From Designer Heels to High-Rises: How Three Fashionistas Are Owning NYC’s Real Estate Scene

Introduction:

Trading Prada for property might sound like a reality show pitch, but for three fashion industry insiders, it’s real life. Briana Siaca, Jessica Markowski, and Kelly Bensimon have redefined career pivots, swapping couture for closings—and it’s paying off big.

The Glamorous Start

In a city obsessed with reinvention, these women already knew how to sell a lifestyle.

Briana was a former Miss New York USA who dazzled in pageants, Jessica brought a tech edge to the fashion world, and Kelly—you might recognize her as a "Real Housewife of New York"—had spent years mastering how to market herself.

But by the late 2010s, each saw the same writing on the wall: the fashion world is glamorous, but it isn’t always sustainable. They wanted something more lucrative—and lasting.

Making the Leap

The transition wasn’t easy. Real estate isn’t all champagne toasts and loft tours. It’s long hours, fierce competition, and a market where deals can fall apart faster than a runway show. Still, the trio jumped in, using what they already knew to make waves.

• Briana Siaca knew how to build relationships. She joined the Corcoran Group and turned her charisma into trust with high-net-worth clients. Her pitch? A home isn’t just property—it’s personal branding.

• Jessica Markowski leveraged her digital fluency from fashion tech to crush real estate’s marketing game. At Ryan Serhant’s firm, she used Instagram reels and TikToks to attract modern buyers. (Because who doesn’t want a penthouse with a killer view and 50k likes?)

• Kelly Bensimon, already famous, brought instant credibility to her deals at Douglas Elliman. Her knack for negotiation and lifestyle storytelling helped her seal multimillion-dollar property sales, proving she was more than just a reality star.

The Payoff

Within just a few years, the trio racked up impressive numbers:

• Briana closed deals totaling over $10M in 2023 alone.

• Jessica helped popularize short-form video as a tool for high-value sales, closing properties faster than most agents.

• Kelly has become a go-to broker for Manhattan’s elite, regularly breaking $5M sales.

What set them apart? Their ability to sell the lifestyle, not just the location.

Insights and Takeaways:

For anyone thinking about jumping into real estate—or pivoting to a new career—here’s what these women can teach you:

1. Your Past Skills Aren’t Wasted
   Whether you’re in fashion, finance, or food service, every skill is transferable. Briana’s confidence, Jessica’s tech-savviness, and Kelly’s branding gave them a unique edge in real estate.

2. Digital Presence Is King
   Buyers scroll Zillow, Instagram, and TikTok. Jessica’s mastery of online platforms is a reminder: don’t just sell to the client—sell to the algorithm.

3. Grit Over Glamour
   Real estate might look luxurious, but it’s a grind. The key is staying adaptable and leveraging your unique strengths.

Conclusion:

These three didn’t just switch industries—they elevated the game. By blending the glitz of fashion with the grit of real estate, they’ve shown that success is all about how you sell the story.

So… what’s stopping you from making your pivot?