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Russian supermodel Ksenia Maximova is regarded as the "crème de la crème" in her field and well known for her appearances in campaigns for prestigious labels such as Gucci,
Valentino and Versace.
Although Ksenia's modeling career began unexpectedly when she was spotted in a Moscow coffee shop, her success was almost immediate as she began conquering the runways for almost every big designer in the world.
Since being discovered, Ksenia has become one of the most sought-after models and as a consequence we decided to interview her as our model of the month for May...
How did you get started in the modeling business?
Ksenia:
I was spotted in a Moscow coffee shop and then brought to Take2 in London, which was not a problem, because my dad lived in London.
Did you ever think you'd be doing this?
Ksenia:
No, not really. I was bullied so much at school, that I was sure I was ugly.
What do you like most about modeling? What do you like least?
Ksenia:
Travelling is good. I probably would have never managed to travel so much on my own. What I don't like - is waiting. It can be waiting for another job to come in a place you don't want to be, can be hair or make-up taking hours, can be waiting for the crew to have lunch while you are still on the set. I'm very active, it's hard for me to sit still.
Have you encountered any surprises along the way?
Ksenia:
Major one was probably the weird stereotypes people have of models and people from fashion industry.
Ever get tempted to get pulled into the party scene?
Ksenia:
I used to party much more than I do now. I just got bored. I don't have much time to see my friends, so I don't see a point in going to a club, where you can't even hear each other.
Have you developed any new interests since you started modeling?
Ksenia:
Yes, a lot. But I started at 16, so it was probably a part of growing up. I'm interested in world music, psychology, cultural studies, filmmaking and art, but art was always my passion.
What are your favourite things to do in your free time?
Ksenia:
Playing with my kids, reading and painting.
Out of all the places your career has taken you, where was the most memorable?
Ksenia:
I have three. Joshua Tree Park in US, Cape Town and Tokyo.
Do you have a mentor? Who? What is it about them that affects you? Why?
Ksenia:
I used to, but he passed away last year. It was the man who discovered me and some other Russian models. He was a very strong person.
Where do you see yourself in ten years? What could be your next career?
Ksenia:
I'm working on it now. I'm doing Art BA in London. Hopefully I can do illustration some day, or even publish a kid's book. But I would like to move to a warmer place within next 10 years.
What are your best beauty secrets? How do you stay in shape?
Ksenia:
Sleep well, eat healthy. Exercise. Everybody says it and it's so easy, but people still fail to follow.
What would you want people to know about you?
Ksenia:
I don't know... that blonds are not necessarily stupid?))) I do get that a lot in university unfortunately...
Any advice for new models? What advice would you give other models starting out?
Ksenia:
Not to forget that modelling is not forever. It hurts people a lot sometimes to come back to the other reality.
Favourite all-time model:
Ksenia:
Polina Kouklina
Favourite kind of food:
Ksenia:
Thai, Japanese and whatever my boyfriend cooks.
Favourite kind of music:
Ksenia:
I used to have one, but I've been listening to so much different stuff that I'm lost by now. Ragga, Alternative Rock, Electronic etc. etc. etc.
Favourite quote:
Ksenia:
"Until lions produce their own historian, the story of the hunt will always glorify the hunter."
I'd like to meet:
Ksenia:
Sigmund Freud, to smack him .
If I were trapped on an island I'd take:
Ksenia: My boyfriend and kids.
Thank you Ksenia for this interview!
Special thanks to Giorgina and Take 2 Model Mgmt.
note: all answers are original and unaltered
view Ksenia's profile
more photos...
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