What is required to transform a passion into a successful and truly multi-dimensional profession? For Alessandra Gilioli, the solution is found in fusing creativity, strategy, and bold ambition. A model and influencer with an academic background from Bocconi University, Alessandra has channeled her passion for fashion and self-expression into something remarkable. During the pandemic, she started exploring self-portraits, which ignited a rapidly expanding career on social media. However, Alessandra goes beyond mere aesthetics and represents a business force, leveraging her economics knowledge to thrive in partnerships, agreements, and brand strategy. From hosting a radio program to undertaking an audacious initiative that investigates horror-themed filmmaking for social media, with aspirations of collaborating with Netflix or Prime Video, she continually seeks new limits. Alessandra’s journey shows that success comes from daring to innovate, staying determined, and always seizing opportunities.

Alessandra, speaking of your beginnings, how did your passion for fashion come about, and what inspired you to pursue a career as a model?

Her love for fashion started at a young age, with the magic of fabrics, colors, and the ability of clothes to narrate a story or evoke emotions being the forces that ignited her passion. Ever since she was a kid, she was obsessed with how an outfit could speak without saying a word, but her passion for fashion climaxed during lockdown when it evolved into something greater. “With more time on my hands, I started experimenting with photography, creating self-portraits, and sharing my style on social media,” she shares. However, what began as a creative outlet quickly gained momentum, and as her posts gained traction, opportunities began to flood in, with new doors and collaborations opening and pathways leading to the fashion industry, making it “a natural yet eye-opening process, as I realized I could turn something I loved into a real career,” she reflects. “The connection I built with my audience became my driving force, inspiring me to push forward and believe in myself,” and from that point, Alessandra’s journey in fashion was unstoppable.

You have an academic background in Economics from Bocconi University. Has this background influenced your journey in the world of fashion and social media in any way?

The educational experience of Alessandra Gilioli in Economics at Bocconi University has significantly influenced her path in fashion and social media. “Definitely,” she affirms. “My studies gave me a strategic perspective that has been fundamental in building my path in these industries,” as, through her studies, she gained abilities in fields like marketing, business management, and strategic planning, enabling her to view her work as both a means of artistic expression and a commercial endeavor. She explains that being a model or influencer involves more than simply posing for a camera. “It involves understanding how to present yourself, negotiate contracts, and keep your image authentic and relevant.” Her education also emphasized the value of diversifying her pursuits, pushing her to seek out new opportunities such as radio and various other creative endeavors.

In September 2023, you began hosting a radio program alongside Lorenzo Riccardi. Can you tell us about this experience and the challenges you faced in transitioning from fashion to radio?

Co-hosting a radio show with Lorenzo Riccardi has been an amazing experience as well as a major challenge. “Transitioning from fashion to radio means communicating without visuals, relying only on your voice, and that’s a big shift,” she clarifies. “In radio, every word matters, every tone conveys a message, and I had to work hard on expressing myself effectively and engagingly.” For Alessandra, it was an opportunity to leave her comfort zone and explore a different aspect of herself. “Working with Lorenzo has been fun and inspiring because our personalities complement each other,” she expresses. This experience similarly imparted to her the importance of listening and establishing a genuine conversation with the audience, “something I consider highly valuable,” she remarks.

Being an influencer gives you the ability to have a strong impact on people. How do you choose the brands and messages you want to promote through your social channels?

Alessandra Gilioli’s strong authenticity and common values are essential when choosing the brands and messages she endorses on her social media platforms. “It’s important for me to collaborate only with businesses that align with my lifestyle and provide products or services I genuinely support,” she states. Prior to entering into a partnership, Alessandra dedicates time to investigating the brand, its principles, and the possible influence it could exert on her audience. “I aim for every piece of content I release to be authentic and to uplift individuals positively,” she expresses. In addition to this, she aims to convey messages that encourage self-assurance, creativity, and the value of being genuine. “As influencers, we carry a considerable responsibility, and I aim to utilize my platform to foster a community grounded in genuine values,” Alessandra states.

Throughout your career, you have collaborated with numerous fashion brands and participated in important events. What has been the collaboration or experience that left you with the most memorable impression, and why?

One of her most standout moments in her career was the Cannes Film Festival, which “really felt like a dream, not only due to the event’s prestige but also because of the rare chance to view it from two angles: as a model and as a member of the behind-the-scenes team,” she remembers. “Standing on the red carpet, encircled by some of the most significant figures in the realms of art and film, was thrilling and made me feel included in something exceptionally unique,” while her work behind the scenes enabled her to recognize the commitment and hard work required to organize an event of this scale, making it “a moment that enriched my life both personally and professionally, and it’s something I will forever carry in my heart,” Alessandra states.

Looking ahead, what are your next professional goals, and how do you plan to continue evolving in the entertainment and fashion industries?

As she looks ahead, Alessandra Gilioli has numerous objectives that demonstrate her ambition to develop and seek out new creative opportunities. “Besides maintaining my role as a model and influencer, partnering with global brands that reflect my vision, I’m creating a fresh social media format centered on the realm of horror films, a topic I am deeply passionate about,” she reveals. This project enables her to explore another aspect of her creativity and engage with an audience that appreciates her passion for the horror genre. Alessandra expresses, “I aspire for this format to create opportunities for collaborations with prominent platforms such as Netflix or Prime Video, enabling me to contribute both behind the scenes and in front of the camera on film-related projects.” At the same time, she stays dedicated to inspiring her audience, demonstrating that pursuing their passions can result in remarkable accomplishments.

Alessandra’s path isn’t about following a conventional path but about creating her own. She has shifted from the fashion spotlight to the captivating world of horror films, boldly venturing into fresh creative territories. Her story isn’t solely about reaching a goal; it’s about embracing the unexpected and making courageous, pivotal decisions along the way. Regardless of her next destination, it’s evident that Alessandra will continue to grow, surprise her audience, and push boundaries in unexpected ways.