When walking into Irina Petriv’s room, a whole new side of her was unveiled. When I first met her, to me, she was just like myself. She wanted to work in Public Relations, was a freshman at UIC, and she had a very good sense of style. That wasn’t even the beginning of it.
Upon walking into Petriv’s room, the first things noticeable are the layers of glossy magazines decorating the walls. The room is encompassed with a variety of fashion editorials. Everywhere you look, there is ether ELLE, Vogue, or Glamour photo spreads. Above her bed, is her favorite one, a 2010 Burberry Prossum campaign featuring a very mature Emma Watson, adorned with a patent red Leather bag and a double-breasted black trench coat.
Growing up, Petriv was like every other kid, her mom’s closet and make-up drawer was Treasure Island. Not only did she dress-up with her mom’s clothes and make-up, she took it to another level. Petriv started picking out her own outfits, and her mom’s as well. Her input in telling her mom what to wear became habitual.
“At first, it started as a joke, and she’d just wear what I told her to in order to make me happy, but then she started realizing that I actually make her outfit look better” said Petriv’s mother.
Petriv’s passions for fashion is evident through her lighted up face when discussing it. Eventually, she wants to have her own fashion line.
Petriv wants her clothing line to be “casual-turned-night time.” When wearing one piece from her collection, she wants the customer to be able to simply add another piece to easily turn it into a nighttime look. The best representation of this idea is Kim Kardashian. Brown loves the way Kardashian always looks so put together, and can switch an outfit from day to evening with one accessory.
If Petriv could collaborate with any designer, it would be Max Azria, with his clothing company, BCBG. Their clothes are very feminine, but with a sophisticated touch, which is also a key component she wants in her own clothes.
Currently, Petriv plans to start with PR and will eventually work on creating her fashion line. When I asked how she plans to use her education at UIC to help her, she responded:
“First, I want to get a degree in communications and then get into Public Relations. Once you have your name known, it’s a lot easier to transition into other things once people are familiar with your name, and know your work.”
“I want to do it all,” says Petriv, “We only have one life, so why should I be limited to how much I want to do? When I die, I want to be able to say I accomplished everything I wanted. No regrets.” With that go-getter attitude, I have no doubts we will be seeing Janel Petriv’s name in lights someday.