Ksenia Ocheredko (@xenia_oche) is an international model based in NYC/Miami. She has worked with such big brands as Karl Lagerfeld, Bobbi Brown, Dior, to name a few, and she’s been on the pages of Vogue, Maxim, and other major publications. Aside from shooting haute couture, posing for fashion and bridal catalogues, taking part in commercials, Ksenia focuses on leading a healthy lifestyle and motivating other people.
(Beyond Fashion Magazine): How has your modelling work been since the pandemic started?
(Ksenia Ocheredko): We had a major slow down in the industry and it started to build up again now. My first job after a lockdown was a makeup campaign in NYC in late May. The client was supervising the shoot from North Carolina through a zoom conference app, the team was kept to a minimum people and makeup artists were wearing shields.
How do you manage to stay positive?
I am busy with work again and this keeps me happy. During the lockdown exercise was really helpful and I tried to go for long walks along the beaches of Long Island almost every day. I also got to improve my cooking skills, I’ve remembered how much fun and creativity cooking your own meals can be!
What was your first big break in the industry?
Fashion weeks! Rome, Barcelona, New York.
What was the most challenging thing for you when you moved to the US?
Moving to NYC was so exciting to me that every bump on the road seemed just like another adventure or a challenge to overcome. For me, the hardest part about moving to a new country is accepting the fact that you will always be viewed as a foreigner by others. Foreign means unknown, not completely trustworthy. Sometimes human prejudice can be frustrating, but that’s not something that happens all the time. Most people I’ve met internationally are actually open-minded.
Since our last interview, what were some big projects you worked on?
I’ve worked with some awesome brands like Bobbi Brown, Bebe Sport, U.S. Polo Assn., shot for Maxim and Vogue.
When you are not busy modelling, what are some of your favourite things to do?
I’ve always loved exercising, my new favorite class is Pilates. Also spending time in Florida made me really outdoorsy: hiking, kayaking, exploring parks and reserves are some of my favorite activities.
What’s your beauty routine like?
SPF moisturizer, sheet masks, gel eye patches, exfoliator – are must haves, as well as a good vitamin complex to take. I also include face lifting massages in my routine.
What’s your favourite movie? book?
Among books I prefer European classics. What for the movies – that really varies, I love a beautiful romance, as well as a sociological thriller.
What advice would you give to women struggling with confidence?
Always do what you are afraid to do!
If you could go back to any point of your life and change something, what would it be?
If I had to live my life all over again, I wouldn’t change anything, except that I would try to be more attentive to people’s feelings, because very often we are in such a rush to chase our dreams, we hardly think about others close to us.
If you could have lunch with any person in the world (dead or alive) who would you pick and what would you talk about?
Audrey Hepburn, my childhood favorite and style icon. I’ve always admired her grace and elegance. Besides, she was an amazing humanitarian. I would have loved to get a feel of her amazing energy.
What advice would you give to your 10 year old self?
Don’t doubt yourself.
