Some friendships, although they might seem to be born of pure chance, happen because two people are destined to meet. That was certainly the case with Cleopatra zu Oettingen-Spielberg and Farina Pavel: a Bavarian princess and a Belgian entrepreneur who, after running into each other in a small shop in St. Mortiz, became inseparable.
Theirs is a three-way friendship, with the town of St. Moritz itself as the third key player. In this Alpine setting - with its cold winters, its snow-covered, picturesque fir trees, and that intimate, serene atmosphere found only in the mountains - where a bond was formed that has eventually given rise to a joint project: La Foresta, a fashion brand inspired by mountain traditional aesthetic, to which both had long been devoted.
Farina wears Lebor Gabala trousers, Ralph Lauren jacket, Lamm jersey, Maison Ola hat
Cleo wears Josephine trousers, Ralph Lauren jacket, Lamm jersey and her own coat
After countless hours discussing their best finds in the town’s most authentic shops, they shaped a collection centered on classic belts featuring cows embossed in gold-plated metal - which they also transformed into chokers and bracelets - alongside bodices with puffed sleeves, embroidered knit jackets and skirts.
Farina wears Dior blouse and boots, Condor tights, La Foresta skirt.
Cleo wears a Dior jacket and ankle boots, Sézane trousers and jewellery by Angelo de Luc
"We met here in St. Moritz while shopping for Alpine traditional-style clothing for our children."
They set up their base of operations in Farina’s holiday home, where the duo gather for long days of skiing in winter and hiking around Lake St. Mortiz in summer. The haven is their retreat, whenever their hectic schedules will allow.
In short, St. Moritz is not merely a backdrop for the pair - it has become part of their DNA.
Although you’ve only known each other for a few years, you’ve become inseparable, how did that happen?
Cleo: We met here in St. Moritz while shopping for Alpine traditional-style clothing for our children at Little Lamm, a boutique specializing in cashmere and handmade garments. The connection was immediate. Shortly afterward, we discovered that our families had known each other for a long time, and that our parents-in-law are very close friends, and our conversations about shared tastes and values naturally continued from there.
When did the idea of creating La Foresta, a fashion brand inspired by the region’s traditional dress, emerge?
Farina: It took shape slowly and organically from an idea I’d had in my head for some time: creating an Alpine fashion brand. It grew out of a shared nostalgia, a longing for another era and for pieces with history and character - things that were becoming increasingly difficult to find.
Cleo: I’ve worked in the fashion world since my early twenties as a model, and I’ve also attended many fashion shows, which allowed me to gather inspiration over the years. When we met, we quickly discovered our shared passion for vintage garments and beautiful objects filled with memory and soul. Over time, it became clear that this was an idea we needed to bring to life together.
How does this aesthetic translate into the 21st century?
Farina: We design contemporary, easy-to-wear pieces that retain the memory of the past. We work from vintage patterns and use high-quality, characterful fabrics such as velvet, tartan, and linen.
The embroidered tablecloth and napkins are from Ebneter & Biel, a small shop specialising in traditional hand-embroidered tableware
What does a project like this represent at this moment in your lives?
Farina: Before founding La Foresta, my priority was my family, and I only worked on smaller projects, but I never stopped collecting ideas. Now that my children are older, I have the time and clarity needed to bring them together in this exciting project.
Cleo: It feels natural and deeply meaningful. The connection with Farina was immediate, and I believe we were meant to meet at precisely this moment.
Where does the name come from?
Cleo: La Foresta means “the forest.” We both live partly surrounded by forests, so the name emerged naturally and instinctively. In addition, many of our garments are handmade in Italy, so choosing an Italian name made sense.
What is your personal relationship with this region?
Farina: From childhood, I’ve always been drawn to mountain life, and over time the Engadin region has become a second home for me. I come whenever I can with my husband and our three children, because I want them to grow up breathing fresh air and having fun without screens. Life here unfolds outdoors all year round, shaped by activity, nature, and the rhythm of the seasons.
Cleo: Although my life is now more closely tied to Spain and, of course, Germany, Switzerland has always been a very special place for me. I was born in Bern and have spent much of my life here. I feel a natural bond with this place. I love skiing in winter, walking in summer, and living according to the changing seasons. It feels like how life should be; I feel at peace when I’m here.
"We design contemporary, easy-to-wear pieces that retain the memory of the past."
Cleo wears Sézane trousers, Gucci blouse, Flabelus x La Foresta Mary-Janes, La Foresta belt
Farina wears La Veste trousers, La Foresta top and choker. Jewellery by Angelo de Luca
Farina, how did you envision the personality of this home?
Farina: My husband has been coming to St. Moritz since he was a child, and when he first showed me the Engadin, I fell in love as well. When working on our home, I wanted to create an Alpine idyll that felt warm, personal, and truly lived in - a place that could embrace the joyful chaos of life with three children. We built the interior around pieces we already loved and had collected over time, combined with local Engadin materials such as Swiss pine wood and regional stone. The scent of Swiss pine plays a key role; the moment I smell it, I know I’m home, in the mountains.
For me, the connection to a place exists both in the way I dress and in the interiors I create. That’s why our home is filled with small treasures that convey history and soul, including original St. Moritz pieces from my husband’s family dating from the 1950s to the 1980s - such as a beautiful restored trunk, a piece full of memories and nostalgia.
Is your respect for local identity also reflected in how you set the table?
Farina: Yes, we have a deep appreciation for traditional craftsmanship, especially hand-embroidered regional pieces that reflect time, care, and heritage. Our table settings are a mix of elegant, classic items and objects we’ve collected over the years, many of them connected to specific places and memories. Flowers are always important; they bring something natural to the table and connect the interior with the surrounding landscape. A table should feel inviting and set the tone for the moment—it’s about creating a good atmosphere for the occasion, a place where everyone feels welcome and happy. It doesn’t need to be perfect; what matters is that it’s full of life.
Farina, along with her husband and three children, spends time in St. Moritz whenever she can
Their St. Moritz Shopping Guide
We love Lamm and Little Lamm, right where we met. They’re two iconic cashmere shops in town, for adults and children. Also Ebneter & Biel, with incredible embroidered table linens featuring skiers. They’re the most coveted in St. Moritz.
Pit Stop
For lunch, we like the traditional Clavadatsch and the Italian restaurant La Scarpetta. There are many excellent Italian restaurants in town due to its proximity to Italy. And in the afternoons, we love going to Suvretta House for tea.
Off-Piste
Although St. Moritz is known for its ski slopes, it also has a lot to offer culturally. We always recommend visiting the Segantini Museum in town, as well as Mulegns and The Stable nearby in the region.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This interview with Cleopatra zu Oettingen-Spielberg and Farina Pavel originally appeared in the February edition of Hola Living. Interview by Estefanía Asenjo.
© ESI SEILERN
© ESI SEILERN
© ESI SEILERN
© ESI SEILERN
© ESI SEILERN
© ESI SEILERN
