Meet Aliya Wanek

Your name: Aliya Wanek

Your pronouns: she/her

What you do: Owner and designer of Aliya Wanek and Speech-language pathologist

Where you live: Vallejo, CA

I started my brand in 2016 while I was working full-time as a speech therapist and taking patternmaking classes in Oakland. I've always wanted to express my creativity, and womenswear seemed like the perfect vehicle for this. I initially started with just denim and was sewing everything myself, and then after a year or so I started working with a samplemaker who did small production to currently working with factories in the Bay and LA. I'm deeply fascinated by people's style and how it communicates their identity, values, sense of safety, level of freedom, etc.

My collections have usually been an extension of this aspirational style of dress I've had for myself in head, but then in reality, I realize that I'm really a sweatshirt and jeans gal most of the time. My latest Fall collection is really a reflection of me and my style (canvas work pants, sweaters, earth tones) because I wanted to hone in more on the functional side of my style.

I just finished reading Aurora James' autobiography 'Wildflower,' and my friend recommended 'The Leavers' by Lisa Ko so that's next!

I'm delving more into knitwear so I'm really excited about my cardigans and crewneck sweaters and am moving into lightweight dresses and pant sets.

I really love the worker clog because it can be a daily go-to that incorporates easily into my wardrobe. Fall's coming so I'll be styling it with colorful socks to go along with my jeans and sweaters.