"I realized that I was simply withering in programming." A Belarusian woman left IT and became a personal stylist in Poland

Now she organizes wardrobes, creates looks, and accompanies clients on shopping trips. Vitalina told Most how she started from scratch, how much she earns, and why she doesn't regret leaving IT.

Before moving to Poland, Vitalina worked as an interior designer in Minsk. She graduated from BSUIR, mastered interior design, and even planned to open her own studio. But after moving, she decided to try her hand at programming: she wanted to work remotely.

Almost a year was spent on training and internships, then Vitalina got a job as a front-end developer — she worked in this specialty for two years. But she found drawbacks in it.

— I realized that it's mostly a sedentary job. You're constantly at the computer. If you go out somewhere, at best you meet friends in the evening or on weekends.

Vitalina also disliked long-term projects, the development of which could last two or three years. She wanted to change tasks more often and communicate with new people.

— I realized that I was simply withering in programming. I wanted more live communication.

"Friends always said that I found great things they wouldn't even have looked at themselves."

Then the girl remembered her long-standing passion for fashion. Since childhood, she watched shows, bought fashion magazines, and brought Vogue issues from trips. She loved going shopping with friends, creating looks for them, and picking out clothes for her mother.

— Friends always said that I found great things they wouldn't even have looked at themselves. I saw what size a person needed, what would suit their appearance and character.

Vitalina realized that she was interested not in creating clothes, but in combining things and creating looks. That's how the idea of becoming a personal stylist came about.

She planned to change professions gradually, but the project closed earlier.

While still working in IT, Vitalina gave herself six months to study styling, develop social networks, and prepare to find clients. Her contract was supposed to end during this time. But the project closed earlier.

— I was scared because I didn't expect it. I wanted to work a little longer to feel more stable in the new profession. But it turned out the way it did.

The girl did not look for a new job in IT.

The first client appeared when there wasn't even a website.

Vitalina began actively managing her Instagram: she published brand reviews, interesting finds, clothing articles, and wardrobe tips. After a month or two, the first paid order appeared.

— A girl wrote to me and became interested in my services. And I hadn't even properly formulated them yet, and they weren't described anywhere. There was no website either. I remember how quickly I gathered my notes to organize everything and send it to her.

Vitalina created a basic seasonal wardrobe for the first client. They worked online, the client liked the result, and they continued to communicate.

In parallel, the stylist practiced on friends: she accompanied them shopping, created lookbooks — selections of ready-made outfits — and searched for items according to specific requests. This way, she discovered how even small differences in figure affect how clothes fit.

— It seemed like two girls were very similar. But the same pants fit one well, and not the other. I didn't expect how individual everything is. Basic rules can be learned, but you can't work solely by them.

Vitalina continues to study fashion history, watch shows and art historian lectures, and read professional literature. Now, even with images on Pinterest, she doesn't just save them, but analyzes color, texture, and item combinations, noting successful solutions.

Wardrobe analysis costs from 150 euros, shopping accompaniment from 250 euros.

Vitalina now organizes wardrobes, creates seasonal capsules, and selects outfits for specific occasions — for example, an interview or a party. But most often, clients turn to her for wardrobe analysis and the creation of "capsules" — small sets of items that combine with each other in color, style, and cut.

The cost of wardrobe analysis starts from 150 euros, in-person shopping accompaniment from 250 euros. The final price depends on the request and the volume of work.

Vitalina works with Russian-speaking clients from various countries, including women from San Francisco and Minsk. Her first client was from Georgia.

Usually, work on one request takes one to two weeks. Some clients return to update their wardrobe for the next season.

The number of orders is gradually growing, so Vitalina plans to raise her prices.

In IT, the salary was higher. But it's not entirely correct to compare.

In IT, Vitalina reached the middle-level position — a specialist with experience in independent work. At that time, she earned more than she does now. But she considers it incorrect to compare incomes at different stages of her professional journey.

— When I started in IT, I had a six-month internship with a salary of 200 euros. Here, I started from scratch, and already one client can bring in the same amount.

Now the girl is working with a marketer on promotion on Instagram and Threads. She plans to launch a free Telegram channel with clothing selection tips, and later a paid one, with individual consultations for subscribers.

Павялічыць

"I sell things I once bought unsuccessfully."

During her time as a stylist, Vitalina also reevaluated her own wardrobe. Previously, she also preferred one quality item that could be combined with various clothes, rather than several trendy purchases. But now she understands her own style better.

— Now I'm decluttering my wardrobe, selling things that are no longer close to me, which I once bought unsuccessfully. I've started to understand better what suits me not only externally, but also according to my character.

Vitalina says that previously the brightest color in her wardrobe was red, but now she experiments with colors, animal prints, leather, suede, and various textures. She offers such combinations to her clients as well.

"It's better to be afraid and do than to be afraid and dream."

The girl has not regretted changing her profession even once. Although sometimes she has doubts about her decision.

— Sometimes I think: did I do the right thing? But then I work with people, get good feedback, and understand why I'm doing all this. Recently, I was driving to a client and caught myself thinking: "God, finally I'm doing what I've wanted for so long."

To those who are also considering a career change, Vitalina advises first trying the new direction in parallel with their main job.

— With the first, second, third client, confidence appears. You start to see that you're succeeding. Being afraid is normal. But it's better to be afraid and do than to just be afraid and dream.

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