Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Dean.
Hi Alicia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started my fashion design journey with dish towels, rubber bands and dolls.
When I was a little girl, I loved making clothes for my dolls with whatever materials I could find around the house.
My lovely mother was exceedingly patient as her cleaning supplies dwindled or curtains were “mysteriously” a few inches shorter.
I designed and made clothes and accessories as a hobby. I never dreamed of pursuing fashion as a career or starting a business.
I grew up to become a Broadcast Journalist. I enjoyed a long and wonderful career shaping newscasts at some of the top television stations in the country, as a Producer, Military Reporter, Executive Producer, Managing Editor, and Assistant News Director.
In fact it was journalism that rekindled my passion for fashion design.
I was selected as a U.S. Department of State Professional Journalism Fellow. The experience led me to Pakistan where I fell in love with the rich diversity of regional textiles showcasing legacy artisan embroidery, weaving, tie-dye, and block printing techniques.
I returned home with suitcases and boxes full of textiles and laces. Started making clothing for my personal wardrobe and local Bollywood Dance performance teams that was I was a member of.
As more and more people asked where I bought my clothes or who designed the costumes I’d made, the idea for my fashion brand Eesa Rani Style started to take shape.
Eesa Rani Style, is a bespoke apparel and accessory brand specializing in upcycling reclaimed global textiles and uplifting art of dressing beyond boundaries. Every Eesa Rani item is handmade from vintage fabrics, remnants, and/or other recycled materials personally sourced from centuries old bazaars, tiny shops, and magical markets, in South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and beyond. The result is an eclectic mix of one of a kind pieces that are part vintage, part contemporary, and 100% cool. My mission for Eesa Rani is to make the world a little brighter one unique creation at a time. My motto: Life is short. Bring the sparkle.
I launched the brand in 2016. After years of quietly designing for myself, family and friends, I decided to apply for Austin Fashion Week (AFW) in 2023.
I was thrilled to present my first capsule collection in the AFW Spring 23 show.
Since then I’ve been honored to present at shows and markets in Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’m enjoying every moment of this journey, but it certainly hasn’t been easy. Building a fashion brand while working a full-time job means lots of sleepless nights and missed moments with family and friends. When everyone else is planning trips or weekend adventures, I’m in my sewing room preparing for upcoming runway shows or packing my car for a long day at a vendor market.
Another interesting challenge for me is that I don’t draw well–weird for a fashion designer! So rather than sketch a design idea, I make it from memory, mocking up on a dress form first, then creating the pattern, and sewing a finished piece. It is a very personal creative process, which is wonderful! But it’s hard to hand off to others to help with production. That means it takes me a lot longer to build inventory, so I have to be really selective about which runway shows and markets I participate in to ensure I have enough time to create high quality pieces.
Finally, like many, figuring out the social media sweet-spot for awareness is always a mystery. I’m really impressed by other bespoke designers who have mastered the balance between creating and building a robust social and online presence and keeping up with their design work and managing a business. It’s something I aspire to achieve.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My “day job” is Strategic Communications Manager for the City of Austin, Texas.
I design equity-centered communication strategies for some of Austin’s most high-profile policy and programming initiatives, including Emergency Preparedness and Resilience, Reimagining Public Safety, Special Events Management, and Anti-Hate Education.
My creative approach to implementing multi-platform engagement campaigns has been recognized by the Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, The Center for Digital Government, What Works Cities, and the City-County Communications and Marketing Association. One of the things I am most proud of is creating the City of Austin’s groundbreaking ATX+PAK Entrepreneurship Program. The first-of-its-kind partnership with the US State Department focused on curating immersive collaborative experiences for entrepreneurs, creatives, educators, and investors in Texas and Pakistan as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth in emerging innovation ecosystems. The framework I designed became a blueprint for similar initiatives launched in Detroit, Michigan and Cairo, Egypt. My work with the ATX+PAK program has been recognized by the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, American Institute of Pakistan Studies, US-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce, and Global TIES, US. As mentioned earlier, I’m a former award-winning Broadcast Journalist and US State Department Professional Fellow. As a military correspondent for NBC local news, I reported from the field covering assignments in Afghanistan, Bahrain, and Germany. As a newsroom leader I influenced daily local news and major event coverage as a Producer, Managing Editor, Executive Producer, and Assistant News Director in medium and large television markets, including Detroit, San Diego, Cincinnati, Hartford and Austin.
I’m known for taking big ideas from concept to reality! I believe my irreverent style and ability to make most people feel appreciated and welcomed it what sets me apart.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I’ve found that finding opportunities to volunteer in places and spaces that align with what you are passionate about is a great way to meet mentors or folks who can be a creative inspiration.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Eesarani.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eesarani
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/171rKm2dBT/
Image Credits
Aarti Photography
ShotsXNathalie
Jamie House
