Diana Arhire
SCHOOL
INSTAGRAM PROFILE
instagram.com/dianaa.arh/
ABOUT DIANA:
My name is Diana-Teodora Arhire, born on September 18, 2001, in Bucharest, Romania. I spent my childhood in both Bucharest and Constanța, a city by the sea. Growing up, I was the "orange sheep" of a family deeply rooted in science. Both of my parents are anaesthetists, and my brother works in investment banking. Despite my family's scientific background, I always had a crafty side, creating arts and crafts for fun and sewing buttons for my neighbour at a young age. This duality between science and art would come to define my career.
I attended primary school in Constanța, focusing on IT, and later moved to Bucharest for high school, where I studied social studies. Despite the shift in academic focus, I continued private lessons in mathematics and physics and joined my high school’s dance group. My diverse interests and talents led me to Paris, where I pursued a degree in fashion design at Istituto Marangoni Paris.
During my four years at Istituto Marangoni, including a placement year, my career began to take shape. I undertook several internships, working in various roles from showrooms to marketing, production, and atelier work. A particularly formative experience was my seven-month internship at Collectif No.9, where I learned the intricacies of prototype production in an old military fort. My hard work and dedication paid off, as I finished in the top 10 of my year and participated in the graduating fashion show. I also worked on a project with Giambattista Valli and received a full sponsorship for my final year fabrics from Manteco in Italy.
My interest in fashion design emerged from my childhood love of DIY projects and my need to work with my hands. My journey into fashion was solidified after taking a course at Istituto Marangoni Miami at 17, where the encouragement I received led me to pursue it as a career. This decision proved to be the best of my life, as I couldn't imagine doing anything else.
My early career included stints at Rainbow Wave and DIOR showrooms, a production and marketing role at POMPOM, and various roles in fashion shoots and short films. I also worked part-time in a pub in Paris, balancing my studies with my job as a waitress and bartender.
Now a graduate with a Double Diploma in Fashion Design (BA Hons degree from Manchester Metropolitan University and RNCP certificate), I am launching my brand, Speed, with my debut collection, JALZ. This collection, my most significant work to date, is a compelling fusion of my love for jazz music and my fear of Alzheimer's disease.
Inspired by one of my closest friends who is a fashion designer and also by legendary names such as Margiela, Jonathan W. Anderson, and the craftsmanship of Savile Row, my design philosophy focuses on menswear tailoring. I combine traditional codes with playful details and smart garment construction. My immediate goal is to establish my brand internationally and to work in Savile Row, which I believe will be the final puzzle piece in achieving the level of timeless craftsmanship I aspire to.
My advice to aspiring designers is to trust their vision and enjoy the butterflies. I envision a resurgence of tailoring in the fashion world, with my brand, Speed, becoming a leading influence. With my unique blend of artistic and scientific talents, I am poised to make a significant impact on the fashion industry.
