Where Are They Now? with Alden Maloney
Where Are They Now? with Alden Maloney
By: Elena Ossoski
It is seldom that you can find someone who shares the same philosophy on style and its interconnectedness with self-confidence as you. Alden Maloney, a recent Ole Miss graduate from Lexington, Kentucky, shared a thought with me over the phone that pinpoints her love for fashion:
“Fashion is not simply about clothes, it's an art form. I think it's the best art form because it’s what we continue to live our lives in every day. Whether you care about it or not, you participate in fashion. You can tell so much about a person by what they’re wearing, they don’t have to say a single word. That’s why I love it so much.”
As a fellow believer in the fact that fashion is a superior form of art, my excitement levels were through the roof when Maloney proceeded to talk about her endeavors this past summer at Polimoda, a fashion institute in Florence, Italy. After graduating from Ole Miss, Maloney chose to further her education by enrolling in a few classes at Polimoda. As the summer came to an end, Maloney knew her time in Florence was not up yet as the city pulled her in and made her feel confident.
“I grew up on a farm, and it really does kind of play into who I am as a person, which is reflected directly in my clothes. While being in Florence, I have really been pushed to try new things, finding how to feel comfortable and confident in what I'm wearing.”
Once her sights were set on life abroad, she applied and was accepted by the graduate school program at Polimoda. Maloney’s Italian journey is far from over, and she hopes to work for a fashion house while she is studying abroad.
“When I was in Florence, I was dressing for myself every morning and I wasn't worried about what anyone else was thinking about me. I felt so confident, and I think that really radiated off of me and it made me more passionate about my school and my future and my relationships there. I think that for the rest of my life, this summer in Florence - and hopefully this next year - will have such a huge impact on me not only relating to my career in fashion but also impacting my personal style.”
Her outlook on education is equally as inspiring as her views on fashion. She wants to evolve her style while simultaneously enriching her life, taking advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime chance to study in a foreign country.
“When I was leaving for Italy I was so nervous because I've never done anything like that, but I decided that I was not going to care what anyone thinks about me, I'm just going to completely be my own self. I really do think that truly loving yourself from the inside, radiates onto everything you do. It’s so noticeable. Each morning I was dressing for myself and no one else. That gave me so much confidence and really was my biggest influence on the inside and out.”
Staying true to herself is something that Maloney has always prioritized and this includes pursuing her love for fashion. As she thought back on childhood, Maloney distinctly remembers the excitement of her nightly routine of laying out clothes for school the following morning and being entranced by her mother’s sweeping elegance and chic style.
“I've always loved fashion and I always knew it's what I wanted to do. When I was little, my favorite part about going to school was picking out my outfits the night before. I’ve always looked up to my mom too. One of my favorite memories of my mom when growing up would be when she wore her exercise or gardening clothes during the day - although always very chic - and then she'd come down at night in a beautiful outfit for whatever the night’s occasion was.”
Maloney’s looks are always undeniably on-trend but her style has more depth and intrigue than a typical trend-follower. The influences of her upbringing and her time in Florence are readily apparent in the way she blends modern trends with a wardrobe full of timeless classics.
During her time at Ole Miss, Maloney worked at Cicada, a local boutique where she learned about the brands she grew to love - Ganni, Frame, and Rag & Bone - from her boss, Anne-Marie Gordon. With a mentor like Gordon at her side and modern-day style icons like Matilda Djerf to pull inspiration from, it’s no surprise that Alden Maloney is a name you will never forget.
As she embarks on her next chapter as an Italian graduate student, Maloney reminds us of the simple notion that fashion is the ultimate inaudible communicator.
To keep up with Alden’s adventures, follow her on Instagram @aldenmaloney! For more features on our favorite alumni, be sure to check umsquareamgazine.com and follow us on Instagram @um.squaremagazine for daily content.