Yana Flame is one of those dynamically, successful women who works hard and plays hard. She is not called Queen of Couture for nothing. Her attributes of hard work, determination, poise, her love of elegance, beauty, fashion, life are what have given her the name Queen of Couture. Her sassiness and sometimes no-nonsense approach makes for a very strong woman of character. A woman who competes against her previous self, always wanting to do better, to climb higher, to achieve more and support others on her way up. A woman who does not take ‘No’ lightly, because that word does not compute.
Very much a self-starter, Yana started creating her own designs as a child from dresses to different types of costumes for dolls then afterward for herself and friends. In 2016 she created a few fashion pieces and in 2017 she made her first big haute couture collection ‘Bohemein Dreams’ for the Roma Fashion Week contest where she became one of the winners. Yana watched her mother and grandmother from an early age and was influenced by their drive, tenacity, and their vision.
After coming to London in 2014 to start a new life, Yana threw herself into survival mode and started making bespoke dresses. In 2016 her first few pieces were showcased at an international art festival and she was awarded best young designer and artist. She put on her first Fashion show to great acclaim and every year since, she has thrown the most incredible Fashion shows, with an impressive line-up of dignitaries, celebrities, musicians, and singers, as well as a stunning lineup of models all vying to be seen on the famous Yana Flame stage. Even during the pandemic and other personal challenges, Yana refused to be phased, as she dug her heels deep and continued to focus on her vision and mission.
Esther: Yana, you were inspired from an early age by success, you were surrounded by success, the women around you were strong visionaries. What are some of the attributes you learned from that initial experience?
I learned a lot from my mother and grandmother. It’s their genes in my system.
Throughout my life, I’ve met so many successful and strong women who inspired and guided me and I still have so many around me.
I would like to say a few words and show huge gratitude to several important people who guided me throughout my life. Firstly, I am grateful to Paul G Geldart my dearest friend, business coach, and guardian angel who has always had my back with sound professional advice. He has been with me for 5 years and has always believed in me and my projects. He’s been with me since 2017 when I started my career as a designer, event organizer, and producer.
Another very smart professional and powerful woman is my dearest friend who I love from the bottom of my heart Olga Gil’ Gilyarovskaya. She has pushed and inspired me over the years. She has offered me professional advice and is like my mother and the best professional coach. She has been a great person supporting my projects and pushing me to grow and be stronger. She is also my business partner and owner of the Russo- Italiano company Aurea Roma. I am really grateful for the time and knowledge she has put into me!
Another amazing woman who I am very grateful to is my personal business trainer and coach Lesya Shovkalyuk who is a very powerful and educated professional. She has guided me so much and we still work together. We put a lot of hard work into my last Flame production on 20th August in London at the Hard Rock Hotel. In my opinion and the opinion of others, it was the best Flame event I’ve ever put on and it has been one of our major success projects.
Esther: You’ve had an incredible journey to date. Starting from when you landed in the UK in 2014 to now. You’ve put on so many fashion shows, I believe over 100?
Yana: I was involved in so many events and fashion shows internationally and in London. I organized festivals in Paris and Livorno. I did 5Flame events at The Flowerpot in Hoxton, at The Hilton Royal Horseguards, at the Hard Rock Hotel, and I produced two online Flame events in Dec 2020 and in February 2021 which were both hugely successful, many were held at some of the most iconic venues in London.
What drives Yana Flame?
The inspiration to create and be creative and my passion to do what I love and to put all my knowledge, professional skills and creative flair and talent under one roof in order to bring to the world something new and exciting, something different and expansive.
What is the message behind your shows and brand?
The message is about me and my life and journey. It’s showing how we can improve ourselves and your own experiences can inspire others. It’s all about passion, love and beauty. It’s a way to bring messages to the world, shared from the bottom of my heart. I want to change the world. I want the world to be in a better condition where peace, love and beauty resides. I want to leave a great legacy, to go down in the history books of time as ‘A Woman of the World’ one who created changes, who inspired culture, fashion and freedom of expression through creativity.
Esther: You recently moved to Madeira. Your journey is certainly one of leaning into HOPE and of perseverance but your journey certainly was not easy. What were some of your lowest points over the past year, especially during lockdown.
I moved to Madeira because I wanted to find a new place in the sun. Madeira is a beautiful island in the middle of the ocean and that is where I want to be. I love the ocean and climate and the people here are nice, there’s good food and service. I also have some new ideas and projects that I am working on that will soon be announced
Lockdown was hard yet at the same time a beautiful journey. It was a way for me to reset my life. I can say 2020 was one of the best years in my life. 5 months I stayed in London which was very difficult time for me. I had to cancel 5 international projects and lost a lot of money. It was then I also realised who were my real friends and this time gave me time to really question what did Yana really want in her life. It was then I decided to leave the UK.
I was happy and lucky that I moved and I had an unbelievable journey in Malta. I met some very important people who completely changed my life. So I can say I am an absolutely different person now to who I was before. I started writing poems and lyrics for new songs, one of them ‘Angels’ was successfully created in one week, before one of my events and was performed at my Flame event on 20 August. It was sung by very talented singers Cherry Dreams and Sara Olsen, of which I was so proud about. I want to do the proper production of this song and there are several more that are under production now. I really would love to take a new step into music because it’s a part of my unrealised dreams and I know I will get there.
Esther: Can you share a little bit more about what is happening in Madeira?
Madeira is and island of internal spring with beautiful subtropical climates, beautiful nature and ancient history. I am planning to start some projects, of course I want to do Flame here. I’m also working with a music production company and doing a collaboration with some musicians, composers and singers. I will be carrying on with my fashion shows and events management and production. I also have several great ideas that will be announced soon. Just be patient with me.
Esther: Were you able to create a new fashion range during the pandemic?
I was lucky to have 7th March 2020 just a few days before lockdown to showcase my new collection at The Cafe Royal Hotel which supported The Kidney Foundation which is run by my dearest friend Zahid Bhatti. We’ve supported each other’s projects for several years. I also did several photo shoots of my collections and projects in Malta 2020/21. I did an online Flame International Award in December 2020 and the Flame Festival in February 2021 both were very successful.
Esther: You are already planning your next fashion show or shows. Can you share a bit more about them?
Yes, I am planning to do several projects in Madeira hopefully this year and in December in London, the Flame International Awards and Gala showcase.
Esther: You have experienced a lot of challenges and setbacks, even heartache. Who have you become because of these experiences?
As it’s said every successful person has a painful story, release the pain and get success! I’ve become more sensitive, kind and strong and compassionate. My creations helped me to get rid of so much inner pain.
Esther: You’re also an artist. Do you still paint and did you create anything during lockdown?
Yes I am. I created so many oil and acrylic art work that was exhibited internationally in Europe, UK and Miami. The last few years I running a new project painting Kaftans and denim with a special message to the world about creativity and love.
Esther: As a business woman what guidance can you give to others who are following their dreams?
I don’t just dream about them. I put unrealistic goals in front of me and I go after them with vigour. After each new step and achievement, I always say “This is only the beginning, a Greater future Awaits me”.
To be honest, at first, it’s a lot of hard work, you must invest all your time and energy into your goals, but the main thing is you must believe very strongly in yourself and follow your dreams.
I will say from personal experience, as a person who has begun from the bare bones of life and eventually succeeded with my dreams. I have not only versatile talents but a very strong faith in myself and my Success!
A truly purposeful person is one for whom there are no barriers – Unstoppable me – ‘so everyone calls me’. I don’t know the meaning of impossible. Impossible = I’M POSSIBLE!!!
If you can’t get what you want even if you have tried many times, never give up. If something doesn’t work change the strategy, But not your goal. People always believe in everything else, but not themselves. Big mistake.
Unfortunately, many talented people for various reasons do not have enough confidence and assertiveness to achieve their goals. I realised that my mission was to bring young and unknown talented people into the limelight. I decided to put together all the creative talents that I possess into one platform, called “Flame”, and to allow an opportunity for like-minded creative people to take the first step towards success and to achieve something more in their life.
Esther: At the end of 2021, what do you think you will look back and say about this year?
This made me emotional! It was the best year of my life. It was an absolutely beautiful journey with so much love and pain, ups and downs. So many feelings but I feel that I have finally found my inner love realising who I truly am and what I really want, who I want to be and where I want to go. I am really proud of myself and all my goals and achievements I made.
Esther Austin