HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH DANIELLE ZASLAVSKAYA
Businesswoman, Philanthropist and VP Brand Partnerships of Marky’s Group, Inc
TH: What will the holidays look like for you and your family this year?
DZ: My family and I usually celebrate the holidays the same each year. We all gather at my mom’s home in Miami for Thanksgiving. For many years, my mom would prepare traditional Russian dishes and of course a turkey. As my brother and I got older, we started having my mom prepare more American dishes to go along with our traditional dishes. This year, we will be in New York for Christmas. I mentioned Christmas because while I am Jewish and we celebrate Hannukah, growing up in Russia we would sometimes put up a Christmas tree and decorate it.
TH: Danielle I see that you have an amazing jewelry collection. Would you consider yourself a jewelry enthusiast?
DZ: My dad is actually in the jewelry business (fine watches, fine jewelry), he has boutiques. My mom has amazing jewelry and taught me. As a little girl my mom always said, if any man ever asks you what your birth stone is you say, diamond
"As a little girl my mom always said, if any man ever asks you what your birthstone is you say, diamond"
-Danielle Zaslavskaya
TH: What’s your most special piece of jewelry you have in your collection?
DZ: Vintage small gold diamond Rolex given to me by my mom. Each year my mom does her annual travels and finds amazing pieces. My mom traveled to Thailand one year, purchased fine jade and had a jeweler create large chandelier earrings for me. My mom has immaculate taste.
TH: What piece of jewelry do you never leave home without?
DZ: Cartier love bracelets, and a custom bangle which I stack.
TH: What does jewelry mean you?
DZ: Expression The completion of your outfit. Sometimes you can have the sickest outfit but it’s missing something, so jewelry is that finishing touch.
WITH 24 HOURS IN A DAY, ONE MUST WONDER HOW A BUSY VICE PRESIDENT OF BRAND PARTNERSHIPS OF THE LARGEST MANUFACTURER OF CAVIAR IN THE UNITED STATES, MARKY’S GROUP, FINDS TIME FOR PHILANTHROPIC WORK. IT’S A RATHER SIMPLE ANSWER, ITS ENGRAINED IN HER DNA
TH: You’re very involved in philanthropy; how did you get started?
DZ: From a young age my grandfather would always take my brother and I to his annual turkey drives, so we learned from him. My grandfather migrated from the Ukraine to Miami where he started his caviar business. He would purchase turkeys and donate them along with money to the temple because when he first arrived, he didn’t have a home and the temple would allow him to sleep there. It was always important to him that he gave back to the temple and the less fortunate because they helped him in his time of need. He always remembered where he came from. To this day, he still does his annual turkey drives.
“I specifically enjoy donating to charities for children because they’re still at that impressionable age and with the right guidance and resources, they can have the opportunity to change the direction of their lives and become anything that they dream of.”
-Danielle Zaslavskaya
For the month of December, Concept26 Fine Jewelry X Danielle Zaslavskaya will be donating 20% of proceeds to Covenant House. {Code: COVENANT HOUSE}
“For more than four decades, Covenant House has helped transform and save the lives of more than a million homeless, runaway and trafficked young people. We offer housing and support services to young people in need – currently reaching 74,000 youth every year. Coming off the streets, the young people we serve are usually disconnected from their families and other social support – kids who have endured traumatic and adverse childhood experiences. In addition to living on the streets, many have survived abusive homes, spent time in juvenile justice facilities, aged out of foster care or have been victims of human trafficking and exploitation. Our comprehensive program model builds a life-affirming bridge for young people by engaging youth on the street (Street Outreach) providing no-barrier, safe, short-term housing to meet their immediate needs (Immediate Care), and longer-term transitional housing (Rights of Passage) to assist those who are ready for more independent living.” -Covenant House
To learn more about Covenant House and its organization please visit https://www.covenanthouse.org/homeless-charity
In keeping with the holiday spirits, we must remember that it’s better to give then receive. If we can brighten the life of one individual, that is one more individual that has a chance at a better life. Children are our future.