Other-worldly beauty Dasha V has long been creeping up the list of the fashion pack’s most wanted models. Here she tells i-D about growing up in Russia, shot and styled by Daniella Maiorano.
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That unconventional face with eyes slightly too far apart or lips slightly too doll-like is the modern beauty, which has the ability to stop you in your tracks and make you wish you had eyes as big as Masha Tyelna or as far apart as Gemma Ward’s. Dasha Vikhreva is the next phenomenon to break onto the scene. Her extra-terrestrial exquisiteness shines through huge blue eyes, pouty bee stung lips and spotless skin that looks like it’s never been touched or tainted by either a make up brush or a ray of sun. Photographer, Daniella Maiorano is expert at scouting these curiously captivating faces and here she shoots Dasha with an athletic touch in Adidas and Puma, her fiery mermaid tresses down to her waist, while we catch up with the Russian redhead on everything from London to Tokyo.
How did you get scouted? I will begin with the fact that I never thought that I would become model. But fate solved everything for me. I was shopping and suddenly a girl runs up to me and says that she is a photographer and would like to take my picture. In general I was always afraid of such offers, but this time I agreed. So I did a little test shoot and the photographer told me I should seriously think about modelling as a career and get in contact with a local model agency… so I got into the fashion industry!!
What was it like growing up in St Petersburg? The Russian fashion industry is not well developed, so in St. Petersburg, I mostly participated in the test shoots to gain experience, and at the agency I was taught to pose and how to catwalk.
How does it compare to London? I think there is almost no difference between working on location in London and St. Petersburg. If you asked me about the differences of working in Tokyo and London and St. Petersburg… I would have a lot to write about!
What’s your favourite thing about Russia? I’m in love with my city. It’s my home and as a whole it’s my favourite place .
Are you in love? Unfortunately not, but I hope this feeling will come to me soon.
What do you think when you look in the mirror? When I look in the mirror I look only at how my clothes look and fit… I don’t think about anything else to do with my appearance.
Who is your style icon? I don’t like to copy other people’s style. I simply try to put on clothes and outfits that suit me and make me feel comfortable.
What song would be the soundtrack to your life? At this very moment it is Ivan Dorn’s song – it is not necessary to hesitate.
What’s your favourite thing about being a model? The first is the opportunity to travel all over the world to places I would never have got to go to if I was not a model, the second is meeting new people everyday.
Text: Felicity Kinsella
Photography and Styling: Daniella Maiorano
Look 1: Jacket and Skirt Beyond Retro. Jumper GAP. Shoes Marques Almeida. Look 2: Jumper Beyond Retro. Trousers Paul & Joe. Look 3: Jacket pepejeans.com. Shirt Puma. Trousers Paul & Joe. Shoes Converse. Look 4: Jacket Kenzo. Jumper Pepe London. Trousers Paige. Shoes Marques Almeida. Look 5: Jumper and Skirt Kenzo. Denim Jacket Pepe London. Shoes Converse. Look 6: Hat and Shoes Marques Almeida. Shirt stylist’s own. Trousers Paul & Joe.
