SISTERS/MODELS/DESIGNERS TALK THEIR JERSEY ROOTS, THE FASHION RUNWAY, AND THEIR SHOE LABEL

BY JENNIFER VIKSE PHOTO

INDUSTRY: How did you get started modeling?
Daiana & Dorin: We both kind of just fell into it. We had a lot of model friends growing up and opportunities would come up to get involved just by being around them. We love fashion and being around “it-scenes,” and that’s when we were introduced to Posh Models to be our agent. The agency helped mold both of us into what we are today: shoe designers! It was the perfect partnership for maintaining our reputation in the world of fashion and to be able to develop our shoe collection that fits the need for women looking for that perfect pair, where she does not have to compromise comfort for style. We designed shoes that have a tempur-pedic feel but look as sexy as every high heel you love to wear! And who could know more about heels than the models wearing them day in and day out!

IM: Tell us about some gigs you’ve done.
Daiana: One of my most memorable gigs was modeling for high-end designer jewelry for a well-known local store in New Jersey, where products ranged from fashionable gold-plated jewelry to canary yellow diamond earrings and million-dollar necklaces! I loved seeing myself in local magazine ads and billboards in New York City…little did I know one day I would be doing it for my own shoe brand! For Dorin, her favorite gig was modeling outerwear for a multi-licensee company in NYC, where she was not only a fit model for their catalogs but also modeled for some of their runway events. The best part was that she got firsthand experience designing product with them because they valued her feedback so much. During her time in runway is when she really started to notice the lack of quality that shoe brands had to offer, and since it didn’t exist, she decided to design them herself!

IM: Does your background influence your look?
D&D: Yes! We are Ukrainian descendants, we were born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and were raised here in NJ near NYC, so between our multi-cultural background and being raised in the tri-state area, it has certainly influenced us to think independently when it comes to fashion. Although both of us love to jump on a trend and feel like we are in style, we really have no shame in breaking the code and wearing what we think is hot at the moment! Fashion should be an expression of your personality, and that can change, and that’s OK! Also, comfort is so important to both of us, no matter what the trend, if it is uncomfortable to wear, we just won’t wear it.

IM: Where are you currently living?
D&D: We’re a short distance from each other between Union and Somerset counties, but have family and friends all over and spend a lot of our time traveling our beautiful state.
IM: What do you hope for your futures?

D&D: We both aspire to see our business grow and be one of the leading shoe designers for women. Our brand name is MAKAR, in honor of our family, celebrating the creativity we got from our mother, the courage we got from our father, and all the sacrifices that were made to be able to see our “American Dream” come true!

IM: What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Daiana: A pop star.
Dorin: A fashion designer

DAIANA AND DORIN MAKAR
@POSHMODELS
AGE: DAIANA, 37, DORIN, 42
HEIGHT: DAIANA, 5’7,” DORIN, 5’6”
WEIGHT: DAIANA, 125 LBS, DORIN, 110 LBS.
MEASUREMENTS: DAIANA, 36” 27” 36,” DORIN, 34” 25” 32”
SHOE SIZE: DAIANA, 9, DORIN 6.5
HAIR COLOR: BOTH BLONDE
EYE COLOR: BOTH HAVE BLUE EYES