Kristina Menissov: Umetnost preobrazbe

Kristina predstavlja novo generacijo ustvarjalk, ki brišejo meje med modo, glasbo in vizualnim pripovedovanjem. Pred objektivom samozavestno združuje natančnost klasično izobražene pevke in sproščenost sodobne manekenke, kar daje njenim fotografijam poseben pečat. Kristina je umetnica, ki združuje izkušnje operno izobražene pevke, mednarodne manekenke in pop izvajalke. Njena pot se razteza med Kazahstanom, Italijo in globalnimi modnimi ter glasbenimi odri, kjer gradi prepoznavno avtorsko identiteto. V njenem delu se prepletajo disciplina klasične glasbe, izraznost sodobnega popa in vizualna estetika mode.

Vaša pot od operne pevke, izobražene v Italiji, do uspešne manekenke in pop izvajalke je resnično navdihujoča. Kateri trenutek je bil odločilen, da ste združili ta dva svetova?

Kratek odgovor? Zanosila sem, rodila otroka in ostala sama brez finančne varnosti, zato sem morala hitro najti način, da plačam račune – na pošten način. Manekenstvo mi je omogočilo stabilnost, hkrati pa so mi ljudje ves čas govorili, da sem videti kot manekenka. Tako sem poskusila in ta svet je pravzaprav našel mene. Z glasbo je bilo drugače. Ni šlo za en trenutek, ampak za notranji klic po letih tišine. Šolala sem se v Kazahstanu in Italiji, kjer je bila popolnost norma – vsaka nota, vsak dih pod nadzorom. Med pandemijo sem prvič res slišala sebe in začutila, da mi brez glasbe nekaj manjka. Nisem se želela vrniti k pravilom, ampak k svobodi – h glasbi, kjer ne govorim le s petjem, ampak tudi z zgodbami in čustvi. Danes ne ločujem več med opero, modo in popom – jaz sem svoj svet. Pesem Summer je to najbolje pokazala: energija, afrobeats, prijatelji in vizualni svet editoriala. To ni mešanica, to je moja identiteta.

Na modnih brveh ste se predstavili od NYFW do Miami Swim Weeka in Los Angeles Fashion Weeka. Kakšen je občutek na pisti in kako se razlikuje od odra?

Pista je 90 sekund tuje vizije. Ti si platno, ki mora uresničiti sanje nekoga drugega, ne da zasenčiš umetnost. Adrenalin je hiter, oster – vse je v trenutku. Oder pa je moj svet. Tam energijo ustvarjam sama, je počasnejša, globlja in moja. Na pisti si moč izposodim, na odru jo proizvedem. Oboje me uči iste stvari – da zavzamem svoj prostor.

Katero sodelovanje vam je ostalo najbolj v spominu?

Cartier za editorial Vogue je bil prelomnica – nosila sem kolekcijo Panthère in prvič začutila, da sem del luksuza, ne le njegov nosilec. Ta energija panterja – tiha, a močna – me še vedno opredeljuje. Drugi močni trenutek pa je bil snemanje Summer z mojimi prijatelji, brez pravil in brez pritiskov blagovnih znamk. To je bil najbolj pristen ʻjazʼ.

Kako so vplivali projekti s Tygo in beauty znamkami?

Ibiza me je naučila, da je v redu biti ʻprevečʼ. Beauty kampanje pa so me naučile pristnosti – da lahko delujem brez ličil in še vedno stojim za svojo podobo. Moj slog je danes nekje med izraznostjo in namenom.

Kaj vam je svetoval Andrew Lane?

Rekel mi je: „Ne poj, kot da prosiš za dovoljenje.” Pop glasba zahteva prepričljivost, ne popolnosti. Najpomembnejši nasvet pa je bil: lastništvo – nad glasbo, podobo in časom. Zato sem Summer izdala neodvisno. Ni šlo le za pesem, ampak za temelj mojega pristopa.

Kaj predstavlja Geisha?

Geisha je moja osebna izjava. Gre za notranjo, prirojeno žensko moč – tisto tiho, a globoko prisotnost. Navdihnila sta me film Gejša in moja lastna pot.

Sporočilo je preprosto: moč ni v glasnosti, ampak v povezanosti s sabo. To je bil trenutek, ko sem si prvič rekla: nisem tukaj, da me gledajo – tukaj sem, da me začutijo.

Kako usklajujete vse vloge?

Ne ločujem več vlog – vse sem jaz. Ključno je, da je živčni sistem uravnotežen in da si vzamem čas za regeneracijo. Drugo organiziram tako, da delam hitro in v serijah, nato pa se popolnoma odklopim.

Največji izziv niso projekti, temveč administracija. Še vedno se učim, da del teh nalog prepustim drugim.

Vaši cilji za prihodnje leto?

Glasba: Summer želim pripeljati v živo, na poletne pop-up dogodke.
Moda: ustvarjalno sodelovanje pri kampanjah, kjer ne bom le obraz, ampak soustvarjalka.
Osebno: več discipline pri počitku in manj poveličevanja izgorelosti.

Najpomembnejše pa je, da sinu pokažem, da je mogoče biti nežna in hkrati močna – in da lahko imaš oboje.

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The World Defined by Kristina Menissov

From opera stages to international runways and pop music, Kristina Menissov has built a career that defies convention. Kristina Menissov is an artist whose work seamlessly blends the disciplines of opera, fashion, and contemporary pop music. Trained as an opera singer and established as an international model, she has created a distinctive artistic identity shaped by experiences spanning Kazakhstan, Italy, and some of the world’s most renowned fashion and music stages. Her work reflects the discipline of classical music, the emotional expression of modern pop, and the refined visual language of fashion.

Your journey from studying opera in Italy to becoming an internationally successful model and pop artist is truly inspiring. What was the defining moment that brought these two worlds together?

The short answer? I became pregnant, gave birth to my son, and suddenly found myself alone without financial security. I had to find an honest way to support us, and modeling gave me that stability. People had always told me I looked like a model, so I decided to give it a try. In many ways, the fashion world found me rather than the other way around. Music was different. There wasn’t one defining moment—it was an inner calling that returned after years of silence. I trained in Kazakhstan and later in Italy, where perfection was the standard. Every note, every breath, every detail had to be controlled. During the pandemic, I finally had the chance to listen to myself. I realized something essential was missing without music.

I didn’t want to return to rules—I wanted to return to freedom. I wanted to create music where I could communicate not only through my voice but through stories, emotions, and visual expression. Today, I no longer separate opera, fashion, and pop music. They are all part of who I am. My single Summer embodies that perfectly: Afrobeat energy, friends, and the aesthetics of a fashion editorial. It’s not a fusion of different worlds—it’s simply my identity.

You’ve walked prestigious runways, including New York Fashion Week, Miami Swim Week, and Los Angeles Fashion Week. What does it feel like to walk the runway, and how does it compare to performing on stage?

A runway lasts about ninety seconds, and you’re stepping into someone else’s vision. You become the canvas that brings a designer’s dream to life without overshadowing the art itself. The adrenaline is immediate, sharp, and intense.

The stage, on the other hand, is entirely my own world. That’s where I create the energy. It’s slower, deeper, and deeply personal. On the runway, I borrow power. On stage, I generate it. Both experiences have taught me the same lesson: how to fully own my space.

Which collaboration has left the strongest impression on you?

The Cartier editorial for Vogue was a turning point. Wearing the Panthère collection was the first time I truly felt like I was part of the luxury world rather than simply representing it. The spirit of the panther—quiet, elegant, yet undeniably powerful—still resonates with me today. Another unforgettable experience was filming Summer with my friends. There were no rules, no brand expectations, no pressure. It was the most authentic version of myself I’ve ever shared.

How have collaborations with Tyga and beauty brands influenced your creative perspective?

Ibiza taught me that it’s perfectly okay to be “too much.” I no longer feel the need to make myself smaller or quieter. Beauty campaigns, meanwhile, taught me authenticity. They showed me that I can stand confidently behind my image even without makeup. Today, my personal style lives somewhere between bold expression and intentionality.

You also worked with renowned producer Andrew Lane. What advice from him has stayed with you the most?

He once told me, “Don’t sing like you’re asking for permission.” Pop music isn’t about perfection—it’s about conviction. But perhaps the most valuable lesson was ownership: ownership of my music, my image, and my time. That’s why I chose to release Summer independently. It wasn’t just about putting out a song—it was about establishing the foundation of the way I want to create.

What does Geisha represent for you?

Geisha is my personal statement. It’s about the quiet, innate strength of feminine energy—that calm yet deeply rooted presence within every woman. It was inspired both by the film Memoirs of a Geisha and by my own personal journey. Its message is simple: true power isn’t found in being loud; it’s found in being deeply connected to yourself. That was the moment I first said to myself, “I’m not here simply to be seen. I’m here to be felt.”

How do you balance your many roles?

I no longer think of them as separate roles. They’re all simply different parts of me. The key is maintaining a balanced nervous system and intentionally making time for recovery. I like to work in focused creative sprints and then disconnect completely. The biggest challenge isn’t the creative work—it’s the administration. I’m still learning that it’s okay to delegate certain responsibilities instead of trying to do everything myself.

What are your goals for the coming year?

Musically, I want to bring Summer to life through live performances at pop-up summer events.

In fashion, I’d love to collaborate creatively on campaigns where I’m not just the face of a brand, but an active creative partner.

On a personal level, I want to become more disciplined about rest and stop glorifying burnout.

Most importantly, I want to show my son that it’s possible to be both gentle and strong at the same time—and that you don’t have to choose between the two.

Fotografije: Ella Bar @ella.barphotography
Kreativna podlaga: Valentina Gurova (Aliyans Media Group) @valentinagurova
Ličenje: Hila Gordon @hila_gordon_makeup
Stiliranje: Anna Gupta @annaguptaofficial
Showroom: The Archives & Showroom @thearchshow