Zhenya is from Kyiv, Ukraine, and based in New York City. She has a face that is impossible to forget, first coming to the spotlight with a Semi-Exclusive for Victoria Beckham for Spring Summer 2017. Since then she has been portrayed by photographers such as Patrick Demarchelier for a Vera Wang campaign, by Luigi & Iango and Matteo Montanari. She defines herself as a hard worker and a positive person, and she likes to travel, play sports, draw and learn new things.
What has been your biggest achievement in the industry?
Firstly, I arrived in New York in summer 2 years ago, and I was preparing for Fashion Week. I was doing sports and just getting prepared. I was also very happy when I did an exclusive for Victoria Beckham. In that same season I did the Nina Ricci show. After that came Hugo Boss, Burberry, Christopher Kane and DKNY. After that season, I packed my things and travelled to Paris, where I did a show for Chanel, Dior, Valentino, Armani and Hermès. After that, I was so happy to working for Patrick Demarchelier for a campaign for Vera Wang.
What are the peaks that you want to reach in your career as a model?
I don’t have a specific goal because I can’t tell the future. I am more focused on working hard to achieve the results I am currently achieving, by doing sports, and I always have to be in a good mood, to do my work the best I can. I believe if you do your work the best you can, no matter what work it is, then you will be able to achieve anything and everything.
When and how were you scouted?
I went to a model school when I was 14, and there I studied makeup, how to walk, poses, etc. When I had lost 16kg, an agency gave me an opportunity to do a Ukrainian fashion show and to sign a contract, to be with them after the model school. However, during this time, another agency found me in the Ukraine, which was one of the best modelling agencies, in Kyiv, and I decided to work with them.
What would you have wanted to be if your weren't a model?
I would one hundred percent be an interior designer. I have already practiced on my own flat, and I really like it.
Who do you admire?
I admire my mum because she raised me alone with my brother. She has always been hard working so that she could give us the very best. When I was a child I would do dancing, singing in a choir, professional karate, and rhythmic gymnastics. I became the champion of Ukraine in karate when I was 10 or 11. Therefore she has always been a person I have looked up to because no matter the problems that she has faced she kept going forward and reaching her goals.
Who would you propose for this Q&A?
Anastasia Chekry.
Discover Zhenya's full Q&A in Spring Summer 2019 - Issue 2. Get your copy here.
Photographed by Edwin S Freyer.
MakeUp by Naomi Nakamura using M.A.C. Cosmetics.
Hair by Cher Savery using Cloud 9 and Aveda Products.
Words by Diana Serenli.
Zhenya appears courtesy of Models1 London.
Zhenya wearing Pleats Please by Issey Miyake and Maria Black earrings.