Taisia Marandici is a 25-year-old Moldovan living in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, who loves a demure dressing style that is classy yet modern.
“I love that modest fashion has found its place in the mainstream again,” Marandici told The Epoch Times. “My style is a blend of timeless elegance and vintage-inspired fashion with a modern twist.”
From Audrey Hepburn to Marilyn Monroe to Elizabeth Taylor, the Hollywood stars of old greatly influence the clothes she wears. Rather than trying to emulate modern trends, the young content creator goes for refined elegance.
“Dressing modestly and elegantly is a reflection of how I respect and honor myself and the world around me,” she said.
Marandici said the resurgence of classic, romantic fashion tells us about changing attitudes.
“It proves that you don’t need to show everything to look beautiful or fashionable,” she said. “Modesty, for me, is not just about covering up but about dressing in a way that’s refined and classy. It allows for creativity in layering and accessorizing while still leaving something to the imagination.”
Marandici currently lives in the “vibrant” city of Dubai with her husband of seven years, Vasile Marandici. Praising her spouse as a “talented video creator and editor and film director,” the young wife says that as a couple, they’ve always supported each other in their creative projects.
“Marriage is about partnership and growing together,” she said. “It’s a true privilege to experience life side-by-side.”
The young fashionista loves sourcing clothes from vintage stores, small businesses, and labels with a timeless aesthetic, such as Son de Flor, The Seamstress of Bloomsbury, LilySilk, Paris/64, Saint Savoy, Goelia, Little Women Atelier, Linennaive, and Simple Retro. She also wears pieces inherited from her mother and will personalize items to reflect her style.
Marandici grew up in a religious family that placed a high value on modesty and simplicity. Her father was a priest, and her mother often wore long, flowing dresses and classic silhouettes. She says her family had a big effect on her, but when she hit her teen years, she started to push back.
“I went through a rebellious phase experimenting with miniskirts, tight clothing, and skinny jeans as a form of self-expression,” she said, explaining that as she grew older and reflected on her values, she came to appreciate those early influences and her style evolved further.
“My faith has given me the foundation to stay grounded and true to myself. It reminds me that my worth comes from within, not from external validation.”
Although she graduated in accounting and management informatics, Marandici’s real love has always been experimenting with fashion. During her third year at college in Bucharest, she took an intensive, hands-on course in sewing and pattern development, something that she says gave her a “deeper appreciation” for the craft.
Marandici said that right now, she feels like she has found exactly the right blend of elements for her. Her outfits combine rich fabrics such as wool, silk, and linen in neutral tones and hues of red. She loves creating outfits that feel both “nostalgic and contemporary.”
Especially drawn to the 1940s and 1950s, Marandici cites Dior’s New Look as the pinnacle of the era. But she also admires “the clean lines, neutral tones, and effortless elegance of the 1990s.”
Marandici said that by referencing time periods that embraced subtlety and dressing as she does, she feels “powerful, confident, and sophisticated.”
When asked how she defines femininity and womanhood, she said: “To me, it’s about strength, grace, and authenticity. It’s the confidence to embrace who you are while being gentle and nurturing. Womanhood, in my view, is about owning our unique qualities and evolving through each stage of life with wisdom and resilience. Clothes are one way I express these values—through soft, flowing fabrics that still maintain structure and poise.”
“My goal is to promote individuality and mindful consumption,” she said.
Having nurtured her own unique sense of self-expression, Marandici advises others wanting to find their own mojo to experiment and pay attention to how their clothes make them feel.
“Let your clothes reflect and enhance your inner confidence rather than letting fashion trends or body ideals dictate your worth. There’s no right or wrong way to express your style—what truly matters is staying true to yourself,“ Marandici said. ”Fashion holds an incredible power to transform and express, so don’t shy away from making it your own!”
