EPISODE 15

Alexandra Venison on Building Beauty Beyond the Surface

Interview by Tessa Dewing for The Business of Modelling Podcast 

She’s interviewed Donatella Versace, Lady Gaga, and Kourtney Kardashian. She’s shaped beauty narratives at Vogue Arabia and Harper’s Bazaar Arabia. From a 10-year-old who declared she couldn’t move to Dubai because “there’s no Vogue there” to co-founding Beauty List, a platform championing mindful media and wellness, Alexandra’s journey reflects a deeper shift happening across beauty and fashion – one that prioritises authenticity over perfection. 

“I Knew What I Wanted From Day One” 

Unlike many who stumble into fashion, Alexandra’s path was laser-focused from the start. “I was obsessed with Grace Coddington’s photo shoots and the magic of magazines,” she recalls. “I thought I would be a stylist, but it was about telling stories.” 

This led her to intern at Dubai’s Bareface modelling agency at just 14, spending summers “holding up reflectors in 45-degree heat in the desert.” While others took friends’ holidays, Alexandra was building her CV, supported by family who understood her drive. 

The day she graduated from London College of Fashion, she received a job offer from Emirates Woman. “I had an offer to work with a fabulous magazine in London, but it would be interning in a room with nine people, probably packing clothes. Here it was a junior fashion and beauty position on an incredible team.” 

The Vogue Moment 

Years later, working at Harper’s Bazaar Arabia as online editor, Alexandra received an email that would change everything. “We’ve heard a lot about you. We love your profile. Would you be interested in the beauty editor position at Vogue Arabia?” 

“I screamed the house down,” she laughs. “It was in my personal email, so I hadn’t checked it for a few days. I fully believe in manifestation – I’d completely manifested that role.” 

She was young for such a prestigious position, but her decade of preparation had built the foundation. “I started in the industry at 14, so I’d worked hard for it.” 

Beyond the Headlines 

What surprised Alexandra most in her editorial career wasn’t the glamorous events or celebrity encounters – though meeting Donatella Versace at the Versace atelier remains a career highlight. It was discovering that the most memorable interviews often came from unexpected places. 

“My favourite interview of all time was Angelica Huston for Gucci. None of her answers felt rehearsed – she was just magical to speak to.” 

The Wellness Revolution 

While at Vogue, Alexandra began studying Integrative Nutrition, driven by a desire to understand the wellness claims flooding the beauty industry. “I was interviewing people and having brands come to me with stories, and I wanted to make more informed decisions rather than just reading press releases.” 

This education opened her eyes to a fundamental shift: “The industry is changing to be more health focused. It’s not wellness anymore – it’s about wellbeing. But there’s also toxic wellness, with everyone feeling like they need to be perfect.” 

Her approach to meditation reflects this balanced perspective: “People are always afraid, saying ‘I can’t meditate for an hour.’ But walking through nature for 10-15 minutes – that’s meditation too. It doesn’t need to be sitting cross-legged with your eyes closed.” 

Building Something New 

Today, Alexandra and her twin sister Morgan are launching Beauty List, a platform that embodies “mindful media meets community coaching.” The concept addresses a gap they identified in how beauty content is consumed. 

“Women told us they want to keep up with platforms without feeling like they’re missing loads of stories every day. We’re trying to slow everything down and highlight people more.” Rather than churning out seven or eight articles daily for SEO, Beauty List focuses on deeper storytelling. 

The Human Connection 

Perhaps most importantly, Alexandra’s journey reflects a broader industry evolution toward authenticity. “Everything’s on the market now – you’re buying into a personal story. Modelling is the same thing. People are buying into your story, not just a pretty face.” 

Her advice to founders mirrors this philosophy: “You don’t need to be perfect. Everyone’s doing it – you just have to be brave. Trust your team, trust the process. It does get easier.” 

Final Thoughts: The Beauty of Kindness 

For Alexandra, success isn’t measured in magazine covers or celebrity interviews – it’s about impact and connection. “Kindness is so overlooked sometimes, but it’s such a small industry. I’ve had interns who still write to me saying I was one of their favourite people because I tried to give them time and inspire them.” 

Her message to the next generation? “Be kind. Make one person smile a day. We’re all so competitive, but if we make a bigger cake by working together, there’s a slice for all of us.” 

In an industry often criticized for superficiality, Alexandra Venison is proof that true beauty lies in building others up, telling authentic stories, and remembering that behind every glossy image is a human being with something meaningful to share.