Natalia Didovitch

Digital Producer for Fashion Quarterly 
Auckland, New Zealand
Natalia wears pieces from our Neo Noir collection
Interview & photography by Ike Conway

Hey Natalia, the last time I was taking pictures of you, we were both working at Kate Sylvester, and now you are a writer for Fashion Quarterly! How is everything going?

Everything’s going really well! It’s crazy to think that this time last year I’d only just finished up working at Kate Sylvester. This year has flown by.

What have you been up to these last few months? What has been the biggest learning curve going from fashion marketing to fashion writing?

It’s definitely been a learning curve! One thing I loved about working in fashion marketing was that you get a chance to know a brand inside and out. This was particularly special at KS as storytelling was so integral to the brand’s DNA. It was so cool to see all of Kate’s literary and artistic references transform into a beautiful collection. Working in journalism means becoming an expert in every facet of the industry. It’s my job to stay across the latest trends, spotlight leading and emerging New Zealand designers, and report on it all in a way that’s both engaging and accessible to the wider public. I’ve always genuinely loved fashion, so this experience has been incredibly rewarding. My biggest goal is to use my platform to spotlight emerging designers and help ensure our coverage reflects the diverse, talented, and truly original voices shaping the future of our industry.

You helped Tom and me as junior designers fresh out of university and taught us both so much. Did we teach you anything in return?

You did! It’s no secret that I’m a bit of a perfectionist/workaholic, but you guys taught me not to take myself too seriously. The work always gets done in the end and there’s no use burning yourself out over it. I also seriously levelled up my Photoshop skills thanks to you both (I was a self-taught photoshopper, so working next to a trained designer was a game-changer). And, credit where it’s due: Tom definitely refined my music taste. Less Taylor Swift and more Faye Webster, Yung Lean and The Cranberries.

What is something you are most proud of that you have done recently?

I wrote a piece for the Autumn ‘25 issue called ‘The True Cost of the Garment’ where I unpacked how much goes into producing clothing in New Zealand and what goes into calculating the price you see on the sticker. I interviewed brands such as Twenty Seven Names, Dominique Healy, Rachel Mills and Ruby to really capture the full picture of garment production. There’s this whole hidden world of work that goes into producing a collection, from pattern making to sampling to wholesale selling, and it’s important to shine a light on this work. There’s so much incredible talent behind the scenes that deserves so much more recognition. 

Can you tell us what you are currently working on?

The day this Q&A comes out, we would’ve just sent our Spring ‘25 issue to print. While I can’t say too much about what’s inside - it’s our beauty issue so expect some beautiful shoots, plus I wrote a few stories I’m really proud of. The issue comes out on Monday 25th August (the first day of NZFW) so there isn’t too long to wait. 

Do you have any pre-writing rituals?

I always sit down with either a coffee or a peppermint tea. I also find myself coming up with some of my best ideas when I switch up my environment and go on a run or a walk.

Your alias is UncoolGirlReads, so naturally we must know your favourite reads of 2025 so far, and what are you currently reading?

This is probably the hardest question on this list because I’ve read so many great books this year. I’m currently reading Fulvia by my wonderful friend Kaarina Parker. It tells the story of a lesser-known yet fascinating woman from the later years of the Roman Republic who carved her place in a world ruled by men. I highly recommend it. Other books I’ve loved recently are: The Coin by Yasmin Zaher, Evenings and Weekends by Oisín McKenna, Minor Detail by Adania Shibli and I always love collecting/reading The Paris Review (the covers are just TOO good). 

Has any advice stuck with you through your career so far?

Never underestimate the power of a thank you note. Taking the time to acknowledge people who’ve shared their time or advice goes a long way. I’ve been lucky to be in the room with some incredibly talented people I look up to, and I think showing appreciation helped build meaningful connections early on in my career. Besides, a little kindness never hurts.

And lastly, what are you looking forward to most about NZFW coming up?

I can’t wait to celebrate New Zealand fashion! For a small country, we produce so much incredible design talent, and I cannot wait to spend a week celebrating it. I’ve also only ever experienced NZFW from working shows backstage, so I’m looking forward to switching roles and experiencing it as an attendee this year.