Meet the Fresh Face that is Ana Solenko, the 25-year-old Ukrainian model who has been modelling for around seven years now. Ana has been featured in publications such as Vogue and L’Officiel Singapore, and she recently spoke with DDW about her experience in the industry.
Why did you become interested in modelling?
It wasn’t my childhood dream and it kind of happened by accident. I basically decided to start modelling to have more opportunities to travel.
Who are your style icons?
I think my style icons are actually designers, rather than models or celebrities. For me, Thierry Mugler and Alexander McQueen are definitely style icons.
What was your first shoot like?
My first shoot was a test shoot in my hometown in the south of Ukraine and when you’re young and inexperienced like I was, it seems to always be stressful.
Best advice you’ve been given along the way?
The best advice I’ve been given is to develop by believing in yourself.
Photographers you’d love to work with?
One of my dreams is to work with the British photographer Tim Walker. But I also want to end up moving from modelling to acting and would absolutely love to work with Tim Burton, Gaspar Noé and Guy Ritchie.
How do you think your career has influenced your style?
My style is more influenced by my lifestyle than my career. For example, sports style is my priority, but I do also prefer to keep myself feminine and sexy. I don’t really care about expensive things and prefer to spend this money on my own development and travel rather than clothes and style.
Who do you look up to?
I try to look up to my future self, because I have a goal of who I want to be and how to achieve it.
What do you want to not die wondering about?
Like most people, I would like to leave my mark. For example, I would firstly (and most importantly) want to help my country develop our economic system and rebuild after the war. Secondly, I would not want to die wondering about what it would be like to act in a movie, especially one with a deep plot.