Anastasia Belotskaya is Russian model and women’s rights activist who has accomplished a great deal in only a short amount of time. Anastasia is also a talented writer who uses her website to share her reflections on life.
Anastasia answered some questions about her career.
How did you know you wanted to be a model?
I never really even thought I would become one. It wasn’t my dream or anything. I randomly met a photographer while I was on the escalator in the Moscow subway, he came up to me and asked if I was a model, I said ‘no’. He invited me to shoot with him. After that I got signed to my first modeling agency.
What steps did you need to take to get into the industry? What was your biggest obstacle?
The first step is to go through meetings with different agents to be able to work abroad. Then you start going to model trips on stay where they make appointments with potential clients and build your portfolio. Then they find the right clientele for you, based on your look and personality.
What is your proudest achievement in your career so far?
Well, I am not really a ‘proud’ type of person. I am grateful for every client I work with, doesn’t matter if I am shooting for Cover Girl, Sephora or a magazine cover, or a new online brand. I just do my best to take great pictures for them.
What inspired you to become active in the women’s rights movement?
I have always been inspired by powerful women like Gala Dali or Coco Chanel. I believe that women can have great potential to be world’s leaders and are being held back by the stereotypes in the society. Like, people sometimes misunderstand the definition of a ‘strong woman’. You can be strong and independent and still be a sophisticated, sensual, inspiring woman for your husband and a great mother. Equality is a must and it’s a shame that women don’t sometimes even have equal pay for the same amount of work as men do.
What advice would you give young women growing up today?
Don’t be shy. Always follow your dreams, never ignore what you really want to do, not what they say you should do. In the world where there is plenty of opportunities, nothing is impossible. Everything is doable.
What gave you the idea to start sharing your personal thoughts and reflection on life online?
Hard to say why exactly. I just feel like all of us have those random thoughts like ‘why is it happening?’, ‘what do I do?’, or ‘I don’t understand why…’ And I don’t state anything specific in there or express and radical opinions. I only talk about how I feel so the reader could possibly relate. Or maybe opposite, see a different angle on how things are. It’s like a diary of my mind.
What are your plans for the future in terms of modelling and your activism? What are you hoping to achieve next?
Currently working on my own lingerie line, very excited for that.
Then, I would also like to explore more of the swim, lingerie and fitness parts of fashion. Now I am more seen as a commercial/beauty model, and would like to broaden my horizons.
Thank you Anastasia for sharing your thoughts with us!
You can follow up with Anastasia Belotskaya at www.belotskaya.com or via Instagram @anastasett