THE FOUNDER

Sounds like Maria but spelled the Montenegro way where she was born. The extra J in Marija could stand for jack-of-all-trades – a successful businesswoman garnering accolades and notice from the press, an artist with a faithful following and an entrepreneur taking on creative projects that are new, fresh and different (challenge and stretch her imagination). Sassy, savvy and sexy, this award-winning stylist has passion and know-how to spare. At the age of 21, she won her first competition in beauty school and went on to open 4 salons each with it’s own personality and vibe; Aria at 27, Aria on Hudson at 30, Aria of NYC and now Selah in White Plains. Still winning competitions herself, Marija brought her visual sense to television shows such as the Style Network’s My Celebrity Home and magazines such as Planet, Details, View and Clear. She’s styled photo shoots for trendy restaurants like Goldbar and for pop icon Lenny Kravitz.

A gorgeous hairstyle properly executed is portable practical art says Marija. Truly a renaissance chick, modeling helped Marija experience what it is like being the canvas to a Master painter, it made her a better artist. As a teacher and mentor to up and coming stylists, she was voted student favorite at the Soho Institute of Aveda. Being successful at what you do, Shkreli has come to find is a combination of pride and humility, being willing to truly listen but also to follow your instincts. Following her bliss has lead her to opening the new Selah salon in White Plains which just won the coveted Best Concept for a salon from Westchester Magazine. Combination salon and lounge, Selah is a joint project with Marija’s younger sister Jackie. A popular nightspot as well as hopping salon with a busy dancecard, Selah means a musical interlude in Hebrew, praise and meditation in Arabic and is alluded to in the Book of Psalms. Doesn’t hurt that the fabulous Lauren Hill sings about it on her award winning The Miseducation of Lauren Hill.

Marija has become known not only for her infamous look; the long beach-tussled locks, the model slim figure and style edge but also for her signature cuts – the Mill, the Chord and the Willow. Inspired by the trees on the Saw Mill Parkway, Marija developed the Mill for a photo shoot where the client wanted something fresh. She looked at the trees as God’s artwork and realized imitation is the highest form of flattery, she loved the whispy limbs and the way the sun reflected off the branches. She did it on herself first and discovered it was the first haircut that gives you the feeling that your hair is longer after it was cut than before. The Mill is perfect for long hair and uses chocolate, cinnamon and gold to bring out the shaggy layers. Using a razor, texturizer and sheers, this 3 step style grows out beautifully allowing busy women to limit their trips to her chair.

The Chord is great for shorter hair but it’s not your mother’s bob (sorry Mom). A little edgier, a little more movement, the Chord is cut by putting a chord put around the back of the neck and using it as a guideline because it follows the natural shape of the neck. After this cut, the hair hangs beautifully. Using two-tone blonde on blonde, it’s a nod toward forward thinking while still remaining slightly conservative.

The Willow is for gals who LOVE their curls. Like the willow tree, it has different lengths, some longer, some shorter. This is a great mid-length cut and for color – the tips are made lighter about 2-3 shades to give the appearance of being sun-kissed. Cut on dry hair with a razor, this look is show-stopping.

Marija loves nothing more than consulting with a client and personalizing a look taking into consideration lifestyle, personal style and fashion sense. She doesn’t believe in one- style-fits-all. Not bound by convention, she thinks longer hair on older women looks fabulous. She wants the looks to be natural but better and considers herself Mother Nature’s little helper. She hates stiff hair, helmet hair, anything over-coiffed. Marija loves that she can offer Madison Ave glamour without the high Manhattan prices.