Instant Analogue by Liz Ord and Molly Baker. Special thanks to IMPOSSIBLE.
Do you find London to be a stressful city?
Well no, I think stressful cities are just cities with a lot of movement - without that movement it would be boring. I like that there are so many people, that it’s always busy.
Do you study in addition to modelling?
Yes, I also study engineering. Modelling and engineering are such different things. I don’t know what I will do after I finish studying and finish my modeling career, but I feel like my future could be interesting. It would be nice to combine all my strong points.
What do you do in your spare time?
I love to read books and occasionally do some sport. I play volleyball for example. I think the Russian Volleyball team is one of the best in the world, and the Russian League is the best. We can buy the best players from all over the world.
How long have you been modeling for?
I've been modelling for a year now.
What is the most challenging thing you’ve had to do as a model?
Oh I don’t know, I think it’s more about enjoyment. It’s easy, it’s funny, and you can learn languages; a year ago I could only speak about two words of English. I travel and meet a lot of people, which feels important for my future. Everyday you go see five to ten new people, so you’re interacting with people from everywhere, experiencing different languages, and different mentalities.
Did you do London Collections: Men?
No, I didn’t do menswear fashion week in London, but I did Paris fashion week.
What shows did you do?
In Paris I walked Walter Van Beirendonck and Berluti. In MIlan I walked for Antonio Marras, Andrea Pompillo and Stella Jean.
We saw in a picture that you ride horses?
Well no, I actually I learned when I was younger, but I had a sort of quick intensive refresher course of about three hours before the shoot. It's fun, and was great fun that I could revive my skills for this shoot. It’s funny that over four years have gone by since learning and then suddenly it helps me in a new setting.
Was it difficult working with a horse?
It was my first experience with animals in a shoot, because it was only my second shoot.
Oh haha that’s challenging.
No, it was funny! I think it wasn’t about it being difficult, I think that sometimes being in a studio is harder.
What is your favourite film?
I think ‘Cloud Atlas’. I'm not a big fan of the book, but the film is great. I enjoy books that teach you something, philosophical for example is really interesting. At the moment my favourite book is by Blaise Pascal, a French writer, philosopher and physicist. I want to develop myself everyday, I think it’s the most important thing in life.
Interview by Molly Rose Baker & Liz Ord.
Words by Nicole Chui.