On the surface, the world of reality television and interior design may seem like a whirlwind of drama, fast-paced transformations, and fleeting trends. But Alison Victoria, Chicago-born designer and television star, knows better. Her work, marked by a keen eye for detail and a commitment to authenticity, stands in stark contrast to the rush of instant makeovers or scripted moments. Victoria’s journey, from her role as the first female host of HGTV’s Kitchen Crashers to the Emmy-nominated success of Windy City Rehab, portrays her staying power in an industry that often feels like a revolving door of the next big thing.
Victoria’s connection to design isn’t just professional—it’s personal, embedded deep within her childhood memories and fueled by her love for Chicago’s storied architecture. She remembers long drives along Lakeshore Drive with her father, gazing out the window at the city’s historic brownstones and graystones, and feeling drawn to the beauty of buildings that whispered of the past. “Each house had a story,” she recalls. “I always felt like I was getting a peek into something bigger—something I wanted to be a part of.”
“I want people to walk into a room and instantly know it’s one of mine, not because it’s trendy, but because it’s authentic.”
Today, that childhood fascination has evolved into a signature design approach that marries old-world charm with modern sensibility. Her projects are a reflection of her ethos: design that honors the past but speaks to the present. It’s no accident that many of the spaces she creates include antique hardscape pieces, reclaimed wood, or materials with a history of their own. For Victoria, sustainability isn’t just a trend; it’s an intrinsic part of what makes her spaces feel timeless. “I want people to walk into a room and instantly know it’s one of mine,” she says, “not because it’s trendy, but because it’s authentic.”
That authenticity also permeates the way Victoria approaches her television work. For her, reality TV should be just that—real. “I’m not interested in creating moments for the camera,” she explains. “The design comes first, and the cameras just follow.” This unscripted, documentary-style approach to Windy City Rehab has earned her a devoted following, with viewers tuning in not just for the stunning renovations, but for the honest portrayal of the renovation process itself—complete with the emotional highs and lows. “People can spot fake from a mile away,” she says. “They want to see the truth, even if it’s messy.”
It’s this very truth that inspired her to launch Briefly Gorgeous Productions, her own production company aimed at telling meaningful, authentic stories. The company’s name, a nod to the fleeting yet impactful nature of television, encapsulates her mission to create content that lingers in the minds of viewers long after the credits roll. “Shows like The Brady Bunch or Trading Spaces weren’t on forever,” she points out, “but they made a huge impact.” Through Briefly Gorgeous, Victoria hopes to give other creators the chance to tell stories that matter, stories that are as real as the homes she transforms.
While design and television are undeniably central to Victoria’s career, they’re not the only places she’s leaving her mark. Deeply committed to philanthropy, she has recently partnered with the Chicago Refugee Coalition to help design Life Harbor Academy, a school for refugee children. The project, born out of a desire to give back to her community and inspired by her partner, filmmaker Brandt Andersen’s work on the Syrian refugee crisis, is yet another example of Victoria using her platform for good. “It wasn’t a question for me,” she says. “This is exactly where I want to be putting my energy.”
Despite her ever-growing list of achievements, Victoria remains grounded in the values that have carried her this far—her Chicago roots, her passion for design, and her drive to make an impact. Her recent Emmy nomination for Windy City Rehab feels like the culmination of years of hard work, but for Victoria, it’s only the beginning. “It’s surreal,” she admits, “but my goal isn’t just to be nominated—it’s to win.”
Whether she’s breathing new life into historic homes or pushing the boundaries of what reality TV can be, Alison Victoria continues to prove that staying true to yourself is the most powerful design choice you can make. In a world that’s always chasing the next big thing, she’s in it for the long haul, building a legacy that, like her spaces, will stand the test of time.
