We recently connected with Ariana Voutsakis and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ariana, thank you so much for making time for us today. Let’s jump right into a question so many in our community are looking for answers to – how to overcome creativity blocks, writer’s block, etc. We’d love to hear your thoughts or any advice you might have.
As a creative working across fashion, costume, and visual design, I’ve learned that creative blocks aren’t something to fight, but something to move through. Sometimes, the things we love most need space. Taking a break can be the most nourishing thing we do for our creativity.
For me, inspiration is deeply tied to both the visual and auditory. I often find it at electronic dance music events; something about the organic layering of sound, color, and movement unlocks something inside me. The energy of those environments surrounds me, and I leave with new ideas I didn’t even know I needed.
Other times, it’s more grounded: a walk, moving my body, or even spending a day cleaning. Clearing physical space always helps me clear mental space, too.
I also go back to my materials. I have ten boxes full of fabrics and trims, and whenever I dig through them, something new comes to life. I’m an intensely visual person, and anything with layers, textures, colors, shapes can ignite an idea.
And honestly, some of the most unexpected breakthroughs come from conversations with other creatives and friends. We support each other, and you never know what a single conversation can spark. Just sharing space with someone who gets it can shift everything.
Whether I’m working on a new piece for Dancing Dog Couture or building a concept for Exo Alien, I try to stay open to movement, to sensory input, to people. That’s where the creativity lives.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I created two fashion brands: Exo Alien and Dancing Dog Couture.
Exo Alien began as a creative outlet to experiment with materials and push the boundaries of fashion. The tagline “360 Degree Haute Clubwear” reflects the vision of merging athletic construction techniques with rave culture and luxury craftsmanship. I work with unconventional materials to create bold, anatomical designs that move with the body and feel otherworldly. Every detail is intentional; from seam placement to textile texture. I currently design custom stagewear for go-go dancers performing at the biggest electronic dance music festivals in the U.S., and I also work with individual clients to bring their visions to life. My goal is to continue expanding into larger stages through design and styling for high-profile performers.
Then came Dancing Dog Couture, and it all started with a four-legged fashion icon: Tika the Iggy, who has over 1.5 million followers. I fell in love with her and became completely obsessed. One day, I said out loud, “Tika is going to wear one of my designs.” I designed a custom look using my signature Exo Alien textile, gifted it to her at a meet-and-greet, and a few months later, she posted a viral video wearing it. After that, the custom dogwear requests started rolling in.
That moment inspired me to launch a separate brand focused on glitzy, fashion-forward, and customizable dog wear: for the true “Pawty Animals.” What started with Italian Greyhounds has grown into a joyful, expressive community of pet parents of all breeds who want their dogs to shine and feel special.
What makes both brands unique is the intention behind every piece. Whether I’m designing for a dancer or a dog, I focus on movement, individuality, and celebration.
Right now, I’m focused on growing both labels.
For Dancing Dog Couture: I’m building seasonal collections, planning interactive events, finding ways to give back to dogs in need, and deepening connections with pet owners and the dog fashion community.
For Exo Alien: I’m expanding my client base and working toward designing signature looks for high-profile performers.
At the heart of everything I do is the belief that fashion isn’t just about what you wear, it’s about how it makes you feel.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Everything we do before launching a brand, collection, or creative project is built from what came before; every class, job, mistake, or spark of inspiration. For me, three things were especially impactful:
Advice #1: Get experience: wherever you can, as early as you can.
This is number one for a reason. I’ve been seeking hands-on experience since high school. At 16, I interned for a dress brand, assisting the designer with anything she needed. Later, I interned with my favorite sandal brand in Greece, Ancient Greek Sandals, which was a full-circle moment for me as a Greek-American. The following summer, I worked with a go-go costume design team called Team Kitty Koalition, helping create outfits for dancers, which I didn’t think was something I’d eventually step into with Exo Alien.
Another pivotal experience was my internship at the conceptual fashion house threeASFOUR, where I worked closely with designer Gabi Asfour. One day during me senior fashion thesis at Parsons, while reviewing a design, he looked at me and said, “Take out all your side seams.” I was like, what?! but I respected him deeply, so I did it. That challenge completely shifted how I approach construction and design, and that mindset still shapes my work today.
I didn’t always know where these experiences would lead, but looking back, each one added something unique to my toolkit and helped define the creative path I’m on now.
2. Find mentors and don’t be afraid to ask for guidance.
I’ve been incredibly lucky to have mentors who truly impacted me. One of the most important is my former Parsons professor Nancy Geist, who taught shoe design and became one of my closest friends after I graduated. She always gave me honest, constructive feedback that helped me grow not just in skill, but in confidence. Her own experience as a brand founder and designer showed me what was possible. Surrounding yourself with people you admire and who want to see you win is invaluable. Learn from them. Ask questions. Show up.
3. Don’t doubt yourself even when others don’t see your vision.
In school, there were times when peers and even some professors questioned my work or made me feel like I didn’t belong. I gravitated towards color, neon, sparkle and things that felt joyful and expressive to me, but because I felt like I wasn’t as technically skilled at the beginning of my studies and lacked confidence, I let their opinions shake me. I started to believe I wasn’t good enough, and I began holding back my ideas to try and fit in.
This took time to unlearn. But through working with mentors like Gabi Asfour, and gradually finding my creative rhythm, I started to let go of that fear. Gabi encouraged me to challenge the way I approached design and to trust the parts of my creativity that felt unconventional. That shift helped me see that not everyone will understand your vision and that’s okay. What matters most is that you do.
Once I gave myself permission to create from the heart and follow what truly excited me, I felt free. I was no longer designing to be accepted. I was designing to express something real.
My advice to anyone starting out: Don’t let someone else’s doubts define your path. Surround yourself with people who support your growth, stay curious, and trust your gut even when it feels scary. If you know you’re meant to do this, hold onto that. Everything else will follow.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
I think it’s a mix, and it depends on where you are in your journey.
When you’re starting out, you don’t have the luxury of only playing to your strengths. You have to get your hands dirty and learn as you go. I’ve worked for small brands where I didn’t have certain skills, but I picked them up on the job because I had to. That mindset carried over to my own brands.
It’s important to understand the basics of all areas you touch, even if they’re not your strong suit. It makes communication easier, sets clear expectations, and leads to better results. Take my websites, for example: the first one I outsourced without knowing how to clearly explain my vision, and it took a lot of back-and-forth. For my second site, I built it myself and it took forever, but I learned the process. By the third site, I outsourced again, but this time I gave my designer clear, precise direction, and it came out exactly how I envisioned it.
Early on, learning enough in your weaker areas helps you make smarter decisions and collaborate effectively. As you grow, it makes sense to bring in experts so you can focus on what you do best and choose the hats you actually want to wear.
Contact Info:
- Website: Shopexoalien.com and dancingdogcouture.com
- Instagram: Exo.Alien and Dancingdogcouture
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariananicolevoutsakis/
Image Credits
Tyler Hagen, @Gia_Iggy, @Phoebz.theiggy @Tikatheiggy
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
