Today we’d like to introduce you to Brianna Cantore Terlizzi.
Hi Brianna Cantore, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in New Jersey, about 25 minutes from New York City, the fashion capital of the world. Fittingly, I’ve been obsessed with fashion for as long as I can remember. By kindergarten, I was picking out my own outfits every day, and by fifth grade, I was absolutely obsessed with fashion magazines and celebrity tabloids to see what everyone was wearing. BTW, I am still obsessed with paper magazines and think they are going to make a comeback.
I attended the Fashion Institute of Technology (shocker, I know) for college and spent the early years of my career figuring out where I fit within the industry. I interned for Elie Tahari and worked as a temp receptionist for Ralph Lauren. Literally any opportunity I could get my hands on, I took.
Over the past decade, I’ve worked across multiple areas of fashion, including design, merchandising, product development, and creative production. I’ve produced photoshoots, merchandised collections, designed apparel for women and children, and even launched my own streetwear brand, Moto Nera.
After spending eight years in the corporate fashion world, I recently returned to freelancing, which has allowed me to reconnect with my creativity and curiosity. Lately, I’ve been diving into topics like the impact of toxic chemicals in clothing, sustainable and non-toxic fashion alternatives, and how emerging technologies like AI are transforming the design process through tools such as CAD creation (it cuts my design time greatly – it’s amazing).
Along the way, I’ve also developed a deep passion for health and wellness. I’m a self-proclaimed biohacker, recently became a certified Mat Pilates instructor by Equinox, and love exploring the connection between what we put on our bodies and what we put in them.
Today, I’m putting myself out there in new ways. I’m sharing my personal style on Instagram, creating content around fashion, beauty, and wellness, and I launched my podcast, Life in Style with Brianna Cantore. This chapter of my life feels less about having all the answers and more about rediscovering my voice and confidence, embracing new opportunities, and genuinely having fun along the way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey has been anything but smooth, but I wouldn’t change it because every challenge has taught me something I needed to learn.
Fashion is an incredibly competitive industry. There are still brands and companies I would love to work with that have rejected me or never responded. Early in my career, I worked long hours as an intern in fast-paced environments, often unpaid, simply because I was determined to learn and gain experience.
One of the biggest challenges has been building confidence in myself and my abilities. I’ve worked alongside people who underestimated me or didn’t believe in my potential, and for a long time, I allowed those opinions to affect how I saw myself. Over the years, I’ve learned that confidence isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something you build through experience, resilience, and proving to yourself that you can overcome difficult situations. As Jay Shetty always says, confidence comes from competence.
I’ve also experienced firsthand the challenges that women face in corporate environments. While progress has certainly been made, let’s be honest, it’s still a man’s world and women are held to different standards. Behaviors that are often praised as leadership qualities in men are viewed differently when demonstrated by women. Navigating those dynamics taught me the importance of setting boundaries, advocating for myself, and staying true to my values.
Looking back, the obstacles, rejections, and setbacks have ultimately made me stronger. They’ve taught me resilience, self-belief, and the importance of creating my own opportunities rather than waiting for someone else to give me one. It also inspires me not to fight the patriarchy, but to redefine it with my own behavior. It’s time for the men in business to learn from women, not the other way around.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Today, I work as a freelance fashion designer and stylist. I create and present apparel concepts and collections to brands, who then purchase and produce them for their customers. There’s nothing quite like seeing an idea that once existed only in your imagination come to life. Watching people buy, wear, and share pieces you’ve designed is incredibly rewarding.
Designing makes me feel like a magician. You’re creating something that didn’t exist before. A sketch, an idea, a feeling, and turning it into something tangible that becomes part of someone’s life. At the end of the day, I simply love a great outfit, so being able to create clothing that makes people feel confident and excited is truly a dream come true. I’m literally just a girl!
In addition to my design work, I’ve been sharing my personal style online and posting my outfits daily on Instagram. Fashion has always been a huge part of my life, and I love using social media as a creative outlet to inspire others, experiment with trends, and show how I interpret fashion through my own lens.
Most excitingly, I recently launched my podcast, Life in Style with Brianna Cantore, where I talk about fashion, beauty, wellness, and modern lifestyle topics. My goal was to create a space that feels positive, approachable, and enjoyable to listen to. Maybe someone learns something new, discovers a product they love, finds outfit inspiration, or simply enjoys spending time with the conversation. In a world that can feel overwhelming, scary, and negative, I wanted to create a small corner of the internet that feels uplifting and fun. After all, fashion should be fun; it’s totally not that serious.
What I’m most proud of isn’t necessarily a specific career achievement, it’s having the courage to put myself out there. Launching a podcast, consistently sharing my style online, and building a personal brand requires vulnerability. For years, I worried about what others might think, but I’ve reached a point where I value authenticity over approval. Creating and sharing my work with confidence has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey so far.
What sets me apart is that I bring together fashion, wellness, and lifestyle in a way that feels authentic to who I am. I’m equally passionate about great design, personal well-being, and helping people feel their best. Whether I’m designing a collection, styling a look, sharing an outfit, or recording a podcast episode, my goal is always the same: to create something that inspires confidence, creativity, and joy.
What’s next?
I’m excited about continuing to grow both creatively and professionally. One of my biggest goals is to work with brands that I’ve admired for years, whether that’s iconic fashion houses like Prada and Gucci or newer brands that inspire me through their innovation and storytelling, like Béis and Rhode.
I genuinely love product. I love great design, thoughtful branding (I’m a HUGE sucker for packaging), creative marketing, and the stories brands tell through what they create. Whether I’m designing a collection, styling a look, creating content, or even modeling someone else’s designs, I enjoy being part of the creative process from every angle.
I’m also excited to continue growing my podcast, Life in Style with Brianna Cantore, and building a community around fashion, beauty, wellness, and lifestyle. The more I put myself out there, the more opportunities seem to appear, and I’m learning to embrace that journey rather than trying to control every step of it.
As for the future, I have some big dreams. One day, I’ll be sitting front row at Miu Miu during Paris Fashion Week. I don’t know exactly how I’ll get there, and honestly, that’s part of the excitement. What I do know is that I’m passionate, curious, and willing to keep showing up. Right now, I’m focused on enjoying the process, trusting the path, and staying open to opportunities that are bigger than anything I could plan for myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://motonera.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bricterlizzi
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thebriannacantore
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/2jtooxVz8XVfnuLxv07HTd
