DYLAN ALI: THE VIBE ALCHEMIST
Feature Editor / Koko Ntuen
Photos / Felipe Zapata-Valencia
CD + Styling / Phil Gomez
Beauty Editor / Rory Alavrez
Cover Art / Mikey Meza-Pérez
Hair Stylist / Isaac Davidson / Che Nieves
Styling Assistant / Alon Cameron
MUA / Anaiyah Simmons / Nyala chamberlain / Sophie Hartnett
Some artists don’t just play music—they become it. DJ Dylan Ali is one of those rare forces. A Brooklyn-based sonic alchemist, actress, stylist, and creative director, Dylan is carving out a space where music, fashion, and culture collide in the most hypnotic way. Born to an Ethiopian immigrant mother and a Black American father, her eclectic background fuels the energy she brings to every set, every scene, and every moment she curates.
As a DJ, she doesn’t just mix tracks—she crafts experiences, spinning sets that pulse with emotion, nostalgia, and a touch of futuristic cool.
But her influence doesn’t stop at music. Dylan’s fashion presence is just as bold, seamlessly merging her DJ world with high-fashion collaborations in New York and Paris. She embodies the new wave of creatives who refuse to be boxed in—blurring the lines between music, art, and style.
As a woman in the DJ scene, have you faced any challenges in breaking through, and how have you flipped those moments into empowerment?
Yes, in the very beginning it was hard to get people to take me seriously. I began leaning on community and collaborated with peers until my resume, skill set, and reputation were no longer deniable. It didn’t happen overnight, it was gradual. Patience and loving your craft is essential!
Women’s Herstory Month is all about honoring the past while shaping the future. What advice would you give to young women breaking into the music industry?
Move at your own pace and carve out your own lane based on your lived experiences. Don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s, other girls in your boat are your community; not competitors. Our job is to show up, play music, and entertain an audience. We can all shine, succeed, and coexist as we are. Don’t let the industry or politics jade you. The people who move nasty never stick around for long.
What does it mean to be an “It Girl”?
Being an IT girl comes from self assuredness, being a leader, and not being afraid of deviating from the norm. You have to create the world you want to see and allow others to follow suit
DJing is an act of curation and connection. What’s a track that never fails to set the mood, and why does it hold significance for you?
I love Mrs. Officer by Lil Wayne & Bobby V; it’s a universal room equalizer, moves all races & genders. I love fun silly nostalgia!
How do you see the role of women evolving in music spaces, and what changes would you love to see in the industry?
Women are more autonomous & have more agency over their image/likeness. More women own their masters, more women are producing and engineering the record. I would love to see us move forward in this direction and continue hiring one another and collaborating together. I would also love seeing real accountability and support when women speak out on issues affecting everyone. It’s often condemnation, alienation, and silencing. Men are rarely retaliated against for being on the right side of history.
Dress + hat, Frankie Julia. Boots, Dr. Martens.
If you could spin a set for any iconic woman in history, past or present, who would it be, and what would that setlist sound like?
I would have loved to DJ a party for Whitney Houston. I feel like she would’ve had a fun time. We’re both leos. I feel like we would’ve had a ki.
Outside of DJing, where do you find your power?
I find my power on set. I am a gigantic theatre kid and love the power of reinventing oneself in the name of storytelling. I also love the work created on set beginning conversations around art and the stasis of the world. Whether it’s as talent or behind the scenes, my heart is always on set.
What’s next for you? Any dream collaborations or projects on the horizon that we should keep our ears tuned in for?
I’m getting back into hair/art direction and consulting for artists & brands. Hopefully things pick back up soon! Also more mixes and edits!
Full Look, Taottao.
