NEWS.MC had the pleasure of catching up with dynamic Monaco-based fashion and luxury lifestyle influencer Antoniya Toneva, who has amassed over one million followers on her popular Instagram page @tocestyle, while working with some of the biggest brands in the business.

Originally from Bulgaria, Antoniya tells us that her passion for fashion was there from the start. “Since I was a little girl I have always been interested in creating my own outfits, and my grandma was a seamstress so she helped me to create my unique designs,” said Antoniya, adding that “growing up I always wanted to create my own brand, and moving to Monaco gave me the inspiration I needed to create my own swimwear line.”

“The first collection had all of Monaco’s colours, the white and red of the flag, and the blue of the Mediterranean Sea,” Antoniya tells of the inspiration she derives from this sunny corner of the Côte d’Azur, adding that “even the pictures you see of Princess Grace Kelly as you are walking in Monaco are so stylish.”

The future in the Principality is looking bright for this style sensation; “I am excited to be working with a few luxury boutiques in Monaco, and I have a lot of big projects planned.”

Antoniya attributes her consistent growth to pure passion and a constant inspirational flow; “I think it is the passion, and I like the challenge. I like to follow the trends but always with my own twist, and I think that this helps you stand out. I can find inspiration everywhere, just watching old pictures or and old movie, everything around me can be inspirational and help me move forward.”

photo: Antoniya Toneva modelling Passion Jewellery in Monaco

In her seven years in the Principality, Antoniya has gone from strength to strength, allowing her to share some valuable advice with us that will apply to any up and coming fashionistas. “The most important thing when you start is to just be yourself, don’t copy. You can get inspiration from other people, but just be yourself, because everyone has their own story and that is what I believe makes you unique. Get inspired by others, but do not copy. Find your style, stick to it, show yourself and that makes you unique because everyone else is already doing them…”

“Nowadays, people do not have time, so as a creator of content you really must provide value and quality. Do not waste people’s time because time is priceless… To my younger self I would say that it is not an overnight success. Everything takes time, and you’re going to get where you want to go if you just stick to it.”

Antoniya has enjoyed working with the likes of Prada, Bvlgari and Gucci in the colourful world of fashion, while also collaborating with five star hotels within and well beyond Monaco’s borders. With this dynamic range that she possesses, Antoniya tells NEWS.MC that “I’m always open to new projects, and do not limit myself to just fashion, I enjoy working in different industries. I am open to bring value to anyone in Monaco who is willing to show something unique that you cannot see anywhere else. I am also open to any project that promotes the Principality, the place where I am living.”

As far as the future goes, Antoniya plans to do more consultancy work, in order to bring value to brands with her own experience growing on social media and in her industries.

Follow @tocestyle on Instagram here to keep up with Antoniya as she continues to dazzle with her signature style.

Photographs by @konsa.ph