Find Leah styling New York appointments, modeling our latest pieces for TikTok, and illustrating our growing Fashion Glossary! 💛

Name: Leah Shkolnick

Where ya from? Houston, Texas 

How long have you been at Happy Isles? November 2023 

Most rewarding part of the job? Watching a client put on a piece that makes them feel beautiful and you can see it in their face or their families faces. I lost my mom a few years ago and the moments with the moms and their daughters are always really special to me.  

Who are your style icons? I love how Olivia Haroutounian styles her pieces, Molly and Reese Blutstein, Ivy Getty, and Chloë Sevigny are some of my favorites. 

TikTok or IG? Instagram for photos of course, a still snapshot and peeking into people’s stories. TikTok because it’s a silly, less serious place and I love a deep dive. My algorithm really gets me there. 

Favorite movie? Accepted makes me laugh every time, 

Favorite TV show? I’m a true crime documentary-type of girl, 

Favorite book? I read A Little Life last year and it was devastating and amazing. Otherwise I loved Too Much and Not The Mood by Durga Chew-Bose and everything Melissa Broder writes.  

Favorite podcast? True Crime everything, I also miss Melissa Broder’s So Sad Today podcast. Someone tell her to bring that back.  

Favorite song right now? Constantly humming Red Wine Supernova or Pink Pony Club.

Cats or Dogs? Show us your pet…Would love a Pekingese dog or a Persian cat one day. Anything extravagantly fluffy. 

Cocktail or black tie? Black Tie, always. 

Silver or gold? Mixed metals! No need to pick just one. 

Most worn piece in your closet? Probably a little reversible quilted jacket I got at the bins a few years ago. I think it was homemade and I live in it. Telling people it’s reversible is my version of telling someone a dress has pockets in it. 

Favorite piece in your closet? It’s a tie between a vintage ballet costume corset top that has previous ballerinas names that wore it on the interior boning and a lavender 50’s prom dress that I originally bought to wear to my prom, but saving for something far more glam. 

Favorite vintage designers? This is always hard for me, but some of my favorite vintage shows are John Galliano-era Dior shows. 

Favorite contemporary designers? This is always a hard one for me, but I love Simone Rocha and renaissance renaissance, Miu Miu and Prada, and Molly Goddard. 

Favorite outfit you ever wore? I went to The Nutcracker Ballet here in New York last Winter and loved my outfit. I wore the ballet top I mentioned before (naturally), a vintage pink sequin skirt, white lace tights, my moms vintage kitten heels, and a vintage bag with faux fur on it with a necklace I made. It was one of those outfits where I kept adding pieces and elements to it and was excited with each piece, which is how I know I really love what I’m wearing, and when it’s fun to get dressed. See photo at the end. 

Biggest fashion regret? I don’t have any, they all felt right at the time. 

Biggest fashion pet peeve? When people don’t cut the embroidery stays out of their coat tails and sleeves.  

Favorite celeb red carpet look? Michelle Williams’ saffron Vera Wang gown to the 2006 Academy Awards.  

Favorite liquid treat? Any new beverage that I haven’t tried yet. 

Favorite solid treat? Currently obsessed with Onigiri and always love any kind of loaf cake. 

Your ice-breaker fun fact? I do a lot of poetry readings and events and collect vintage nightgowns. 

Describe your perfect date? I love a progressive date. Walking, stopping for drinks or a bite along the way, maybe finding some music… 

Are you a black cat or a golden retriever? Half and Half depending. 

Are you a Barbie, Bratz, Polly Pocket or American Girl Doll? American Girl sun, American Girl Moon and Polly Pocket rising. I like to think my big three would be: American Girl Doll Sun and Moon, and American Girl Doll/Polly Pocket Cusp Rising.

Check out some of Leah's favorite finds from HINY on our TikTok!

@happyisles_ Leah takes us on a tour of some current favs ✨ #happyisles #happyislessalon #happyislesvintage #happyislesbridal #vintagebridal #vintageweddingdress #vintageweddingdresses #weddinggowns #weddingdressshopping #weddingtiktok #bridaltiktok #newyorkbride #weddingdress ♬ Fever - Peggy Lee