Beyond the hype // Alana Ruas

Alana Ruas is a 30 year old Fashion Designer and Blogger from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Visit her blog at www.alanaruas.com/blog.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and where you live.

My name is Alana Oliveira Ruas, I'm 25 years old. I have been living in Rio de Janeiro for about 10 years now. I just graduated as a fashion designer and I work as freelancer doing styling and photo retouching.

What are your passions?

I love to read about social behavior, anthropology and history of cultures. I also love to do embroidery, fashion illustrations, photography and spend my free time with my family.

How did you first become interested in fashion and why is it important?

I think I had connection with fashion since I was very young.

My mother had me walk children fashion shows and I think my interest in fashion came form this. The freedom I had to dress the way I wanted as a child helped me a lot.

I loved dressing up in a different way and always got to go out the way I wanted. I never cared much about what people said. At one point I even started to like the people staring at me, for my style.

How do you describe the fashion scene in Rio de Janeiro compared to other major cities or fashion capitals?

I think fashion in RJ is colorful and casual. Here in Rio in the day people like to wear sport shoes, sandals, flip flops and comfortable clothes. At night they still dress casual, but the majority of the girls will go for more tight clothes, hot pants, tight dresses, something sexy. Some girls prefer rocker style, others prefer the princess/girlie style, and the hippie style is very popular. Boys style are more basic, some have casual surfing, sport and hippie style.

What do you love about living in Rio de Janeiro?

I love the diversity that we have here. On every corner you will see different and eccentric people. It is a city that has it all: beach, sea, even waterfalls and mountains, and each neighborhood has a different lifestyle. The nightlife is also very diverse with various styles of music. It is a city that never stops, and I love living in an urban jungle town.

Tell us your top 3 places to visit in Brazil:

The beautiful desolate beaches and peacefulness in Bahia, the more traditional historical cities in Minas Gerais and of course the Amazon rainforest.

Describe your personal style and its influences or inspirations.

My style is very experimental. I like to mix references, and I dress in a different way every day; sometimes rocker, chic, bohemian, but I'd say my mood is my main influence when getting dressed.

What are your favorite designers and places to shop?

I love Vivienne Westwood, Dolce & Gabbana and Brazilian designer Ronaldo Fraga. I love to buy clothes at second hands stores.

The first thing you look at in another person's outfit is:

If the person is wearing clothes with personality. If this person wears a look that makes her feel incredibly good, this will actually make her look stunning as well. This is one of the first things I usually look at, confidence in your own looks.

What do you skimp on?

I always skimp on socks.

What do you splurge on?

I love to spend money in a good restaurant.

A fashion rule you always break:

I love to mix prints, mix navy with black. I’m petite and I love to wear high-waisted pieces.

A fashion rule you never break:

I don’t know, I think I break all the rules LOL.

What do you think is the most recent notable trend to appear/reappear, and what are your thoughts on it?

I think the rocker style and the badboy/girl look will always appear/reappear, it is a timeless look.

What is the most underrated item in menswear and womenswear?

For men I think great shoes are very important, for the female wardrobe I think shape wear is great to use with dresses.

Your favorite color of the moment is:

White, coral and radiant orchid.

What is your next "must have" purchase?

White clothes and shoes. I usually love to wear black, but I think white is my must have for this summer.

What is the ultimate showpiece in your closet?

A gorgeous crochet top with embroidered beads I bought at a second hand store.

Are there any fashion icons or famous people whose style you admire?

I love the style of Kate Moss and Angelina Jolie.

What's on your iPod at the moment?

Antique, Mobb Deep, Dj Premier, Deftones, David Bowie, Os Mutantes, Gilberto Gil and Novo Baianos.

What can't you live without?

My sun protector base.

Next place you want to travel to:

Africa to see the wildlife and beautiful nature they have and to discover new cultures.

What is your personal favorite outfit on Lookbook by you, and by another member?

By me: this one. I love the creativity from André.

In the year 2018, you will be:

A stylist.

What would you say to someone seeking general fashion advice?

Always be yourself, dress to make yourself feel good and beautiful.

Our last interviewee Tim Melideo wants to know: What is the best/funniest/weirdest comment you’ve received on your blog or Lookbook?

In portuguese “loca” means crazy person, it sounds a bit like “look” and one day somebody commented on Lookbook, “This is the loca of the day?"

What should we ask the next interviewee?

What do you think when you look in the mirror?