Alice Botnarenco

Fashion can build bridges

Text: Martina Hošková and M.Zisso; Photo: Archive

 

As an entrepreneur with a journey spanning nearly 20 years, can you tell us about your background, and what led you to create your beautiful brand?

My journey as an entrepreneur began at the age of 23 when I launched my first business – a car rental company. That experience taught me the importance of resilience, adaptability, and the thrill of building something from the ground up. Over the years, my passion for entrepreneurship only grew, and, in 2009, I took another step by founding the Women in Business Association, an NGO dedicated to empowering and supporting female entrepreneurs, but also women working in companies. Through the Women in Business community I saw the incredible potential and strength within women, and how impactful a supportive network could be.

This amazing experience planted the seed for my creative journey with ALISIA ENCO, which started in 2014. I wanted to create a brand that embodies elegance, creativity, and cultural heritage – a brand that empowers women not only with beautiful, high-quality fashion but also with a sense of pride and confidence in who they are. At the heart of ALISIA ENCO is the white shirt – a timeless symbol of strength, a statement piece in every woman’s wardrobe, a canvas for self-expression, and not just a garment.

You combine the tradition of your homeland Romania with modern elegance. How do you think this resonates with people internationally?

I have been living in Prague for over a year now but I was born in Romania, and ALISIA ENCO was born from my deep-rooted admiration for Romania’s cultural heritage, as well as my belief that our traditions carry timeless beauty that transcends borders. I wanted to create a brand that reflects the strength, grace, and stories of Romanian craftsmanship, but in a way that feels contemporary and accessible to modern women everywhere.

I believe that in an era of fast fashion, people are looking for pieces that hold meaning and tell a story. When they wear ALISIA ENCO, they are not just wearing a shirt or a scarf – they are embracing a symbol of resilience, artistry, and heritage.

Has living in Prague, a historical city with a rich tapestry of cultures and history, influenced your work?

So true, and Prague has not only influenced ALISIA ENCO but also reignited my personal creativity. I love Prague and being surrounded by the beauty and historic charm of this city every day, with all the architecture and symbols, I felt inspired to start painting again – a passion I had put aside for some time. Prague has encouraged me to explore ways of bringing together the traditions of Romania and the Czech Republic into a single expression of art and fashion.

This journey of combining both Romanian and Czech symbols, of creating something that bridges these two beautiful cultures, feels incredibly meaningful to me! Prague is a beautiful place to explore and share this fusion, and I hope that, through our fashion, people feel a little closer to both the warmth of Romanian tradition and the elegance of Czech artistry.

You are known as a dedicated advocate of empowering women. Is this passion of yours also visible in the fashion you create?

The mission of supporting and celebrating women is deeply personal to me. Growing up and navigating my own path in the business world, I have come to understand the challenges women face in balancing their ambitions, identities, and aspirations.

Over the years, through my experiences as a speaker at different business conferences, a mentor for women in different programs, and as the host of a TV show, I have come to realize just how significant clothing is in our lives. It is about expressing who we are and how we want people to remember us. When we dress with intention, we are not only dressing for ourselves but also setting a tone for how we wish to engage with the world around us.

ALISIA ENCO was founded on the belief that clothes can be a powerful tool for self-expression and empowerment. They are an extension of our identity. They can communicate so many things without us saying a word. Each design is crafted to celebrate the strength, elegance, and individuality of women. From tailored shirts to intricate accessories, I aim to create pieces that make women feel confident, creative, and unique.

I want to inspire women to tell their own stories – stories of strength, passion, and individuality – through the clothes they wear.

You said “beauty transcends borders”. How exactly does that work in your case?

As I have already mentioned, the heart of my brand is about honouring cultural heritage while embracing modern elegance. Each design represents a story woven from the threads of tradition, creativity, and identity. I believe that fashion, in its own unique way, is an incredibly powerful language. It does transcend borders, speaks across cultures, and connects people through a shared appreciation for craftsmanship and beauty.

In creating ALISIA ENCO, I have drawn inspiration from my Romanian roots, infusing elements of our rich cultural heritage into each piece. But, as I am living in Prague now, I am also inspired by Czech culture, and am working to create pieces that bridge both worlds. This journey has shown me that when you blend traditions, you can foster a deeper understanding and respect between cultures. Fashion becomes a canvas for cultural exchange – a place where stories, symbols, and values are celebrated and shared with the world.

For me, ALISIA ENCO is a small but meaningful way to contribute to global cultural exchange.

I believe that when people wear my designs, they carry with them a piece of this shared heritage and a sense of connection to something larger than themselves. Fashion can build bridges, and ALISIA ENCO is dedicated to being part of that mission, inspiring women everywhere to embrace their own heritage.

If you had to underscore one more feature describing your approach to fashion, what would that be?

I don’t have to think very hard – the ‘less is more’ philosophy is the underlying quality of everything we do. I believe that elegance and confidence come from simplicity and that thoughtfully crafted, timeless pieces speak louder than fleeting trends. By focusing on clean designs and premium-quality materials, we aim to create pieces that not only look beautiful but also feel meaningful to the women who wear them. Our garments and accessories are designed to last, both in terms of style and durability, as we want them to be cherished for years rather than only for a season.

In a world where fast fashion often dominates, I felt the need to create a brand that values intentionality and quality, making each item feel special and personal.

I believe that simplicity is powerful, and, with ALISIA ENCO, I hope to bring that timeless elegance to women around the world.

ALICE BOTNARENCO

is a Romanian serial entrepreneur, founder of the Women in Business organisation, and owner of ALISIA ENCO, a business fashion brand. By founding Women in Business in 2009, Alice created a community for women to grow their businesses, to connect each other and to share their experience. Since 2012, she has been a Mentor for different programmes, one of them being the European Network of Mentors for Women Entrepreneurs. She has also been a speaker at international conferences talking about entrepreneurship in Switzerland, Belgium, Greece. During this time, she had her TV show, called Business for Women. Launched in 2014, ALISIA ENCO is her newest business. It is a fashion brand for businesswomen who need to respect the formal dress code but still wish to express their personality.