RUSSIA: In an unexpected turn of events, Yulia Lebedeva, a 45-year-old director of the Naz Maer Fashion House, has defied conventional career paths, transitioning from a successful tenure at Tinkoff Insurance to becoming a prominent figure in the world of high fashion. Lebedeva, born in Nalchik, in the Caucasus, shared her unique journey, which lacked formal education in fashion but was fueled by a passion for continuous learning.
Lebedeva’s story began with an accidental encounter with a modeling advertisement during her time at Tinkoff Insurance. Responding out of curiosity at the age of 43, she ventured into the fashion world, honing her skills through modeling lessons and eventually catching the attention of renowned designer Naz Maer. Unexpectedly, this led to an offer to become the director of the Naz Maer Fashion House, a position she embraced alongside her demanding role at Tinkoff due to her exceptional sales achievements.
Balancing personal life with a hectic professional schedule, Lebedeva expressed the challenges of a 24/7 work commitment but maintained an optimistic outlook, waiting for her “only prince.”
Addressing the difficulties she faced, Lebedeva credited her belief in the mantra “if you really want to, you can fly into space!” She emphasized the importance of taking risks and pushing beyond comfort zones. Within a year, the Naz Maer brand achieved global recognition, participating in prestigious fashion weeks worldwide and even staging a remarkable show at the Cricket World Championship in Abu Dhabi.
In a final message to readers aspiring to pursue unconventional paths, Lebedeva encouraged them to fearlessly pursue their goals. She stressed the significance of taking risks, embracing challenges, and seizing opportunities, emphasizing that regretting missed chances is more daunting than the challenges faced in the pursuit of something extraordinary.
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