My formal education did not include art, design, or any creative courses. Instead, I earned a BA in Russian language and literature. Only after extensive travel, living abroad, and establishing a more practical career in business did I plunge headfirst into the fashion world with a handful of designs I had created. I took the six sample garments, my complete line, to New York, and within a month or so, they were featured in Vogue. This was followed by Harper’s Bazaar, Sports Illustrated, and most other fashion magazines and newspapers, which continued season after season. Retailers such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdales, along with many other major stores and boutiques across the country, carried my brand. I was asked to design a new collection for Givenchy, consulted for several notable brands, and taught design at Parsons.