Today we’d like to introduce you to Irina Navarrete.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Irina. I am a professional model, modeling coach (I do posing and catwalk workshops), I am a professional makeup artist, and hairstylist. I have been modeling since I was 15 years old, and I have been doing makeup and hair since I was 17 years old.
But now I want to share something different with you.
I am also an organizer and founder of a nonprofit organization, “Houston Volleyball Group.” The group was born 4 years ago.
And it started just from 5 people practicing together. I met one of them who became one of my great friends, and we started to grow a volleyball community.
Me and volleyball…
Growing up, I had a rare heart condition that prevented me from participating in any physical activities or sports. When I became an adult, I found a passion for fitness and dedicating time to physical activities.
When I immigrated to the USA, I wanted to find something to invest my time in and a way to meet people and make friends. Soon after, I began playing volleyball. I saw how this sport brought people together and improved the quality of lives.
My aim with this nonprofit is to help people pursue their passion of the sport while making friends and improving not only their physical health but also their mental health. I have experienced first-hand how participating in tournaments and volleyball games can bring people together and create an atmosphere of joy!
We organize tournaments within major cities across the state of Texas. The Houston Volleyball Group partners with sponsors that help to make the experience more memorable and enjoyable.
Our team members meet 2-3 times per week for practice, and during those practices, we build our skills, deepen our friendships, and improve our health. It has been an honor to lead a group of such positive impact.
I love seeing how the lives of The Houston Volleyball Group members have developed and how their volleyball skills have improved. This community is the big part of my life now, and I am absolutely happy to invest my time and energy to it.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For 4 years of the volleyball community existence, we had many different tests like restrictions during COVID. This was a difficult time because we stopped playing for a little while. But then, step by step we started playing again that brought a lot of joy to our lives. Because this is the type of activity and friendship that people need during such struggling times.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have an art education. I am a painter, and during COVID time I was giving painting classes to kids. It was something that I really enjoyed.
Makeup and hair is my professional area where I can express myself and my art. I love doing creative shoots and do very creative makeup and hair.
I was published all over the world in magazines and exhibitions as a stylist and as a model as well.
I also enjoy working as a model. I travel around USA and was published in many great magazines including Vogue, Italy.
Fashion and beauty industry is where I feel absolutely confident and myself.
Confidence is something that everyone should work on. And participating and winning beauty pageants gave me a lot of strength and growth.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Hair and makeup – opening my own studio. Modeling – big studio as well.
Volleyball – big national competitions.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.stylist-houston.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/irina_borodina_model
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/irina.borodina.7543?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
Amalya Shandelman
Irina Navarrete
Erica Bonorden
Luisa Fernanda
LaMont DeSal
