FRĒDA WOMAN SERIES: NATALIE BORTON
There are a million things we would love to say about Natalie Borton. She’s smart. She’s driven. She’s cool. She’s fun. She’s all around the best. So, we are beyond excited to have her as our FRĒDA Woman. A longtime member of the FRĒDA Family, she’s been our forever inspiration in everything from style to life—plus all that comes in-between.
We sat down with her recently to talk about her company, Natalie Borton Designs and a few other fun things.
TELL US ABOUT YOU.
How much time do you have?! After graduating from Pepperdine with a degree in PR, my 20s were all over the map career-wise. I worked in PR and marketing, retail, did a church internship, and even had a short stint making smoothies at Jamba Juice. I had no real sense of direction and was honestly just exploring (and trying to pay the rent) without a strong sense of my own strengths or calling.
My entry into the fashion world came in 2012 when I started writing for Glitter Guide and working as a web editor for Darling Magazine. Eventually, I decided to take a big leap and launch my own jewelry business — with essentially no money, no experience, and no audience. The beauty of starting from scratch was that there was no pressure; I could learn, evolve, and create my style without huge stakes.
Back in 2015, I was making every single piece by hand from my coffee table, picking up techniques from free YouTube videos. As I grew, I wanted to create pieces that were beyond my personal skill set, and I was able to connect with talented artisans and manufacturers who embrace traditional techniques and responsible practices.
Fast forward to 2024, and the design style has grown up with me, evolving as I have. And it’s been so great to expand beyond jewelry to include eyewear, belts, and more. We have big plans for 2025!
TALK TO US ABOUT STARTING NATALIE BORTON DESIGNS.
Starting Natalie Borton Designs has been this incredible blend of creative freedom, perseverance, and continuous learning. My goal from day one was to create accessories that effortlessly enhance a wardrobe, especially for busy moms and women juggling a lot in life. I’ve enjoyed every step, even the tough ones, because they’ve shown me just how much can be achieved when you stay aligned with your vision and values. The support from our community keeps me excited and constantly inspired to create beautiful pieces that help complete their everyday looks.
WHERE DO YOU GET INSPIRATION?
Inspiration is everywhere! Nature and travel are my biggest influences — there’s so much beauty in natural textures, colors, and shapes. I’m also deeply drawn to effortless, minimalist style; pieces that make a statement by complementing rather than overshadowing. I want each piece to feel like an accent that allows the woman wearing it to shine. I think about what I would like to have to complete my looks and trust that there are other women out there who would enjoy it also. I think the best pieces come from a place of authenticity.
TELL US ABOUT THE LOAFER CHARMS YOU MADE WITH US.
Collaborating with you has truly been a dream. At Natalie Borton Designs, we’re passionate about creating “outfit completers,” and these charms are no exception. They’re sleek and simple yet instantly elevate the beautiful ELBA Loafers to something extraordinary.
Each charm is meticulously handcrafted from 100% brass by our talented, woman-led artisan partner in Kenya, whose workshop I had the privilege of visiting in person earlier this year. We went through several design iterations to create a piece that’s truly perfect, and I can’t wait to see how customers style them this season and beyond. Personally, I’ll be rotating mine between my Espresso Spazzolato and Hickory Croc ELBAs. The brass complements the warm brown tones so well!
HOW ARE YOU WEARING LOAFERS THIS SEASON?
I’m styling my loafers with cropped or cuffed jeans or relaxed trousers, paired with a soft tee or tank and topped off with a blazer or long coat. It’s classic, cool, effortless, and, most importantly, comfortable!
HOW DO YOU BUILD COMMUNITY?
Community is everything to me. I prioritize getting together with friends and saying “yes” to meet-ups, whether it’s a walk, a dinner, coffee, or even a trip. Traveling with friends is a big favorite of mine—there’s nothing like those shared experiences to bring people closer together.
WHAT IS SOMETHING SURPRISING ABOUT YOU?
I never make my bed. Ever.
YOUR MANTRA?
"Quality over quantity." I come back to this time and time again, and it’s also a guiding principle in my business. This mantra encourages me to make mindful choices, whether in possessions, commitments, or relationships. It’s about making space for what truly adds value (and letting go of the rest).
WHAT IN YOUR CLOSET MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD?
I always feel my best in a comfy pair of jeans, a soft tee or tank, and an oversized layer. In fall and winter, I live for long trenches and coats. They’re effortlessly chic, incredibly comfortable, and make me feel put together without much effort.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITES IN ENCINITAS…
STORE? Adobe by Jess Vargas (technically in Carlsbad!)
VINTAGE? Apart of the Rest (a bit further south, but close)
STREET? Coast Hwy (where our studio is!)
PARK? The beach ;) Or Glen Park!
COFFEE SHOP? Rosehill Purveyors
RESTAURANT? Valentina
SUNDAY MORNING? Family time
ACTIVITY? Beach walks