Antonina Kharina, a well-known model and fashion blogger, has built a successful career, proving to thousands of young girls that dreams can come true. Originally from a small town in the Ural region, Antonina mastered the intricacies of the modeling profession and started participating in the most prestigious fashion weeks around the world, as well as shooting for major brands and international projects. In her free time, the model enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and dedicating herself to self-improvement.
You are a professional model, participating in shows and photoshoots. Can you tell us if this was your childhood dream?
I started actively developing my modeling career about a year and a half ago. After going through so many shows, projects, events, and photoshoots, I see that I am in demand and people want to work with me. It inspires me! Now I can say that yes, I am a professional model, and I have succeeded. By the way, this was not my childhood dream. I never even thought that it was possible. I had standard dreams unrelated to modeling. I wanted to be an athlete and thought I would only dedicate my life to sports. Modeling was not even on my mind.
You are from a small town in the Sverdlovsk region. How did you take your first steps in the beauty and fashion industry?
I am from a small town called Verkhnyaya Salda, which is located in the Sverdlovsk region. Initially, I participated in various school and city events. I was very active, enjoyed interacting with people, showing myself and my talents. My mother's profession as a hairdresser pushed me towards the idea of pursuing a modeling career. Since childhood, I always had trendy hairstyles, and many people approached me and asked for a haircut like mine (laughs). My aunt is a seamstress-fashion designer, so I grew up with stylish haircuts and fashionable clothes. However, we didn't have any modeling courses in our city. After a while, my mom and I found an announcement about a modeling school recruiting girls and young people in a neighboring city. Without much thought, we decided to give it a try! I am tall, and people always told me that I could become a model. My mom and I applied to the modeling school in Nizhny Tagil, where I started my training. During the training, I met new people from the world of fashion and learned more about this field. I realized that I really liked it and wanted to continue developing in this direction.
Did you feel supported, or did you have to pursue your goal despite public opinion?
I have always felt a tremendous amount of support from my family. My grandmother, a creative person, has been supporting me from the beginning and continues to do so to this day. She dresses impeccably, has a great sense of style, and is very knowledgeable about the fashion industry. My grandmother always supports me, especially in those moments when I am mentally and physically exhausted and feel like giving up. Her support is very important to me. It plays a significant role in my life. Overall, since I am close to my family, it was necessary for me to receive support from them. In my hometown, some people viewed my passion as something unserious, and some friends even criticized me. It's not surprising that the support of loved ones played a huge role and gave me additional strength (smiles).
Are there any shows or photoshoots that were among the first on your creative path and left a lasting impression?
I distinctly remember my first works when I was studying at the modeling school. I didn't understand what was expected of me, and everything I did seemed silly and awkward, leading to a lot of criticism. At that moment, I realized that being a model is very challenging! It's not enough to have a pretty face and a good figure; you need to acquire fundamental knowledge and understanding of this profession. One of my first photoshoots stands out in my memory, where I had to portray a child with toys. I couldn't do it well. I looked so ridiculous that at some point, I even thought that this was not for me! And that's when I realized that being a model is not easy at all.
What qualities should one possess to become a successful model?
I believe that a model should have a pleasant appearance, a good physical shape. However, that's only half of the work because beauty alone is not enough. You need to be a well-rounded individual, read a lot, be able to transform, and know foreign languages. You also need to be charismatic to attract people and present yourself properly.
How can one develop self-love and belief in oneself to confidently pursue their goals? Is there a secret?
The most important thing is to develop the right attitude towards oneself and others. It is essential to be able to see your strengths, feel your power. It's also helpful to be able to handle any difficult situation and learn from it. But most importantly, love yourself, see beauty in everything, cherish your loved ones, and, of course, make them proud.
You participate in various large-scale fashion weeks, starting from the Sochi Fashion Week and ending with the international project Dubai Fashion Week. Do you feel a difference between international and Russian events?
I have been fortunate to participate in various fashion weeks both in Russia and abroad. The organization of these events was at a high level everywhere. Especially memorable for me was my participation in the Fashion Week in Sochi! I was amazed by the scale, coherence, and precision of the event. It was pleasant to work with designers, stylists, and makeup artists. I would like to point out that in terms of organization and execution, Russian Fashion Weeks are not inferior to international ones. I find it more enjoyable and interesting to participate in Russian Fashion Weeks than in Western projects. I believe that Russian designers have reached a global level nowadays.
As an attractive woman and a well-known model, do you ever get tired of the increased attention, including from men?
There is indeed a lot of attention, both from men and women. Often, even on the street, girls come up to me and give compliments, which is very nice! Sometimes, of course, excessive attention can be slightly annoying. But I am genuinely happy to showcase my beauty!
Share with us the secrets of always looking stunning. How can one look their best all the time?
It is important to take care of yourself, your diet, your skin, and your lifestyle. I believe that the most important thing is to love yourself, radiate kindness, confidence, and be in harmony with yourself. When everything is fine inside your head, you will look marvelous on the outside. And, of course, a positive attitude is crucial!
Modeling is hard work, both mentally and physically. How do you recover after long hours on set?
Indeed, modeling is hard work. Especially when fashion shows go on for whole days, from eight in the morning till late at night. When I come home, I don't want to do anything anymore... The best rest for me is to get enough sleep, eat delicious food, and spend time with my loved ones. It's important to listen to your body and never overexert yourself! After long shoots or projects, it's necessary to set aside one or two days for relaxation, to take care of yourself and your body.
You travel a lot around the world, and yet, you always come back to Yekaterinburg. Why did you fall in love with this city?
I love to travel, and I have already been to many cities and countries. But Yekaterinburg will forever hold a special place in my heart because I consider this city to be the beginning of my life. My great-grandfather fought and was awarded the Order of the Red Star and the Medal "For the Defense of Moscow." Another great-grandfather worked at a metallurgical plant from the age of sixteen until retirement. My mother has owned a beauty salon for over thirty-five years, making people beautiful and, therefore, happy. I am very proud of all of them. Wherever I am, I always want to live in such a way as to constantly feel warmth and tenderness and radiate kindness. I find all of that in my beloved and unique Yekaterinburg.
Finally, what advice would you give to girls who are just starting their modeling journey? How can they continue to believe in themselves despite any circumstances and pursue their dreams?
Never stop believing in yourself! You need to pursue your goal no matter what! And, most importantly, it is the desire. When there is a desire, opportunities will arise. I can advise them to pursue their passion, listen to their heart, not the opinions of others. And everything will work out!
