Simona Mangiante Papadopoulos established a successful career as a lawyer who worked for the European Parliament. That’s impressive enough. But she was just getting started. Now, she’s designing her own clothing line, AGAPE by SIMONA, and even doing some acting. And I had the chance to ask her some questions about the new path she’s blazing (and about her upcoming appearance at Ampfest21 at the Trump National Doral Miami).
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Paul Hair: You’ve created Agape by Simona, your own fashion line. Describe the clothing you design and who the target audience is.
Simona Mangiante Papadopoulos: Agape by Simona, besides a clothing line, is a message. My message to all women is to embrace true empowerment and self-affirmation, [b]oth through their style and through the challenges they embrace. Agape by Simona incarnates the idea of a woman who is not afraid to reinvent herself through creativity.
My audience are women tout court. Women of any age and any pocket. My outfits go from high range prices to most affordable ones. The style? It’s for any woman who wants to embrace it.
PH: What inspired you to start designing your own clothing?
SMP: Think about me and my background. I come from the most “conventional” professional background: I am an international lawyer who had an extensive career at the European Parliament, where I worked at the highest grade in the diplomatic world, first for the parliamentary committee on civil liberties, then for the presidency office. I trained as a lawyer in prestigious firms around the world [Paris (Carbonnier Lamaze Rasle), New York / Washington (Mayer Brown) and Milan (Gianni, Origoni, Grippo & Partners)].
Yet I wasn’t afraid to challenge myself in the creative industries, to give oxygen to my own creative world and make of it a profession. I [now] create and design my own fashion line—and also act in movies!
I have been working on a parody series with Andy Dick, just played Aphrodite in a coming soon movie and series, I am the lead in the Italian movie “t’ho aspettata da una vita,“ and I was just the leading interviewer of a political documentary.
Society labels women with all sorts of boxes and expiration dates. My brand screams, “You can succeed regardless of what social stereotypes are.” My background in law, far from limiting myself to the legal world, became the mindset to embrace business and, why not, write my own contracts!
My inspiration has been the world. First and foremost my home country, Italy, which is a live runway where women are naturally sophisticated and educated to a “sense of style.” Then the most eclectic street styles of New York, the diva styles of Los Angeles, [and] the discrete femininity of Parisians. [T]he Art Deco of Belgian architecture reflects in my accessories. There is nothing more inspiring than the world’s cultures.
PH: What is your vision for Agape by Simona? And what other clothing do you plan to add to your line?
SMP: I plan on the short future to launch on my website an online app that will allow women to create their style through simulation, based on your body type and look, and to deliver magic!
PH: You’re scheduled to be at Ampfest21 at the Trump National Doral Miami in October. What will be happening there?
SMP: After the New York Fashion Week and the Miami Swim Week, Agape by Simona will present a new collection in occasion of the AMPFEST! I will introduce a patriotic touch in honor of my adoptive country that I love! Stay tuned!
PH: Where can people buy your clothing?
SMP: People can buy my clothes online at https://agape-by-simona.myshopify.com/
And they can buy them at the store located in 420 W Broadway in SoHo, New York.
PH: Where can people follow you online?
SMP: You can follow Agape by Simona on IG @agapebysimona and Twitter @simona_by
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So if you’re in the New York area, head to SoHo. And everyone else can buy Simona’s beautiful clothing at her website!
UPDATE, Aug. 23: Added additional information regarding Mrs. Papadopoulos’s acting.
Top Image: Excerpt of photo from the official Simona Mangiante Papadopoulos Twitter account.