Minimalism X Kristina Menissov

I started modeling professionally in 2017 and, since then, I’ve been on the cover of VOGUE Mexico, ELLE Arabia, GLAMOUR Bulgaria, among many others. I’ve been lucky to work with some of the biggest fashion houses and brands and in between I’ve recorded a few hit singles…all while raising a beautiful human here in beautiful Los Angeles.

My mom is Kazakhstani, my dad is Ethiopian and I'm originally from Kazakhstan but I moved to the U.S. from Italy so - yes - I consider myself a citizen of the world!

I always wanted to live in LA as a kid—I used to have a copy of the HOLLYWOOD sign in my room growing up. Eventually, I did it! (Only later on did I figure out that it’s better to admire Hollywood from afar, haha.) 

I finally have some stability in my day-to-day life and, for that, I am grateful to my son. He literally makes me a better person. I'm more organized and I always have a plan. We wake up and go to school…I am one of those moms who looks like they just got out of bed at the drop-off because that’s true and then I go back home and sleep (joking!). Actually, call times for shoots are usually around 9 AM so after picking up my coffee I just go to the shoot location. On the days when I don’t have shoots, I go to my singing class, answer emails, plan out content, hit the gym…then it’s time for pick-up, which is when I usually remember that we need to go grocery shopping. I also have dance class and studio sessions twice a week.

I am very passionate about singing—I’ve always loved it, and lately I’ve stopped finding excuses not to sing. I spend almost all my free time singing or recording.

I'm a graduate of the Kurmangazy Kazakh National Conservatory (named for the composer) and have a bachelor’s degree in Opera Singing. I later went to Rome, Italy with a student exchange program to study at the Accademia Musicale Internazionale "Vissi d’arte, Vissi d’amore." I always longed for knowledge but at the time I just didn’t have the patience to constantly practice and would always be catching up.

To me, it means growth and opportunity if used wisely.

A bag or really any of my accessories. I feel like an accessory can make even something simple look good.

I believe the term for my style would be "eclectic." I don’t really stay in one style, I just combine clothes that I like through mistakes into something that is eventually my own.

Minimalist clothing is my personal stamp. When I say minimalist, it doesn’t mean as minimal as possible; rather, it means single color pieces, not more than 3 colors combined, and not overdoing it and trying to impress anyone. I just want to enjoy that light feel in a spring/summer outfit.

It's so hard to choose just one favorite. Every single piece has something for me. Before the shoot, my favorite was the Raphaela Shirt because you can dress it up or down. During the shoot, I realized how much I love my Kelly Tote and now I just don’t stop wearing it. As for my Lindy Skort, I notice that every time I wear it, everyone compliments me and I feel like this summer you’ll see me wearing it a lot.

Keep trying everything—don’t be afraid to not look "right." Thankfully, we live in a time when we have the freedom to look for our own style and our own beliefs, so use it. The more you experiment with your style, the faster you'll figure out what it is that makes you you.