The face of Guess, Revlon. She has worked in Milan, London, Hong Kong, New York, Los Angeles. She starred with wellknown photographers Antoine Vergla and Damon Baker.
We met Julia in Hong Kong, where we arrived under a modelling contract. She was not yet as famous, but she always took modelling seriously. She tried to eat right (she reproached me when I had a snack on the run between castings), made all kinds of masks and scrubs for grooming, was responsible with castings and work. At first glance, she might seem uncommunicative but she is always polite and confident in herself – which, in my opinion, a real model should be. Now Julia lives in Los Angeles is married and has a daughter but continues to appear for magazine covers and major projects.
How did you get into modelling?
At the age of 15, I was noticed at a modelling contest by scouts of a local agency. From there I started to go to foreign auditions. I left for my first trip to Milan, Italy.
How many foreign languages do you know?
Russian is native, even though I was born in Latvia. Latvian used to be the second, but I began to forget it, as I practiced less and less. English is the main one now. I have been living in the States for 11 years and I communicate with my husband and daughter in English, although I teach my daughter Russian. True, there is a slight accent, but I think it’s not scary. I learned Italian and Turkish when I worked in these countries but there is also little practice now, although I understand everything they are talking about.
What is going on with fashion today, in your opinion?
Due to the pandemic, there are few social events, so there is nowhere to show your outfits. Fashion has become more natural and comfortable. Everything has changed but this does not mean that the fashion has disappeared, it just went to another level.
What is the most attractive thing about working as a model?
The opportunity to travel, discover new countries, develop, meet interesting and creative people, get better. A model today should not only be attractive and meet the necessary parameters, there should be some peculiarity, charisma. Values change. In addition to external qualities, this model is also distinguished by internal strength, dedication, self-confidence, dignity, a spark in the eyes – characteristics that make others turn around and admire you.
Most memorable trip or shooting?
There have already been so many beautiful shootings! But loved ones are in Los Angeles: in the desert with a cool car; underwater as a mermaid; near an abandoned hotel in Hollywood; and shooting at dawn in the water.
Do you remember a funny story related to modelling?
I remember that all summer collections had to be removed in winter, and vice versa. Imagine – January, and I advertise swimwear. They even forced us to go into the water, splash and laugh. It was very cold and the laugh was hysterical. It is good that this did not affect the result.
Text by K. Mironova
Photo provided by J. Lescova
