STYLE WALKING

http://stylewalking.blogspot.com/2012/03/aleksandra-kokotovic-interview-style.html

INTERVIEW : NIKOLAY MITOV

EDITOR : LAZAROS PILARINOS

Aleksandra Kokotovic has dedicated a big part of her life into the Fashion Industry and the Art. She is the proof that a woman can be a great wife , loving mum and very successful businesswoman in the same time. Aleksandra has won a lot very prestigious awards in beauty contests , as Miss Yugoslavia , Miss Beauty Queen World and many more, she has worked for some of the biggest fashion brands and designers as Calvin Klein, Armani, Tommy Hilfiger, Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren etc.
Even her big success in everything she is doing , Aleksandra is really down to Earth and a person with Great and positive Charisma

* Where are you originally from? I am from Sarajevo, Bosnia.

*How long you have been into fashion and how did you started?

Like I wrote on my blog, I am in fashion and art all my life.
For past 20 years I am in modeling and fashion. My first fashion show was when I was 14 years old. I danced in the best dancing group in Bosnia at that time called Euroritam. During one performance the lady who owned modeling agency saw me and asked me to try modeling. I refused. Later, she have contacted the dance studio and asked for me several times. She told me: "Do one fashion show and see how you like it." So, I did it

*What is style for you and do you believe that you have to be dressed "expensive" to be stylish?

Style is something what we carry always with us, the way we behave, the way we talk, walk, look at the world and things which surround us, the way we want to express our inner-self and our elegance by dressing. I can tell a girl's character by looking at the handbag she chose or the men's by seeing his shoes and style of dressing. I will quote John Fairchild: ""Style" is an expression of individualism mixed with charisma. Fashion is something that comes after style."
Each person should know what makes them feel good, powerful and comfortable. After that, the choice of clothes comes from the heart. But, it doesn't necessarily have to be expensive. The best and lately popular is high-law dressing. Mixing up designers with high street brands. I kind of like that. Only great minds can afford a simple style.

*You have won some very prestigious beauty contests! Can you Tell us about that!

I was Miss Yugoslavia 2001 and went to Tokyo to Miss International, one of the biggest beauty pageants in last 60 years. It was fun. Later, I won Miss Beauty Queen World representing Bosnia and Herzegovina, the pageant also around 50 years old. I have several more titles, such as 2nd runner up on Top Model of the World 2002 in Turkey, 2nd runner up at Model of The Future in Sofia, Bulgaria.

* You are running your own Modeling Agency «IEVE Models» ! When din you started and where it`s based?

IEVE MODELS in born on Valentine's Day in 2003 in London and it is based there ever since. We had an outpost in Sarajevo and were best modelling agency in Bosnia and Herzegovina for several years. Our models there were getting the best jobs.

*Many Supermodels make their clothing brands, perfume lines etc. Are you interested of doing something like this?

I wanted to make my own clothing line for so many years and I kind of started working on that a few times, but never actually did it. Also, I had an idea to make exclusive handbags and shoes collection.

*You have travelled and lived all over the World , do you have a favorite place that feels like home?

Well, I feel at home when I'm with my family in Florida. It really feels like home and whenever I go there I feel like a teenager or a young girl who lives with her parents and not thinking much about obligations, go party a lot, go to beaches, having barbecue with parents and friends. Since I'm married and mum, I live with my husband and daughter, but we moved several times, so I don't have that right feeling of affiliation. Although, I adore Italy and Italian culture and style, I LOVE Paris and the city architecture, museums, streets, shops,... I love New York City, London, Beirut,... I love cities and places which have an old charisma with a modern touch.

*Tell Us about the brands you have worked for!

I have worked for Elie Saab, Calvin Klein, Armani, Tommy Hilfiger, Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren, Ertan Kayitken, Escada, St John's, Lolita Lempicka, Herve Leger and many others.

*Can you give an advice for the young people that want to get involved in The Fashion World?

My advice to every young person, despite which profession they choose is to LIVE THEIR LIVES! If they work in fashion industry they have to be creative and passionate about it. This business is beautiful and gives lots of opportunities. To be surrounded by beauty and creativity is a great energy.

You’ve got to have a good spirit on the inside. That’s what’s really going to make you look like you’re ready to rock the world!