From international magazine covers and cinematic fashion productions to becoming the face of French luxury house Milady Maison de Fourrure, Ukrainian model Kristina Mezhynskaya has built a career defined by elegance, versatility, and creative expression. In this exclusive interview with CHIC ICON, she reflects on her journey through the fashion industry, memorable collaborations, and the art of bringing a creative vision to life — both in front of and behind the camera.
Kristina, your modeling journey has taken you from Ukraine to Milan, Paris, Los Angeles, and beyond. How did your career begin, and what first attracted you to the fashion industry?
My interest in fashion and photography started long before I began modeling professionally. I was always fascinated by the creative world behind fashion images — the styling, photography, atmosphere, and the way a single photograph could tell an entire story. Although my first education was in engineering at Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, I always felt that my personality was much more connected to the creative world.
Milan became an important chapter in my modeling journey. I signed with 2morrow Model Management, which gave me the opportunity to experience the international fashion industry and work with talented creative teams.
What attracted me most was the possibility of transformation. Every photoshoot allows you to explore a different character, mood, or visual story. Even today, after years of working in fashion, that creative process is what excites me the most.
Throughout your career, you’ve appeared in numerous fashion publications. Which magazine features and covers have been particularly meaningful to you?
I’ve been fortunate to work with many wonderful publications throughout my career, including L’Officiel Ukraine, Cosmopolitan, Natalie, PUMP, On The Air, New York Weekly, CosmoLady, Vintage, CODE, WD Magazine, and many more .
Each publication represents a different creative experience, and I appreciate how every editorial team brings its own perspective to fashion photography.
I particularly enjoy shoots where the concept goes beyond simply presenting beautiful clothes. I love when there is a story, a strong visual identity, and an atmosphere that makes the images memorable.
For me, appearing in a magazine has never been only about seeing my photograph in print. It’s about being part of a creative collaboration that brings together fashion, photography, styling, and artistic expression.
You have worked with renowned Ukrainian director Alan Badoev and appeared in music videos connected with artists such as Max Barskih and Jesus Luz. How did these experiences influence you as a model?
Working on music videos was one of the most exciting experiences of my early career.
I participated in projects including 10 Wishes, Z.Dance, and Do Rassveta, and had the opportunity to work in the creative environment of Alan Badoev, Max Barskih, and Jesus Luz.
Music videos are particularly interesting because they combine fashion, acting, movement, and storytelling.
Unlike traditional photography, where you capture a moment in a single frame, video requires you to express emotions through movement and become part of a larger narrative.
These projects helped me become more comfortable in front of the camera and taught me how important it is to understand the director’s vision.
They also inspired me to explore acting and eventually study at the Michelle Danner Acting School in Los Angeles.
You’ve worked in different fashion capitals and creative environments. How has your international experience shaped your personal style and approach to modeling?
Every city has influenced me in a different way.
Milan taught me to appreciate the craftsmanship and sophistication of Italian fashion. Paris has always represented timeless elegance and effortless femininity to me.
Los Angeles introduced me to a more cinematic approach to photography and storytelling, while Dubai has a very distinctive interpretation of modern luxury.
I think experiencing different cultures helps you become more versatile as a model.
You learn to adapt to different creative directions while maintaining your own personality.
My personal style has also evolved over time. Today, I’m much more attracted to timeless pieces, beautiful fabrics, elegant silhouettes, and clothing that makes a woman feel confident without trying too hard.
One of the most exciting chapters of your career is becoming the face of French luxury house Milady Maison de Fourrure. How did this collaboration begin, and how did your role evolve beyond modeling?
My collaboration with Milady Maison de Fourrure began when I was invited to become the face of the French luxury house.
I actually have a very special memory of our very first campaign. I was pregnant with my daughter at the time, already in my second trimester, although my pregnancy wasn’t visible yet. I was still experiencing quite intense morning sickness, so the photoshoot was a little more challenging than anyone could have imagined! (Laughs.)
But I absolutely loved the experience, and it became the beginning of a wonderful collaboration.
Later, the owner of Milady noticed that we shared a similar aesthetic and that he really appreciated my personal taste and creative ideas. He invited me to become more involved in developing the brand’s new campaigns.
That’s how my role naturally expanded from being the face of the house to working on its creative direction.
Today, I enjoy not only modeling for Milady but also developing concepts, selecting locations, working with photographers, and bringing our creative vision to life.
It’s especially rewarding because I genuinely love both sides of the camera.
As the face of Milady Maison de Fourrure, you’ve appeared in major advertising campaigns across France, including Paris and Courchevel. What was it like seeing yourself represented on such a large scale?
It was honestly such a beautiful and surreal experience!
I remember when our campaign started appearing all over Paris — on large billboards, buses, and outdoor advertising displays.
Friends and acquaintances began sending me photos and videos of themselves walking through Paris and suddenly seeing my face on a billboard or passing by on a bus. It was such a lovely feeling, especially because I wasn’t always there to see it myself.
Our campaigns were also featured in several French magazines, and the images appeared throughout Courchevel, which has become a very special destination for our fashion productions.
There is something quite magical about seeing the result of a creative project become part of a city’s visual landscape.
Of course, as a model, you’re used to seeing your photographs in magazines or online, but seeing them on the streets of Paris is a completely different experience.
What made it even more meaningful was knowing how much creativity and teamwork went into those campaigns.
And I still smile whenever someone sends me a photo or video of one of our advertisements. It’s a wonderful reminder of how far this collaboration has come.
You’ve created several beautiful fashion campaigns in Courchevel. What makes this destination so special for your work with Milady?
Courchevel has become one of my favorite locations for fashion photography.
We’ve been creating campaigns there for three consecutive years, and every time I return, I discover something new.
The combination of the French Alps, beautiful architecture, winter landscapes, and luxury atmosphere creates an incredible setting for fashion.
I particularly love the contrast between the softness of the snow and the textures of the garments. The natural light in the mountains can be extraordinary, especially early in the morning or just before sunset.
For Milady, Courchevel feels like a natural extension of the brand’s identity. It represents a particular kind of luxury that is sophisticated, elegant, and closely connected to the lifestyle of the French Alps.
You’ve collaborated with photographer Miras Bayanov on your fashion productions. What do you value most in a photographer?
For me, the most important quality in a photographer is the ability to see beyond the obvious.
A beautiful photograph isn’t simply about good lighting or a perfect pose. It’s about capturing a feeling.
I’ve enjoyed working with Miras Bayanov because I appreciate the artistic approach and attention to atmosphere in our creative projects.
I love when a photographer gives you the freedom to experiment, move naturally, and express something unexpected.
The best results often happen when everyone on set trusts each other.
Sometimes a spontaneous moment between planned shots becomes the most beautiful image of the entire production.
Alongside your modeling career, you’re also the Editor-in-Chief of ELLEDGY Magazine. How does working both in front of and behind the camera influence your approach to fashion?
I think this is one of the things I enjoy most about my career.
I genuinely love being in front of the camera, but I’m equally passionate about everything happening behind it.
As a model, you become part of someone else’s creative vision. As an editor and creative director, you have the opportunity to help develop that vision from the beginning.
With ELLEDGY Magazine, I work on editorial concepts, fashion stories, photography, styling, and the overall visual direction of our publications.
I love selecting images, creating moodboards, developing concepts, and bringing together talented people.
Having experience on both sides of the camera gives me a very different perspective.
I understand how a model feels during a shoot, but I also know what the photographer, stylist, and editorial team are trying to achieve.
For me, these two worlds complement each other beautifully.
Fashion photography has changed dramatically with the rise of social media. Do you think traditional magazine editorials still have the same importance?
Absolutely, although their role has evolved.
Social media has made fashion much more accessible and immediate. Today, models can create their own content, connect directly with audiences, and develop personal brands independently.
But I believe traditional fashion editorials still have a very special value. A thoughtfully produced magazine story involves a level of creative direction, storytelling, and artistic collaboration that is different from everyday social media content.
There is also something timeless about seeing a beautiful fashion editorial in print. I think the future belongs to a combination of both worlds.
Social media offers visibility and connection, while magazines can provide a more curated and lasting creative expression.
Having spent so many years in the fashion industry, how has your understanding of beauty and femininity evolved?
When I was younger, I probably associated beauty more with appearance and the traditional standards we often see in fashion.
Over time, my perspective has changed. Today, I find individuality much more interesting than perfection. I love women who have their own style, who aren’t afraid to express their personalities, and who feel comfortable being themselves. I also believe elegance is something that goes far beyond clothing. It’s reflected in the way a woman moves, communicates, treats other people, and carries herself.
Fashion can be a wonderful way to express femininity, but true beauty always comes from a combination of confidence, character, and authenticity.
What makes a fashion campaign truly memorable to you?
For me, it’s the combination of a strong concept, the right creative team, and genuine emotion. You can have the most beautiful clothes and an extraordinary location, but without a clear vision, the result may still feel empty. I love campaigns that tell a story and create a particular mood. Sometimes it’s about cinematic drama; other times, it’s about simplicity and natural elegance.
I also believe the atmosphere on set matters enormously. When everyone enjoys the creative process and feels inspired, that energy often translates into the final images.
The most memorable campaigns are the ones where you feel that every detail belongs to the same story.
How has motherhood influenced your relationship with fashion, beauty, and your modeling career?
Motherhood has definitely changed my perspective, but it hasn’t changed my love for fashion. If anything, it has made me more conscious of how I spend my time and which projects I choose. My daughter Angelina has brought so much joy into my life, and naturally, my priorities have evolved. I still love beautiful clothes, fashion photography, and creative productions, but I now appreciate the flexibility to select projects that genuinely inspire me.
I also think motherhood gives you a different kind of confidence. You become less concerned with meeting other people’s expectations and more focused on what feels meaningful to you. I love the idea that my daughter will grow up seeing that women can be creative, independent, ambitious, and deeply devoted to their families at the same time.
After so many years in fashion, what continues to inspire you creatively?
I’m inspired by so many things — cinema, architecture, photography, travel, beautiful interiors, and even small everyday moments. I love discovering new photographers and creative talents.
Sometimes a particular location inspires an entire photoshoot concept. Other times, it might be a vintage fashion photograph, a film scene, or an interesting combination of textures and colors. I especially appreciate timeless fashion photography — images that remain beautiful and relevant many years after they were created.
I don’t think inspiration should come exclusively from fashion. Some of the most interesting ideas appear when you connect different creative worlds.
What can we expect from you next, both as a model and as the face of Milady Maison de Fourrure?
I’m excited to continue developing our creative work with Milady Maison de Fourrure and exploring new concepts for future campaigns. I would love to create more cinematic fashion stories in beautiful international locations.
At the same time, I want to remain open to interesting modeling collaborations, especially projects with a strong artistic direction. Through my work with ELLEDGY, I also hope to continue discovering talented photographers, designers, and creative professionals. What I enjoy most about this stage of my career is the freedom to move between different creative roles.
I don’t feel that I have to choose between being a model and working behind the camera. Both are part of who I am, and I hope to continue exploring them for many years to come.
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