Business/Organization: ALEIMAN
Title: Executive Creative Director
Email: ariley@aleiman.com
Biography:
As Executive Creative Director of ALEIMAN, Alea Brummell Riley oversees its operations, creative, and development processes. Often referred to by colleagues as the business-minded creative, she leverages her strategic and artistic senses by combining thoughtful garment construction, high-end natural fabrics, and environmentally conscious practices embracing a slow fashion and sustainable focused business model. Riley was immersed in fashion for much of her life. Early on, she attended the Fashion Institute of Technology’s Pre-college program. While attending Spelman College, Riley majored in English and minored in Fine Art and had the opportunity to study Sculpture and Jewelry Design through an exchange program in Florence, Italy. She apprenticed with Master Tailor Jim McFarland, aka Gentleman Jim, and was a consistent student at a local school, Le Fashion Lab. Leveraging this experience, Riley refined her portfolio, applied, and was accepted into the Academy of Art University. She obtained her MFA in Fashion Design and Product Development.
While her career wasn’t design-focused, she worked in B2B technology in marketing, advertising, communications, and merchandising. Her understanding of the arts and design always provided the perspective needed to be successful. She had the distinct honor of being one of the first designers to be featured, and her brand ALEIMAN was showcased as part of the first Atlanta Sustainable Fashion Week 2021. Then in the Spring of 2022, Riley was invited to be part of the Atlanta Sustainable Fashion Week Spring session sustainable designer panel to offer perspective and best practices. And then, in October of 2022, Riley’s looks hit the runway for the 2nd Annual Atlanta Sustainable Fashion Week. This collection was the first of the brands to be designed, produced, and created on-site in her studio. Riley ended the year on a tremendous high when renowned costume designer Lisa Smedley-Calderon featured 4 of her looks in a BET+ Movie, The First Noelle. Like most creatives, Riley pulls inspiration from daily life and her environment. Still, her real inspiration and excitement emerge when she creates a garment at the intersection of beauty, quality, and function. Her internal and external vision promotes sustainability as she carefully curates line of high-end garments that easily integrate into the sophisticated woman’s wardrobe.
