We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dariya Repina a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dariya, thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

Looking back, I wish I had started our “mother-and-daughter creative duo” sooner. Time is precious, and sometimes it takes a while to appreciate certain things in life. My mother, who is my biggest inspiration, has created amazing art, designs, and exhibitions throughout my entire life. But it took me so long to recognize that we could actually create together and blend our creativity.

When I was younger, I thought I wanted a completely different style and set of designs. I was drawn to other influences and wanted to carve out my own identity. But as I grew older, I came to realize how much I had already admired and loved what my mom was creating. She’s always been a wellspring of talent, and as her only daughter, I feel a deep responsibility to carry her legacy forward.

My mom is not only my greatest inspiration, but she’s also an incredible artist in her own right, and I now see how much potential we have when we collaborate. Blending her art with my own ideas, and working together, feels like the most natural and beautiful thing we could do. I love working with her and seeing our combined creativity take shape.

If I had started sooner, I might have been able to experience the power of our collaboration earlier, but perhaps it was important for me to fully appreciate my mother’s work in my own time. Now that I see the value in what we’re doing together, I feel like it’s the perfect time for us to make our mark.

In retrospect, I don’t necessarily wish I had started later because each step of my journey—whether slow or fast—has led me to where I am now. I believe everything happens in its own time, and all the experiences I’ve had along the way have shaped who I am as an artist. That said, I’m thrilled that we’re starting this creative duo now, and I know it will only get better with time.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I grew up in three different countries, which has deeply shaped my creativity and the way I approach design. With an Eastern European mother and South American father, I lived in Russia, Peru, and Sweden—each place offering its own rich influences.

Growing up with a creative mother, who attended art school in Moscow before I was born, I was immersed in art and design from a young age. My mother was always creating—whether it was designing our home interiors, making art, or sewing clothes for our entire family with my aunt. The hum of a sewing machine and the sight of paintbrushes were as familiar as anything in my childhood.

My journey into design started when I decided to follow in my mother’s footsteps and attend design school in Rome, Italy, where I specialized in shoe and accessory design for three years. Rome, the city where I spent my young adulthood, is a place full of endless inspiration and creativity. After I completed my studies, I began traveling between Rome, New York, and Stockholm, all of which played a significant role in shaping my vision as a designer.

In Stockholm, while visiting family, I designed my first mini collection. The city provided the perfect environment to focus on my creativity. Traveling to promote my collection further expanded my understanding of the industry and exposed me to new experiences. Along the way, I fell in love with my now-husband in New York, and we got married, leading me to move to the U.S. in 2012.

Adjusting to a new country and being newly married led me to temporarily shift my focus away from building my own business. My husband introduced me to the world of music, film and commercials, which I found unexpectedly inspiring. The travels between New York, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles not only sparked fresh ideas but also brought some challenges, including moments of anxiety.

However, I never stopped being creative. I worked on small projects, collaborated with other creatives, and even designed cute outfits for my dog! My love for interior design also grew, keeping me constantly inspired.

Now, I’m excited to share that I’m running a “mother-and-daughter creative duo” called Studio Repina with my talented mom, who is still living in Sweden. We exchange creative ideas almost every day, and together, we’re blending her art and designs with my own to create something beautiful. We’re starting small, showcasing our previous works—vintage pieces, prototypes, and past exhibitions—on our website and social media. We’re also working on creating new prints, designs, and sharing our story along the way. Our goal is to grow and offer our products for sale soon, making them accessible to others.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

There was a time in my journey when things didn’t go as planned, and I felt completely overwhelmed. After moving to the U.S., I had to adjust to a new life, a new culture, and a different pace. Between managing a new marriage, settling into a new country, and trying to build my business, I found myself putting my dreams on hold. It felt like every step forward was met with a setback, and at times, I questioned whether I would ever find the right path to pursue my passion for design.

I also learned to manage my anxiety, which had been a barrier to my progress for a long time. It took time, but slowly, I found ways to stay focused, to learn, and to grow from the challenges. I enrolled in courses, gained new knowledge, and embraced new skills. The process wasn’t easy, but each step forward, no matter how small, helped me become more resilient and more confident in my abilities.

Now, as I build a business, I realize that all the struggles and moments of uncertainty have shaped me into a stronger person. For me, resilience isn’t about avoiding challenges; it’s about learning to persevere, adapting, and finding ways to grow, no matter the obstacles that come my way.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to honor my mother’s legacy while creating pieces that reflect our unique vision together. Through this process, we aim to inspire others to find joy and meaning in the beauty of everyday life through art, design and fashion.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.studiorepina.com
• Instagram: Business- www.instagram.com/studiorepina Private – www.instagram.com/dariyarepina

Image Credits

Oil Painting, Portrait 1 of- Dariya Repina (daughter) painted by Lana Repina (Mother)
Oil Painting, Portrait 2, self-portrait by Lana Repina (Mother)