An Early Passion for Fashion
Born in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, Tatiana Shabelnik developed an early love for the arts and fashion design. Her childhood was filled with sketches of outfits, whether for herself or for her paper dolls, always with the hope of blossoming into a real designer. Despite not being able to enroll in a fashion school in Belarus, her dream persisted. This early dedication laid the foundation for her future success in the fashion industry.
The Journey to Formal Education and Career Launch
Tatiana’s pursuit of a career in fashion design continued even after she received graduate degrees in library science. She worked in several careers, including as a librarian and web manager for colleges, universities, and the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. Her formal study of fashion began with the Otis College Continuing Education Program. This pivotal step led to the launch of her sophisticated, classy, chic, and avant-garde line of clothing for women called “CONTRAST.”
In October 2013, Nika Soon-Shiong from the Los Angeles Times wrote a feature article on Tatiana, highlighting her bold move into the fashion industry mid-life. Tatiana’s debut at Style Fashion Week, Los Angeles, showcased her fall/winter collection “Contrast” and received enthusiastic praise from Adam Tschorn of the Los Angeles Times, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Inspiration and Motivation
Becoming a fashion designer was Tatiana’s childhood dream. At 44, she decided it was time to start, proving that it’s never too late to pursue one’s passion. Her mother, a physicist at the Academy of Science of Belarus, also had a passion for sewing, crocheting, and knitting. Tatiana introduced a hand-crocheted dress by her mother at Runway Dubai in 2015, dedicating her brand “CONTRAST” to her mother and lifelong creative partner.
Bridging Cultural Gaps Through Fashion
Tatiana aims to bridge the gap between the past and the future, East and West, creating a seamless blend of vintage charm and contemporary flair. Her brand is a fusion of cultures, weaving together the rich traditions of the East with the contemporary flair of the West. Chic, timeless designs reflect Belarusian cultural roots and traditional folk dresses, celebrating risk-taking, physical confidence, vivacious competition, and independence. Her designs resonate globally, making her collections timeless and universally appealing.
Unique Brand Philosophy
Tatiana’s brand is described as eponymous, female-founded, led, run, and self-funded, valuing diversity and female empowerment. All garments are one-of-a-kind and sustainability-conscious. Her mission is to bring avant-garde wearable art to everyone globally and unite world cultures through fashion and glamour. Tatiana’s designs reflect her joyful celebration of fashion, making her clients feel unique, independent, and free from limitations dictated by customs of different countries.
Project Decisions and Motivations
Tatiana’s projects come spontaneously, often driven by invitations to show her collections at world runways. Each collection concept is tailored to the specific show and location. Fashion, for Tatiana, is more than a profession; it is a form of art therapy. Creating something beautiful from mere pieces of cloth provides a sense of accomplishment and peace. Fashion helps her navigate life’s complexities, turning pain into beauty and challenges into opportunities.
Defining Success
Success for Tatiana transcends the visible markers of the fashion industry like runways and celebrity endorsements. It encompasses creative fulfillment, impact, and continuous evolution of self and craft. Success means having the freedom to experiment, innovate, and push boundaries, creating pieces that resonate with her aesthetic and vision. It is measured by the joy and confidence her creations bring to those who wear them.
Tatiana is also a philanthropist, involved in initiatives like Elephantasia, raising awareness and funds to protect African elephants. Her designs have been featured in prominent publications and events, including the TUSK BALL hosted by Prince Charles in London.
Proud Milestones
Tatiana’s ten-year journey in fashion is a testament to her dedication and passion. Her creations have been featured in publications like L’Officiel Australia, Los Angeles Times, VOGUE UK, GLAMOUR UK, GQ UK, TATLER UK, and Madame Magazine (Dubai). Celebrating her ten-year anniversary with a private fashion show and editorial photoshoot, Tatiana showcased her latest collection at New York Fashion Week in February 2024, collaborating with jewelry designer Alex Soldier and shoe designer John Fluevog. The success of the show highlighted her artistic expression and innovative fashion.
Future Projects
Tatiana is currently working on a new collection, set to be unveiled at a fashion show this Fall. Her journey continues to inspire and influence the fashion world, staying true to her vision of unity through fashion.
