Koliko je zaista teško uspeti u karijeri o kojoj maštaju milioni devojčica širom sveta i šta je tajna uspeha u svetu koji važi za nemilosrdan?
Da li ste odmalena pokazivali interesovanje za modu?
Pre bih rekla da se prvo pojavilo interesovanje za poziranje (na fotografijama). Kad sam počela da se bavim modelingom, poželela sam da budem deo umetničkih ostvarenja.
Koliko je bilo teško kao devojka od dvadeset godina obresti se u Njujorku? Da li vam je nedostajala Rusija?
Nije bilo teško zato što je Njujork pun stranaca kao što sam ja. Odmah sam ostvarila mnogo poznanstava, uključujući neka sa mojim sunarodnicima. Ipak, s druge strane, nedostajala mi je Rusija više nego što sam sebi priznavala. Posle nekoliko meseci tokom kojih nisam videla porodicu, počinjala sam da budem nervozna, a zapravo nisam shvatala da mi nedostaje dom. Svakih par meseci, vraćam se kući, kuvam tradicionalnu rusku hranu, čitam rusku književnost i slušam rusku muziku.
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Šta biste savetovali mladim devojkama koje žele da se bave modelingom?
Da treba to i da rade. Mislim da nikad ne postoji razlog da ne uradite ono što želite. Videla sam da mnogo manekenki, kada im postave to pitanje, kažu: “Uverite se da imate ono što je potrebno”. Danas, pak, industrija se proširila, mnogo je inkluzivnija i orijentisana na karakter. Klijenti traže sve veličine, oblike lica i boje kože. Tako da nemojte brinuti da li ćete se uklopiti u ono što se zahteva – samo budite ono što jeste i budite zapravo zainteresovane za vaš doprinos umetničkoj slici i modi.
Da vas put nije odveo u modnu industriju, čime biste se bavili?
Verovatno bih bila neka vrsta umetničkog kritičara. Umetnost je moja stara strast. Definitivno bih se bavila nečim kreativnim.
Poznata je činjenica da modeli mnogo putuju. Koja vam je omiljena destinacija i zašto?
Moje omiljeno poslovno putovanje je bilo u Meksiko. Sviđa mi se duh Latinske Amerike: lepo je vreme, ljudi su ljubazni, hrana je odlična. Divno je predahnuti od velikog grada kao što je Njujork.
Pokrenuli ste i svoj lingerie brand. Zašto ste izabrali baš tu vrstu odeće i šta ste naučili o pokretanju sopstvenog biznisa?
Koju poruku želite da prenesete svojim klijentima i kupcima? Izabrala sam veš, jer mislim da je prosečno elegantno rublje previše skupo. Moj proizvod može da se priušti, dobro uokviruje telo i udoban je. Glavno što sam naučila u pokretanju svoje firme jeste da to nije toliko jednostavno kako deluje. Kad gledate izglancan proizvod online prodavnica, koje savršeno funkcionišu, sve izgleda lako, ali kada vi lansirate platformu, shvatite koliko tu postoji aspekata i presudnih detalja.
Koje delove vaše karijere biste izdvojili kao najzanimljivije?
Kako postižete balans između privatnog i poslovnog života? Privatni život je važan, mislim da morate imati vremena za sve kako biste održali mentalnu stabilnost. Uprkos mom gustom rasporedu, redovno se viđam sa prijateljima, pričam sa najmilijima, putujem. Još nemam svoju porodicu, ali i to će doći u nekom trenutku.
Kakvi su vam planovi za budućnost?
Skoro sam malo glumila, tako da ako mi se pruži prilika, volela bih da se okušam kao glumica u nekim projektima. Takođe sam zainteresovana da otvorim galeriju i pomognem novim umetnicima da razviju svoju karijeru.
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Did you always show interest in fashion, since your childhood?
I would rather say that interest in posing for photographs came first. When I started modeling, I developed interest in being a part of the creation of artistic pictures.
How difficult was it to be 20 years old and working in New York? Did you miss Russia?
It wasn’t that difficult, because New York is very diverse, it is full of foreigners, like myself. I immediately found plenty of new acquaintances, including Russian friends of mine. On the other hand though, I missed Russia more that I even recognized at first: after a few months of not visiting my family, I started getting upset, but didn’t realize that I was simply homesick. I go back home every few months, cook traditional Russian food, read Russian literature and listen to Russian music.
What would be your advice for young women who want to be a part of the modeling industry?
Go for it. I think there is never a reason for not doing something you want to do. I know that a lot of models, when asked that question, say something like “Make sure you have what it takes” Nowadays, however, the industry has expanded, it is much more inclusive and personality oriented. Clients are looking for all sizes, types of faces and ethnicities. So, don’t think too much about how to fit in or what the industry demands – just be yourself and be genuinely interested in making your input into creation of artistic image and fashion.
If your path wasn’t fashion and modeling, what do you think your career would have been?
I would probably be an art critic. Art has been my long time passion. I would definitely be a creative of some kind.
Since it is a known fact that models travel a lot, can you tell us about your favorite destination and why?
My favorite modelling trip was actually to Mexico. I like the vibe in Latin America: the weather is nice, people are friendly, food is delicious. It is nice to take a break from the city like New York
You launched your own lingerie brand. Why did you choose that particular item of clothing and what did you learn from developing your own business? What message do you want to translate to your clients and consumers?
I chose that product because I consider average prices of elegant underwear to be too high for this type of product. My product is affordable, it does a great job in framing the body, and it’s comfortable. The main lesson I learned from starting a company is that it is really not as easy as it might seem. When you look at a polished product of a successfully operating online store, it all looks so easy and doable, but when you actually launch the platform yourself, you realize how many aspects and crucial details are out there.
What would you say are your career and personal highlights? How do you balance private life with your career?
Private life is important – I think that the has to be time for everything in order to maintain mental stability. Despite of my busy schedule, I regular meet with my friends, talk to my family, go on vacations. I don’t have a family of my own yet, but I that will come at some point.
Could you tell us little bit about your future plans?
I have recently done some acting, so if I am given an opportunity, would like to try myself as an actress in other projects. I am also interested in opening up an art gallery and help emerging artists develop their careers.
FOTOGRAFIJE: DEN PORVATKIN; MODEL: ANASTASIA BELOTSKAYA; PRODUKCIJA: BAZA PRODUCTIONS
