Fit for a King
Words: Michelle Wallace IG @my.michelle.w
Photography: Sergey Yusin @sergey_yusin
Wardrobe: Jaxson Maximus @jaxsonmaximus
Make-up: Julia Brig @juliabrigmia
style | June 01, 2021
Beauty All Around:
From Russia to Miami
Words by Michelle Wallace | Model: Valeria Sokolova
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Miami-based model Valeria Berkland is a citizen of the world. Born in Russia, she now bounces between the sun-soaked shores of the Magic City and the bustling streets of NYC. As a mother, wife, daughter and friend, she treats every day like a gift — with a positivity that transcends the camera. We sat down with her to ask her a few burning beauty questions and a little bit about how she’s serving up looks.
Q: How long have you been in Miami?
I came to Miami for the first time maybe 11 years ago for a little vacation, while living in NYC. A month later I visited again and decided to move here. It seemed to me like everything was perfect here. The weather, people, atmosphere, but most importantly it felt like home.
Q: How did you get into modeling?
I started modeling when I was 14 years old, in my small town I was invited to a casting. I had no idea what it was to be a model but it was something interesting to do apart from school plus to make money. We also were going on trips to Moscow for casting and shows and of course it was a big adventure for us.
Q: Did you always want to be a model?
I don’t think kids of my age really had dreams to be a models at that time, because we didn’t know much about modeling but my favorite channel was Fashion TV.
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Q: What motivates you the most about being a model?
At the time when I decided to make a big step and travel overseas for modelling I was driven by the opportunity to see the world and meet new people, but I’m not gonna lie I also wanted to escape the past, I wanted to leave my hometown.
Q: How would you describe your own beauty?
I don’t think there is a definition of beauty. I think what makes us beautiful is our unique features.
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Q: How different is your daily look from your modeling shoots?
It is a totally different look! On a regular day, I almost never wear make-up. Depending on my schedule, I may have light foundation on plus some blush, but that’s it.
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Q: What are your favorite types of shoots to do and why?
It depends on the mood I’m in… Sometimes I prefer studio sessions, sometimes the outdoors — like the beach or the city.
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Q: Your favorite spot you have traveled to for a photoshoot?
I wouldn’t pick one spot now, all of them were interesting.
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Q: Other than your hometown, what are some other places you have lived?
I travelled to more than 30 countries, of course it's never enough… But I lived only in 4 main cities such as Moscow, NYC, LA and Miami.
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Q: What has been your most awkward experience as a model?
I had a photoshoot for a big company, the location was some Swedish island where it was freezing… Besides the fact that it was a line for teenagers, some of the outfits were bikinis. The team was practically wearing ski outfits and I was on the horse pretending to be hot. Lol
Q: When do you feel the most beautiful?
After my morning workout! I love how I feel after being charged with that positive energy, it’s like meditation for me at the same time.
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Q: What feature of yourself do you love and why?
My positive attitude is everything! I love to make people laugh, and love to make people happy.
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Q: What beauty products are always in your bag?
The only products that I always have in my bag are lip products: a lip stain and lip balm.
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Q: What is the biggest difference between Miami beauty and NYC beauty?
I think the main difference is in the way people dress. In Miami, it’s always bright colors and NYC is the opposite — gray and black colored clothes.
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Q: Is there a beauty trend you secretly wish would become popular again?
The fact that the healthy look and health in general is trendy now makes me very happy. I wish it could be like this forever!
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Q: Is there a brand or influencer you think is killing the game right now?
It’s hard to pick one since it’s all changing so fast. Each season brings new things that are very interesting and many new influencers.
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Q: How many steps are in your skincare routine? Do you follow it religiously?
I would say it’s two main steps: cleaning and moisturizing, and I do it every day.
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Q: If you could be famous for any one thing, what would it be?
I never dreamed about being famous, but I guess I would prefer to be famous for creating something that will be very helpful to many people.
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Q: What would you say is something that most people do not know about you?
That I have master degree because a lot of models didn’t have a chance to go to the University
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Q: What do you hope your daughter grows up believing about beauty?
First of all, I want her to understand that beauty isn’t physical, it’s within us. Growing up in Russia, we were taught some beauty standards like “you have to be tall and skinny” etc. etc., otherwise you are not beautiful, which is completely wrong in my opinion. It took time for me to accept every kind of beauty. Like now, I look at people differently, I admire people’s different shapes with their unique features…everybody is beautiful! I want her to be able to see beauty within people.
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