Daniela Zahradnikova Reginato (b. 1977). A New York City–based creative entrepreneur, studio director, curator, fashion professional, and philanthropist whose multifaceted career integrates contemporary art administration, haute couture, experiential cultural programming, and social impact initiatives.
With over two decades of professional experience, she serves as director of the Peter Reginato Studio while simultaneously leading DZ Zone NYC, an experiential cultural platform presenting designers and artists in immersive, gallery-style environments with philanthropic outcomes.
Early Life and Background
Daniela Zahradnikova Reginato was born in Central Europe in present-day Slovakia, formerly part of Czechoslovakia. Her international background informs a professional orientation shaped by European design traditions and cross-cultural exchange.
After relocating to the United States, she established herself in Manhattan, beginning her fashion career as a runway model with Elite Model Management before transitioning into cultural entrepreneurship and art administration.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER
Fashion and Lifestyle Entrepreneurship
Reginato’s extensive industry experience includes leadership roles at luxury destinations such as the Mercer Hotel, Domenico Vacca, and Zoom in Southampton. She has served as a brand ambassador for NFP Studio and identified emerging trends for designers including Victor DeSouza and Fairchild Baldwin.
Her entrepreneurial ventures include:
DZ Zone NYC: Founded in 2017, this hybrid platform functions as a flexible, project-driven initiative producing pop-up exhibitions, trunk shows, and cultural gatherings that merge fashion presentation with curated lifestyle experiences. The platform emphasizes wearable art and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Space Sixteen: Previously co-founded this high-end boutique in SoHo and Southampton, combining art, style, and charitable collaborations in a retail environment that functioned as both commercial space and cultural venue.
Studio Direction and Art Administration
Since 2016, Daniela Reginato has served as director of the Peter Reginato Studio, managing all aspects of the renowned abstract sculptor and painter’s artistic practice.
Her responsibilities encompass coordinating fabrication of large-scale sculptures, organizing exhibitions, managing the studio archive, and maintaining relationships with collectors, curators, and institutions worldwide.
Her role extends beyond traditional studio management to include curatorial decisions, strategic planning, and community building within New York’s contemporary art ecosystem.
As studio director, Reginato navigates the complex intersection of art production, business administration, and community engagement. She oversees fabrication processes with specialized metal shops, coordinates shipping and installation of large-scale works, manages documentation and archival materials, and cultivates relationships with galleries and museums.
She works closely with institutions such as the Art Students League of New York, where Peter Reginato teaches and mentors emerging artists, coordinating logistics for studio visits, lectures, and educational programs.
Art, Fashion, and Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration
A defining aspect of Reginato’s work involves facilitating collaborations between visual artists and designers. She frequently partners with her husband, Peter Reginato, on projects such as the “Reginato X DZZone NYC” launch, which featured limited-edition handbags derived from his artworks. These initiatives exemplify her emphasis on wearable art and expanding public access to contemporary art through fashion.
Cultural Programming and Community Building
Since 2016, Daniela Reginato has co-hosted the Reginato Soho Gallery Holiday Gala, an annual gathering that has become one of downtown Manhattan’s most respected cultural traditions.
Her organizational skills and hospitality transform the working studio into an intimate salon where artists, writers, collectors, educators, and neighbors gather in celebration of creativity and community. The event’s sustained success reflects Reginato’s ability to create inclusive spaces that honor both artistic excellence and human connection, bridging professional networks with neighborhood engagement.
Philanthropy and Social Impact
Philanthropy is a core, integrated component of Reginato’s professional practice:
Yoy Dally NGO: She founded and funded this organization to raise awareness and address critical issues facing Romani children in Eastern Europe, including bullying, low graduation rates, and educational underachievement. The organization represents a sustained commitment to advocacy for marginalized communities.
Community Partnerships: Through her ventures, she has organized collaborations and benefit events for organizations including the Wounded Warrior Project, ACE New York, Orphans International Worldwide, and The James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation. Her philanthropic model leverages cultural convening power, embedding charitable giving within aesthetically rich, intellectually engaging experiences.
Public Profile and Legacy
Daniela Reginato and her initiatives have been featured in lifestyle, arts, and society publications documenting New York City’s creative landscape. Her contribution lies in developing an integrated model of cultural stewardship that prioritizes mission-aligned collaboration, connecting creative practitioners with community benefit while maintaining high aesthetic standards.
She is recognized as a key connector within the independent arts and fashion sectors, where aesthetic practice, social engagement, and philanthropic intent function as mutually reinforcing elements rather than separate pursuits.
Her partnership with Peter Reginato exemplifies the collaborative nature of contemporary art production, where successful artists often rely on skilled administrators who share their vision and values. Her dual role as studio director and cultural entrepreneur demonstrates how behind-the-scenes work in art administration enables creative practice while building sustainable communities around artistic production.