There are women who do not need a special introduction — because you feel them. In the way they choose their words, in the silence they cultivate just as much as the dynamic they lead, in the ease with which they blend strength and softness. Their presence is not imposing, but it stays. Ivanka Mabić Gagić is exactly that kind of woman. At first glance, her world is defined by clarity — the role of CEO of the Croatian branch of Aleph, responsibility, decisions, a pace that leaves little room for pause. But what makes Ivanka truly special lies beneath the surface of that structured world. It is the space where introspection meets ambition, inner work meets outer results, the need for meaning meets the desire to create.
Her story has no sharp cuts or simple definitions — it is built in layers, through years of questioning, growth and a quiet movement toward herself. From a phase of constant doing to a conscious state of being, Ivanka today embodies the kind of balance we increasingly strive for — not perfection, but alignment. Perhaps that is precisely why her connection to the A'MARIE world feels so natural. Because the A'MARIE woman is not just an aesthetic — she is a feeling. Subtle, but clear. Sensual, but her own. Always in dialogue with herself, but present in the world around her. Ivanka carries that feeling not only through style, but through the way she lives, chooses and leads.
To begin, how would you describe yourself in a few sentences — personally and professionally?
It is difficult for me to define myself. My personality has changed over the years, grown and rearranged itself alongside me. I believe that whoever stays until the end of this conversation will have a clearer picture of who I am. Right now I am in a creative phase. I am looking for space for expression, reflection and simply being. There was a time when Ivanka was almost entirely in doing mode — in action, in motion. Today I feel I am moving toward balance, toward a more conscious rhythm where being and doing can coexist.
As CEO of the Croatian branch of Aleph, you lead a dynamic and demanding environment. What decisions or moments do you consider most defining in shaping your professional path?
I would say that two things have shaped me most — a clear vision and a very concrete strategy for living that vision every day. At a certain point I realised it is not enough to simply do your job well. You need to know what that means to you. For me, that gradually crystallised into three areas I like to call: product quality, culture and efficiency. Product quality means truly understanding what we do — from the product itself to the value we bring to clients. The point is not just to sell something, but to know why it is relevant and how it delivers results. People — culture — are the most important part. Culture does not happen by chance. It is the result of daily decisions: how we hire, how we give feedback, how honest we are, how we maintain standards, but also how much we care for one another. I believe that high results and humanity can and must go together. And efficiency is discipline. Clear processes, clear responsibilities and focus. In a dynamic environment there is no room for unnecessary complexity — efficiency is actually a form of respect for the time and energy of the team.It is important not to leave culture and direction to chance, but to build them consciously
Your role carries great responsibility — what does your daily balance between an intense professional pace and private life look like, and what helps you stay focused and grounded?
As time passes, I pay more attention to how I spend my energy — not just my time. I have learned that the point is not to get everything done, but to consciously choose what you invest your energy in. Today I am much more focused on priorities that have the greatest impact on the business, the team and long-term goals. I try not to spend energy on things that are not important to me or do not carry real value. The other thing that matters greatly to me is rituals. I like to begin the day in stillness — usually through meditation and a little time for myself and reflection. This helps me enter the day focused rather than reactive. I pay equal attention to how I close the day. That transition from work mode to private life matters to me — through relaxation, distance from screens and time that helps me reset.
Reaching the position of CEO was certainly not a linear path — what would you highlight as the most important lessons that brought you to where you are today?
Listening to myself and my own inner compass. In every moment I try to stay in contact with what I feel is the right next step — not only rationally, but intuitively as well. The second is trust in myself. As you take on greater responsibilities, the amount of uncertainty grows with it. In those moments it is essential to believe that you can make decisions and handle the consequences, even when you do not have all the answers in advance. The third is people and work. A quality team that shares your values makes an enormous difference — nothing happens alone. But equally, without concrete action, discipline and persistence there are no results. Ideas matter, but they only become reality through consistent effort.
Your career is impressive and very dynamic. What drives you most in your work today and where do you find new inspiration?
What drives me most in work is progress and growth — personal, team-wide and organisational. A harmonious team environment, quality and inspiring colleagues and the sense that we are creating positive change together matter greatly to me. I find inspiration at conferences, at Aleph's internal regional and global events, and through leaders who challenge me intellectually and in terms of values — often through podcasts and conversations that broaden perspective and encourage growth.
You come from a world of high pace and responsibility — what does your ideal reset day look like?
My ideal reset is escaping with family to a hotel by the sea, with a spa, pools, all-inclusive and no need to go anywhere — just presence, rest and time together.The other version of my perfect reset is a meditation or personal development retreat — a space of silence, introspection and deep inner recharging.
How important is work-life balance to you and how do you achieve it in practice?
I need a sense of balance and the feeling that I have space for all the important aspects of my life. I am aware that perfect balance does not fully exist — we always, according to our priorities, choose where to direct our energy. But it matters to me to know that I have set aside time for what is truly important: for family, for my family in Dubrovnik, for myself and my personal time, for work, for friends and all the other parts of life that bring me joy and fulfilment. When I feel that I am successfully integrating all those roles and responsibilities, that is when I feel in balance.
A large part of your story is connected to personal development and awareness — how did that journey begin?
Yes, that area has always interested me — and it all began quite spontaneously. I remember seeing an advertisement for a Kabbalah course in my final year of university. At that time there were not many personal development courses available and without any particular plan I started exploring — first Kabbalah, and then other schools and approaches.The real turning point came when I enrolled in a four-year school for personal and organisational development, dedicated to deep self-exploration. That is when I truly began serious inner work — and I fell completely in love with that inner universe, with the themes of consciousness and personal development. Those are still the activities that fill me most. In that space I find meaning, joy and inspiration for life. It is my source of energy and clarity.
What have you learned about yourself through all the education and experiences you have gone through?
In the context of personal development — I have been through a great deal. I went deep into my own beliefs about myself and others, into the patterns that shaped me, but also into parts of my personality that I had suppressed for years. There was everything — beautiful, liberating insights, but also less comfortable ones that required courage and honesty with myself.Over time I began to piece together my own why. Questions like: why these particular parents, this partner, this professional path? What does the mirror of my life tell me about myself? My personal story, my patterns and the roles I take on became clearer to me. This is literally an entire inner universe — material for twenty seasons of Game of Thrones or several Lord of the Rings trilogies.The most important lesson I have learned is that love and respect for oneself is the greatest gift we can give ourselves. Full acceptance of oneself — all aspects, light and shadow — is the school for which we are here. Alongside that inner journey, through business education including an MBA, I learned how to structure a business so that everything functions.
Is there a practice or habit you cannot do without today?
My morning coffee and meditation are my small daily ritual — time to connect with myself before the obligations and pace of the day begin. It is a space of stillness and alignment. Equally important to me is time for reflection at the end of the day or week — to pause, to look at what happened, what I learned. In those moments I return to myself and maintain inner clarity.
It is often said that our private life defines us as much as our career — what does family mean to you? Are there any small rituals you especially cherish as a family?
Family is the place where I feel completely myself — we understand each other on a deeper level and we all know and feel that, even without words. There is a thread that connects us, quiet but strong. For me it is my safe harbour — a space of safety, love and belonging.Our small rituals are simple but precious. We are great film lovers — we adore films and series, especially science fiction and futuristic themes. We read books together, travel, play cards and board games. We laugh, argue and learn from each other. These are the moments that fill me and remind me what truly matters in life.
You have been an A'MARIE girl for many years — do you remember your first piece and what drew you to the brand then?
I remember the feeling of sensuality that was awakening in me at the time, as I discovered A'MARIE pieces that somehow perfectly captured that feminine expression — sensual and yet structured and sculptural at the same time. I remember the scents, the textures and the beautiful fabrics. Although I remember the actual piece less clearly today — I think it was a black summer dress — I remember much more strongly the feeling that was awakening in me: a combination of elegance, sensuality and timelessness.
How would you describe the A'MARIE philosophy and why does it resonate with you?
Sensual, feminine and yet structured — with timeless elegance and pieces that can be worn for a lifetime, across different occasions. The entire brand philosophy is consistently carried through every touchpoint — from the store space, through the beautiful materials, to the scent and the overall experience. It resonates with me because it communicates what personally suits me as well: refinement and simplicity, alongside the simultaneous presence of the feminine and masculine aspects. Everything is at its core timeless. I love buying a few pieces a year and knowing they will stay with me for a long time — often a lifetime. That approach matters to me because it speaks of quality, not quantity.
Do you have a signature A'MARIE piece or combination in which you always feel like the best version of yourself?
Often when I wear A'MARIE pieces, people ask me where I bought them. What I particularly appreciate about the brand is the possibility of a custom approach — that a piece can be adapted to me, my body and my feeling. I love floor-length skirts — they make me feel extraordinarily feminine and elegant. I have one black A'MARIE skirt and top that are particularly dear to me; those are pieces in which I feel completely myself. The skirt was adjusted to be long, which was especially important to me.They are simple at first glance, but that simplicity carries complexity — a deeper story and thoughtfulness that is difficult to verbalise immediately, but is clearly felt.The leather jacket from one of the most recent collections is also a this is me piece for me. And the summer basic options I have in almost every colour — they are incredibly comfortable and at the same time chic and wearable on every occasion.
What has caught your eye most from the current offering and how would you style that piece?
The Sienna Cognac dress is beautiful — it is simply it. It is a piece you can wear in all occasions: to work, casually during the day or in the evening. That wearability across different contexts matters greatly to me. The earrings are also beautiful — they have the same aesthetic of refinement and simplicity. The Eran dresses are equally special to me; they are all truly beautiful and I chose the grey one.
How would you describe your style today? How much has it changed over the years?
I would describe my style today as timeless minimalism — feminine but with a clear structure, sharpness and clean lines. I love simple pieces that have depth — in cut, material and the feeling they carry. Elegance that is not loud, but present, refined and natural, matters to me. I experience dressing as an extension of myself — a space for expression and creativity. My style has changed over the years, but more in the sense of maturing rather than radical change.Today it is much more conscious and selective — fewer pieces, but better chosen. I know more clearly what suits me, what makes me feel like myself and what has long-term value.
What does your beauty routine look like? Do you enjoy small self-care rituals?
I try to be consistent with my beauty routine because I am aware of how important self-care is — especially as the years pass. There was a time when I was much more relaxed about it; youth tolerates almost anything. Today I primarily care for my skin and hair. I still do not do more serious treatments or procedures. I am loyal to a simple but consistent approach — routines that support a natural and healthy appearance.Last year when my immunity dropped I stopped exercising. I know that is a habit I need to return to — I feel my body asking for movement and strength.
What does feeling comfortable in your own skin mean to you?
Accepting and loving yourself. Loving your life — where you are, what you are and where you are going. Loving your story, with all its chapters. Expressing yourself and your truth in all aspects of life.
Is there an artist, space or style you always return to?
Artists I always return to are David Lynch and H. R. Giger. There is something dark in their work, but at the same time deeply personal and authentic. They do not flee from the shadow — they create through it. Their work breaks through convention and enters something deeper, rawer and more honest. I always return to Dubrovnik as well. The whiteness of the stone and the light that illuminates it enchant me every time. For me it is a kind of meditation through beauty. Perhaps I am subjective because I was born there, but Dubrovnik holds for me a deeper level of peace as well — something that cannot be explained, only felt.
What music do you listen to — what relaxes you and what motivates you?
I love film music most, like that created by Hans Zimmer. I love when music allows me to experience emotions and inner scenarios — both in the body and in the mind. That kind of music motivates and moves me. Lately I have been listening increasingly to ambient and minimalist music because it gives me space, stillness and depth — that is what relaxes me most.
What does it mean to you today to be a woman who leads — both herself and others?
Leading myself means living in alignment with myself — being in contact with my own boundaries, desires, needs and intuition. When that is present, leading others becomes more natural. But before that comes the capacity to be with yourself — especially when it is not comfortable. From that place, leadership is no longer about managing people, but about creating space — space in which people can grow, think and take responsibility, knowing they are seen and supported.
What makes you happiest right now — honestly, every day?
I have started writing poetry and that space where I can be completely myself means more and more to me. I try to set aside a moment every day for that state — quieter, deeper and more honest — and to express myself from within it. I truly enjoy that.
