Behind the scenes at our April issue fashion shoot, we got to know international model Olga Verdis (27), from Russia. Sublimely stylish in Oscar de la Renta, she shared her beauty secrets, style favourites and fitness tips with MOJEH.com.
Finally, where do you like to hang out in Dubai?
To relax in Dubai I go to the beach all day, the swimming pool and I like to travel around. I hang out at the Atlantis Hotel too, it’s my favourite place in Dubai – epsecially the water park. I also head to the salsa clubs for dancing, it’s one of my favourite things to do.
Take a look at our backstage gallery:
Is there a difficult side to being an international model?
The hardest thing about being a model is that I rarely get to see my family, because I travel to Dubai for a couple of months and then to London, Japan, and so on. I travel a lot. The good thing is that I get to see other countries and meet and communicate with interesting people. I get to know the culture really well; things that in one week are hard to understand but when I stay for months and get to know the people, I learn interesting things. If I was working in only Moscow I wouldn’t have many positive emotions because it’s cold and grey, whereas here it’s hot and that makes me happy.
It sounds like you’re jetting all over the world! What are your beauty secret for keeping your skin camera-ready?
I practice yoga, don’t drink alcohol and get lots of sleep – that’s it! I need lots of sleep or else I get dark circles under my eyes. On my skin I use Simone, it’s a French skincare brand; it’s perfect for my skin and makes it very soft and bright.
Being a model, do you have a strict fitness regime?
I go running and do yoga, but only when I have the time. It’s too hot to run outside here, so I go to the gym in my apartment three times a week for a couple of hours, and then I go to the swimming pool.
What have you enjoyed most about today’s shoot?
My favourite look from today was the Fendi white culottes, the Valentino white top with side split (pictured below) and the Oscar de la Renta blue skirt (also pictured). However, off duty, my go-to clothes are leather jackets and denims shorts, very simple. I love the Yves Saint Laurent style and Valentino dresses, just the dresses, they’re very elegant; YSL is also very casual but strong.
What’s been the highlight of your career so far?
I worked on a shoot in India, modeling for a campaign and it had elephants in it – it was amazing; I was working with mother and baby elephants – but for me every shoot is interesting because I get to meet new people, like you!
What’s your favourite country?
My favourite country I have worked in is London. I like London because my mother teaches English and always spoke about the city when I was younger. I like visiting Big Ben, and also the Tower of London – it’s a very beautiful building.
Is there anywhere you’d like to work but haven’t had the chance yet?
I would like to work in New York because, for me, being a model means you’ve worked at least once in this city. In New York there are lots of girls from every country and there’s big competition, which makes it very interesting.
