Lovely to chat with you Dina! Please share with us, what is involved in being a Wardrobe Stylist + Personal Shopper?

Modnitsa Styling, my main mission is to help my clients develop, define & polish their authentic personal style, and curate a wardrobe of pieces that closely reflects their aesthetic, personality & lifestyle. I teach my clients important style principles that they can apply to putting together outfits and getting dressed in the morning with ease & confidence.

No two days in my business are exactly alike – as I offer a variety of services & packages, and work with different clients every week. Typically, my services range from Color Analysis, Style Development, Closet Editing & Personal Shopping, and on days I’m not directly working with clients, I’m engaging my clients on my blog and social media platforms, as well as pre-shopping for them and gathering inspiration to stay on top of industry trends.

What does a typical morning look like for you?

Usually, my day starts with a healthy fresh pressed juice my husband makes & a few minutes of quiet time. I try to do a mediation when I can (I use Headspace), or just take a few minutes to concentrate on my goals and set the tone for a successful day. Then I have my breakfast & espresso & catch up on emails, social media and a few fashion blogs & publications. After that, I usually head into my office (which is located in the beautiful WeWork FiDi in Lower Manhattan).

What does a typical afternoon look like?

I schedule most of my client sessions in the afternoons, which allows me to do any preliminary work that needs to happen in the mornings – from administrative to pre-shopping for client Personal Shopping Sessions. Typically, on an afternoon that I’m working with a client, I will prepare for our meeting by reviewing their creative exercise I have them do as part of an initial consultation, or you’ll find me pre-shopping by visiting the stores on the client’s shopping list and selecting items that fit their style, budget and lifestyle, setting them aside for when they arrive to the session later on that afternoon. On other days, I may be going to a client’s home to review and edit their closet and help them build exciting outfits from what they have, and identify what’s missing – so again, no two days are exactly alike ☺

What events might you attend through your job?

As I’m always looking for inspiration for my clients and my blog, I often go to style and fashion events, store openings, fashion shows and art and fashion exhibits. I was recently invited to the opening of a new Anthropologie in the Financial District in NYC – so I got to see the store along with a select number of attendees before it opened publicly. It was awesome!

Where do you find inspiration for style + fashion?

Living in NYC truly inspires me, with all of its textures, colors, grit, vibrancy and dimensions. I am also constantly inspired by the women in New York, and how they put themselves together and carry themselves with ease and confidence. On a Spring day like today, I also love roaming the streets of some of my favorite neighborhoods, like Nolita or Meatpacking, weaving in and out of some of my favorite stores (Rebecca Taylor, Anthropologie, Theory) and grabbing a latte or sitting down in one of the cute cafes for a glass of Rosé. The pace of the city – its pulse and its never-ending energy – feed my soul.

What beauty products get you through your days at work?

I am a minimalist when it comes to my beauty routine, but taking care of my skin is a must and I don’t skip steps when it comes to that department! I always use a lightweight moisturizer (currently hooked on First Aid Ultra Repair Intense Hydration Cream) as well as a face oil on days when its especially dry out (my current favorite is a Circell Extraordinary Face Oil for Sensitive Skin, because it heals while providing moisture). I also love the Tocca Bianca Body Moisturizer, with its light fragrance and absorbing texture. As far as makeup, I always have my blue mascara on – and my current obsession is the Marc Jacobs “All About Yves” bright blue. As I talk a lot during my client sessions, I opt for a light-colored gloss or plain old chapstick, to keep my lips looking healthy and natural. Sometimes for a pop of color that is more low-maintenance, I use a lip liner on my entire lips and then cover them with a gloss – so the pigment stays on throughout the day with minimal touch-ups.

What advice can you give to readers who’d like to update their wardrobe?

The advice I always give to my clients is to think of your wardrobe in terms of outfits rather than individual pieces when you shop and organize. Thinking through what occasions you need to get dressed for and what type of message you want to project on those occasions really helps zero in on key pieces your wardrobe needs. Starting with great staples (e.g. a statement blazer, perfectly fitting pants, feminine blouses in neutral shades, classic pumps and flats, etc.) allows the building process to be more robust – and once you have the basics, adding some pieces and accessories with personality to give your outfits spice and make them authentic and unique is the perfect way to make your wardrobe rounded and versatile. And, of course, enlisting the help of a professional like myself is a great idea as it will allow you to see your wardrobe in a whole new way – to set up a solid foundation for smarter shopping and outfit building. I like to think of my Personal Styling Services as a smart investment and affordable luxury that helps your wardrobe & image feel & look better while helping to make you a smarter, more efficient shopper!