- Insiders Profile -

Elisa Nalin

CiaoBuy is Elisa Nalin's personal fashion archive. Built over years of styling, travel, work, and real life, this wardrobe is a collection of pieces chosen instinctively, worn with intention, and kept for their character rather than trends.

Some items come from runways, others from vintage stores, and all of them are part of Elisa's language. Ciao Buy offers temporary access to this archive, not as a rental service, but as a curated experience where clothing becomes a tool for expression, confidence, and storytelling. We spoke to Elisa about how the project started and what it offers.

◆ To begin, could you introduce yourself and tell us how the idea of Ciao Buy was born?

I’m a very Italian woman who’s been living abroad for 26 years now… Been based in Paris before and am starting my 6th year in Lisbon now. I've been working in fashion all my life, as a designer, creative director, stylist, and consultant. I have loved clothes since I can remember, and for me, fashion was one of the first ways I found to express myself.

I have always perceived dressing myself up for the day as a joyful game, the outcome of which could vary every day depending on the mood I’m in, the weather, the day's schedule, and so on. I’m also a big-time collector type of person, so you can imagine the amount of clothes and all sorts of accessories I have been collecting over my 25 years in fashion… from designer clothes to vintage treasures, to clothes sewn and designed by my grandmother for my mum…

After I moved from Paris to Lisbon, I started to radically change, and my way of dressing also shifted, so I have been thinking for a while about what I was going to do with all the things in my Archivio (which at the time was still in Paris, inside a secret room in the Trianon Theater).

I then decided to bring everything to Lisbon – as it's where my life is now – and find a space where I can welcome people and let them into my world through a guided experience of my archive. The idea came from the lack of anything like this in the city and from a will to contribute to creating a sustainable fashion experience. There is no need to buy a new dress just for an event or a wedding when you can find everything you want at Ciao Buy.

◆ If you had to describe Ciao Buy in just three words, what would they be?

Fun, colorful, empowering.

◆ You’ve built a strong personal aesthetic over the years. How does Ciao Buy reflect your own visual language?

Ciao Buy is me! It's like having access to my world, diving into a full immersion in my aesthetic and my vision of fashion. It’s a mix and match of different styles, decades, and personalities magically coming together in one place.

◆ What guides your curation process when selecting brands, objects, or collaborations?

I am a very instinctive person, and most of the time, I make choices based entirely on my intuition and guided by my heart. It has to feel right and aligned with my vision and values. When choosing to buy something, whether it is an object or a dress, it has to bring me joy.

◆ What has been the biggest challenge in launching this new concept?

The bigger challenge has been me – meaning my fear of creating something new that I have never done before. I kind of saw myself as limited, and not as we all are: exactly the contrary. We are limitless, but keep blocking ourselves by putting obstacles and limitations on our own dreams and abilities. The second challenge was to find a place where I could welcome people. However, the solution to that came super quickly, right after I worked on overcoming my fears.

◆ Could you walk us through your ideal day in Lisbon from a morning coffee to an evening ritual?

My ideal day would start early with a surf session in Caparica (ideally Fonte da Telha), followed by a good breakfast in a local place and a walk on the beach! I do love the vibe of Ana, the owner of Burger Queens of Caparica – her banana ice cream is to die for (I recommend ordering it with all the toppings), and the cookies are great too!

I would then either chill on the beach till sunset, reading a good book, or go back to the city and have lunch outside on the terrace of one of the few remaining local tascas in Ajuda. Fresh grilled fish, tomato salad, and fries is my go-to order.

A digestive walk in Monsanto right after would be perfect! I would then return home for a little siesta and then a glass of wine at O Pif, just down my house, and a quick dinner either just in front, at Maria Food Hub, or a delicious sandwich at my favourite sandwich place, Tosta.

◆ What’s your favorite place to hang out in Lisbon when you need inspiration?

It's definitely nature first, as this element plays a big part in my life. It's one of the many reasons why I love living in Lisbon. I have to be close to the ocean weekly, as it's where I cleanse my energy and mind. Nothing beats a surf session before going back to life, completely renewed and full of new ideas!

O Pif

◆ How do you want people to feel when they walk into Ciao Buy?

I want them to feel at home, cocooned, cozy, nurtured, and taken care of. I want them to feel understood and empowered.

◆ Lisbon has become a hub for creative retail concepts. Why did you choose this city for your new project?

I chose Lisbon as my home in 2020, and I am deeply in love with the city and its energy, even with all the changes it's gone through.

There is a lot of creative energy here. Lisbon has the ability to gather a very international crowd. It’s a shame the fashion scene is not that developed yet – it could, however. I’m honoured to be part of the change I want to see here and to contribute to a sustainable use of fashion.

◆ Fashion and lifestyle are constantly evolving. What excites you most about the current moment?

We are living in exciting times! We are just entering a completely new cycle, and the world is shifting into a whole new paradigm. People are becoming more aware of the importance of spirituality and starting to live their lives based on completely different values.

I feel that what the world needs now, more than ever, is people who are spiritually awake and ready to share their gifts. With Ciao Buy, I want to combine my experience and know-how in fashion with my healing gifts. I want the person who comes and books a session with me to feel good about the way she looks, and I want her to leave Ciao Buy super happy and empowered by the clothes I've selected for her! If used the right way, fashion can have a healing power.