Maria Egorova, editor-in-chief of the magazine of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Russia and a devoted reader of Burda, refutes the myth that sewing is the destiny of housewives and talks about how to make money on a hobby!
Business women and sewing - are these concepts compatible? How much does the dress code infringe on our rights and does the bright image interfere with work? Let's talk about this with Maria Egorova, editor-in-chief of the magazine of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Russia, a leading author of media training and a devoted reader of Burda. Maria refutes the popular myth that sewing is the destiny of housewives, and talks about how to turn a hobby into a source of income. Our guest shares her secrets of business style and offers to expand the boundaries of the office dress code.
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For those who prefer not to listen but to read, we have prepared a transcript of the conversation!
Marianna Makarova: Good afternoon, friends! You are listening to the Burda magazine podcast about fashion, style, and trends. With you, I am the chief editor, Marianna Makarova.
And today, our guest again is Maria Egorova, editor-in-chief of the journal of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Russia, the lead author of media trainings and a long-time member of our BURDA community and a true fan of our magazine.
Last time, Masha and I talked very interestingly about how her journey in fashion began, how she began to get acquainted with the magazine, but did not talk about many topics.
Hello, Masha! Are you ready for the new round?
Maria Egorova: Hello, Marianne! Sewing maniac is always ready to talk about sewing (laughs)!
MM: We are very happy! Masha modestly kept silent, but in reality she is not just a sewing maniac and the editor-in-chief of the magazine of the chamber of commerce and industry, but she is also a woman entrepreneur! In any case, she had such an experience. How do you manage to combine all this?
ME: Marianne, with difficulty! But then again, I am convinced and the further, the more that it turns out to do only what you like to do. That's when this courage disappears, it says that you are not interested. And when I glance at my schedules and graphs in notebooks, and I still write with pens, and see my diverse things there, I ask myself the question: why? And the answer is simple: well, I just like it, I love it! That is why it is possible to combine and do this with pleasure.
MM: I know that you are participating in the Lady in Action project. What kind of project is this and why is it interesting?
ME: This is a unique project. Last year I was trained in the framework of this social-educational project for women "Lady 007". He is called that. This is such a business accelerator, where women are taught free basics of entrepreneurial activity. Last year I was in the next search for myself. I wanted to try myself everywhere, I was such a three-headed mountain snake. And I came to the project, and so I stayed there. She joined the team and began conducting motivational meetings and public interviews with various interesting women who created their own business as part of this project.And we gathered beautiful female parties, on which everyone could communicate, “network” - as they say now, and exchange energy. And this project gave me a huge leap and charge of energy for new achievements.
MM: Does this mean that any woman who has the ability to do business can join this project? Well, for example, in the field of sewing is this possible?
ME: Absolutely! By the way, last year this is exactly what I considered. Many people ask me a question: why have you been sewing for so many years and still have not monetized your hobby, that is, have you made it a source of income? Last year, I became convinced that I still did not want this. But there were different thoughts. For example, I wanted to revive the idea of my wonderful leader Elena Dmitrievna Sorokina, who created a children's fashion theater in our school. I wanted to create an adult fashion theater. Since she herself was one of the lucky ones who participated in the fashion show Burda!
00:03:40
MM: Yes, as part of our project on the Needlework Formula. I confirm.
ME: It was so great to be back in this world, to feel this drive! And I realized how we all lack this. Just walk for a few seconds on the catwalk, profiling and feeling yourself already in a different energy, in a different state. This idea is haunting me. Well, plus all that it’s a sin to hide, very often we have to win our right to sew, because at home we all immediately become needed! Cats, children, grandmothers, husbands ... you sit down at the typewriter, and guilt immediately falls upon you. Therefore, I came up with the idea of such a female coworking, where women can legally engage in sewing surrounded by like-minded people. I rushed with this idea last year, and it did not crystallize out with me in anything concrete, but I still hope that I will not leave it.
As for the other participants, we had unique girls who did their sewing projects: someone created interesting dresses, someone was engaged in knitting, and all this was for sale, so it gradually degenerated into such microbusinesses. So yes, "Lady 007" gives such an opportunity, and sewing is one of the bright cases on which you can earn and have fun.
MM: I think that many of our students will take note of this, but now I would like to turn our conversation on a slightly different plane. Last time, Masha and I talked about the fact that her style is very bright and recognizable, and at the same time she is a business woman. How does this relate to each other? And doesn’t such a bright image interfere with your work?
ME: It sometimes interferes, because the work of a journalist, and I think so, is precisely the image that matters! In general, I'm obsessed with how a journalist should look. And I even once wanted to write a scientific treatise on this subject. Communication develops, including due to the appearance. When I lived in Vladimir, I had a job connected with such a difficult social group, when I was sent to some settlements where people were not paid salaries for six months. And there it was very important to look your own, so that you did not look like a stranger. And I had such a case when I wasn’t prepared, I arrived in a workers' village, where people practically bent from poverty. And I arrived in the image of a city name: a pencil skirt sewn with my own hand, an openwork blouse and stilettos. It didn’t cost a lot of money, but I still looked like such a lady. They categorically refused to communicate with me. And then I was saved by my fellow journalist, who arrived in a colorful long dress and immediately established communication. It is very important to feel who you are going to for an interview or for a meeting, and absolutely it is absolutely necessary to comply with this. In this regard, I am very confused and get what I am missing. And I don’t have enough, as I said classic clothes.
00:06:55
MM: Well, you know, the journalistic profession still has its own characteristics, but I would like to return you to the business style, to the style of a business woman.What are its features today? It is no secret that residents of large cities basically work in offices. And there is a dress code that must be respected. How do you feel about him?
ME: I personally don't treat him very well, because I think that any dress code is an infringement of my rights to self-expression. But there is a corporate culture, there is common sense. And if he is present, then this is the most important thing. Last year, I wrote a series of materials on male and female business style. Communicated with stylists, image makers and fashion historians, including just those very business ices. For example, I had several heroines such as top managers of Russian banks. Many of them have branches abroad, and we drew a parallel - as it is possible there and as it is impossible with us. One of the top managers of the bank, whose branch is located in Italy, told me that there they can even afford sandals! Moreover, in combination with stockings or with tights, which we consider to be the worst bad manners. And also blouses with a short sleeve, more a decollete, although with us it does not look quite decent. Specialists told me that there are no norms and canons, and the main marker of compliance is still common sense and a sense of taste, and a sense of style. You can, for example, choose such a delicate move as a bright lining that can be used in a classic jacket. And maybe no one will see it or by chance it flashes somewhere, but you can afford it and no one will scold you for it, and you feel that you have fulfilled your need for brightness.
MM: And speaking of individuality, which we inevitably introduce even into the business dress code, can you give your own tips or life hacks? I think that a gray and boring business wardrobe is still not for you.
00:09:11
ME: Yes, that's right. I have this gray and boring, but not boring suit with a midi skirt and a vest. What is a good vest? It can be mixed with bright blouses. It seems to me that it is in this case that it becomes such an obvious lifesaver. What does it even have to be a white blouse. It is absolutely not necessary that she was such a classic shirt cut. And in this regard, the magazine Burda offers us a huge number of variations. And I personally, when I consider technical drawings, and see how this silhouette looks, I immediately understand that this blouse is interesting to me. This is an unusual collar or unexpected neckline. I have a very favorite Burda blouse with wide long cuffs, with a beautiful neckline and a little counter. In the magazine she is in white, and in my blue. Plus, overalls are actively included in the business wardrobe!
MM: This is not a work overalls in which you come to production? Is it really possible to go to the office in overalls?
ME: Well, here again, returning to my beloved Burda - there are beautiful overalls, completely classic, with jacket lapels. I just speak and imagine this jumpsuit for myself, which I just can’t sew, but I have been planning it for several years now. When these are classic pants with arrows, sometimes just wide pants. Therefore, for some time now I became a fan of overalls and I think that they have a place to be in the office. Plus, the dress is my favorite clothes - and it can and should be in the wardrobe of a business woman. The dress can be as an independent unit and it can be perfectly combined with both a vest and a jacket, and this will also be an opportunity for a creative flight. Dresses are completely different - both midi and mini. But in the business style, of course, MIDI, and against its background of experiments there can be a huge amount: neckline, collars, sleeves ... And we add accessories: different brooches and earrings. It is believed that in a business style they should be concise and small, well, let it be considered, but I don’t think so! And I use bright enough jewelry, but to the extent permitted.
MM: Well, then, I wish all of our listeners to be as bright and individual as Masha.And from her I take a promise that she will certainly have a business overalls in her wardrobe. I’m even interested to see it. And I think everyone who follows our updates on the site burdastyle.ru and our social networks will certainly see how Masha will demonstrate it. And I also advise you to experiment, to feel your style and even turn a boring business style not at all boring. Our magazine Burda, our website burdastyle.ru and our Academy Burda will help you with this. Visit us to study, and you will understand that everything is possible in the fashion world! Once again, I thank our guest - the journalist and our reader, Masha Egorova. Masha, thank you very much! I was with you, the editor-in-chief of Burda magazine, stay with us, goodbye!
ME: Thank you very much, Marianne, for the pleasure! A conversation in one breath, and I hope that we will definitely repeat it.
MM: Of course, goodbye, friends!
