“You don’t have to choose between being powerful and being feminine” – interview with the Romanian designer behind Dualitae brand

It was love of first sight. And, as in life, I didn’t know which detailed made me daydreaming in the first place. 🙂 Maybe there were the clean cuts, masculine tailoring combined with feminine details, maybe the cool details mattered. Or maybe it was the charm and the passion that Alina Lazariu talked to me about her brand, Dualitae. I saw the 2024 collection this summer, at Feeric Fashion Week, I re-discovered it in some Instagram posts when I was looking something… “very me”, and, because nothing is random in life, I met Alina Lazariu again, in December. And that was meant to be: in a beautiful day of early winter I tried all my favorite pieces and I talked to the Romanian designer of Dualitae brand about fashion, challenges, about clothes that can make you more confident and a passion of a lifetime. 

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You can find Dualitae on the website – dualitae.com, FB & Instagram @dualitae.official, and in concept stores like Monom The Concept Store in Cluj-Napoca, MoodArt Gallery in Verona, Italy (the concept store of The Fashion School based in Verona) and our pop-up fashion corner at Boiler @ The Muse in Bucharest.

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“Woman in power” seems to be the story of the Dualitae brand. Am I wrong? What is the main message of your collections?

You’re absolutely right! Dualitae brand celebrates the multifaceted nature of women: strength and softness, ambition and vulnerability, tradition and innovation. The message of our collections is to empower women to embrace their duality and express their individuality. I want my collections to send a clear message: you don’t have to choose between being powerful and being feminine. You can have it all and express it unapologetically.

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What is the story of the brand? Why Dualitae? How did you start?

The story is very personal. Dualitae was born from my own duality – a professional in finance by day and a dreamer with a deep love for fashion by heart. The name reflects the complex, layered personalities of modern women, breaking archetypes and expectations. It started with the desire to create pieces that could merge minimalist sophistication with bold statements, inspired by the women I see around me every day.

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What is the biggest challenge for a designer (a fashion business owner) nowadays? What was the happiest moment for you & your brand?

The biggest challenge is balancing creativity with sustainability and business strategy in such a fast-moving, competitive world. However, seeing Dualitae come to life at events like Feeric Fashion Week or entering concept stores like Monom in Cluj-Napoca or MoodArt Gallery in Verona, Italy has brought immense joy and a sense of accomplishment.

What was your first love story with fashion? Do you remember a piece that impressed you, a fashion icon that you wanted to copy, or an outfit that you still have in your closet?

I fell in love with fashion through my mother’s wardrobe. She had this incredible black leather jacket that I absolutely adored. I remember wearing it in 11th grade, styled with a crisp white shirt and tie—I felt like the coolest version of myself. That jacket made me realize how much power and personality an outfit could hold, and it’s still a source of inspiration for me today.

What is the unique feature that characterizes 100% Dualitae pieces?

It’s all about the balance (the way we blend masculine and feminine elements):  sharp masculine tailoring combined with feminine details, elevated by luxurious fabrics and timeless cuts. Every piece has a thoughtful element—whether it’s an unexpected silhouette, a unique texture, or versatility in styling.

The icon piece that will always be in your collections… 

I’d actually choose two pieces. A white shirt – because I love its simplicity, it’s like a blank canvas for creativity; you can style it in endless ways, and it always holds its charm. And a black jacket with versatile detailing – I always envision a piece that adapts to your needs, like one with a detachable feathered shoulder. Add it for a glam dinner look, or remove it for a more understated, everyday vibe. It’s all about versatility and transforming a single item into multiple styling options, to respond modern woman needs.

The most touching (or funny) story with one of your pieces was…

One client told me that wearing our ANAIS black jacket with a stripe over the shoulder gave her the courage to deliver an important speech at her workplace. Moments like that remind me why I started this journey – fashion isn’t just about clothes; it’s about how they make you feel.

The remedy for an inspiration gap would be…

Traveling. Seeing new places, meeting new people, and absorbing different cultures always sparks something. But sometimes inspiration comes from the little things – a walk through Bucharest, a great book, or even just a quiet coffee break.

The mood board for your 2025 collection includes…

Timeless architecture, earthy tones and a touch of ‘80s power dressing reimagined for the modern woman.

Photography: Florin Opriș – @florin.op . Photo assist: _bylazar
Thank you for the help – Epoque Hotel – Relais and Chateaux!

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