Breadcrumbs ![A Fashion Brand Owner Shares Her Little Black Book](https://media.sheerluxe.com/mHZUTejjxGU96w10uIDgf_7f4gk=/500x221/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F04%2Fsl-site-assets-170426-hero-interview-valentina-muntoni.jpg) ![A Fashion Brand Owner Shares Her Little Black Book](https://media.sheerluxe.com/8RZ3A761BW6DviSqco_oZZGbsHo=/400x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F04%2Fsl-site-assets-170426-mobile-hero-interview-valentina-muntoni.png) [Interviews](/fashion/interviews) / 17 April 2026 # A Fashion Brand Owner Shares Her Little Black Book As the co-founder of cult label Rat & Boa, Valentina Muntoni knows a thing or two about great style. London born and Florence based, she has a passport full of stamps from fashion capitals to go with her sharp eye for vintage. These are the places she loves returning to time and again… ByNana Acheampong [ Save To My Favourites ](/user/login?destination=/markdownify/node/52094) Images: @Valentina_Muntoni; @RatAndBoa All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products. [ ![@Valentina_Muntoni](https://media.sheerluxe.com/L-f194m1ZhQzxYD8pAVQL4Nu-_U=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F04%2Fsl-170426-rat-boa-lbb-1.jpg) ](https://www.instagram.com/valentina_muntoni/) @Valentina_Muntoni **If I could only shop in one area,** it would be SoHo in New York. Broome Street and Spring Street – that whole area where you can just wander and get lost – have such an incredible energy, and I always stumble across the best art galleries and restaurants nearby. I lived in NYC in my early 20s for a short time and remember buying these huge platform shoes in SoHo, convinced they were the best thing ever. **The most unusual shopping destination** has to be Tokyo. [Tokyu Hands](https://info.hands.net/en/) is a huge store full of stuff you don’t need but end up buying anyway. Koenji is a whole neighbourhood full of vintage shops that you can lose a day in – [Atlantis Vintage Tokyo](https://atlantisvintagetokyo.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnibIrKWvlBpSbwzirqhRx7AG6XblMvnQASTSMZcvei9YaMBmTqoCeH3biV2I_aem_jhX-bmvetsaMpjEMJaZSzw) and [Trip Vintage](https://trip-vintage-shop.com/) are real gems. Golden Gai has over 200 tiny bars, each with around six seats and their own very specific vibe – they feel like stepping into someone’s little world. That’s Tokyo in a nutshell: every pocket of the city is doing its own thing, completely on its own terms. **The best concept store in the world** is [10 Corso Como](https://10corsocomo.com/en-gb?srsltid=AfmBOopgBmvt1RXQD3ZXt0w7JntZ6uyH6lCkhbYCrczb0kdhAoidXGb0) in Milan. The curation and atmosphere are incredible – they make shopping feel like a cultural experience rather than a transaction. I could spend hours there, wandering through the gallery, flipping through books and browsing the rails. The café and bar are also fantastic. **For independent stores,** Paris is unmatched. Each district offers its own mix of boutiques and vintage stores. It’s impossible to do it all in one trip, so I always prioritise vintage. [Nuovo](https://nuovo-paris.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGntvT0jk0e8WWxv9d_Xp-KadJzFMxgtSFvQSlG0fXRTkyUk75ymGArdcmtF7k_aem_FYzAbB5yqgZCsGHvvpK4iQ), [Les Archives](https://www.lesarchivesparis.com/), [Chez Sarah](https://chezsarah.net/) and [ReSee ](https://www.resee.com/)are my go-tos. **The best department stores** are [Le Bon Marché](https://www.lebonmarche.com/fr?srsltid=AfmBOooEjojp5tMhZ3xxnCtq9vc8Pfqphm0Se7JVApNR-OsvLoX3poW-) in Paris and [Selfridges](https://selfridges.prf.hn/click/camref:1100loTp9/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.selfridges.com%2FGB%2Fen%2F) in London. Le Bon Marché has such a strong editorial feel. it never feels overwhelming, and always offers a brilliant mix of established designers and emerging brands. Selfridges has everything you could want under one roof. Growing up in London, I spent weekends window-shopping there and exploring Portobello Market. [ ![@NuovoParis; @RatAndBoa](https://media.sheerluxe.com/s0F7sXoGKBeSw6Uig8yr0unPi34=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F04%2Fsl-170426-rat-boa-lbb-2.jpg) ](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=52944&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ratandboa.com%2F&LSNSUBSITE=LSNSUBSITE) @NuovoParis; @RatAndBoa **An unexpected destination for great fashion** is Berlin. It might not be entirely unexpected, but the city’s culture and counter-culture make it incredibly exciting. I lived there for a few years, and the designer vintage scene is taken seriously. [Jil Sander](https://www.jilsander.com/en-gb/), [Ann Demeulemeester](https://anndemeulemeester.com/en-gb), [Margiela](https://www.maisonmargiela.com/en-gb/) – I’d always leave feeling like I’d found something truly special. **If I could only wear one brand again,** of course it would have to be my own. [Rat & Boa](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=52944&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ratandboa.com%2F&LSNSUBSITE=LSNSUBSITE) is a transeasonal label designed to take you through every occasion, holiday and season, so I’d be covered. **An under-the-radar brand I love** is [Ruslan Baginskiy](https://ruslanbaginskiy.com/). The creativity is so smart – hat bags you can wear as accessories, foldable hats you can throw in your bag. The design and art direction are incredibly considered. **For basics,** I always turn to [Tibi](https://tibi.com/). They do understated essentials with a twist so well – never flashy, just thoughtful, chic and slightly androgynous. Everything works seamlessly with the rest of your wardrobe. **My go-to vintage store** is [Rellik](https://relliklondon.co.uk/) on Golborne Road in West London. The best pieces go quickly, but if you time it right, you can find something amazing. **My favourite vintage piece** **I’ve ever bought** is a pair of [Chanel sunglasses](https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/389532167655) with gold stars on them. Very 90s, verging on trashy, but I love them. [ ![@Valentina_Muntoni; @RuslanBaginskiy_Hats; @IlSantoBevitoreFI; @AtlantisVintageTokyo; @10CorsoComo](https://media.sheerluxe.com/26FK6MF_oX-yJSpQs5pdmnmi-8c=/1920x0/smart/filters:no_upscale()/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F04%2Fsl-170426-rat-boa-lbb-3_0.jpg) ](https://www.instagram.com/valentina_muntoni/) @Valentina_Muntoni; @RuslanBaginskiy_Hats; @IlSantoBevitoreFI; @AtlantisVintageTokyo; @10CorsoComo **My perfect shopping day** starts with a strong coffee outside. Ideally I’d be in a new city with a friend. I love walking everywhere, as it’s the best way to discover something new. The day is always a balance of vintage and designer, high and low. I’m either hunting for that one piece I’ll obsess over or simple basics I can layer with my existing wardrobe. If something works with what I’m wearing that day, I’ll put it on straight away. There would be lunch with wine or a cocktail, then back out again, before heading home to get ready for dinner, wearing whatever I’ve found. **For repairs and alterations,** I go to my Rat & Boa studio in London. We have a brilliant atelier team there, which I’m lucky to have on hand. Being quite petite, I almost always need things hemmed or adjusted. **A sustainable brand I’ve recently discovered** is Róhe. I picked up the most beautiful cream jacket from [Selfridges](https://selfridges.prf.hn/click/camref:1100loTp9/destination:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.selfridges.com%2FGB%2Fen%2F). The quality is exceptional. It’s one of those pieces you buy and immediately know you’ll keep in your wardrobe forever. **The best fashion gift I’ve ever given** was a pair of [The Row](https://www.therow.com/en-gb)’s Teatime boots from Vestiaire Collective. They were unworn, in the most beautiful chocolate suede. I originally wanted them for myself, but they weren’t my size, so I bought them as a birthday gift for a friend instead. **The best fashion gift I’ve ever received** is a [Spinelli Kilcollin](https://www.spinellikilcollin.com/) ring for my 30th birthday from my friend and business partner – a forever keepsake that feels both timeless and unique. **For people-watching,** Ipanema Beach in Rio is unbeatable. You genuinely see everything – the energy, the colour, the confidence. It’s like nowhere else on Earth and never disappoints. It’s one of my all-time favourite places. [ ![Trattoria Cammillo; @MaybeRebecca_](https://media.sheerluxe.com/llDeAbJJI02k75S8I_WQC9D5tyw=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F04%2Fsl-170426-rat-boa-lbb-5.jpg) ](https://www.instagram.com/valentina_muntoni/) Trattoria Cammillo; @MaybeRebecca_ [ ![Rat & Boa](https://media.sheerluxe.com/0apRECAg3KQZYl976HiEFTZ7gfI=/800x0/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2026%2F04%2Fsl-170426-rat-boa-lbb-4.jpg) ](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=52944&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ratandboa.com%2F&LSNSUBSITE=LSNSUBSITE) Rat & Boa **My favourite place to get coffee** is [Pasticceria Goretta](https://www.instagram.com/pasticceriagoretta1929/) dal 1929 in Florence. It’s family run, everything is baked in-house, and the combination of sweet pastry and bitter espresso is perfect. It feels like a daily ritual. **Some of the best restaurants in the world** are in Florence. When friends or family visit, I always take them to [Trattoria Cammillo](https://www.instagram.com/trattoriacammillo/) in Santo Spirito. Unpretentious, great food, and an institution in every sense, it’s got a loud, enjoyably chaotic energy. You must book in advance. [Il Santo Bevitore](https://www.instagram.com/ilsantobevitorefi/) is another favourite. It’s a younger crowd here, great for people-watching, and on summer evenings everyone spills out onto the street **The coolest spots in Florence** are Piazzale Michelangelo – at sunset the view over the city is stunning – and [Sant’Ambrogio](https://mercatosantambrogio.it/?lang=en) market for its energy and incredible produce. **For a hotel,** I love [Numeroventi](https://numeroventi.it/) in Florence. It’s a contemporary boutique hotel and artist residency that feels like a creative community rather than just somewhere to stay. *Follow* [@VALENTINA\_MUNTONI](https://www.instagram.com/valentina_muntoni/) *& visit* [RATANDBOA.COM](https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=etT1jgERWYw&mid=52944&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ratandboa.com%2F&LSNSUBSITE=LSNSUBSITE) *more from* Fashion [View All Fashion](/fashion) ![Join Sapna & Lu At A Special Festive Event](https://media.sheerluxe.com/k1MedfHojE7Tk3g2lbtVu0ZpBj4=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F12%2Fsl-site-assets-011225-thumb-hero-boodles-2.jpg) [Shopping](/fashion/shopping) / 01 December 2025 [## Join Sapna & Lu At A Special Festive Event ](/fashion/shopping/join-sapna-lu-at-a-special-festive-event) ![18 Mega High-Street Heroes](https://media.sheerluxe.com/BAqj-kh1Mzg_QpTfLVH-K66WrEY=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F12%2Fsl-site-assets-011225-thumb-x-mega-party-high-st-heroes.jpg) [High Street](/fashion/high-street) / 01 December 2025 [## 18 Mega High-Street Heroes ](/fashion/high-street/18-mega-high-street-heroes) ![3 Cool Ways To Style These Cult Leggings](https://media.sheerluxe.com/JBW6FngGUGQIWvzzuQf1itNckag=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F12%2Fsl-site-assets-011225-thumb-hero-lulu-1.jpg) [How To Wear](/fashion/how-to-wear) / 01 December 2025 [## 3 Cool Ways To Style These Cult Leggings ](/fashion/how-to-wear/3-cool-ways-to-style-these-cult-leggings) ![The Round Up: Chunky Knits](https://media.sheerluxe.com/PHEE4lr2SC1PvG3lJAg1GRrSD9U=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F12%2Fsl-site-assets-011225-thumb-chunky-roll-necks.jpg) [Shopping](/fashion/shopping) / 01 December 2025 [## The Round Up: Chunky Knits ](/fashion/shopping/best-chunky-roll-necks) ![3 Cool, Off-Duty Looks At FLANNELS](https://media.sheerluxe.com/ldcPqIZeY07mdMYcPdUQdwzlHUA=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F11%2Fsl-site-assets-271125-thumb-com-flannels-1.jpg) [Shopping](/fashion/shopping) / 27 November 2025 [## 3 Cool, Off-Duty Looks At FLANNELS ](/fashion/shopping/3-cool-off-duty-looks-at-flannels) ![The Black Friday Sale You Won’t Want To Miss](https://media.sheerluxe.com/B64hRL0vwdr21QTgAplyHVNBc0Q=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F11%2Fsl-site-assets-271125-thumb-mango-2.jpg) [High Street](/fashion/high-street) / 27 November 2025 [## The Black Friday Sale You Won’t Want To Miss ](/fashion/high-street/the-black-friday-sale-you-wont-want-to-miss) ![A Night With SheerLuxe & The White Company](https://media.sheerluxe.com/WJ7gnLw0VTyUWOYPZpLo29_JYwM=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F11%2Fsl-portrait-271125-the-white-company-dinner.jpg) [Fashion](/gold/fashion)/ 27 November 2025 [## A Night With SheerLuxe & The White Company ](/fashion/shoots/a-night-with-sheerluxe-the-white-company) ![25 ASOS Pieces To Snap Up This Black Friday](https://media.sheerluxe.com/2uU48Q2KHTQeGaPBt6sW2G_oORY=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F11%2Fsl-site-assets-261125-thumb-asos-black-friday-2_0.jpg) [High Street](/fashion/high-street) / 26 November 2025 [## 25 ASOS Pieces To Snap Up This Black Friday ](/fashion/high-street/25-asos-pieces-to-snap-up-this-black-friday) ![One Piece, Three Ways](https://media.sheerluxe.com/iyDJfeI662w40AtJPEhj2AetE4Q=/200x267/smart/https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Fsites%2Fsheerluxe%2Ffiles%2Farticles%2F2025%2F11%2Fsl-gold-171125-site-assets-one-piece-hero-thumb.jpg) [Fashion](/gold/fashion)/ 17 November 2025 [## One Piece, Three Ways ](/fashion/shopping/one-piece-three-ways) Share This Story [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?display=popup&redirect_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com&u=https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Ffashion%2Finterviews%2Fa-fashion-brand-owner-shares-her-little-black-book&t=A+Fashion+Brand+Owner+Shares+Her+Little+Black+Book) [ Pinterest ](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsw18.sheerluxe.com%2Ffashion%2Finterviews%2Fa-fashion-brand-owner-shares-her-little-black-book&description=A+Fashion+Brand+Owner+Shares+Her+Little+Black+Book&media=) [ E-mail ]() DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. 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