from the white sheet into unique creations
October 3, 1977. Tallinn, Estonia.
Ilona was born into an Ashkenazi Jewish mother tailor, descendants of a Jewish orientalist scholar born in Poland, as well as families whose lives were taken in Auschwitz.
She came into the world in a house built by German prisoners after the war — a place where sorrowful history and new beginnings met under one roof.
First Creation, 1986
Aged 9, Ilona sewed her first skirt, adorned with a large bow on the side, and wore it to school — instantly drawing surprised attention.
During the Soviet era, people dressed simply and modestly; bold fashion was virtually unknown.
First Place in Costume Contest, 1989
Aged 11, Ilona won first place in a costume contest, performing a gypsy dance in a handmade costume crafted from a white sheet, adorned with hand-drawn flowers.
Factory Pattern Cutter, 1989-1995
After school, Ilona frequently accompanied her mother to different sewing factories across Tallinn, where she worked as a pattern cutter in mass-production clothing facilities.
English Language Practice, 1992
Aged 15, time spent living with a Swedish family in Stockholm and practicing English deeply transformed Ilona’s inner world. She returned home quietly changed.
Vartanelli OÜ_Member of the Board, 1994-1998
Aged 17–21, together with her mother, Ilona entered the large-scale business of mass-producing women’s clothing for renowned Swedish brands, including H&M, Gina Tricot, Marie Philippe, Joy, MQ, and others.
Her role encompassed recruiting workers, communicating with clients in Sweden, managing sewing technologies at the production facility, overseeing administrative logistics, and collaborating with border customs.
Production operated in two — and at times three — shifts, with tens of thousands of finished garments shipped worldwide each month.
Beline Group OÜ_ Member of the Board, 1998-2002
Aged 21–25, due to the consistently high quality of production, Swedish business partners entrusted Ilona with additional orders, assigning her responsibility for quality control across multiple Estonian manufacturing companies.
During this period, Ilona became the youngest sewing production manager in Estonia.
Bankruptcy 2003
Aged 25–27, in 2007, the economic crisis in Sweden forced many companies to relocate production orders to Asia in search of lower costs.
Ilona adapted by securing new clients in Estonia and fulfilling police uniform contracts. Despite her efforts, these orders proved insufficient, and the family business — like many others at the time — eventually went bankrupt.
During this period, Ilona lost her work, home, and family stability, finding herself caring for a small child while living in a temporary shelter.
Music Band Costumer 2004-2006
Between the ages of 27 and 29, Ilona designed gypsy costumes for a music and dance ensemble while also managing the development and organization of their concert performances.
Historical Costumer 2006-2012
Between the ages of 29 and 35, Ilona developed the “Medieval Archery” project, combining historical costume design with immersive archery experiences for tourists and locals.
The project featured medieval competitions, interactive events, and live performances, while Ilona oversaw staff training and ensured a high-level, historically styled customer experience.
"Tallinn Fur Masters" Head Designer 2012-2018
At 33, Ilona opened her own fashion atelier, creating custom-made garments from textiles, fur, and leather.
To master fur and leather craftsmanship, she pursued independent study while collaborating with outstanding Estonian artisans educated in Estonia, St. Petersburg, Finland, and Italy.
Each year, demand for her work continued to grow. Ilona became known for creating bespoke outfits for some of the country’s most influential and successful women, as well as headwear for the Mayor of Tallinn and a dress for an official reception of the President of Estonia.
First Place — Radio Marketing Award, 2016
Ilona was awarded first place for the “Dress in an Hour” project, noted for its originality and innovative audience engagement.
At the same time, she gained valuable experience collaborating with interns from Africa, enriching her practice through cultural exchange, shared knowledge, and new creative perspectives.
A Turning Point, 2018
Aged 44, due to personal challenges and accumulated psychological fatigue, Ilona made the difficult decision to close her studio in Estonia — one of the hardest choices of her life.
The Kingdom of Morocco_A New Chapter, 2021
At 44, Ilona embarked on a new chapter of her life, opening the door to the Kingdom of Morocco — a place that marked the beginning of a renewed path in business, creativity, and fashion.
Handmade Prints and the Birth of IseMoody Sisterhood, 2025
Through her journey in North Africa, Ilona encountered the ancient textile prints of Mauritania — a visual language shaped by time, ritual, and the silent wisdom of women, preserved through ancient hand-printing techniques. This discovery became the foundation for a new chapter: the opening of a new atelier in Agadir and the creation of her brand IseMoody Sisterhood.
Here, each dress breathes with a living print, revealing the unique strength of femininity — the strength of a woman who is grounded, intuitive, and deeply herself.
