Irina Shyshkointerview
An interview with the beautiful Sydney, Australia based model, Irina Shyshko and this sexy lingerie series captured by the talented photographer Peter Dess (instagram.com/pdphotog_), enjoy!
Know more about Irina at instagram.com/irinashyshko
How would you describe yourself in a few words?
The most difficult thing in the world is to describe yourself in just a ‘few words’. But I will try to attempt it right now. Hard working but extremely happy despite being horrifically unlucky, and always having fun.
How long have you been a model?
Altogether around three years. For a long period of time, I deleted my Instagram and stop accepting job requests due to a huge family tragedy. Then in 2016 I got a new Instagram and started to build up my career again.
How did you get into modelling?
Three years ago my boyfriend’s mother told me I should try modelling as a hobby, and then a fashion designer on the street told me to come into one of his castings. From then on I tried to enter the Australian fashion industry without any luck due to my ‘bigger’ size. Three years ago they were very unaccepting of bigger girls, and they still are today unless your Instagram famous. Therefore, I went on to do my own thing. I’ve worked with big photographers in Sydney, who never minded my size.
How was your first shooting? Tell us a bit about that first experience.
It was weird. I was shooting with Celia Pavey (Vera Blue) who is now a huge singer around the world, but at that time she was relatively unknown globally. We had a stylist come in and dress us in similar outfits. We almost looked like sisters due to our similar body builds and facial shapes, and the poses we did were very much in unison. It was daunting but the photographer made me feel very comfortable and beautiful. Calia and I also became friends, so that’s total bragging rights for me.
What does modelling mean to you?
It means expressing myself in ways I cannot do so in everyday life. I would never dress on the street the way I dress in my shoots (obviously only under my clothes), therefore it’s a very intimate experience for the audience to see the photographs I produce. The shapes and body language can also be extremely sexualized. It’s quite a rarity for me (as somebody very shy) to act like so inappropriately outside. I’m just a relatively normal person who feels most confident in lingerie and a face full of makeup, yet likes to hide when she goes to University or work. I never try to draw that sort of attention to myself outside modelling.
A model you particularly admire?
Definitely Kate Upton. Not only is she strikingly beautiful, she also isn’t an overtly skinny girl. She has succeeded beyond the limitations set by the traditional modelling industry. I also admire the way she entered Hollywood with ease and is a continuously hardworking businesswoman.
If you could choose, where would you like to shoot?
Right now, probably a fancy antique store or beautiful ancient Castle that has the antique decor, where I could just wear the most intricate lingerie and feel beautiful and powerful at the same time.
What is your dressing style in everyday life?
My dressing style is very casual. All my clothes are very black, with leather jackets and boots (even in the summer heat). I try to look effortless and classy, but also totally ‘Rock Chic.’ In all honesty though, beyond lingerie and dresses, I don’t have much of a style.
If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
America. I feel that there are so many more opportunities for people like me there. Australia is incredibly beautiful and filled with the most amazing people, but I want to experience new cultures and ideas to challenge myself as a human. Australia is still very much behind on technology and forward cultural ideologies.
What is happiness?
Happiness is waking up after an amazing sleep, and having the day to do anything you wish to do. For me that developing my skill as an actor, singing and dancing around the house to my favourite songs and most importantly have your own space to develop your character without anybody else around. I love being alone, it’s so comforting.
Where can we find you on a Friday night?
Either at home working with my roommate on a new business project, or at work. I work as a Bottle Service Waitress at Flamingo Lounge in Kings Cross.
What’s your next goal?
In all honesty, as much as I love planning the future and seeing where I could go, I also love to be surprised. I’ve always dreamt of being in Playboy, so that’s the ultimate goal. But other than that, I just do want to do as much of a variety of modelling jobs as I can, and keep working towards the unachievable perfection through my body, makeup, and poses.
