How To Survive Quarantine And Not Go Crazy: Tips From Model Ani Lyagoshina

Anya Lyagoshina is the "face" of advertising campaigns for Marc Jacobs and Emporio Armani, Mario Sorrenti's favorite and one of the most promising Russian models. In March, she went to rest in Sri Lanka, was about to return back to New York, when suddenly an agent called her and said: all filming was canceled due to the pandemic. “Well, I thought: I'll stay in Sri Lanka until it's over! I will wait a week, - Anya laughs. - As a result, I have been on the island for almost a month. But I'm not complaining: you must admit that this is not the worst place. " We agree - especially since this is an excellent location for shooting! The Harper's Bazaar team took her through Zoom - no makeup artist or clothes, but with incredible enthusiasm. We also phoned the model to find out how she spends time in self-isolation (spoiler: Lyagoshina turned out to be a real treasure trove of advice on mindfulness, meditation and healthy lifestyle). However, it was not without talking about the career and future of the fashion industry.

My career started at 17! A scout spotted me in the Moscow metro. Since then, off we go: I graduated from high school, worked for several months in Singapore, and now I moved to New York. I am absolutely in love with this city, with its energy. Of course, at first there were certain difficulties, although this is too loud a word. I went there completely without expectations and, probably, that's why the adaptation period went well. Yes, I had to immerse myself in a new culture, confidently speak the language … I can say for sure that I grew up a lot at that time. Everything was good.

I will never forget shooting with Mario Sorrenti! We met while working on an advertising campaign for Armani - and we chose me for it from a photograph in which I had very short hair. But by the very moment of filming, I had really grown them seriously - and Mario asked me to return to the boyish image and get a haircut. (Laughs.) I really didn't want this, but Sorrenty persuaded me. He is an incredible person, very simple and kind. And the coolest thing is that Mario invited me to do a personal shoot. He then said in such a friendly way: "Hey, come to my studio, we will make portraits." Sorrenti used natural light, and they got insanely beautiful, simple black and white photographs, a couple of color ones too. I didn't play anyone out of myself, I was what I was.

In quarantine, what I miss the most is … unpredictability! In my work, you never know what will happen tomorrow: you can sit comfortably at home, go about your business, when suddenly - bam! - the agent calls you and says that tomorrow we will fly to the other end of the world. And, of course, I really miss the people and the creative atmosphere of filming. Zoom is great, but I want live communication with the team.

To maintain the beauty of my skin, I eat properly (usually twice a day) and make masks from neem a couple of times a week - this is an ancient Ayurvedic remedy that I met in India, a powerful natural antiseptic that cleanses the skin. I usually dilute neem powder with water and apply it on my face. And I always have coconut oil and Weleda SkinFood in my cosmetic bag.

To calm down and live in harmony with the world … yoga helps me. I start my day with the Surya Namaskar (sun salutation) asana. It energizes and tones the entire body. My required minimum is 12 laps. In addition, I do Nadi Shodhana pranayama daily. It harmonizes the masculine and feminine energies in the body, deeply calms and prepares for meditation. 10-15 minutes of practice is enough to feel the incredible effect. And I almost forgot! Nauli! Also one of my favorite exercises is a vacuum that rotates the abdominal muscles from side to side. It stimulates the muscles and organs of the abdominal cavity, detoxifies the body. Well, at the end of the day, I would advise shavasana to relieve tension.

Quarantine taught me … to call loved ones for no reason and once again convinced me that happiness lies in simple things. I also started playing the guitar: I already know a couple of tunes and plan to continue learning.

The fashion industry after the quarantine … will definitely not be the same. I hope we will all become more conscious about things - we don't need so much, right?

Three more tips from Ani Lyagoshina

Walk barefoot! It is very grounding and soothing. And no, I'm not saying this because I'm in Sri Lanka - in New York I also walk barefoot in the park

Practice Intermittent Fasting: This Is A Great Way To Keep In Shape

Believe in the power of affirmations: if you concentrate on a thought, this will happen. For example, I keep in my head a picture of a bright future - without quarantine, isolation and disease

Stylist: Ekaterina Tabakova

Model: Anna Lyagoshina

Photographer: Stephan Lisowski

Interview: Lyudmila Ghukasyan

Layout: Polina Poturemskaya