Between one fashion week and the next, she spends hours deep in documentaries about history and business. LM went looking for the part that almost never makes it to Instagram.
“I can be researching entrepreneurship one moment and, the next, get interested in wellness or history.”
If you follow Maitê Faitarone, you already know the script: runway shows, looks considered down to the last accessory, fashion week behind the scenes. What the feed doesn’t show is what happens once the phone leaves her hand. Sometimes she’s hours into a documentary about history or business, subjects that have nothing to do with work and that, not long before, weren’t even on her radar.
It works more or less like this: a topic hooks her, and she goes after whatever exists on it, whether a podcast, a documentary or a book. The podcast sometimes arrives early, along with breakfast, which she makes a point of enjoying unhurried. The same urge to experiment finds its way to the gym, where Maitê likes to switch disciplines instead of repeating the same class forever. None of these discoveries has to become a post.
When she travels, curiosity sets the itinerary. She knows Paris well from the fashion seasons, but what stayed with her from the most recent trip were two museums. One is the Rodin, in the mansion where the sculptor set up his studio in 1908 and worked until the end of his life, with sculptures scattered across the garden. The other is the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, in a wing of the Louvre Palace itself, where furniture, objects and clothing from several centuries show how people lived and dressed. For anyone who works in fashion, it’s almost like visiting family.
Then there was Morocco, which she visited not long ago. There, what moved her most was in the people she met along the way.
Anyone who only knows Maitê from photos might picture someone more serious, even a little unapproachable. She knows it, finds it funny and promises that, in person, it’s a different story.
For My Lifestyle, LM wanted to talk to exactly this Maitê: the one of the free day with no plans, the restaurant she would go back to every week and the objects she has kept since she was little. And since it all started with the looks, we also asked what she wears when she isn’t styling one. The answer is shorter than you’d think.
The Full Interview
LM: When you have a completely free day, with no schedule or commitments, how do you like to spend it, from the moment you wake up until bedtime?
Maitê Faitarone: I like to start the day without rushing and have my breakfast slowly. It’s one of my favorite moments of the day. Then I’d love to have lunch at a special restaurant or discover somewhere new I haven’t been yet. And I like to spend the rest of the day with my family or my boyfriend. For me, a free day doesn’t need different or extraordinary plans. It’s much more about doing things at my own pace, without rushing, and enjoying time with the people I love.
LM: What are the small everyday rituals that make a difference for you, even on the busiest days?
Maitê Faitarone: Doing some kind of exercise, having my coffee calmly and listening to a good podcast when I feel like it. I like to use those moments to take care of myself and, at the same time, learn something new. I think small habits help bring balance to my routine, especially when I’m working a lot.
LM: Is there a food you could eat for the rest of your life without getting tired of it? And a restaurant or special place that always makes you want to go back?
Maitê Faitarone: Japanese food, no doubt! I’d eat it every day. In São Paulo, I love Huto, and I’m obsessed with the cookies at Flatties. I think when I find something I really like, I end up making it one of my favorites and always want to go back.
LM: What is that quirk, habit or particular taste of yours that the people close to you know very well, but that rarely shows up on social media?
Maitê Faitarone: I really like learning about subjects that are different from the ones that are part of my work. When a topic sparks my curiosity, I love looking for podcasts, documentaries or books about it. I can be researching entrepreneurship one moment and, the next, get interested in wellness or history. I like to understand the world better and discover things that go beyond my own universe.
LM: When you want to spend time with the people you love, what kind of plan never gets old? Is there a place or tradition that has become a classic among you?
Maitê Faitarone: I really love being with my family and my boyfriend, especially when we can enjoy the time without rushing. A family lunch, a quiet day together or even staying home talking are plans that never get old for me. I think the most special thing is being able to be with the people I love without needing a specific occasion for it.
LM: If you had to choose one object in your home to tell a bit of your story, what would it be? How did it come to you?
Maitê Faitarone: I have some religious objects that my grandmother gave me ever since I was very little, and I still keep them today. Recently, I found a rosary she gave me, along with other items and a Bible I received as a child. They are objects that carry a lot of memories and have enormous sentimental meaning for me. I like to think they represent some of the values and teachings I received from an early age, which are still part of who I am today.
LM: Is there an activity or interest you cultivate simply for the pleasure of it, with no connection to work or social media?
Maitê Faitarone: I really like watching documentaries and learning about history, business and subjects completely outside my field. Sometimes a topic sparks so much curiosity that I end up researching it for hours. I also like trying different kinds of workouts. I think it’s really good to discover new things simply for the pleasure of learning and experimenting, without having to turn everything into work.
LM: Beyond decor, what really makes a home feel like you? Which details, objects or sensations make you feel at home?
Maitê Faitarone: For me, home has a lot to do with the people in it. Having my family nearby, being able to gather everyone around the table and keeping up small traditions are things that make me truly feel at home. I also like having objects with history and meaning, like the ones I keep from my grandmother. In the end, I think a home is that place where you feel welcomed, can be yourself and find comfort in the simplest things.
LM: Is there a place, near or far, where you feel time passes differently? What makes that place so special to you?
Maitê Faitarone: An experience that really marked me recently was visiting Morocco. Being in contact with a culture so different from mine made me look at many things in a different way. I was especially touched by the humanity, the hospitality and the generosity of the people I met. I came back feeling that traveling goes far beyond seeing beautiful places: it’s also about coming into contact with other ways of living, learning from them and broadening our own perspective.
LM: When you get dressed just for yourself, without thinking about a special occasion or putting a look together, which pieces or combinations do you choose almost without thinking? Is there one you consider especially you?
Maitê Faitarone: My uniform is jeans, a basic tank top and a light blazer. On my feet, I go for a small heel or a flat, depending on where I’m going. It’s a combination I wear a lot because I feel comfortable and put together at the same time. I love fashion, but I believe personal style shows precisely in these choices we make naturally, without overthinking.
LM: What is a recent discovery, whether a book, a film, a song, a restaurant or even a new habit, that has truly earned a place in your life?
Maitê Faitarone: Recently, I had travel experiences that marked me in different ways. In Paris, I loved visiting the Musée Rodin and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, especially for the chance to come into contact with art and history so closely. In Punta del Este, I had an incredible experience at Locanda, especially at Harry’s Table, from the Cipriani group. And Morocco was a very special cultural discovery for me. I like trips that give me these different experiences, the ones that stay in my memory even after I’m back home.
LM: If a close friend had to tell a story that reveals who Maitê is away from social media, which one do you imagine she would choose?
Maitê Faitarone: I think she’d say I’m much more approachable than I might seem on Instagram. (laughs) My image can give the impression that I’m serious or even unapproachable, but I’m very easygoing, easy to get along with and I love meeting new people. I’m curious, I like talking about different subjects and I’m always wanting to learn something. At the same time, I’m very close to my family and the people who are part of my life. I think whoever really knows me realizes that I value relationships, simplicity and the moments when I can be myself.