In this episode, Anna Anisin talks with Ella Muradyan, a seasoned Financial Crime Specialist who shows that being tough and diligent in crime tracking is no obstacle to being feminine and stylish.
She also reveals a surprising way in which buying expensive fashion items can be a great investment opportunity.
Finances and compliance
Ella Muradyan is a Certified Financial Crime Specialist who tracks money-laundering, fraud, bribery, and terrorist-financing risks in major banks. After hours, she is a mother to a four-year-old daughter, the wife of a “culinary enthusiast,” and a fashion fanatic.
Born in Armenia, Ella moved to New York at 11 and spent most of her career there before relocating to Miami two years ago for a better family quality of life post-COVID. “We packed our bags and here we are!” she says of the move.
Fashion Philosophy
Ella works in a highly structured and hierarchical financial industry, yet she manages to reflect her values and approach in her wardrobe. The precision and discipline required in compliance translate directly into structured, feminine dressing: tailored suits, Chanel tweeds, and—above all—the color pink. Early in her law-firm days she was “the Elle Woods in a sea of navy,” trusting her grandmother’s mantra: “You go in with your looks and you come out with your brains.”
“My wardrobe and my demeanor are always intentional,” she says, highlighting how being conscious about clothing can be an asset even in finance.
The Miami Vibe
The tropical climate flipped her palette from grey-plus-blush to “all-pink-and-turquoise linen,” while athleisure stays “gym-only.” She also balances high/low pieces—mixing Target tees with Gucci skirts or Hermès sandals—to keep outfits approachable.
“I came here and it’s open Barbie! My whole closet is pink,” she laughs, contrasting Miami’s palette with New York’s.
Investing in fashion
Finance shapes Ella’s wardrobe beyond power suits. Her everyday budget formula is 50 % needs, 25 % investments, 25 % desires. When that “desire” bucket is spent, she still thinks like an investor: gold jewelry, limited-edition shoes, and especially Hermès Birkins, whose prices “are up 14 % year on year.”
Hermès Birkins illustrate how a non-obvious purchase can yield a super-high return on investment.
Yet Ella views fashion with more than an investor’s eye. She owns Manolo Blahnik Hangisi wedding pumps, hand-signed by Blahnik at Bergdorf Goodman after the first Sex and the City movie premiere. Despite their sentimental value, she wears them often—and has even run around Manhattan in them.
Summary
In closing remarks, Anna and Ella took a rapid-fire question round and exchanged final thoughts.
“Remember that style and substance are not just about the clothes we wear but the impact we make,” Ella says, showing how fashion can be an empowerment tool, a statement, and a passion all at once.
