Beyond Style: Marina Victoria

By Mikhail Saavedra

It is not very often that you find yourself faced with a unique look as well as formidable intelligence. Marina Victoria challenges certain misconceptions of what a models should look like and just what they might concern themselves with. Of Ukrainian and Korean descent she could be ideal child of the multicultural millennium. Born in the city of Yevpatoria in Crimea, Ukraine; Marina came to Canada when she was but 9 years old which from our conversation certainly gave her a more worldly perspective on the world. She sat down with Alternavox to share with us her views:

Marina can you tell us a bit about what you do?

Well I am currently known in modeling circles as a constant, professional, time conscious hard working model, a person who understands clearly the difference between between business and pleasure. I have worked with established as well as up and coming designers, video music directors. Literally by now I have genuine experience in all aspects of the fashion world. I have now full control of the image I want to portray and even if my height, for example, is not what you would call standard in modelling I have managed to make this a full-on career.

What motivated you to become involved in the world of fashion?

As with most teen girls I know it was really an idealization of a teen dream that for some reason I found the courage to carry forth. I literally fell into this and as with most people who just start I was somewhat blinded to what to truly expect, without a doubt you grow up very fast in this business. My basic inner strength, I believe helped me to avoid many of the pitfalls you can encounter along the way.

Where do you see your future in this industry?

Well as you know there are certain time limitations as to how far you can continue modeling , but creative shoots are the true focus of my life, something that has a theme and hopefully a message. I have been known to go beyond monetary compensation to support a good cause. I tend to take some issue with the popular perception that being a model involves a hopelessly narcissistic, vain or unaware perception of the world. Just like anywhere else there is a story for every person you run into, some people are hopelessly stereotypical, but some are college/university graduates, businesswomen, mothers, in short the gamut of options you would find anywhere else. There is no doubt there are advantages to being a model, but there is this ticking time bomb of time which is what moved me to have 3 years of college under my belt.

Do you have a specific passion that may come as a surprise to our readers?

Politics. I mean politics in the fuller sense of the word. I came to Canada as a child from Ukraine and the cultural shock as well as the difference in value systems was a very tough call, I found the strength to eventually be at peace with the fact that I now have two cultures and I believe that particular sensitivity made me more aware and sympathetic in noticing the never ending injustices I find just from reading the paper. By the way, you have asked me about my future and I see this in broadcast journalism. A female George Stroumboulopoulos if you will. I would love in my future to have the option of challenging perceptions, prejudices and hopefully contribute to an educated, critical population.

What is your opinion on a topic often brought forth when people speak of fashion and its consequences like eating disorders? Do you find the media partly responsible for this?

Well that’s a complicated layered issue, on one hand I imagine that the constant exposure to images that don’t necessarily represent what you would see on the street on a daily basis would have the effect of warping someone’s perception of self. This might very well lead to a negative body image, which in turn could lead to more serious issues– like eating disorders. Having said that, I have always been the kind of person that believes that there is a need to find strength within and that without that, as well as the support of loved ones, you can get lost. I believe you should beware of all you see and hear and try to apply your values and critical thinking to what is presented to you.

For more on Marina go here: www.MarinaVictoria.ca