Donosimo intervju s međunarodnom manekenkom i kreatoricom vizualnog sadržaja o pripremi, transformaciji i inspiraciji koja dolazi iznutra

Daria, po tvome mišljenju, je li se uloga modela promijenila u posljednjih deset godina?

Apsolutno. Promjena je bila dramatična – od kamera i rasvjete do retuširanja i formata produkcije. Trendovi su se promijenili, stilovi su se promijenili, a i sama definicija ljepote. Danas je ključna fleksibilnost, pogotovo porastom AI generiranih avatara i modela. Digitalna “lica” već ulaze u industriju, a to za nas – stvarne ljude – znači stalnu prilagodbu, održavanje relevantnosti i ljudskosti. Ako želiš ostati u ovom poslu, moraš se razvijati.

Vidiš li modeling kao zanat ili oblik kreativne suradnje?

Za mene je to strast koja donosi i radost i rezultate. Kad projekt stvarno “klikne”, postaješ ko-autor i tada kadar oživi. Živim kroz svaku fotografiju. To je gotovo kao gluma, i kamera to osjeti. Uvijek dajem sve od sebe.

Kako se pripremaš za modna snimanja – fizički i emocionalno?

Imam svoj ritam koji volim pratiti prije velikih snimanja. Otprilike deset dana prije počnem s lakšom prehranom – bez šećera, bez teške hrane. Ne pijem baš ni kavu ni čaj, samo vodu ili ponekad smoothie. Spavanje je obavezno. Također pokušavam naći vremena za kupku, masažu ili što god mi pomogne da se osjećam smireno i uravnoteženo. Nije stvar u strogoći, nego u usklađivanju sa samom sobom.

Koje ti je snimanje bilo najekstremnije, a koje najmirnije?

Bilo je dosta intenzivnih. Jedne zime u New Yorku snimala sam na Brooklyn Bridgeu u prozirnoj ružičastoj haljini – bilo je užasno hladno, vjetrovito, ljudi posvuda, deset kamera snimalo me u isto vrijeme. Morala sam izgledati smireno, kao da se ne tresem.

Drugi put, u Ukrajini, bilo je nekih 3 °C stupnja. Nosila sam poluprozirnu haljinu na brdu kraj prirodnog izvora, a ljudi su stalno prolazili. Bilo je hladno i neugodno – ali moćno. Što se tiče mirnog snimanja, nedavno sam imala jedno gdje smo napravili četiri looka u tri sata. Sve je išlo glatko, fokusirano, u sinkronizaciji. Fotograf i ja smo “kliknuli”. Osjećaj je bio kao da sve ide samo od sebe.

Osnovala si Hair-prof akademiju. Je li to bio poslovni pothvat ili misija?

To je uvijek bila misija. Željela sam podijeliti ono što sam naučila, pomoći ljudima da rastu, potaknut njihovo samopouzdanje. Cilj je bio učiniti druge sretnijima i svjesnijima sebe kroz kreativnost i vještinu. To je bio smisao od početka.

Koja ti je najjača kvaliteta kao modela?

Glumica sam pred kamerom. Kamera me voli, a ja znam kako se lako mijenjati – različiti izrazi, emocije, energije – sve u sekundi. To je moja snaga. Ponekad fotograf samo kaže: “Mekši pogled”, i ja se odmah transformiram. Često čujem “Hollywood te čeka.” Možda jednog dana. Tko zna.

Jesi li ikad imala osjećaj da radiš više od samog poziranja?

Da, definitivno. Vjerujem da svaka profesija – velika ili mala – donosi nešto svijetu. Pruža ljepotu, dobrotu, smisao. Stoga, da, osjećam da moj rad doprinosi nečemu stvarnom. I ponosna sam na to.

Vidiš li razliku između ukrajinske i međunarodne modne scene?

Razlika definitivno postoji. To su dva različita ekosustava – drukčiji tempo, drukčiji vizualni jezik, drukčija očekivanja. Neki dijelovi svijeta cijene spontanost, drugi preciznost i strukturu. Međunarodna scena je više automatizirana, tehnološki pogonjena, pod velikim pritiskom. U Ukrajini ima više duše, ponekad malo kaosa, ali uvijek karaktera. Naravno, pojavom AI-ja i digitalnih alata, sve se počinje stapati. Ali ako si radio na obje scene – osjetiš razliku.

Kako balansiraš komercijalan rad i umjetničke projekte?

Iskreno, oduvijek me više privlačila umjetnička strana. Komercijalna snimanja – pogotovo katalozi – mogu biti prilično robotska. Stojiš u istoj pozi, mijenjaš odjeću, ponavljaš. Učinkovito je, ali nema puno prostora za emocije.

Umjetnička snimanja su druga priča. Uđeš u određeno raspoloženje, proživiš ga, osjetiš u tijelu. Kamera uhvati nešto stvarno. Tada se osjećam najživlje. Ti me trenuci podsjećaju na to zašto sam odabrala ovaj put.

Gdje povlačiš granicu između inspiracije i burnouta?

Burnout se pojavi kad više ne želiš ići na posao – kad želiš samo spavati, jesti, biti u tišini. Tada znam da moram stati i napuniti baterije. Inspiracija dolazi kad sam puna energije. Može doći od kolega, filmova, glazbe, kreativnog rada. Ponekad čujem pjesmu i odmah mi se pojavi vizija – raspoloženje, boje, lik. Godinama sam plesala i to je oblikovalo moju maštu. Sve je to još tu – ritam, slike, priče. Prijatelji znaju da to volim, još me uvijek zovu da pomognem s idejama za videa ili koncepte. Valjda sam jednostavno takva – kad me uhvati inspiracija, ne mogu mirovati.

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English version

An interview with the international model and visual content creator about preparation, transformation, and inspiration that comes from within

Daria, in your opinion, has the role of a model changed over the past 10 years?
Absolutely. The shift has been dramatic — from cameras and lighting to retouching and production formats. Trends have changed, styles have changed, and so has the definition of beauty. Today, flexibility is key, especially with the rise of AI-generated avatars and neural network models. We’re already seeing digital “faces” entering the industry, and for us, as real people, it means constantly adapting, staying relevant and human. If you want to remain in this profession, you have to evolve.

Do you see modeling as a craft or a form of creative collaboration?
For me, it’s a passion that brings both joy and results. When a project really clicks, you become a co-author — and that’s when the frame comes alive. I live through every image. It’s almost like acting, and the camera senses that. I give it my all, always.

How do you prepare for fashion shoots — both physically and emotionally?
I have a rhythm I like to follow before big shoots. Around ten days out, I keep things light — no sugar, no heavy meals. I don’t really drink coffee or tea, just water or sometimes a smoothie. Sleep is non-negotiable. I also try to make time for a bath, a massage, or whatever helps me feel calm and balanced. It’s less about being strict and more about tuning in.

What’s the most extreme shoot you’ve done? And the calmest?
There have been quite a few intense ones. One winter in New York, I shot on the Brooklyn Bridge in a sheer pink dress — freezing cold, windy, people everywhere, and ten cameras shooting me at once. I had to look calm, as if I wasn’t shivering


Another time in Ukraine, it was around +3°C. I was wearing a semi-transparent gown on a hill next to a natural spring, with people constantly walking by. That was cold and awkward — but powerful. As for a calm shoot, I recently had one where we did four looks in three hours. Everything was smooth, focused, in sync. The photographer and I just clicked. It felt effortless.

You founded the Hair-prof Academy. Was it more of a business or a mission?
It was always a mission. I wanted to share what I’d learned, help people grow, inspire confidence. The goal was to make others happier and more self-aware through creativity and skill. That’s what it was about from the beginning.

What would you say is your strongest quality as a model?
I’m an actress in front of the camera. It loves me, and I know how to shift — different looks, emotions, energies — all within seconds. That’s my strength. Sometimes a photographer just says “softer eyes,” and I instantly transform. I hear a lot that “Hollywood is waiting for you.” Maybe one day. Who knows.

Was there ever a moment when you felt like you were doing more than just posing?
Yes, definitely. I truly believe that every profession — big or small — brings something to the world. It adds beauty, kindness, meaning. So yes, I feel that my work contributes something real. And I’m proud of that.

Do you see a difference between the Ukrainian and international fashion scenes?
There is a difference, for sure. These are two different ecosystems — different pace, different visual language, different expectations. Some places value spontaneity, others prefer precision and structure. The international scene is more automated, technology-driven, and high-pressure. In Ukraine, there’s more soul, sometimes a bit of chaos, but always character. Of course, with AI and digital tools entering the mix, everything is starting to blend. But if you’ve worked in both — you feel the contrast.

How do you balance commercial work and artistic projects?
Honestly, I’ve always been more drawn to the artistic side. Commercial shoots — especially catalogs — can feel a bit robotic. You stand in the same pose, change outfits, repeat. It’s efficient, but there’s not much room for emotion.

Art shoots are different. You step into a mood, live it, feel it in your body. The camera catches something real. That’s where I feel most alive. Those moments remind me why I chose this path.

Where do you draw the line between inspiration and burnout?
Burnout shows up when you don’t want to go to work — when all you want is sleep, food, quiet. That’s when I know I need to stop and recharge. Inspiration comes when I’m full of energy. It can come from colleagues, films, music, creative work. Sometimes I’ll hear a song and suddenly I see it — the mood, the colors, the character. I danced for years when I was younger, and that shaped how I imagine things. It’s all still there — the rhythm, the visuals, the stories. Friends know I love this stuff, they still ask me to help with ideas for videos or concepts. I guess that’s just how I’m wired — once inspiration hits, I can’t sit still.

Photographer: Oleksandra Hulova @sasha_hulova
Model: Daria Chernenko @dusinka96
Make up: Alina Syzonenko @alibi.art
Hair: Takayoki Umeda @um_takayuki
Style: Arut Arustamyan @arutarustamyan
Casting director: Liubov Liubinovska @liubov.Liubinovska
Photo assistant: Mykhailo Borodaienko @mike.retouch
Retouch: Anna Rovkina @rovkina_retouching