INTERVIEW: ALESSIO FILIPPELLI FOR CHIC DUBAI
Shot in the desert. Dressed in Designz by Minaaz.
- Alessio, from international red carpets to the runways of Dubai — how does it feel to now grace the cover of Chic Dubai in such a striking desert editorial?
It feels surreal, in the best possible way. There’s something incredibly symbolic about standing in the middle of the desert — stripped of noise, distractions, and excess — yet draped in a design that speaks of legacy, strength, and culture. Chic Dubai has been a magazine I deeply respect for its ability to blend fashion with identity and storytelling, and to now be on the cover, wearing a designer like Minaaz, in a place that’s all about vision and transformation, is something I will always hold close.
2. You’ve attended major fashion events around the world, but this was your first time walking at Dubai Fashion Week. What was that moment like for you?
It was powerful. There’s an energy in Dubai that’s very distinct — it’s bold, unapologetic, and forward-thinking. Walking at Dubai Fashion Week wasn’t just another runway — it felt like a new chapter. You’re stepping into a city that’s redefining the future of luxury and creativity. To debut as a model there, in that exact environment, was both grounding and elevating at the same time.
3. The partnership with Designz by Minaaz felt like a natural fit on the runway — how did that collaboration come about?
It started through mutual admiration, honestly. I had been following her work for a while and always felt something unique in her creations — this fusion of heritage and future. And when the opportunity came to walk her show, there wasn’t a second of hesitation. What made it even more special was how organically we aligned — she creates with intention, and I live for purpose-driven artistry. We didn’t just collaborate; we connected.
4. What was your first impression when you saw the piece Minaaz selected for you? Did you immediately feel it represented your energy?
I’ll never forget that moment — I only saw the piece three hours before the show. Minaaz had designed it exclusively for me, and I didn’t even know I was meant to be the showstopper until after I landed in Dubai. Every hand on her tailoring team had worked nonstop to bring it to life — a regal masterpiece encrusted with crystals, inspired by the attire of the Royal Family.
Wearing that piece wasn’t just about style — it was about stepping into something sacred. It mirrored power, tradition, and vision. For my first ever fashion week as a model, to be given that honor… it meant everything. It made me want to give nothing less than my best.
5. There’s an elegance and power to the silhouettes you wore — how would you describe the feeling of walking in her designs, and how did they elevate your presence?
When I commit to something, I go all in. I don’t just show up — I show up and show off. I had been prepping for weeks before this — strict diet, daily training, and even working with a model coach to perfect my walk, my posture, my timing. I treated this like it was the only show I’d ever walk.
So when I put on Minaaz’s design, I didn’t just feel dressed — I felt transformed. Her pieces don’t just enhance your presence — they challenge you to rise to the occasion. I walked out on that runway not as “Alessio the personality,” but as someone completely new, shaped by craft, discipline, and purpose.
6. You’ve often spoken about storytelling through fashion. What story were you telling wearing Designz by Minaaz in the Dubai desert shoot?
For me, it was about honoring strength — not just mine, but hers. Minaaz is a Palestinian designer. But more than that, she’s a fiercely talented, independent woman creating art that crosses borders and identities.
In wearing her work, I wanted to support and amplify that story. A story of resilience, of voice, of artistry that refuses to conform.
Standing in the desert wearing that design, I wasn’t just modeling fabric — I was honoring a woman, a culture, and a belief that fashion can still mean something deeper.
7. Beyond fashion, you’ve been featured in multiple international magazines recently — from Italy to the Middle East to the world. What does it mean for you to now be seen as a global creative figure?
It means everything — but not because of ego. I’ve never done any of this for applause. What moves me is the message I get to deliver through every shoot, every story, every frame.
If even one person sees my journey and feels more free, more accepted, more encouraged to embrace their own identity — then I’ve done my job. I believe everything we put out into the world should carry meaning. My presence in the fashion world is just a tool. The purpose is always deeper: liberation, self-expression, and showing people that there’s space for all of us.
8. How would you define your personal style today, and how do you see it evolving after this experience in Dubai?
My style has always been emotional. I dress based on how I feel, or sometimes how I want to feel. There’s a mix of modern elegance, a little bit of rebellion, and a lot of intentionality.
After Dubai? I think I’ve tapped more into boldness. There’s a new desire in me to take risks — with silhouettes, textures, even cultural references. I’m no longer afraid of going too far — because sometimes, going “too far” is exactly where magic lives.
9. Between modeling, fashion, and your growing international influence — where does this Dubai Fashion Week moment sit in your journey so far?
It’s a landmark moment. Not because it was my first runway — but because it symbolized something bigger. It was my entry into a world that’s always fascinated me, but on my own terms.
I wasn’t there just to look good in clothes. I was there to make a statement. To show that men in fashion can be fluid, emotional, powerful. That you can carry both softness and strength. This moment will forever mark the shift from being “invited into fashion” to fully belonging in it.
10. Finally, what’s next for you — and can we expect to see more collaborations with Middle Eastern designers like Minaaz?
Absolutely. Minaaz and I are just getting started — there’s such a powerful creative synergy between us, and I’m excited to explore what more we can build together.
As for what’s next… let’s just say: stay tuned. A big announcement is on its way — one that I’ve been pouring a lot of heart and vision into. It’s going to be something unexpected, but deeply me.
INTERVIEW MINAAZ: THE CREATIVE BEHIND DESIGNZ BY MINAAZ
- Minaaz, your latest collection was one of the highlights of Dubai Fashion Week. What was the inspiration behind the looks, particularly the ones Alessio wore?
The desert inspired this collection — not just its beauty, but its contrasts. It’s a place of silence and strength, softness and resilience. I wanted the pieces to reflect that same duality: flowing yet structured, delicate but powerful. Alessio’s look captured that balance perfectly — he didn’t just wear the design, he became part of the story it was telling.
- Alessio Filippelli is known for his elegance and quiet strength on the runway — why did you choose him to walk for your show?
Alessio has a timeless presence. There’s a humility in his walk, but it’s never timid — it’s poised, grounded, and magnetic. I knew I needed someone who could carry the emotional weight of the collection, and Alessio was that bridge between fashion and feeling.
- There’s something powerful about seeing a male model wear your designs with such grace and confidence. How do you approach gender and form when designing?
For me, design starts with emotion, not gender. I focus on what I want the piece to express — whether it’s movement, fluidity, or quiet confidence. My work often merges masculine structure with a sense of poetic softness. I design for the soul first, then let the garment speak through the body wearing it.
4.What does it mean for your brand to have someone like Alessio both walk your runway and represent your work in this cover story?
It’s incredibly meaningful. When someone like Alessio believes in your vision and chooses to represent it beyond the runway, it’s a deep affirmation. He didn’t just wear the design — he carried its story, and that’s rare. It elevates the brand and reinforces the emotional language I try to create through fashion.
- Designz by Minaaz is rooted in craftsmanship and cultural richness. How did that translate into the look Alessio wore in the desert?
That look was a tribute to heritage meeting modern expression. The fabric was sourced from the Middle East — breathable but structured — and the hand-finished details reflected the artisanal care we put into every piece. Against the backdrop of the desert, it felt like Alessio was wearing a story passed down through generations, yet completely current.
- You’ve dressed many notable names, but what made this particular collaboration special for you?
This wasn’t just about a fashion show — it was about connection. Alessio was involved from the beginning, understood the vision, and added his own grace to it. When a collaboration becomes a shared language, that’s when the magic happens. This one felt pure.
- The imagery from this shoot — Alessio standing in the vastness of the desert in your design — is incredibly poetic. What do you hope readers take from that visual?
I hope it reminds people that stillness can be powerful. That fashion isn’t just about embellishment — it can also be a reflection of inner strength, solitude, and clarity. The desert symbolizes both silence and depth. Seeing Alessio stand tall in that space felt like a metaphor for owning one’s journey with grace.
- How do you see Designz by Minaaz evolving next, especially with growing interest from international talents like Alessio?
The vision is expanding — geographically, creatively, and spiritually. I’m exploring more collaborations with international talent, but always staying true to the brand’s soul. The future includes more storytelling through clothing — merging modesty, couture, and cross-cultural design in ways that speak globally but feel deeply personal.
- The Middle East fashion scene is booming — what role do you think Dubai Fashion Week plays on the global stage, and how does your brand contribute to that conversation?
Dubai Fashion Week is becoming a powerhouse for innovation and identity. It’s where East meets West in a way that honors both. My brand contributes by amplifying cultural elegance, showing that modesty and luxury can coexist, and offering a narrative that’s both deeply rooted and globally resonant
- What’s next for Designz by Minaaz? What can we expect from the brand in the near future?
“Designz by Minaaz is stepping into an exciting new chapter. This September and October, I’ll be showcasing at Fashion Weeks in London, Paris, and Milan — sharing my vision on some of the most iconic global stages. Beyond that, I’m focused on expanding the brand’s presence internationally, deepening collaborations, and continuing to tell stories that blend culture, craftsmanship, and contemporary elegance.”
Credits:
Talent: Alessio Filippelli @ale_ssiofilippelli
Designer: Designz By Minaaz @designzbyminaaz
Photography: Jeremy Snider @jeremytho
Production: Chris Quraishi @chrisquraishi
Glam: Shahrzad Lozani @lozanibeauty
