Models often act as our human connection to the idealism and artistic whims of the fashion world. They set the pace for trends and styles for the next season; what’s in, what’s new, what’s upcoming and what’s on the way out. Many times they become mediums for vicarious living in our desires to be happening and trendy too. Alanna Doherty, a native of the isle of Barbados is a rising star in the world of fashion. The 5’7 model can be identified by her golden curls, piercing eyes, fresh face and a confident yet subdued smile. Whether she’s jet setting from Milan to Paris to Shanghai, she effortlessly pulls off a retro chic, or contemporary casual look to efficiently match her mood. A keen sense of self, Alanna sets herself apart from her contemporaries by appreciating the industry she finds herself in, curating her own niche, and using her platform to reach out to her audience through her growing YouTube space or her Instagram presence. Her keen sense of self has allowed her to come up with her own personal mantra for living, resulting in us having to find out more from Alanna in our latest interview.
Carib Voxx: “Experiment, live boldly and ignore what anyone else says “ – where did you get the resolve to have such an uncompromising fashion philosophy?
Alanna D: Through many many years of trial and error! I started dressing up when I was about 15 and wore the most ridiculous outfits (of course, back then, I thought they were all incredible). And little by little, I started becoming more comfortable with my choices and began to settle into my own personal style. Which, I might add, isn’t just one style but however I’m feeling at the moment. When I started putting outfits on, I would go to a ton of thrift stores in NYC and buy a million things at really cheap prices. When you’re testing your style and figuring out what you like best, thrifting is the best way to do it without breaking the bank! Then when you’ve got more of an idea of what pieces you really want; you can invest in clothes that will be durable and versatile!
Carib Voxx: How do you make the subtle distinction between style and fashion?
Alanna D: Fashion is dictated by trends, which change each season. While style is something sustainable. Once you have style, it’s timeless. You can add pieces to your looks that are “in fashion” but how you wear them and what you add to them, make your style. Style is all about confidence and attitude.
Carib Voxx: What does it truly mean to “be fearlessly authentic “and name a Barbadian woman who you “modeled” your perspectives on beauty after?
Alanna D: Being fearlessly authentic means embracing and celebrating your flaws, while growing to be the best possible version of you. When I came across this mantra many years ago, I was battling with severe body dysmorphia and struggled with finding my own voice in the fashion industry. It wasn’t until I started to realise that I needed to create my own space for myself that I started to feel free and confident. Being fearlessly authentic is being whoever you want to be, and Gigi Farier is truly that! Gigi is the big sister that I never had! She was the person who cut my hair into a mohawk when I was 17 years old and we’ve been soul sisters since then. She showed me that living authentically was the best path for me. Without her, I wouldn’t be here today.
Carib Voxx: How do you think you can use your social media platform to empower young girls from Barbados and all over the caribbean?
Alanna D: When I started my blog and social media platforms, I wanted to create the space that I needed when I was younger. Almost ten years ago now, when I started modelling in Barbados, I saw countless magazines and websites that perpetuated one standard of beauty and it made me increasingly smaller and smaller not only in my body but also within my mind. I thought that there was no way that I could be a successful model or dancer with my natural body type, which caused me to be extremely sick. So when I moved to the states and started exploring my style, I realised that blogging was the perfect avenue to be whatever I wanted to be and live on my own terms. Ultimately, I want to inspire girls to make their own rules through style!
Carib Voxx: Do you think models/style figures are put on a pedestal by society and if so, how do you stay grounded?
Alanna D: While I’ve been fortunate enough to make a career out of my passion, I started this journey as a hobby and never imagined that I would be in this position now. I remember scrolling through Instagram back then and admiring the bloggers who were becoming successful. More than anything, though, I admired the impact that they had on their followers and how much inspiration they gave, so that was my drive. Giving my followers useful style, hair, beauty, interiors or food tips is far more important to me than being put on a pedestal. My drive to be as authentic as possible is what keeps me humble because I really just consider myself to be a normal person who works really hard to do what she loves for a living. But I would agree that models/bloggers/style figures who get to a certain level are seen as a type of celebrity.
Carib Voxx: How have you managed to balance your educational pursuits in New Jersey and London with your fashion career?
Alanna D: Both of my degrees, Journalism and Media Studies for undergrad and Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Management for my masters have been instrumental for my fashion career, so for me it was vital that I balance both. I’m a crazy planner but also someone who goes for what she wants, no matter how crazy it is. But normally, because of my planner gene I work out all of the pros and cons to my wild plans and once I know that they will be beneficial for me in the long run, I go for them no matter what. But that doesn’t mean that it wasn’t extremely challenging, it certainly was. I spent the entire calendar year of my masters working every single day from 7am until almost midnight. I barely slept, barely ate and ended up in the hospital in NYC last December on the same day that I landed for a job with MINI (arguably my biggest gig yet) – and got up to work the next day. But while I was able to balance my fashion work and school well, my personal life and wellness suffered greatly. The hospital visit woke me up though. Since then, my partner and I have made a serious effort to take time to work and to rest.
Carib Voxx: Leaving the idyllic ideals of island life in Barbados, to live in the rigid, urban structure of New Jersey must have been a huge transition. When you first left Barbados what did you miss the most?
Alanna D:To be honest, before I moved, I didn’t see it that way. It wasn’t idyllic for me because what I was yearning so much for wasn’t there. Of course, I missed my family and friends but that was about it at that time. I was born in New Jersey and had been back for long periods before so the transition was not huge for me – mainly because my parents told me from a really young age that I would be going back for school, so I was always prepared for it. Obviously now, being older and away for so long, the island girl in me is so present and so eager to be on the beach in Barbados underneath the palm trees.
Carib Voxx: People might be surprised to know that one of your absolute favorite things in life is something cunningly simple, tea! What is your favorite flavor of tea?
Alanna D: I LOVE earl grey tea with TONS of oat milk 🙂
Carib Voxx: Tea contains catechins which release harmful chemicals called “free radicals“ which could cause your skin to age. Would you say that your love for tea might have contributed to your unique glow as a model?
Alanna D: Ah! I’ve actually never thought about that! I’d like to say that it’s my general state of trying to put good vibes into the world that does it!
Carib Voxx: Lastly, it would be remiss not to ask a Bajan girl, what is your favorite beach in Barbados?
Alanna D: Haha very good question! My favourite beaches are on the east coast. I’m obsessed with Bathsheba. My dad and I now have a tradition where we go on a little road trip around the island and end up in Bathsheba on the Sunday before I leave.
In a time of great uncertainty, it is refreshing to know that future movers and shakers still exist and are still cognizant of the space they occupy and the role they each play. We look forward to seeing more of Alanna and her label contemporaries at Omega Model Management as we look to them to carve out a new frontier for the fashion industry. To see Alanna’s looks, follow her on Instagram at @alannanicolex, her YouTube channel, Alanna Nicole X and to see all the happenings of the Omega Models, visit them through their website http://omegamodelmgmt.com/
