Leila Ismailova, a former broadcasting star in Belarus, began her professional career at the age of 15. She spent 10 years in the role before feeling she had reached a professional ceiling and began her journey into the world of Web3. Ismailova’s audacious nature as a child contributed to her success in the broadcasting industry. Sneaking into buildings with newspapers and magazines, she would handwrite stories and give them to editors, despite not having a pass. Her determination and passion for journalism led her to a television career, where she started on a show covering news and culture for younger viewers.
In 2016, Ismailova and her siblings, Bahram and Esmira, moved to the United States. Their father’s death during the Azerbaijan-Armenia war had left them with many challenges. Ismailova launched a charity during her broadcast career, providing mentoring to orphans. She hopes to resume this activity in the future, as she believes that many orphaned girls lack parental guidance and confidence. Despite the hardships, Ismailova and her siblings have achieved success in their respective fields.
Ismailova’s interest in digital fashion was inspired by her love for elegant attire and her career in journalism. She co-founded Artisant, a digital fashion brand, and spent three years working in the company. However, she recently left Artisant to pursue a new chapter in her career as a consultant for digital-savvy fashion brands. Ismailova feels that this transition is bringing her back to reality, as Artisant focused on digital products rather than physical ones.
When asked about her move from Belarus to the United States, Ismailova reveals that she was the first to leave and opened the “season of migration” for her family. Her brother, Bahram, had to run away due to the political situation in Belarus, and her sister, Esmira, followed suit. Ismailova moved to California to pursue a master’s program at USC Annenberg. During this time, she became interested in entrepreneurship and started learning about cryptocurrency. Her move to Miami was prompted by the COVID-19 restrictions in Los Angeles, which made her feel isolated. She became curious about the power of digital fashion to make people feel good and eventually joined Artisant.
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Looking ahead, Ismailova sees digital fashion evolving into a tool that promotes sustainability and well-being. She believes that technology can help solve the problem of overconsumption and overproduction in the fashion industry. By creating digital fashion that is useful in the present, brands can reduce the need for physical products and contribute to a more sustainable future. Ismailova points to Dior’s B33 sneaker collection with built-in NFC chips as an example of how technology can be used to combat counterfeit products.
As for her future plans, Ismailova intends to focus on consulting jobs and writing. She wants to work with companies that specialize in digital fashion and provide services as an agency. Ismailova’s passion for the industry and her knowledge of the intersection between fashion and technology make her a valuable asset for these companies.
In conclusion, Leila Ismailova’s journey from a broadcasting star in Belarus to a Web3 veteran in the United States is a testament to her determination and passion. Despite facing hardships, she has pursued her dreams and made a positive impact in her career. With her expertise in digital fashion and her commitment to sustainability, Ismailova is poised to continue making significant contributions to the industry in the years to come.
