Welcome to our interview with the accomplished top model, Anya Lesun. With an impressive resume in the fashion industry, Anya has participated in the runways of multiple New York Fashion Weeks. She walked for many famous fashion designers such as Ralph & Russo, LaQuan Smith, Michael Costello and Tommy Hilfiger amongst many others.

Her talent has not gone unnoticed beyond the runway, as she was the face of the Cadillac commercial showcased at the Oscars and graced billboards across New York for the highly acclaimed «Andie Swim» campaign. Anya’s versatility is evident in her leading role in the captivating music video «Take it from me» by the top American country singer Jordan Davis.

Today, we have the opportunity to learn more about Anya and her journey in the fashion industry. Let’s dive in and ask her a few questions.

How did your career start and how did you get into the modeling business?

It really all started for me from winning the “Miss Yekaterinburg” beauty pageant in 2012. You see, in Russia, if you are not from Moscow, it’s not that easy for a regular girl to meet a modeling agency or build a portfolio. And if one wants to go to Mosco w, it is a big financial investment, most of the girls and their families don’t have access to it. So going to a pageant of the regional and national level was my chance to open the doors in modeling for myself. People from the fashion industry always come to scout the girls during the pageants. So I did it. I applied online and was invited to the casting with about 500 other beautiful girls. You have to be more than 18 and less than 25 years old, at least 173cm tall and your parameters have to be almost 9 0 — 60 — 90. After two rounds of the casting, I was happy to find out that I made it to the pageant. 40 days of preparations, the final show — and wow, I got the crown.

The doors of fashion modeling opened for me then. I signed with the agency in Moscow, got to the final of “Miss Russia”, became a top finalist, got a big job with the main sponsor of “Miss Russia” — “Russian Standard”, then signed with the New York agency “Q Models” and here I am.

What brands have you worked with and who would you like to work with?

I have worked with so many amazing brands! Cadillac, FILA, Andie Swim, Macy’s, Target, Neutrogena, Loreal, Redken, Makeup Forever, Covergirl, Farm Rio, Sally Hansen and so many others. Who I’d like to work with? I’m really looking for working more w ith sustainable brands. Quality over quantity and care about the Earth — I want to work with the companies whose values align with mine.

Who are your favorite fashion designers you worked with?

I loved walking for LaQuan Smith, Michael Costello, Tommy Hil figer and his brother Andy Hilfiger, Rossie Assoulin,Ralph&Russo. Juicy Couture was a fun show. I absolutely loved walking for Sherri Hill, it was such a beautiful show! I’ve done many fashion weeks and every designer is special. It always is a great pleas ure and honor to show someone’s creation that truly comes from their soul and identity. Designers can’t be without models and models can’t be without designers, it is always a beautiful co creation process.

As one of the top models in the industry, what d o you think sets you apart from others and contributes to your success?

I think it is a combination of things. To be successful in the modeling industry one has to have a unique look of course, that is different from anybody else, but you also have to be e xtremely professional and work on improving your skills constantly. Walking, posing, nice attitude when working with the clients, being versatile, being resilient. It is not easy to be a model. It happened that I lost a part of my hair once after the show because the ponytail was too tight and the hair extensions were too heavy. Another time I had to skateboard while holding the rails of a car that was moving. And I was wearing only a swimsuit so if I fell it wouldn’t be pretty. I must say I did my job perf ectly and the shots came out very well. They were all around NYC subway and bus stations later so it was really worth the risk for me.

What has been the most memorable moment or experience in your career so far? Why does it stand out to you?

It’s difficul t to choose but if I have to, it would be shooting for the “Cadillac” commercial. I got to work with Ned Benson — the director and writer who did a story for a Marvel movie, and with Janusz Kaminski — an Oscar winning cinematographer. The entire production looked like a Hollywood movie. They closed two streets in Soho, Manhattan. There were somewhat like 200 people working with us on that day! It was impressive. And to be a part of it, more than that, to have a leading role in a project like this — it reall y was one of the highlights of my career so far. And then this commercial was shown during the Super Bowl and the Oscars. I received a million messages from friends with screenshots of my face on their TVs. You know, for a girl from the middle of Russia to the Oscars — that was a big deal for me.

Throughout your career, you have likely traveled to various locations for modeling assignments. Can you share a particularly memorable destination or experience that left a lasting impression on you?

The photoshoot for “Andie Swim” in the Bahamas. It was work but it also was an adventure to paradise. And it turned out to be a huge campaign. Then, I also loved my time in Greece, as I spent a few months in Athens working as a model. I met some really great people ther e and also learned a lot.

The modeling industry has been criticized for its emphasis on physical appearance. How do you deal with the pressure to conform to certain beauty standards and maintain a positive body image?

As someone who had eating disorders for many years I can talk a lot about it. It took a lot of inner work for me to learn not to use food as a coping mechanism, to love myself truly, to take care of myself instead of punishing. I practice kundalini yoga, l earn different techniques of self — regulation, I meditate and I keep going deeper into my soul. It’s very different for me now than it was even 5 years ago. My mental health, my body health and the health of my connections with the world and others are my p riorities. So I take a lot of time to nourish the right values within myself and be a good and clear mirror for other people.

In recent years, there has been a growing movement towards sustainable and ethical fashion. How do you personally incorporate sust ainability into your modeling career, and what changes would you like to see in the industry as a whole?

I think I am finding my way from being just a fashion model to becoming a role model. How can I live my life in the way that it is in harmony with our planet? I truly believe that it is the time to change our habits, to go more sustainable, to go into rege nerative practices, and to consume less but in better quality. Choosing vintage, choosing handmade, supporting local designers, giving clothes a second life etc. We have to look into the ways of fashion, as the way it is, it has become a big issue for the world now. But also as a fashion model who is in the spotlight, I have a chance to show others what else we can do, how we can be more aligned and healed.

Beyond your modeling career, do you have any other passions or goals you hope to pursue in the future ? How do you see yourself evolving as a professional?

I want to use the best of the fashion world, all my knowledge, my connections, my talent to be in service for Mother Earth and humanity. I want to find ways of making a healthy lifestyle, recycling, reg enerative farming, and education fashionable. I want to create with those who also care about the planet and its people. I want to represent brands that don’t take fresh air and clean water for granted. That is where I am slowly but surely heading.

Photographer: Katya Kurganska
MUAH: Kate Kats
Dresses: MonaLizabeth
Autor: Ilona Snidcenko