She has built a career of more than 30 years in a field that women around the world love: fashion.

Romanița Iovan is one of the strongest leaders in the industry and a true pioneer of Romanian fashion, coming from a generation in which women had to learn to claim their power rather than ask for permission.

From her first catwalk in the 1980s to becoming one of Romania's most respected fashion designers and entrepreneurs, she has built her journey and her legacy, step by step.

In this interview for Strong Women, Romanița Iovan reflects on the values that have guided her throughout every chapter of her life: integrity, authenticity, resilience and the courage to lead by example.

More than a conversation about fashion, this is a conversation about character, purpose and the timeless belief that true success is measured not only by what we achieve, but by the lives we touch and by who we become.

 

1. What truly drives you every day beyond success and recognition?

What truly drives me is the joy of creating something that didn't exist before.

Fashion is my language, and every collection tells a story. Beyond success and recognition, I am motivated by the opportunity to inspire confidence, celebrate femininity and leave behind work that has meaning and timeless value.

On a personal level, I believe life should be a journey of growth. Every challenge teaches me something new. Every collection pushes me to think differently. Today, I don't create to prove anything to anyone. I create because creativity is part of who I am. It is not simply my profession, it is my way of understanding life.

Fashion is much more than clothing for me — it is a way to express emotion, confidence and individuality.

2. What does it truly mean to be a powerful woman today and how is that different from simply being strong?

Success is often measured by achievements.

Power is measured by character. A powerful woman stays true to her values, makes difficult decisions with integrity and lifts others as she grows. The power comes from authenticity, resilience, and the ability to inspire, not to dominate.

For me, power is also the freedom to live according to your own values, not according to other people's expectations. Looking back, I don't think the most important part of my journey has been what I achieved. It's been who I've become through every experience, every challenge, and every new beginning.

Because in the end, success is what you accomplish while power is the strength of character you build along the way.

3. What is a value you have never compromised, even when it cost you something important?

Integrity.

There were moments when choosing integrity meant taking the harder path or giving up opportunities. But reputation is built over a lifetime and can be lost in a moment. I have always believed that maintaining integrity is more valuable than short-term success. I never regretted choosing honesty over convenience.

In the long run, integrity has always proven to be my greatest strength.

 

4. What has sustained you in your most difficult moments internally, not externally?

Faith in myself, patience, and the belief that every difficult chapter has something to teach us. Life has challenged me more than once, but I never allowed hardship to define me.

Instead, I chose to grow through it.

5. Looking back, who shaped you more in critical moments: a man or a woman, and how?

Both. Strong women inspired my resilience and emotional strength, while remarkable men challenged me to think bigger and be courageous. I believe wisdom has no gender.

We grow through the people who encourage us to become our best selves.

6. What mindset shift is essential for young girls who want to become truly powerful women?

Stop asking for permission.

Believe in your own voice, embrace failure as part of growth, and understand that confidence comes from action, not from waiting until you feel ready.

True power doesn't come from trying to please everyone or proving your worth to others. True power stems from knowing your value, taking responsibility for your choices and having the courage to keep going even when the path is uncertain.

Confidence is built through action, not perfection.

7. What is the most defining lesson you’ve learned specifically as a woman navigating power?

That kindness and strength are not opposites.

You can be compassionate without being weak and determined without losing your humanity. Real leadership is built on respect, not fear. True power is not about control, it's about influence, integrity and consistency.

When you lead with confidence and stay true to your values, respect follows naturally.

8. How do you face self-doubt or fear when the stakes are high and what should other women understand about those moments?

Fear never completely disappears, regardless of experience.

I've learned not to wait for fear to go away but to move forward despite it. Every important step in my life required courage before confidence. Don't let fear make your decisions.

Courage is not the absence of fear, it's choosing to move forward despite it.

9. If you could offer one piece of advice to help Strong Women grow into a truly impactful international initiative, what would it be?

Stay authentic. The world doesn't need another copy — it needs your unique perspective.

Excellence opens doors, and authenticity creates lasting influence. Becoming a role model is not about being perfect, it's about being authentic and consistent. I believe the greatest responsibility is to lead by example, to stay true to your values and to show that success can be achieved with integrity, kindness and resilience.

People learn more from what we do than from what we say.

10. When your journey is complete, how do you want your power, not just your success to be remembered?

I hope to be remembered as someone who created beauty with purpose, who inspired confidence in others, and who remained true to her values through every chapter of her life.

Success fades with time, but the positive impact we leave on people is what truly endures. I want the next generation to know that success is not defined only by achievement, but also by the lives we touch, the opportunities we create for others, and the values we uphold.

If I can encourage even one woman to be more confident, more resilient and more compassionate, then I will have made a meaningful difference.