EVERY DALB WOMAN HAS A UNIQUE STORY TO TELL
SUCCESS, CHALLENGES AND STYLE FROM REMARKABLE WOMEN
Alina Aliman is a long-time icon of the Romanian fashion journalism. Editor in chief of the A List Magazine print issue and founder of the DreamingOF blog, she is a constant source of inspiration, be it for her in depth materials on designers & brands or her very nicely curated Instagram page (@alinaaliman). We have stepped into her stylish universe and tried to find out as much as possible about her take on fashion, style & lifestyle.
''Fashion journalism has to adapt. Every second, every day. If not, it would die.''
ON HER FAVOURITE PART OF HER JOB, AFTER HAVING WORKED IN FASHION JOURNALISM FOR A LONG TIME
Forever - discovering new people & new stories to tell. It is very interesting to see that, behind all the nice clothes or jewellery (books or paintings, you name it), there are some cool people and their personal stories. And I love my job, for certain, because I discover new things every day and I could learn new things every second. Especially now, when journalism has evolved so much, from printed stories to digital ones, from classical interviews to YouTube or podcasts.
ON HER THREE TOP PICKS OF TOPICS TO WRITE ABOUT
I would love to write about… a day in a couture atelier (Dior or Chanel if possible), a feature analysing the phenomena of the Instagram-made fashion influencers and an interview with a Formula 1 driver.
ON HER VIEW ON THE FUTURE OF FASHION JOURNALISM
It has to adapt. Every second, every day. If not, it would die. Of course, now you cannot talk about trends so much, because everyone has Instagram and TikTok, where you can see all the runways live, instantly. To be relevant in the industry a good journalist (fashion or not) should look ahead, to predict the direction of the industry, to analyse, to tell stories about people, not about objects, to go deeper into the subject.
''The Romanian fashion design can compete with international brands in terms of creativity, of ideas.''
ON THE MOST INSPIRING WOMAN SHE EVER MET
Tough question. A very tough one, indeed. You know, I think that every person I met in my journalistic journey was inspiring: from the young designers or painters making their own path in the artistic world to celebrities. I loved to talk to Queen Ana & Princess Margareta (interview published in a magazine more than 15 years ago), to meet the designer Reem Acra, to discover Alice Shirley, the artist behind the Hermès scarf drawings, to meet Susie Wolff (the pilot racer) or to e-meet Cate Blanchett. I work with Andreea Esca, whom I respect so much and I am privileged to know all these amazing Romanian women designers (Ioana Ciolacu, Andreea Bădală, Venera Arapu and many many others) and I will always have my mother in my mind as a role model. And I am pretty sure that I forgot about many more beautiful encounters I had in my life…
ON WHAT SHE SEES AS THE ULTIMATE MARK OF FEMININITY:
ATTITUDE
ON THE BEST FASHION MOMENT IN HISTORY
For me (but I am subjective, you know) it is that moment when jeans were invented. I love denim and I would wear it anywhere, any time. And, as history proved, it is a timeless item.
ON ROMANIAN FASHION DESIGN AND ITS READINESS TO COMPETE WITH INTERNATIONAL BRANDS
Yes, I think it can compete with international brands in terms of creativity, of ideas. Sadly, only few brands can (and will) compete with international ones in terms of sales and promotion, in terms of a coherent and well-thought marketing strategy. In our times, it is not enough to be creative and to draw some beautiful clothes. You need to promote them and to sell them, to grow a brand and to make it work.
ON THE GO-TO OUTFIT FOR A BUSY DAY IN TOWN
A pair of jeans (classic or skinny) a white shirt (or a cotton T-shirt in the summer), a pair of sneakers (I love them, I have a lot of pairs), a shopper bag (I have to fit the laptop in there, as well), a navy blazer or a camel coat and some sunglasses.
ON THE FIVE THINGS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD OWN
It depends on the woman´s activity. If we are talking about a business woman, probably a crisp white shirt, a very nice pants suit, some cashmere sweaters, chic but comfortable shoes and a perfect trench. As for a more casual look, a pair of perfect jeans (I know I have an obsession), nice white T-shirts, some cool sneakers, a well-cut shirt and a classic leather jacket.
ON THREE INSTAGRAM PAGES SHE FOLLOWS CONSTANTLY
@wmag, @f1, @bof.
An interview by CIRCLE & SQUARE Agency for DALB
- 2023-
ALINA's PICKS