Introduction: Announcing Our Chanel Bag Giveaway Winner #
We have a winner, and honestly, we couldn’t have picked someone more fitting. After weeks of entries, shares and a lot of anticipation, our Chanel bag giveaway has come to a close, and the coveted handbag is heading to Dubai-based lawyer, entrepreneur and style figure Natalia Shustova.
If you follow luxury fashion in Dubai even casually, the name will ring a bell. Natalia has built a reputation as one of the region’s most recognizable style figures, known as much for her sharp instincts as her equally sharp wardrobe. We sat down with her shortly after the announcement to talk about the win, her career, and what a Chanel bag actually means to someone who has spent years around genuinely exceptional pieces.
This wasn’t a random draw dressed up as a feel-good story. Natalia’s connection to luxury fashion, and to The Luxury Closet specifically, made her a genuinely interesting winner to profile. Here’s her story, in her own words.
Who Is Natalia Shustova? #
Natalia Shustova is a Dubai-based lawyer, partner at her firm, founding member of Blue Marlin Ibiza Dubai, mother of three, and, in whatever hours are left in the day, a fashion figure followed by more than 40,000 people. That combination alone tells you she isn’t a lifestyle blogger who happened to fall into fashion. She built her public profile around an existing, demanding career.
Born in Belarus, she spent her childhood in Siberia before the family relocated to Russia, and eventually settled in Dubai, where she has practiced law for a decade. Ask her about her career and the first thing she’ll say, every time, is “I’m a lawyer.” Not “influencer,” not “content creator.” That distinction matters, and it’s part of why her style following reads as credible rather than manufactured.
Her signature look is easy to spot: hair slicked into a low bun, a bold red lip (Tom Ford Lip Color in Wild Ginger, for the record), and heels that are usually the best thing in the room. At one shoot, she mentioned in passing that her shoes were a gift from Sarah Jessica Parker. No further explanation offered or needed.
From Lawyer to Style Icon: Her Journey #
Natalia didn’t set out to build a fashion following. “I’ve always loved fashion, but as a business savvy woman I wanted to build a career for myself, and I thought fashion wouldn’t allow that. So I became a lawyer, and I’ve been practicing in Dubai for 10 years now,” she told us.
The shift happened organically, through visibility at events rather than a deliberate content strategy. “I started going to events, and people began approaching me asking, ‘who are you wearing, where can I follow your style, where can I get that outfit,’ so I decided it was time to set something up for myself.” That’s a fairly common origin story for style influencers, but what’s less common is doing it alongside a full legal caseload, a stake in Blue Marlin Ibiza Dubai, and raising three children.
Talking to Natalia, the vocabulary shifts quickly from “outfit” to “brand,” “strategy” and “consult.” She treats her public profile the way she’d treat a client matter: with structure, intention and a clear sense of positioning. She refers to it, somewhat modestly, as her “fashion adventures,” but the business instincts behind it are unmistakable. “I come from a very small town, and I always used to open fashion magazines and dream of being in that world, so the fact that I’m living my dream now makes me feel like a very lucky woman,” she said.
Natalia’s Style Philosophy #
Ask Natalia to define her style and she’ll give you four words: “expect the unexpected.” In practice, that means she isn’t loyal to a single silhouette or era. She mixes eras, price points and moods depending on the day, which is part of why her looks read as personal rather than trend-chasing.
Her style icons are Anna Dello Russo and Victoria Beckham, an unlikely pairing on paper, but Natalia’s reasoning makes sense once she explains it. “Anna has no age. She is a fashion freak, a fashion victim and a fashion icon. She doesn’t care about the haters, she’s super eclectic, super crazy and never follows rules. She dictates what is going to be cool in fashion.” Beckham represents the opposite instinct, discipline and reinvention. “Victoria proves that, at any point in your life, you can reinvent yourself and be as successful as you were before. She’s made everyone forget about when she lived in Lala Land, and made a real name for herself in fashion.”
That tension, between rule-breaking and controlled reinvention, is a fair description of Natalia’s own approach. It’s also why, when we say she has a genuine point of view rather than a formula, we mean it. Not every influencer profile earns that distinction.
Her Connection to The Luxury Closet #
Natalia’s relationship with The Luxury Closet predates the giveaway, which is exactly why the win felt right rather than random. “As a girl who has been collecting fashion for years, I’m always keeping an eye out for brands and platforms where I can get my hands on a vintage Chanel,” she told us.
She was upfront about her initial skepticism, which we appreciated. “I was told about TLC, but was quite sceptical at first, because the general population in this region can afford luxury items, so why would they need to sell and buy second hand? I didn’t think the market existed here.” That’s a reasonable doubt, and one plenty of Dubai shoppers share before they see the inventory firsthand.
Her opinion changed after attending our Million Dollar Closet event. “One step into the Million Dollar Closet event changed my mind. Most of the items stocked at TLC are brand new and in perfect condition. There are also loads of collectables which people hunt around the world for. It was a great discovery for me.” As for the bag itself, there was no hesitation. “Owning a Chanel bag is every girl’s dream. It’s my favourite designer every time… to me, it’s Chanel or it’s just whatever.”
Given her collecting background and her stated preference for the house, she made sense as the winner beyond the coincidence of an entry draw.
Don’t Miss Our Next Giveaway #
Natalia’s win is a good reminder that our giveaways go to people who genuinely engage with luxury fashion, whether that’s collecting, styling or simply keeping a close eye on the resale market. If a Chanel bag, a Hermès piece or a designer watch is on your wish list, our next giveaway is the easiest way to get closer to it without the price tag attached.
Follow The Luxury Closet on Instagram and Facebook to catch the announcement for our next giveaway, plus regular drops on new arrivals, [[[[authentication tips](/authentication/how-to-spot-a-fake-gucci-bag/)](/authentication/how-to-spot-a-fake-fendi-handbag/)](/authentication/how-to-spot-a-fake-bottega-veneta-bag/)](/authentication/how-to-authenticate-balenciaga-bag/) and styling ideas from the team. If you want to see where Natalia’s style goes next, her blog at shoestova.com and her Instagram are worth a follow too.
Congratulations again to Natalia, and to everyone who entered, we’ll see you at the next one.
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