An exclusive interview with New York-based model and fashion designer Aleksa Dubrovskaya on creativity, fashion, personal style, career transition, and her vision for the future.
With 17 years of experience in the fashion industry, Aleksa Dubrovskaya has built her career through modeling, runway shows, castings, fashion events, and countless experiences behind the scenes. Originally from Moscow and now based in New York, Dubrovskaya has experienced the fashion industry from multiple perspectives.
After years of presenting the creative visions of other designers, she is now developing her own voice through fashion design. Her transition from model to designer represents a natural evolution—one driven by creativity, experience, and a desire to tell her own story through clothing.
In this interview, Dubrovskaya discusses what inspired her transition into fashion design, how modeling continues to influence her creative work, her personal design aesthetic, sources of inspiration, upcoming projects, and her advice for the next generation of fashion professionals.
Interview with Aleksa Dubrovskaya
Q: What inspired you to transition from modeling to fashion designing?
Aleksa Dubrovskaya: Modeling has been a huge part of my life for many years. After spending so much time on runways, backstage, at castings, and around designers, I began to feel that I had my own ideas that I wanted to bring to life.
I wanted to move from simply wearing and presenting fashion to becoming part of the creative process behind it. Designing became a natural next step for me—a way to express my creativity and tell my own story through fashion.
Q: How has your modeling experience influenced your work as a designer?
Aleksa Dubrovskaya: My modeling experience influences almost everything I do as a designer. I understand how clothing moves on the body, how it looks under runway lighting, how models feel when they wear it, and what makes a piece photograph beautifully.
I also understand the practical side of fashion, including fittings, castings, shows, backstage preparation, and the pressure of presenting a collection.
That experience helps me design not only for the clothes themselves, but for the person wearing them. I think understanding the relationship between the garment and the person is extremely important.
Q: What was the biggest challenge you faced during your transition from modeling to design?
Aleksa Dubrovskaya: The biggest challenge was learning to trust myself in a completely different role.
As a model, you are often interpreting someone else’s vision. As a designer, you have to create the vision yourself and make many decisions—from the concept and materials to the final presentation.
It was challenging, but also incredibly exciting because I realized how much I had to say creatively. I had to learn to trust my instincts and understand that my perspective was valuable.
Q: How would you describe your personal design style?
Aleksa Dubrovskaya: I would describe my style as feminine, elegant, confident, and expressive.
I love pieces that make a woman feel beautiful and powerful while still allowing her to feel like herself. I also enjoy combining classic fashion with something unexpected, whether that comes through the silhouette, details, texture, or styling.
For me, fashion should enhance someone’s individuality rather than take it away.
Q: What inspires you when creating new fashion designs?
Aleksa Dubrovskaya: I find inspiration everywhere—in people, travel, architecture, art, music, and especially in the women I meet.
My years in fashion have also given me a huge visual library of experiences. Sometimes an idea comes from a fabric, a color, a particular silhouette, or simply the way someone carries herself.
I like to let inspiration develop naturally rather than forcing it. Sometimes the most interesting ideas appear when you are simply observing the world around you.
Q: What has been your most memorable achievement as a fashion designer so far?
Aleksa Dubrovskaya: One of my most memorable achievements has been seeing my own designs come to life on the runway and being able to experience the entire process from the creative idea to the final show.
After so many years of walking for other designers, standing behind my own work and seeing models present something I created is a very special feeling.
It represents an important new chapter in my fashion journey. It is completely different from being the person wearing someone else’s design, because now I get to see my own ideas become reality.
Q: Are there any upcoming fashion projects or collections you are currently working on?
Aleksa Dubrovskaya: Yes. I am continuing to develop new designs and work on upcoming fashion projects and shows.
I am especially interested in creating pieces that combine strong visual impact with femininity and individuality. I am taking my time to develop my ideas because I want each project to feel authentic to me rather than simply following trends.
I believe that creating a strong identity takes time, and I want every collection or project to have a meaningful connection to my vision.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring models and fashion designers?
Aleksa Dubrovskaya: Be patient, work hard, and don’t let rejection define you.
Fashion can be beautiful, but it can also be unpredictable, so you need confidence and resilience. Learn as much as you can from every experience, treat people with respect, and always continue developing yourself.
Most importantly, don’t lose your individuality while trying to fit into someone else’s idea of what you should be.
Your individuality can ultimately become one of your greatest strengths.
Q: Where do you see yourself and your fashion brand in the next few years?
Aleksa Dubrovskaya: I see myself continuing to grow as both a designer and a creative person, with my own recognizable identity in fashion.
I would love to expand my collections, participate in major fashion events and shows, and build a brand that can reach people internationally.
I want my work to be recognized not only for beautiful clothing, but also for the feeling and confidence it gives to the people who wear it.
Q: What message would you like readers to take away from your journey?
Aleksa Dubrovskaya: I want people to understand that your journey doesn’t have to follow one straight path.
I spent many years as a model, and now I am discovering another side of myself through design. Every experience, every challenge, and every chapter can prepare you for something new.
My message is simple: believe in yourself, keep creating, and don’t be afraid to reinvent yourself when your heart tells you it is time for the next chapter.
A New Chapter in Fashion
Aleksa Dubrovskaya’s journey reflects the evolving nature of a career in fashion. Her experience as a model has provided her with an understanding of the runway and the person inside the garment, while her move into fashion design has given her an opportunity to develop her own creative language.
As she continues working on new collections and fashion projects, Dubrovskaya is focused on creating designs that combine femininity, elegance, confidence, and individuality.
Her story is ultimately about more than moving from modeling to design. It is about having the courage to evolve, trust a creative instinct, and turn years of experience into something uniquely personal.
For Aleksa Dubrovskaya, the next chapter of her fashion journey is only beginning.
