Leila Ismailova, a former TV journalist and Web3 veteran, began her professional career at the age of 15 as a broadcasting star in Belarus. She spent 10 years in the role before feeling like she had reached a “professional ceiling” and embarked on a journey that eventually led her to the world of Web3.
In an interview with Cointelegraph, Ismailova reminisced about her early days as a budding journalist. She would sneak into buildings with newspapers and magazines, handwrite her stories, and make up stories to get past security in order to deliver her articles to editors. Despite her audacity, she gained the respect of those in the industry.
Her renegade news career eventually led her to television, where she joined the country’s First National Channel at the age of 15. She started on a show that covered news and culture for younger viewers, a role that she initially struggled with but eventually excelled in.
In 2016, Ismailova moved to the United States, prompting a “season of migration” for her family, including her brother Bahram, a serial tech entrepreneur, and her sister Esmira, an author. Their move was not without hardship, as their father had died when they were children while fighting in the war between Azerbaijan and Armenia. They were left to navigate life in a country that was going through a war and separating from the Soviet Union.
Inspired by her own experiences, Ismailova launched a charity during her broadcast career that provided mentoring for orphans. She hopes to resume this activity in the future, as she sees the need to provide guidance and confidence to those who may be lacking parental support.
Today, Ismailova is a Web3 veteran, having spent three years at Artisant, a digital fashion brand that she co-founded. Her career in journalism and her appreciation for fashion inspired her to explore the intersection of technology and fashion. She recently left Artisant to pursue consulting jobs and focus on writing.
Reflecting on her journey, Ismailova shared her thoughts on the future of digital fashion. She believes that technology can be a tool for creating more well-rounded and sustainable fashion choices. Instead of focusing solely on creating digital clothes for the metaverse, Ismailova sees the potential for technology to address issues such as counterfeit products and overconsumption.
As she moves forward in her career, Ismailova is excited to continue working in the digital fashion space and hopes to make a positive impact through her consulting work and writing. She sees the potential for technology to reshape the fashion industry and create a more sustainable future.
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