Sai De Silva hardly had to spend a dime when curating her wardrobe for “The Real Housewives of New York City” Season 14.
“I feel very fortunate that I have designers that allow me to pull,” the fashion blogger and content creator says on Pvnew’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” podcast.
“Majority of everything that wasn’t from my closet was completely on loan and I gave it all back.”
De Silva, who boasts more than 400,000 Instagram followers, tells us that she and stylist Danielle Gaines dove into her inaugural “RHONY” season with a “game plan,” making a concerted effort to source one-of-a-kind garments that would impress the audience she’s built on social media — and the one she will soon acquire via Bravo.
“I hired my stylist, Danielle Gaines, who I am obsessed with. I was like, ‘Look, I want to pull things that are not out right now, things that you just can’t find and I also want to create content with them at the same time,’” she recalls.
“So, for me, it was working two jobs at the same time, killing two birds with the one stone and that’s just how I approached it.”
As a formidable influencer whose online presence has attracted partnerships with Dior, Fendi and more luxury brands, De Silva says parting ways with clothing is par for the course.
“I did not purchase a bunch of clothes for this season,” she reiterates. “That’s just not how my business typically operates anyway and I love to 1) wear things that are not out in stores yet, 2) promote whatever designer’s up-and-coming clothing campaign is or whatever they have.”
Although the Scout the City founder loves promoting new designers and has a strong affinity for vintage pieces, she, of course, frequently finds herself dressed in the work of high-profile fashion houses.
“I love ready-to-wear,” she notes. “I love things that are on the runway.”
For instance, De Silva — who describes herself as a “chameleon” with “evolving” taste — stunned in a slinky metallic Oscar de la Renta gown with sheer cutouts at Wednesday night’s “RHONY” premiere party at the Rainbow Room in Manhattan.
“The red carpet is basically one big game of ‘who wore it better’ but with fancier clothing,” she joked in a subsequent Instagram post, highlighting her glitzy ensemble, paired with Patricia Von Musulin jewels.
De Silva added that she fell “in love” with the dress — even if it won’t be taking up residence in the walk-in closet of her Brooklyn brownstone.
“The Real Housewives of New York City” — also starring Jenna Lyons, Ubah Hassan, Brynn Whitfield, Jessel Taank and Erin Lichy — premieres Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.
