where they are. There is no greater joy for us than seeing our designs out the world.