From Kathmandu to New York: Alina Shrestha’s Journey into the World of Fashion

Sometimes a career does not begin with a fixed plan. Sometimes it begins with curiosity, something that catches your attention and stays with you until it slowly becomes a part of who you are.

For Alina Shrestha, that curiosity started when she was a teenager in Kathmandu, discovering Harajuku street fashion from Tokyo through the internet. At 14, she came across styles like Lolita, Gyaru, Shironuri, and Decora. Beyond the clothing itself, what fascinated her was the freedom behind it. The idea that fashion could be a way of expressing identity and individuality. Growing up in a culture where people are often encouraged to be more reserved, seeing people use fashion so openly felt different. It was not just about clothes, it was about the confidence to present in your own way. That early interest eventually became the foundation of her journey into fashion.