Kira Dikhtyar – Interview for L’officiel India

Apart from being a strong, opinionated woman, Kira Dikhtyar, our cover star is fit and in
shape as well. Here, you can find some of the inspiring words that make her who she is.

I set goals for myself and follow the appropriate steps to achieve them. Kira Dikhtyar is a sought-after supermodel, cover girl, former participant in Naomi Campbell’s The Face show, and actress. Today, we will learn more about her many roles and how she’s able to manage them all for success.

Would you like to tell us about your journey from Russia to being a top international model?

Unlike many girls, I never dreamed of becoming a model. As a child, I was very involved in rhythmic gymnastics, which is one of the most beautiful and popular sports in Russia. So, when I stopped performing gymnastics myself, my dream was to become a coach.

Unfortunately, my parents had a different idea for my future. As an A+ student, I was easily accepted to Moscow State University. However, my plans were very different. I applied for a Visa to go to the United States and got approved! When I arrived in the USA, it was not like the dream I had in mind. It was pretty difficult at first. I didn’t speak the language, I didn’t know anybody and I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. But, despite those difficulties, for some reason, I knew I wanted to stay in NYC. It all started one evening when I was having dinner with a friend at the Nello restaurant.

“I learned that the key to my success was persistence: to just keep going. If it didn’t work 99 times, I would still try again the 100th time!

Kira Dikhtyar

A woman who was sitting nearby came up to me. She said that I had a unique look and that I should try my hand at modeling. The next day, I was introduced to Click Model Management and one of the bookers there told me that I had the look of a 1920s movie star. They told me they wanted to sign me and I decided to give it a try.

Believe it or not, within two weeks I was already working with Bruce Weber and I realized that I enjoyed the modeling industry and that it could be my job for years to come. That was only the beginning of my journey. I set a goal for myself and followed every step needed to achieve it. I went to auditions, took part in shows, starred in various publications. In short, I did everything to be the best model I could be. A journey like yours is not an easy one.

What was your biggest inspiration behind it?
I’ll give you a quote from Michael Jordan:

“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and miss. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

Michael Jordan:

There have been many moments in my career when I wanted to just give up, to throw in the towel. At the beginning of my career, I suffered many rejections. A very tough time but in the long run, it helped me. I learned that the key to my success was persistence: to just keep going. If it didn’t work 99 times, I would still try again the 100th time! I don’t take it personally when I fail or even when I succeed. I always try to remain grounded. I appreciate every win and also every temporary setback. And I love to help other models achieve their goals.

We heard you are a rhythmic gymnast along with being a fashion personality, would you like to tell us more about that?

I am a very disciplined person and my experience with gymnastics has helped me to learn how to remain focused. Even when I seem to have no strength, and don’t want to get up to go to work, I find strength from somewhere, and I am inspired by the fact that I do what I love and do it well. Over the course of my modeling career, I have managed to do a lot: I gave birth to a child, returned to the catwalks, created a successful career for myself, and
also launched a new career in acting and producing. I am driven by my passions and my desire to be the best at what I do.

A physique like yours surely needs some constant looking after. Please spill your fitness secrets.

I am very lucky that I have inherited good genes! I rarely diet or do workouts. Sometimes I do yoga or pilates because it is important to remain active. I also make sure to eat clean, eat healthily and follow a regime – that has been the key to me keeping in shape. I try to avoid junk foods, drink a lot of water, and try my best to get enough sleep.

You’ve been a part of various fashion shoots and fashion shows. Which has been your most favorite till now?

I truly enjoy the catwalk. The most memorable shows for me have been Valentino, Versace, and Victoria Beckham, whose clothing line I represent. I’ve also worked with Prada, Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana, and Chanel – as well as many other brands. Participating in photoshoots and filming magazine covers is also something I love to do. I honestly love both, and I feel truly powerful while doing both!

If you weren’t an international model or a Rhythmic Gymnast, what profession would you choose?

I often think I would choose a career as an actress or most likely as a producer. I have an affinity with the latter vocation because I believe that I have a gift to put people together to get the best result. I truly enjoy working with teams of creative people. I’ve even considered maybe taking on sports full time. In general, I like to compete and achieve goals – so a job where I am challenged and constantly working towards a goal would be ideal for me.

My decision to choose to model, even though it wasn’t my childhood dream, really showed me that perseverance in any field is important. It has also made me realize that meeting goals and being successful goes beyond just helping yourself, it also means helping others. I would consider a job as a lawyer – to understand laws and provide services to protect the rights of others.

You have worked with stars like Naomi Campbell and Anne V. How was your experience? Which stars would you like to work within the future?

Working with Naomi Campbell and Anna V. has taught me a lot. It was an amazing experience. In 2013 Naomi Campbell decided to launch her show, The Face. It was my first experience filming for a major TV project. Everything seemed so interesting and promising at first. Unfortunately, due to a hyped-up scandal beyond my control, I was forced to leave the show.

Now that time has passed, I am able to smile at what happened but at the time it was very difficult for me. For some time, I wasn’t able to work, walk the catwalk, or do photoshoots. I was so depressed but my determination to keep going helped me through that time. Even though it wasn’t an ideal experience, I managed to get to know different people in the industry which was very helpful later!

What more surprises do you have for us for the future? Are you working on some projects right now?

Today, I devote a lot of time to community work. I work with the SURVIVORS INITIATIVE, an organization dedicated to fighting sex offenders in the United States. I recently joined the organization’s board to raise awareness and to support their efforts in other countries, starting with Russia and Ukraine where I have many connections and where I receive significant media coverage.

Together, SURVIVORS INITIATIVE, and I are working to develop laws and pushing to raise the legal age of consent for entering into intimate relationships in Russia and other countries around the world to 17-18 years old.

The current situation is a major concern. There are countries where the “age of consent” is 11-12 years old, such as Nigeria or the Philippines. Even in Japan, it is only 13 years old, and in 32 countries, including China, Brazil, Germany, and Italy – it is still only 14 years old. This state of affairs allows a breeding ground for sexual crimes and assault against minors.

At a fairly young age, I entered the modeling business and I’ve experienced the ups and downs of the industry first hand. I experienced some very unpleasant situations when I was not yet of legal age. That personal experience is one of the reasons why this initiative is extremely important to me. This is a problem across the world, including in Russia, where many beautiful girls dream of a modeling career, starring in films, and who would of course love to be famous one day. I want to protect them from danger and the kinds of traumatic experiences that I and many others were forced to go through.

The only way we can change the situation is by legally raising the “age of consent” in these countries. We need transgression to be punishable by law and for powerful men to be held accountable for what is being done to young girls. There should be long prison terms and severe repercussions for people who take advantage of underage children.

Thank you for your time! What message would you like to leave your fans with?

Do not become discouraged, do not give up when you fail. Believe in yourself. I know people always say “don’t give up” but it’s true. I speak from the heart and based on my own experience. Take care of your loved ones! Love yourself, appreciate your gifts, respect the world around you, and the people in it!

Do what brings pleasure, help others, treat your friends and colleagues with love and respect, don’t be afraid to give, in the end, it will always pay you back. I personally pay a lot of attention to my friends and for me, they are like a family that I created for myself – not only in NY but across the globe. I’m very proud of my friends’ achievements and I’m always there for them in difficult times, as they are for me. Without real friends, I wouldn’t have made it this far and probably wouldn’t have survived in this big city.

I believe in my friends, my hard work, and my dedication. Give yourself 100% to
achieve your goals and the dream and you will succeed!

TEXT BY AYUSHI SINGH
WARDROBE STYLING BY NIKA LEMLE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY EVGENY MILKOVICH
MUA X HAIR: DMITRII PUCHNIN
MODEL: KIRA DIKHTYAR
PR CREDITS: MUSE PUBLISHING