ABOUT THE FOUNDER

 

 

Alina Sultanova is the Founder and Creative Director of GARAGEEST.2016, a luxury fashion brand operating in Russia, the UAE, and the USA.

Since founding the brand in 2016, Sultanova has transformed it from a conceptual idea into an internationally recognized fashion house known for its structural silhouettes, premium materials, and architectural aesthetic.

Today, the company employs over 100 professionals worldwide, including a 60-member production team.

Career Highlights:

• 2016 — Founded GARAGEEST.2016.

• 2017 — Opened the first flagship boutique in Yekaterinburg, Russia.

• 2018 — Launched a fully integrated in-house manufacturing facility with 60 employees.

• 2019 — Established an in-house printing division.

• 2020 — Opened a six-story flagship mansion in Moscow.

• 2021 — Produced a high-profile runway show covered by Peopletalk, WMJ, Cosmopolitan, and OK Magazine.

• 2022 — Expanded internationally with a boutique in Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

• 2023 — Entered the U.S. market in New York.

• 2024 — Opened the SoHo flagship boutique at 61 Spring Street, New York.

 Launched a flagship boutique in St. Petersburg, located in the former Cartier space at 55 Moika River Embankment. The opening received coverage from 39 media outlets, significantly reinforcing the brand’s position in the premium market. Press highlights: CRE.ru, Eterna/ShopAndMall.ru, Timeseller.ru.

• 2025 — Scheduled opening of a boutique in Aventura Mall, Miami (Official Mall Listing).

Sultanova’s entrepreneurial approach—combining in-house production, meticulous design control, and strategic international expansion—has brought both commercial success and critical acclaim. LA Weekly (July 15, 2025) described her as “The Visionary Force Behind GARAGEEST.2016”, recognizing her as one of the industry’s most dynamic leaders.