Tanya Russell: Redefining Style as a Tool For Empowerment
An engaging phone conversation unfolds on a crisp Thursday evening. On the other end of the conference line is Tanya Russell, the vibrant and inspiring CEO of Styles by ChaVanni. Her voice is composed as she introduces herself, saying, “Tanya Russell.” After speaking for a few minutes, I informed her that I would begin recording the interview.
Born and bred in Brooklyn, New York, Tanya shares that she now calls Suffolk, Virginia, her home. She wears many hats in her daily life, from being a dedicated wife and mother of two adult daughters to a full-time career in commercial lending for TowneBank. However, her ultimate pride and joy lies in her business, Styles by ChaVanni, LLC, a styling service and women’s boutique that encapsulates her love for fashion and empowering women.
Tanya shared her journey, starting from her childhood. She reminisced about her father, a dapper man with a keen eye for quality clothing at affordable prices, who kindled her interest in style and fashion. “He was my influence,” she reminisces about their lengthy shopping trips together. This early exposure to the fashion world sparked a lifelong passion in Tanya. She soon developed a knack for styling, becoming the go-to fashion guru for her family and friends. Tanya’s passion for fashion eventually led her to establish her own business, where she helps women express their identities through style and fashion.
To Tanya, fashion is more than just clothes. “Style and fashion represents you. It speaks to the woman, it speaks to your confidence and how you see yourself,” she asserts, emphasizing that the first step to being fashionable is knowing oneself. She believes that our clothes reflect our lifestyle and self-image and can make powerful first impressions on others.
Tanya believes in a simple yet profound philosophy regarding defining unique beauty and strength in women: “Being yourself.” She emphasizes the importance of authenticity and encourages women to embrace it completely. “Being authentically you, not compromising who you are, not trying to be someone else.”
Tanya credits her relationship with God and therapy for helping her discover her true self and navigate the challenges she faced such as being a young single mother and going through a painful divorce. She encourages women to confront their difficulties directly and consider another perspective.
Tanya’s faith plays a central role in her resilience. She turns to prayer and scripture to guide her through tough times and believes that internal confidence shines through externally. “Prayer is very important to me,” she shares with sincerity. “And when you feel good about who you are on the inside, it shows on the outside. You can exude that confidence very comfortably in the clothing and things you wear.” She wants to convey this belief through her work, encouraging women to feel good about themselves from the inside out.
Tanya’s platform extends beyond styling to include writing and speaking engagements. She is a first time author in a book anthology titled “Words of Wisdom For The Heart And Soul Volume I” and uses her journey of overcoming personal adversity to inspire other women. Her overall message is one of hope and strength, urging women never to stay stuck and keep moving forward. Quoting Dr. Cindy Trimm, she says, “ You are not your history or your past. You are, however, what you choose to do with your present and your future.”
As for her personal style, Tanya embraces a well-put-together look that mirrors her journey. Her style is a testament to her personality and resilience, showcasing her ability to rise above challenges and embrace her authentic self. The essence of Tanya’s work, her style, and her life journey is beautifully encapsulated in her faith-filled advice: “Keep moving forward and trust God… Trust God!”
