Irina graduated from Sorbonne University with a Master’s degree in International Trade and then specialised in Luxury Management at ESGCI (École Supérieure de Gestion et Commerce International).

She studied fashion and textile technology, styling and costume history at École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne and completed the Business of Fashion program at IFM (Institut Français de la Mode).

After graduation and her initial experience in the fashion industry, she joined the historic French lace maker Sophie Hallette, where she was in charge of international and Parisian luxury brands for more than five years. During her time at Sophie Hallette, Irina collaborated with Parisian haute couture houses, international luxury brands, and skilled artisans. It was there that she met Mona, her future business partner.

After obtaining a first fashion degree at La Salle College in Istanbul, Mona studied Haute Couture sewing, flat pattern draping, patronage, flat cutting, lectra at L’École de la Chambre Syndicale de Haute Couture Parisienne. 

Keen to further deepen her skills in Haute Couture techniques, Mona spent two more years at the prestigious Ecole Lesage, where she specialised in high fashion embroidery.

Irina and Mona immediately understand that they share the same vision of fashion and aesthetics paired with the desire to create very unique experiences for their clients, transforming the most sophisticated ideas into reality. That’s how the totem was born.

We also have a great team of skilled seamstresses working in our atelier.