Lifestyle

A day in the life of Ria Serebryakova – 285K+ Instagram Followers

Published

5 years ago

December 2, 2019

The Model Ria Serebryakova – known on Instagram as Riasalvation, quickly wrapped up more than 285K followers on Instagram. We take a look at why she’s so popular and if there are any social media lessons to learn from her:

Ever since I first saw Ria’s face in the AG Hair commercial on TV, I sat up and took notice, realizing that this girl is going to get far in the modeling world. Her fresh-faced innocence combined with her natural beauty and brooding gaze was all that I needed to instantly go searching into where she had materialized from and to want to follow her every career step from that moment on.

Well, part of that wish was literally realized when I was asked to spend a day with Ria at a photoshoot somewhere in New York. This was a perfect opportunity to learn more about her and to watch her at work.

Even though it is 8 am when we meet in front of the studios she looks ready to tackle the day. The studios are abuzz with people carrying in clothes, shoes, accessories. People are setting up cameras, lights, hair styling accessories, makeup pallets and beverages.

I cannot reveal any details about the shoot as these are to be announced later, but the clothes, shoes and accessories are gorgeous and expensive. Ria has worked extensively with some of the best designers and photographers in Europe and the U.S. since she was first discovered at the age of 18 in Russia.

Within that first year, she had already moved to New York and at her first fashion week in Paris, she did MIU MIU exclusive, both these are great achievements for a new face in the modeling world.

Ria has featured in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Harper’s Bazaar, while she has also appeared on the 2016 “Never Hide” campaign for Ray-Ban and the 2018 L’Oreal Color & Co campaign. Her other clients so far include Forever 21, and Tory Burch.

In an interview a few weeks back Ria spoke about what the highlight of 2019 was so far for her. “Milan, 2019 the Dolce & Gabbana show at Fashion Week. We were surrounded by a fantastic team of hairstylists, makeup artists and the atmosphere was filled with excitement and anticipation.”

I know that the photoshoot that stands out most for her so far in her career was the ‘Stranger Things’ inspired fashion shoot for Harper’s Bazaar. Ria says that working with the two young stars of the series, Finn Wolfhard and Noah Schnapp was far more fun than she expected. “I was afraid that they would be bored, but they were both as intent as I on making sure that we have fun as we shoot.” She continues on why it is still so memorable for her, “It was fun to see the contrasts of the featured high-fashion with the weird and the set was filled with dirt bikes, pools, wheels, Christmas lights, and beautiful outfits by Moschino, Versace, and Celine.”

As I watch the activities, I notice that Ria is quietly listening to directions from what appears to be the cameraman, while she calmly allows the hairstylist to get on with her hair.

The photoshoot begins and it is amazing to watch the progress of the day’s work. Everyone is working at a fast pace, but calmly and in harmony. Since this is the first time that I am watching one, I must admit that I was expecting to see the opposite of calm and a bunch of temperamental people.

During one of her breaks I catch up with Ria, and she says that usually, fashion shows are far more hectic than photoshoots. I notice that she does eat something light and ask her about how she keeps her 178 cm frame in shape. “I make sure that I eat a well-balanced diet and when busy like this it’s important to keep up my energy levels with light snacks and plenty of liquids.”

After six hours the photographer finally expresses that he is pleased with the day’s work and results. As everyone starts wrapping up, I reflect on what I know about her career so far and from what I see she not only has beauty on her side, but also the personality and temperament that make her easy to get on with, a huge bonus in the world of modeling.

Ria heads off to change out of the stunning outfit that she has been modeling into her own casual outfit that she came in earlier in the day. When she appears, face free of makeup, I am amazed at how her unusually beautiful features and blue eyes stand out. As we leave the studio together and I greet her, I notice that she doesn’t hail a cab, but walks away with a spring to her step. Now I realize how she stays in shape and forego the cab for a brisk walk back to work!

Lifestyle

Powerful Corporate Gifting Strategies to Build and Strengthen Business Partnerships

Published

2 weeks ago

April 15, 2025

Michelle Langton

If you want to build and strengthen business partnerships with your clients and top investors, there are a few key steps you must take. One essential strategy is corporate gifting. This simple act goes beyond building a partnership. It will also increase your customer retention rate and promote your business even beyond the shore of your country.

But before you consider gifting any item, there are some strategies to put in place. This will ensure your gift makes a lasting impression and resonates well with your clients. Below are powerful corporate gifting strategies to build and strengthen business partnerships with your clients and top investors.

Choose a Personalized Item

Rather than choosing an ordinary gift for your clients and investors, opt for a personalized item. Customised corporate gifts such as T-shirts, coffee mugs, and bags create a stronger emotional connection than generic gifts. They also leave a more lasting impression than most other gift types.

Imagine how investors and your clients will feel when you beautifully inscribe their image or favorite quotes on a T-shirt. Of course, they will feel valued, appreciated, and ready to invest more in your business.

Consider Their Culture and Background

As an entrepreneur, it’s essential to be culturally competent and sensitive. Your gifts should resonate with your clients’ and investors’ cultural backgrounds. Otherwise, they may be quickly discarded or overlooked. If your investors and audience are predominantly of Black heritage, consider giving them a custom T-shirt featuring a map of Africa or inspirational quotes from iconic Black leaders.

Their religious beliefs are also important. Specific religions may find some images or symbols inappropriate. For instance, if you’re giving a gift to a Muslim investor, avoid designs that include images like pigs, as they are considered offensive in Islamic culture.

Consider a Functional Gift

You should also consider the gift’s functionality. A gift that can be used every day will be more valuable than an impractical one. Even if the gift is expensive but doesn’t have any functional purpose, it won’t serve the purpose it was intended for.

Instead of purely sentimental keepsakes or abstract gifts, consider practical items like pens, notebooks, backpacks, coffee mugs, umbrellas, or water bottles. Just make sure the gift is well-designed and features your brand logo and identity. This not only increases brand visibility but also helps strengthen the connection between you and your investors.

Tie it to a story

Tie your gifts to a story to make them more memorable and emotionally meaningful. For example, if during your business’s early days, your employees always worked tirelessly day and night, you could opt for a custom hourglass. Clients and investors who receive such a gift will appreciate your business’s journey of patience and perseverance.

Offer Quality Gifts

Gifts given to investors or clients who have significantly contributed to your business growth should reflect their value. They shouldn’t be cheap or low-grade items. The gift doesn’t have to be trendy or widely popular, but it should come from a reputable and high-end brand. This will give your gift more credibility. Besides, the recipients will feel comfortable to use the gift among their colleagues.