Vassa received her education in the United States (at VCU School of the Arts and FIT) and worked for leading companies such as Anne Klein, Calvin Klein, and Federated. She presented her debut designer collection in New York in 1996. In 2000, the company launched Russia’s first industrial prêt-à-porter line and opened the first four VASSA&Co stores in Moscow. Vassa became the brand's head designer; her style and distinctive creative signature shaped the brand's development strategy. Her professional experience, combined with her desire to create her own womenswear line—realizing her unique ideas and unconventional approach to modern fashion—defined the signature style of VASSA&Co.