AT HOME IN BEVERLY HILLS WITH FASHION INFLUENCER VICTORIA BARBARA THE MODEL TALKS OF FINDING LOVE, HER DREAM VILLA AMONG HOLLYWOOD'S STARS- AND WEDDING PLANS

'The opportunities in Los Angeles are incredible. These mountains have a special energy'

-  NANA BOTTAZZI

Victoria Barbara is a self-made woman and, in a story worthy of a movie, the Miami-born fashion influencer overcame tough odds, both personal and professional, to get to where she is today. That is, making a fortune doing a job she loves while planning her wedding to the love of her life, financier Mark Strome.

Since Victoria now seems to have the world at her feet, her stunning Beverly Hills home, with its spectacular views of Los Angeles spread out below, couldn't be more fitting.

The super-modern villa has spacious, high-ceilinged rooms and a light-filled interior that blends the warmth of wood with cool steel and marble. Victoria and Mark took their time to choose it together because it expresses their bond and the fabulous life they share, as she explains here.

Victoria, how long have you lived in Los Angeles?

"For 13 years. My family is Cuban-Brazilian and I was raised in Miami, where I started out as a swimsuit model, especially for Sports Illustrated magazine. I made the switch to haute couture seven years ago, creating my own looks until, little by little, brands began to notice me."

Why did you move here?

"There isn't a lot of haute couture in Miami; LA is a better place to learn about style, and there was room for more. Once I made friends here, other women copied my style, and doors opened for me."

You're seen on the front row at shows like Dior, Chanel and Alberta Ferretti. How many followers do you have?

"Around a million. When I stopped modelling bikinis, a lot of the men who were following me left. They're being replaced by women."

And now you're working with beauty as well as fashion brands...

"I'm more of a fashion influencer, but this year I've been moving into beauty stuff because it pays better."