Introduction to The Nat Note
It seems that anything Houston-based influencer (and former lawyer) Natalie Steen touches turns to gold. On Cinco de Mayo, we wrote about Steen’s “spicy” and colorful collection with Dallasite Cristina Lynch and her beloved Mexican heritage clothing brand Mi Golondrina. Now, as we head into the sparkliest time of year, “The Nat Note” debuts her second collection for Dillard’s Antonio Melani line. The images practically shout “Let’s party!” across the screen.
The Collection
In her cheekiest collaboration yet, Steen masterfully injects her singular perception of color into a holiday collection that demands that Santa slip a sable under the tree. It includes show-stopping coats, bejeweled mini dresses in saturated jewel tones, tinsel-adorned novelty flats tipped with gift bows, feathery cardigans, and even a celestial smoking jacket with matching pants. Oh, and did we mention the liquid olive green sequin skirt that’s literally a martini being poured?
Behind the Collection
Steen continues to shake, not stir, everything she puts her glamorous paws on. Below, she talks to PaperCity and gives us the skinny on how the collection came to life, detailing everything from what she’ll save for her daughter, Nell, to the piece she considers the “sleeper” hit. Grab a martini and sit a spell.
The Aesthetic
The aesthetic of the entire collection is festive glamour with a playful wink. The aesthetic is celebratory, colorful, and joyfully indulgent. Steen’s first collection for Dillard’s with Antonio Melani felt like an homage to her Cuban roots and was perfect for warmer temperatures. This new collection demands a holiday celebration.
Designing the Collection
Steen started working on this second collaboration about a year before the launch date. It takes about a full year from the moment you say “yes” to launch day. In between are many, many rounds of discussions, designing, and revisions with the incredible Dillard’s team. What Steen loves about their approach is that they begin by asking, “What’s something you’ve always wanted in your closet but don’t have? We can make anything.”
Favorite Pieces
Steen’s favorite piece, or rather her "sleeper" piece, is the pink party pants. They are fabricated from a kind of holographic glitter jacquard that can only be compared to Xenon. Because of this, you can’t really appreciate them in photos as well as you can in real life. But they are IT! The collection also includes holiday-ready flats and festive heels.
Cultural Influences
Steen’s Miami/Cuban/Texan roots show up in this collaboration through the vibrant and bold pieces designed for celebration. The vibrancy of her Cuban heritage, Miami upbringing, and Texas experience comes through in the collection with the festive details and pieces designed for celebration — it’s all about scale and statement. Steen admires that Texas women dress with confidence and aren’t afraid to go big — whether that’s standout clothes or simply the volume of their hair.
Top Sellers
Based on the response of her followers, Steen thinks the top three sellers will be the martini skirt, tuxedo set, and jacquard jumpsuit. These pieces are fan favorites and are expected to sell out quickly.
Passing it Down
Steen is saving all the pieces from her Dillard’s collections to pass down to her daughter, Nell. At the very least, she’ll have good stories to tell about what she is wearing.
What’s Next
After her first collection, Steen purposely took a two-year break so she could be intentional about what pieces she’d want to include if given a second opportunity. During that time, she kept a folder of inspiration — mostly archival fashion photography and vintage finds — that helped shape her vision. Although there is no official word on a third collection, Steen’s fans are eagerly waiting to see what she comes up with next.
Conclusion
The Nat Note for Antonio Melani (round two!) launches on October 27, at 10 AM CST in all Dillard’s stores and online at Dillards.com. With its festive glamour and playful wink, this collection is sure to be a hit. Whether you’re looking for a show-stopping coat or a pair of holiday-ready flats, The Nat Note has got you covered. So mark your calendars and get ready to party with The Nat Note’s latest collection.
