The passionate collector: @irinnici
Irina Ciobanu, Dubai-based founder of a global ladies’ watch club, talks connecting female collectors and redefining women’s presence in horology
Instagram handles:
@irinnici @ladieswatch.club
Hi Irina, and welcome to our Insta-Slowdown! Tell us, how did the Ladies Watch Club come about?
The idea came from my personal passion for timepieces and a noticeable gap in the watch community — there were limited platforms exclusively designed for female watch enthusiasts. Most watch clubs and events were dominated by men, so I saw an opportunity to create a space for women who shared the same love for horology. On March 8, 2020 — International Women’s Day — I launched the Ladies Watch Club.
What’s it like to be part of the community?
Being a member of the Ladies Watch Club is a dynamic experience that immerses women in a global network of watch lovers. Our members, who range from collectors to industry professionals, gain access to knowledge, discussions and exclusive events centred around timepieces. Beyond digital interactions, we foster genuine connections through monthly meet-ups and collaborations with leading watch brands. Today, we’re over 3,000 passionate members worldwide — from the USA and UAE to Italy, India and Switzerland.
The club has grown fast — were you expecting such a strong reaction?
The positive response from the press and the community has been truly gratifying. While I always believed in the idea, the extent of the enthusiasm has surpassed my expectations. It’s heartening to see how much support we’ve received for building such an inclusive space.
Do you think women’s watches get the attention they deserve?
Absolutely not enough. Women’s watches have too often been viewed as accessories rather than intricate timekeeping devices. This overlooks the craftsmanship and innovation behind them. At the Ladies Watch Club, we celebrate these pieces for their artistry and complexity — they deserve the same respect and attention as men’s watches.
And has the industry changed since you began?
Yes, but there’s still work to do. The watch industry has historically been very male-dominated, but there’s now a noticeable shift. Conversations around inclusivity and diversity are gaining momentum, and women’s contributions as collectors and professionals are being recognised more and more.
Where does your own fascination with watches stem from?
My passion is rooted in both personal and professional experiences. Working in the watch industry allowed me to dive deep into the craftsmanship and innovation behind timepieces. What fascinates me most is the seamless blend of art and engineering — each watch tells a story through design, precision and heritage.
Are you a collector yourself?
Yes, I have a collection that holds special meaning. One of my standout pieces is a vintage timepiece that reflects the artistry of a bygone era. Each watch has its own story, whether tied to family, history or contemporary design — that’s what makes collecting so meaningful.
You’re based in Dubai — how do you see the local scene evolving?
Dubai has an incredible watch community, as we see during Dubai Watch Week. But when I started, female enthusiasts weren’t being catered to enough. That was a key motivation behind founding the Ladies Watch Club, to give women a space to connect, share their passion and be celebrated.
What does Dubai Watch Week mean to you and your community?
For us, it’s one of the most important moments of the year. It’s more than a global stage for horology — it’s where our members feel truly seen and celebrated. It allows us to engage directly with brands and collectors, and shows that women are key voices shaping the culture of watch collecting.
And what’s next for the Ladies Watch Club?
In recent months, we’ve hosted private sessions with Maisons like Piaget and Parmigiani Fleurier, creating spaces for discovery and connection. Looking ahead, we’re planning more collaborations, educational initiatives and a dream global meet-up to bring our members together from around the world.
The Power Within:
@aliceveglioofficial
Alice Veglio, Italian athlete, entrepreneur and Miss Multiverse 2023, on redefining what it means to live bright, strong and limitless.
Alice Veglio radiates a balance of elegance, discipline and empathy that feels both aspirational and disarmingly human. Her energy is magnetic, her focus unmistakable. But behind the luminous Instagram feed and sculpted self-discipline lies a story of recovery, reinvention and relentless purpose. Alice doesn’t just talk about transformation; she’s lived it, rebuilt it and now teaches it to thousands of people around the world.
From athlete to life coach, entrepreneur to Miss Multiverse 2023, Alice has built her global brand Bright & Fit which has now empowered more than 60,000 women to reclaim their health, confidence and balance, while her Brighter Me Life Coaching Academy trains coaches worldwide to carry her mission forward.We sat down with Alice for an unhurried conversation about motivation, mindset, and the art of designing a brighter life, from the inside out.
Alice, please tell us about your background and the journey that brought you here
I’m an Italian athlete, nutrition expert, life coach and educator based in Dubai. My story started with limitation. I was a teenager when I was diagnosed with a severe spinal condition that doctors said would restrict my movement for life. Later, I faced a cardiac issue that made me question everything. It was frightening, but also the turning point — I realised I had two choices: accept limits or rewrite the narrative.
That was the moment fitness, mindset and nutrition became my medicine. I didn’t just train to recover physically, I studied how the mind influences the body, how food fuels not only energy but emotion, and how discipline can heal as deeply as medicine. What began as a personal comeback became a philosophy, and eventually a mission to help others realise how to unlock their full potential.
Over the years, that mission grew beyond what I imagined. I’ve impacted over 60,000 people through holistic programmes and founded The Brighter Me Life Coaching Academy, where I train coaches to guide transformation using my body–mind–nutrition method. It’s about alignment — not just physical wellness, but emotional resilience and spiritual clarity.
Your Instagram is a mix of discipline, beauty and motivation. How did it all start, and what did you hope to achieve?
Instagram began as a digital diary. I was documenting my recovery, my workouts, my nutrition experiments and the lessons I was learning about balance. I wanted to create a space that wasn’t about perfection, but the pursuit of progress.
From the start, I knew I didn’t want to be ‘just another fitness page’. I wanted to merge elegance, performance and empowerment in a way that felt aspirational yet achievable. My goal was to inspire people to move, eat and think better, not just look better. I also wanted to show that transformation doesn’t need to be loud or extreme. Sometimes the most powerful change comes from quiet consistency, from waking up, doing the work, and trusting the process. That’s still my message, even today.
Was your audience growth sudden or more of a steady build?
It was completely organic, built slowly, deliberately and with integrity. For years I posted daily, replied to every message I could, shared behind-the-scenes struggles and refined my content based on what I felt truly helped my community.
There was no overnight success story, no viral moment. I prefer it that way because it means every person who follows me connects with something real. Authentic growth is sustainable because it’s built on trust. Over time, the community began to shape itself as women supporting women, sharing their transformations and encouraging others to begin. I’ve always believed that when you lead with transparency, you attract people who value truth over trends.
What do you believe are the keys to building a loyal, engaged community online?
Three things: clarity, consistency and connection. Clarity means knowing your purpose and communicating it clearly, not just through captions, but through every visual and every tone of voice. Consistency means showing up for your audience even when motivation fades, because that’s what teaches discipline. Connection is where the magic happens. I make it a point to answer DMs, host live Q&As and highlight client stories. My visual identity that’s clean, light and intentional also matters. I want every piece of content to reflect the same values I coach: focus, balance, beauty and credibility. Social media can feel noisy, but when you pair education with storytelling, people listen. I think that’s why Bright & Fit has grown, it’s not about me; it’s about those who see themselves in it.
And for those trying to build an authentic, supportive community today — what’s your advice?
Know your ‘why’. It sounds simple, but it’s the foundation of everything. Without a clear reason behind what you share, you’ll always be chasing metrics instead of meaning. Serve first. Give your audience something they can use every time they interact with you: a workout, a mindset shift, a simple reminder that they’re capable. Those micro-wins build loyalty.
Be consistent. Even when growth feels slow, your presence is building trust. And protect your energy. Authenticity isn’t possible without boundaries. I’ve learned to take breaks, meditate and spend time offline. My strength online comes from how I manage myself offline. If you stay true to your message and your rhythm, the right audience will always find you.
What’s your favourite type of content to create and why?
I love creating fitness and mindset reels that combine purposeful movement with an emotional message. For me, exercise is storytelling in motion, every movement carries energy and meaning. When I choreograph a sequence and overlay it with the right message or music, it becomes more than a workout; it becomes an emotional experience. I’ve had people write to me saying that a single reel motivated them to restart their health journey, or that a phrase stayed with them for weeks. That’s the beauty of creative wellness. It’s not just visual; it’s visceral. It connects body and soul in a way that words alone can’t.
Tell us about Bright & Fit — what inspired it?
Bright & Fit was born out of frustration and hope. After my recovery, I realised the world didn’t need another fitness brand; it needed a holistic ecosystem. Most programmes focus on one element: body, diet or motivation. I wanted to merge all three. So I built Bright & Fit as a digital platform where training, nutrition and mindset co-exist. Every workout plan includes psychological tools; every nutrition plan connects to emotional balance. It’s structure with soul.
It’s also a global sisterhood. We host retreats, challenges and mentorships that extend far beyond screens. Through my second venture, Brighter Me Life Coaching Academy, I’ve trained hundreds of new coaches who now lead their own communities. That ripple effect, one woman empowering another, is how we scale impact with integrity. What makes Bright & Fit unique is its combination of science and style. We make health elegant. Because wellness isn’t just about sweat; it’s about self-worth.
You also model and were crowned Miss Multiverse 2023. How did that shape your approach to business and life?
Modelling taught me about presence, how to hold space, how to communicate through posture, expression and energy. It’s storytelling without words, and that skill translates beautifully into leadership. Winning Miss Multiverse 2023 pushed me even further. The competition tests intelligence, endurance, leadership and confidence. It’s less about appearance and more about resilience. Standing on that stage taught me that grace under pressure is the highest form of strength. It also refined how I approach branding and communication. Whether on stage or online, elegance and authenticity are not opposites, they amplify each other. That’s what I now teach my clients and coaches: be your brand, don’t perform it.
Beyond Instagram you’re a speaker and author. What ties all these roles together?
Everything I do. Whether speaking, writing, coaching or filming my upcoming documentary Bright Iron, it all comes back to one message: your body and mind are not limits; they’re leverage. As a speaker, I love connecting with people live, you can feel energy shift in real time when someone realises their own potential. As an author, I explore the deeper layers of transformation, how thought patterns influence behaviour. As a coach, I turn those insights into practical systems people can live by. It’s all about alignment. When the body, mind and purpose move together, everything flows more easily, from health to relationships to business. That’s the principle I live and teach.
Your passion for watches is clear. How do timepieces fit your lifestyle?
I see watches as both tools and symbols. They measure performance, but they also remind us that time is finite, and therefore sacred. In training, I wear Garmin, which helps me analyse recovery, stress and progress. It keeps me honest and data-driven. For milestones and events, my Rolex represents commitment, precision and timelessness. One measures effort; the other celebrates it. Together they reflect my philosophy: precision in performance, beauty in the journey.
And finally, what’s next for you?
There’s so much unfolding right now. I’m expanding the Brighter Me Life Coaching Academy globally and launching new certifications, online courses and live summits. I’m also introducing Bright & Sparkle events, immersive wellness days that combine movement, mindset and community connection. I’m deepening collaborations with brands that share my sustainability and empowerment ethos. And personally, I’m exploring how to bring my message to new audiences through media and film. But beyond the plans, my focus is evolution. Transformation doesn’t end; it expands. My goal is to turn individual breakthroughs into collective impact, helping people everywhere realise that strength and softness can coexist beautifully. Fitness is never just about looking good — it’s about remembering your power.
