BY the age of five, Alyona Malai was making dresses for her dolls on her grandmother’s sewing machine.
“My grandma was a seamstress and professional tailor, she was my inspiration,” recalls Alyona. “I grew up watching her work, making bespoke garments. I knew from an early age that I wanted to work in fashion.”
Alyona went on to do just that - becoming a dressmaker for A-list stars including Beyonce, Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Lopez. Now she runs her own Yorkshire-based bespoke label, designing and making couture bridal wear and gowns for occasions such as proms and red carpet events, as well as a luxury Holy Communion collection.
Having made couture outfits for stars on the red carpet, Alyona believes that every woman should have the chance to wear bespoke clothing, even if it’s just once or twice.
“Alyona Malai is for all women, of all ages and body shapes,” says the designer and dressmaker. “I create clothing to empower girls and ladies. There is something special about having a dress made just for you. It’s It’s something unique and truly yours - to last a lifetime. It’s about creating memories and magic.”
Alyona grew up in Portugal, in a village near Lisbon, and did a fashion design degree at university in the city. After an internship in Sweden, she moved to London in 2015 to take up her dream job. At the age of 25 Alyona was a junior seamstress and designer at Ralph & Russo, world renowned fashion house specialising in haute couture, luxury goods and accessories.
“I did a trial week, which turned into my first couture job. It was amazing, it felt like a fairytale,” she smiles. “Every gown was created from scratch - the design, artwork, pattern cutting, sewing all done by hand. I learned all the techniques, transitioning from one section to another.
“Working on the couture line, I learned the entire construction process of a garment. Each dress took a couple of months to create, with five or six people dedicated to it. We made red carpet gowns for Hollywood stars and wedding dresses. It was very exciting, like creating fairytale dresses.
“At Ralph & Russo, I got to work at Haute Couture Week in Paris and saw some amazing runway shows. Every person in the team felt like a star.”
Alyona went on to work at companies such as Burberry and CC Couture and as a designer and creator in the bridal industry, where her ambition to set up her own label took shape. “I loved making people’s dreams come true for their special day,” she says.
Moving to Yorkshire, she established the Alyona Malai luxury clothing range. Based at the Dean Clough complex in Halifax, she makes bespoke bridal and occasion wear, working closely with her clients.
Having worked around the world, in haute couture, she’s channelling her experience and expertise into her designs - “bringing all the couture and tailoring techniques and wonderful creative ideas I have gained to my local community here in Yorkshire”.
As well as the charm and textile heritage of Dean Clough, Alyona is inspired by the “beautiful rolling hills” of Calderdale.
She designs every garment, “capturing the soul, imagination and personality” of her clients.
Her proudest moments include making gowns for the Cannes Film Festival in 2024 and 2025, including a stunning dress worn on the red carpet by model and beauty entrepreneur Rosie Minako.
“Like my grandmother, I don’t work with throw-away fast fashion. I create designs using quality craftsmanship,” she says. “I start with a consultation with the client; often they know what they want and we discuss ideas. As I finalise the designs, I make adjustments - usually two, three or four sittings - before the final fitting. Every dress is like a new journey, it can take anything from three months to six months, or up to 12 months for bridal wear. The client is part of the entire process - they are my muse. It’s a very personal service; after so many fittings, we become friends.”
While some brides want a classic look, others are inspired by runway trends. “I have worked in bridal shops and they sell the same style of dresses, year after year. My bespoke service offers something unique,” says Alyona.
She uses fabrics such as ethical satin, silks and lace; her signature style is an intricate use of lace - mixing and matching different laces and creating beaded lace designs.
“When I was growing up, I got into fashion magazines and started to appreciate good quality fabric,” she says. “With fast fashion, clothing is over produced and low quality. These days people are turning more to sustainability - good quality garments that can last a lifetime.”
Her bespoke garments are, she says, “heirlooms for the future”. “There is something special about having an item of clothing made especially for you. In a bespoke dress, my clients carry themselves differently,” she adds. “They have helped to design it too, and that is empowering.”
While she finds it rewarding to create gowns for a special day - wedding dresses, mother-of-the-bride outfits, prom dresses, cocktail dresses, Holy Communion dresses for ‘little princesses’ - Alyona feels strongly that you don’t need a reason to enjoy the bespoke experience: “Every woman deserves to feel special, even if it’s one bespoke dress in a lifetime. I design for all body sizes and ages. If people lose or gain weight, I can adjust the clothes.”
Alyona also specialise in bridal alterations, ranging from tailored adjustments to dress remodelling. Now working with two interns, she is passing her knowledge and skills onto the next generation.
“Fashion took me around the world and into the world of haute couture. All my experience working internationally and in London can be seen and felt in my designs. And each dress still feels like a fairytale,” she smiles.
