Natalie De’Banco has built Bronx Banco on a simple philosophy: blending in was never an option. What began as a passion project while she was studying fashion design in Sydney—selling vintage finds on eBay before opening a boutique and eventually launching her own label—has grown into a globally recognized luxury brand worn by everyone from Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez to Sabrina Carpenter and Ciara. Seventeen years later, the designer is ushering Bronx Banco into its next era, expanding far beyond the statement occasionwear that first put the label on the map into ready-to-wear, denim, tailoring, handbags, accessories, and bridal. The Daily Front Row’s Elizabeth Kurpis caught up with the founder and creative director to discuss the evolution of the brand, the women who inspire her, and why staying true to her creative vision has always been the key to building a lasting fashion business.
Bronx Banco has become synonymous with bold femininity and statement dressing. How has your vision for the brand evolved since you first launched it? It’s funny because I don’t think my vision has changed all that much. My aesthetics have evolved significantly, and so have I. As I’ve grown, my brand has grown with me, and the existing vision has become clearer and more intentional over the years. Because of my obsession with fashion, I started selling vintage items on eBay while I was studying design in Sydney. That eventually turned into a small boutique in Bondi, then grew into designing and producing my own pieces, and somehow…seventeen years later after a lot of hard work and persistence…here we are. When I first brought Bronx Banco to New York Fashion Week, people thought it was too sexy, too embellished, too many feathers… just too much. I remember thinking, “perfect.” I had always believed the fastest way to disappear is to blend in. Today we’re expanding into contemporary ready-to-wear, denim, tailoring, handbags, accessories, and deeper into bridal, but the woman I’m designing for today has never really changed. She loves fashion. She’s confident. She isn’t afraid to be noticed.
Your collections celebrate confidence and individuality. Who is the Bronx Banco woman today? She has definitely grown up with me. I started Bronx Banco while I was still studying design, and I think so many of our customers were in the same stage of life that I was at the time. We were all looking for the perfect outfit for birthdays, holidays and parties, basically any excuse to dress up. Now we have all grown up together. She’s building a career, traveling, getting married, and her wardrobe has evolved at the same pace her life has. She still loves fashion, she just wears it differently. I always joke that I was probably the original Bronx Banco girl. I’ve always loved getting dressed up. I would often design something to wear to a wedding or an event, and I would secretly be so proud when people asked, “Where did you get that?” and I’d tell them, “I made it!” There was something really empowering about that. I’ve always believed that when you love what you’re wearing, you carry yourself differently. You stand a little taller, you smile more, and you feel like you can take on anything. That’s really who I design for. Whether she’s wearing our tailoring, denim, knitwear, handbags or something for a special occasion, it’s never just about the outfit. It’s about feeling like the best version of yourself.
You’ve built a globally recog…