Art & FASHION
Talent
UNIA PAKHOMOVA
Photos
KEVIN SINCLAIR
Digital cover
“You have probably never heard about the city where I was born. It’s beautiful,” says 23 year old model, Unia Pakhomova. The town in question is Nizhny Novgorod, which is nestled in a Russian hillside. There she would tune into Tyra Banks’s America’s Next Top Model, unbeknownst to her that she would eventually catch the eye of designer Alessandro Michele. Her breakout moment came during her walk in the Gucci A/W 2018 runway show when she was sent down the runway holding a replica of her own head making her an instant cult figure. Known for her spellbinding features, Unia seized an exclusive deal to be the face of Gucci’s advertisements and to top it off with a lengthy list of editorials and covers under her belt. With an inveterate career in the modeling industry, Unia can now find time to focus on her artwork where she puts her dreams and emotions. Below, the Russian stunner shares some insight into her career and her love for the arts.
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A CONVERSATION WITH UNIA PAKHOMOVA
Interview by Kevin Sinclair
Kevin Sinclair __ A lot of people assume you are of Irish descent but you are a hundred percent Russian. Where in Russia are you from?
Unia Pakhomova __ Yes, I am all Russian. You probably never heard about this city. It is actually very beautiful. It is called “Nizhny” that’s how people from my hometown would say it but it is actually called Nizhny Novgorod. It sits on a hill and the views are stunning. We also have long summer days there. Some times you forget its night because the light is still bright at night.
Kevin Sinclair __ Really? That sounds good and bad at the same time. What about the winter months?
Unia __ The winter time is different. It could be a little depressing without seeing the sun for weeks. But I am used to it. When I was younger, I would play in the snow with my friends for hours.
Kevin Sinclair __ That sounds like a lot of fun. I am sure modeling was not on your radar at the time. I am curious about your journey in fashion. I am sure our readers would love to know how you became a Gucci exclusive and developed such a cult following.
Unia Pakhomova __ I supposed it all started in Paris when I was sixteen years old. It was like any normal day and I was running around doing back to back casting meetings. After my last appointment, my agency called me to tell me I was going to fly to Milan the next day to meet with a designer. I did not know what was going on. In my line of work, things are always very last minute. But, it was exciting for me at the time since I had never walked a show before so you could only imagine what was going through my mind at the time.
Kevin Sinclair __ You were so young and jet setting. I am sure you must have been nervous as well. Who did you meet in Milan?
Unia Pakhomova __ It was my first fitting and I met Alessandro Michele and the rest of the Gucci members. Alessandro was very sweet to me, he asked me about myself which I must have said something humorous because he smiled at me and I was instantly selected to join the cast of models. Leading up to the fashion show, I was surprised that my gorgeous outfit to be redone from a giant man sized look to get fitted on me in order to close the show. That's how it all started.
Kevin Sinclair __ I freaking love it! You certainly have a look that people would consider special. Were you ever interested in fashion at all when you were growing up?
Unia Pakhomova __ Hmmm, I can’t really remember if I was to be honest. I do remember watching Tyra Banks’ America's Next Top Model [laugh].
Kevin Sinclair __ You know, I am only going to admit this because we like the same shows. I also tuned into America’s Next Top Model to watch those poor model hopefuls getting tortured for the love of entertainment. It was a mess. So, tell me about your art work; have you always been creative?
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Unia Pakhomova __ My artwork is what keeps me going. Especially during last year when a lot of things changed due to the pandemic. I was able to put all of my soul into it. My dreams, emotions, anything that was bothering me, went directly on my canvas. It was therapeutic for me in a lot of ways. I was really able to express myself creatively.
Kevin Sinclair __ Yeah, I totally relate. I also found ways to express myself during last year visually. I also got to do a lot of soul searching. As a kid, did you like to draw?
Unia Pakhomova __ When I was young, I would go to a lot of after school programs. Most of them were in some sort of art assembly. But, I remember going to one class called, “Aesthetic” which was based on conversations about different kinds of art topics. The rest of the classes were hands-on. I enjoyed painting on fabric and just finding interesting ways of using colors. I have really good memories of my sister and I drawing everywhere in the house, all over the walls [laugh]. My mom was not so happy about that much. We made a total mess but what can I say — I love to draw!
Kevin Sinclair __ What is the process of your artwork today?
Unia Pakhomova __ I like to try different techniques and mediums to use in my work. Today it could be oil paint or maybe I'll create a rug or block printing. I feel like I want to try everything and find ways to combine it all, but I’m still looking and searching. I feel like it’s never completely done.
Kevin Sinclair __ I am really into your art work. There is something really provoking about what you do. It’s different and unusual. What inspires you when you are creating your art?
Unia Pakhomova __ Thank you. I guess everything. I am always doodling in my sketchbook. At the end of the day there could be drawings of people, nature, a table with cups on it and maybe some creatures that I made up. You know, Kevin, one day I will look through my pages of drawing and find something that I didn’t notice before — maybe it will lead to a future creation.
Kevin Sinclair __ You are so fascinating and I mean that in the most heartfelt way. How do you balance your modeling while focusing on painting?
Unia Pakhomova __ It's a little easier since I am based in New York most of the time. I can now work on a project that would take me more time to develop. But, I mostly do it on the downtime.
Kevin Sinclair __ Are you planning on exhibiting your work in the near future?
Unia Pakhomova __ I really want to explore gallery exhibitions. It’s a new goal of mine. I have a lot of friends that are willing to support me.
Kevin Sinclair __ Is there a particular artist you look up to?
Unia Pakhomova __ I love the work of Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin.
Kevin Sinclair __ Do you have siblings and do they look like you?
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Unia Pakhomova __ I have a sister who is just a year younger. We look a lot alike and our voice sounds almost the same. She’s way more outgoing and very talented. She’s a tattoo artist and hair stylist/colorist. Now she is studying design.
Kevin Sinclair __ Wow, you two seem a lot alike. Maybe one day I would be able to photograph both of you together.
Unia Pakhomova __ Yeah! That would be really special.
Kevin Sinclair __ Do you ever Google yourself?
Unia Pakhomova __ I have a few times, a little embarrassing to be honest. It's interesting to see how I changed during my career.
Kevin Sinclair __ Outside of modeling and painting, what are your hobbies?
Unia Pakhomova __ I like to bike around the city and recently I started playing basketball with my friends. I love to dance and to be honest. I miss music in the European clubs.
Kevin Sinclair __ What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Unia Pakhomova __ My dog, Chunk. He’s a lazy guy that likes to lay in bed with me. Eventually, he'll start jumping all over me, that’s when I know it's time.
Kevin Sinclair __ He sounds adorable. It’s always nice to have a little companion, especially in these trying times we are living in. What do you think about the state of fashion today?
Unia Pakhomova __ It has changed so much especially during the last year. Fashion has always been changing — what can you do? Instagram is such a huge platform, it allows anyone to put their opinions out there. You can be a model, designer or even a photographer. It’s definitely easy to get lost in the sea of information, but I’m happy that people who actually have potential and talent can put it out more easily and be discovered.
Kevin Sinclair __ Well said, Unia. It was a pleasure to shoot you for Vestal and get to know more about you. You are very talented and I hope your fans get to know more about you from this interview.
Unia Pakhomova __ Thanks Kevin.
You can follow Unia @yuniya_p
Photography & Interview Kevin Sinclair Hair Michael Silva (using Mr. Smith) Makeup Manami Ishikawa (using Manami Labo & Chanel Cosmetics) Model Unia Pakhomoval at New York Models