CAN’T SHAYK THIS FEELING - 2018 Fashion Media Awards

FASHION ICON

IRINA SHAYK & JON KORTAJA RENA

Hailey Baldwin Ashley Graham Nina Garcia Cecilia Bönström Stefano Tonchi Stephen Gan Mario Sorrenti Winnie Harlow Nicola Formichetti Law roach

THE 6 TH ANNUAL fMA FASHION MEDIA AWARDS

And the winners are…

IRINA SHAYK

Fashion Icon

Hailey Baldwin

Fashion Media Personality

JON KORTAJARENA

Male Model of the Year

Nina Garcia

Magazine of the Year, ELLE

Cecilia BÖnstrÖm

Fashion Innovator, Zadig & Voltaire

StephEn Gan & Mario Sorrenti

Cover of the Year, V Magazine

Ashley Graham

Fashion Force

Winnie Harlow

Breakthrough Model of the Year

Nicola Formichetti

Visionary

Law Roach

Style Curator presented by sunglass hut

&

Stefano Tonchi

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

FASHION ICON CAN’T SHAYK THIS FEELING

BY EDDIE ROCHE PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROWAN PAPIER

STYLED BY RUSHKA BERGMAN HAIR BY BRENT LAWLER MAKEUP BY TATYANA MAKAROVA

For the past decade, Irina Shayk has held steady as one of fashion’s top talents—and no wonder, given her intelligence, verve, and all-around gorgeousness. The Russian-born model, represented by The Lions, reflects on her favorite moments and reveals her plans to continue pushing her career forward.

My true icon is a regular woman—not a model, not an actress—who can handle herself and deal with her life.

You’re receiving our Fashion Icon honor! How does it feel? I mean, I never dreamed of it. It feels cool, it really does. I just worked hard, and I thought that maybe one day, success will come. You’ve been in the business for quite a while. What have been some of your favorite moments? Every time I go to work—it doesn’t matter if it’s a “money job,” catalog, or a cover shoot—it’s a different experience and perspective. I learn so much that every day is a highlight. Of course, being the first Russian girl on the cover of Sports Illustrated and doing a Steven Meisel shoot were important. I’d never dreamed of working with [Meisel], and he was one of my favorite photographers. Peter Lindbergh is another. The highlights of my career have been life experiences, traveling, growing, and learning. What was it like to look at the collage of all your work on the wall during our shoot? How did that feel? I’m very critical, so I looked at it and was like, “Oh, wow, okay, that’s good but….” I like to challenge myself to always be better. In my head I was like, “Okay, that’s what it’s missing. We need to do something more.” It’s all about never stopping where I am but always achieving more. Which photographers are you eager to work with, and what’s still on your bucket list? There are a lot of things on my bucket list! Yesterday, I shot with David Sims, whom I love. I admire his work, so he was definitely on my list. I want to shoot editorial with Steven Meisel. I have shot two campaigns with him, but I always wanted to do something editorial with him. And maybe I will do a line of my own. A fashion line? Maybe not; maybe something else. I can’t tell you yet. I’m working on it. You recently created a capsule collection for Ellen Tracy. What drew you to the brand? Ellen Tracy is famous for its work with supermodels in the ’90s, and girls from the ’90s are still working! It was a time when fashion celebrated one’s body, and now is also a delicious time in fashion. I also created a bag in collaboration with The Kooples. I love immersing myself in something new. This is a really cool chapter in my career: It’s more about the creative process than just being on set. Though it’s not like I’m not in charge on set. I love to control things in my head. I love to know the light and stuff. Which fashion icons did you love when you were growing up? I’m from a really small, remote coal-mining village in the middle of nowhere. We had a few schools, one road, and one movie theater. We didn’t have fashion magazines, so I never imagined that I’d have this job that I’m doing right now. My icons were definitely my mom and grand mom. When I was 15, my father passed away, and I grew up in an family of women. I learned that a woman can do anything she wants. Women are strong, and my icon now is a strong woman who can handle problems, who can handle herself, live powerfully and independently, and love her body. My true icon is a regular woman—not a model, not an actress— who can handle herself and deal with her life. Do you feel like we are living in a pivotal moment for women? Yes, of course. I’m from Russia, and 18th-century Russia was ruled by women. Lately, there’s a big feminism movement, with what’s going on in modeling and the movie business. Change is always a good thing, and I see a change in how women handle themselves. We live in a time when a woman can raise her voice and stand up for herself. It’s a great change, a great time, and we should enjoy and celebrate it. Who are some of the supporters who have championed you throughout your career? Carine Roitfeld, definitely. She introduced me to Riccardo Tisci, and he hired me for my first Givenchy show. That was my first big fashion runway show ever. And Carlyne Cerf [de Dudzeele], who booked me for my first page in French Vogue, for a calendar on the 12 most beautiful, successful models. There were all these big names like Isabeli Fontana…and then me. Donatella Versace, too. She was the first one dressing me for parties and red carpets. She’s my biggest fan, always. Then she hired me for a campaign with Steven Meisel and to walk in the Versace runway show. Also, Edward [Enninful] gave me my first W cover. Those are pretty good champions. They don’t get much better than that! I’ve learned that in fashion, so many people are followers. Those people I named? They’re not followers. They’re not afraid to be judged. They took a chance on me, and said, “You know what? She is having a fashion moment,” when the rest of the world said, “She’s too sexy, too commercial.” It’s so wonderful that fashion gives more chances for the up-and-coming generation. Rowan [Papier] is an amazing photographer: When you open his books, there are no Vogue covers, but that doesn’t make him any less important than somebody else. He’s just taking chances. In this business, it’s really important to give people opportunities and to look outside the box. My supporters gave me a chance. How did you discover Rowan? Rowan’s my longtime friend. When I started to shoot with him for [Italian lingerie brand] Intimissimi, I was pregnant. Usually, I don’t talk about my personal life, but I really want to get this out. Intimissimi said, “Oh, we need to shoot you.” I said, “No, I’m not feeling like I want to go out there and take pictures. The only way I’m going to do it is if Rowan does it.” They were like, “Oh, we’ve never shot with Rowan.” I said, “Look, here’s thething. It’s either Rowan or nobody.” I’ve worked with Intimissimi for so many years, and I know them and I

IRRESISTIBLE IRINA Whether she’s on the red carpet with partner Bradley Cooper, gracing newsstands around the world, or hitting the runway, Shayk’s sensibility is entirely her own.