Today we’d like to introduce you to Daryana Orange.
Daryana, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve been always a very creative person. I love everything related to the beauty and fashion industry. I’m from Belarus and I’m very proud of my heritage. I studied at the Minsk Linguistic University, majoring in Spanish and a minor in Italian. In 2013, I got an opportunity to learn English and travel the country with the US Student Travel Program. Without any knowledge of the English language and little money in the pocket, I experienced New York City, Montana, and eventually settled in San Diego. At this point, I hardly spoke any English but I knew San Diego was the city of my dreams. I’ve never thought I’ll be where I am today. Some say we’re all some form of immigrants in this gorgeous country, but I know first hand it’s extremely difficult as a first-generation immigrant, migrating alone and without any financial or other assistance.
Has it been a smooth road?
My friends and family say that I was very brave to make this journey on my own, across the world, and entering a professional workplace without any prior experience of the culture or language. The hardest part of this transition was leaving behind all my friends and family but I realize it’s something I had to do to strive towards my dreams and I wouldn’t trade it for the world! I can say this experience has made me a stronger and wiser woman. It takes a lot of hard work and personal growth to be a better version of yourself every day. Perseverance and always believing in myself has gotten me through lots of challenges. I was accustomed to hearing rejections after rejections, but these experiences encouraged me to work harder to prove that I can succeed in whatever I set my mind on.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I’m an independent hairstylist, educator and model, primarily located in La Jolla, Ca. A few years ago, I started this journey of helping people feel their best! I successfully graduated with Honors from Paul Mitchell, The School. I truly love my job! As with anything else, continuous education is paramount. I actively participate in fashion shows, beauty events, tv projects and photoshoots, such as: “Beauty Gives Back” with Eden Sassoon, The San Diego Bridal Show, Leonard Simpson’s Best Dressed Award, “Total Bellas” and many others. I also participate in the biggest international conventions such as the “International Beauty Show”, “International Salon and Spa Expo”. My work has been featured in print publications here as well as my native Belarus. I’m also an Honorable Mention Contestant in Beacon and the prestigious North American Hairstyling Awards. I’m very appreciative of my family’s support through all my crazy adventures. And I’m very grateful for my amazing clients, who often fly into San Diego from around the world, with the highest expectations and rarely plan in advance. As a stylist, I often have to play multiple roles: stylist, friend and psychologist – clients often share their most intimate details and expect some sort of validation. I specialize in Hair Extensions, Color and Special Occasion Hairstyles. And I’m always happy to see new clients and collaborate on special projects!
Besides the fashion and beauty industry, I really love photography. Often I transform my downtown loft into a photo studio. And I’m planning to expand my business to encompass these services as well.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love traveling and it’s another passion of mine. I would love to travel and see the entire world; however, as the airplane approaches San Diego International, I can’t help but feel grateful and privileged to call San Diego my home. I haven’t found a better place I’d want to call home. We get so used to America’s Finest City and sometimes don’t appreciate how lucky we are. Having said that, it’s heartbreaking to see the inequality and underprivileged…downtown really needs urgent attention or we could jeopardize the legacy it’s worked so hard to attain. I really believe in the greatest country in the world, as Americans, it should be a top priority to take care of one another and find solutions to our homeless and inequality problems together, at the local, state, and national levels.
Contact Info:
- Phone: +1 (619) 940-9734
- Email: daryana.orange@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daryana.orange/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daryana.orange/
Image Credit:
Photographer & Hair & Style: Daryana Orange, Model: Lana
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