Shauna Barbosa -Trace Magazine Interview

Meshing an around the way cool with even fresher perspectives way across the Atlantic, writer/blogger Shauna Barbosa builds with Stylistics on her sophisticated funk, trendspotting, and dicets the science of chic.

Name: Shauna Barbosa
Better Known As: SB, Elle
Age: Late 80’s
Occupation: HBIC at Let’s Just Eat Cheese, Freelance Writer, Corporate Publishing

Born: Roxbury, MA by way of Cape Verde
Based: New York City

Define your style.
Funky, sassy, sophisticated, and down right gutsy. You ever see someone wear red pumps in the snow? Suede boots in the snow?

The older women in my life heavily influence my style. My mentors have taught me so much about walking into a room, making my clothing work for me. And I just can’t complain about the Prada, JP Tod’s, Louis Vuitton, YSL, Flavi Olivera and countless other vintage gems bestowed upon me from real women — real life trendsetters.

Do you draw any inspiration from your Cape Verdean upbringing?
Cape Verdean fashion is very much inspired by American culture. People like to keep up with Americans. However, the traditional dress is very original, tropical, and inspired by Portuguese and African culture. Brazil also shares similar taste in style because of European influences. Remember, Brazil was also colonized by the Portuguese so we have a lot of similar cultural traits.

While we’re trying to keep up with Western fashion, at the same time there’s always a touch of Cape Verde in the way we dress. Whether it’s jewelry or a wearing a traditional wrap around the waist.

Just being Cape Verdean is individuality. We fight to be recognized. I mean, we get excited to see our country on the map. With that passion and our mix of cultures, it undoubtedly influences how we carry ourselves.


What song would you say best describe your outfit?
Prince, “Do Me Baby.” No! Kelis, “Handful“:

“Catch me flossin’ with my work ‘em pumps on, work ‘em dress, work ‘em some lipstick on. Your spoon ain’t ready for this honey comb.”

Are there any similarities between writing and composing a good outfit?
With both, I put a lot of focus into how I feel. I’ll only write about something if I feel it. I only wear something if I feel it.

With my blog, I make every attempt to ensure that it’s a true reflection of who I am. Everything I write and put out there for people is a reflection of me — just as with what I wear.

When I walk out of the house, from my shoes to my top, it’s a reflection of the young woman that I am. There’s nothing like wearing clothes and feeling like “this is so me.” It’s even better when your friends read your writing and go “that’s so you.” In short, the process is staying true to oneself.

What current fashion trends you feel should of died yesterday?
What are those scarves that everyone’s wearing? Are they triangles? Those Kanye West scarves. They should just die.

Forecast: In the next six months, everyone is going to be wearing…
Whatever celebrities are dressed in — as always. Unfortunately.

What separates you from the rest?
Everyone has dreams, successes, a blog or a job. But I’m Shauna Barbosa. And that’s always more than enough.

Interview By: Shawn Lawrence James
Photography By: Rahan Cotterel