Madison Avenue Designer & Photographer: 1985-1990

"Independent and entrepreneurial since a young age, my dream of building a business and a brand in New York started materializing as a shop and a couture salon which I opened on Madison Avenue and 67th Street. My clients were happy to be photographed wearing my creations. I also had to learn to shoot lots of 'selfies' because of lack of funds for paying photographers' and models' fees.

At the opening party of my shop on Madison Avenue in New York, the American author Isak Asimov gave me two of his books in Finnish! And isn't that handsome guy in grey suit the glamorous Mr. David Koch? Anne Hearst, Emily Kennedy, Christine Mortimer Biddle, Susan Nagel, the Rutherfurds, Paris Hilton, Nicky Hilton, Kathy Hilton, Emily Kennedy, Sarah King, Nanette Cavanagh, all were dressed in 'Ulla-Maija' designs......"

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