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Meet Model Katharina Mazepa

There’s no question that Katharina Mazepa is currently one of the biggest names in the modelling industry. Not only is she the worldwide face of Guess but she has appeared in campaigns for an endless list of brands including Vera Wang, La Perla and Forever 21.  Today we had the opportunity to speak to the stunning Austrian fashion model who has 1.6 million followers and counting.   

 

What have you learnt as a Fashion Model and Influencer over the years? What advice would you give to your younger self?   

In the fashion industry, there will always be agencies that want you to lose more weight, no matter what your measurements are – know where to draw the line and stick with it. It is very important to never compromise your health or your values just to find a shortcut to success. Find a balance for yourself; what matters most is that YOU feel beautiful and that you are healthy. There is not enough fame or money in the world that could compensate for your well-being. Stand up for yourself. 

 

You have worked with many powerhouse brands over the years including Guess, Forever 21, La Perla, Vera Wang and more. What brands are next on your bucket list?  

I feel most confident in lingerie and swimwear, so working with a brand like Agent Provocateur or Victoria’s Secret would be a dream come true. I think that the female body is the most ultimate form of art and wearing sexy, fine lingerie is the best way to honour it. 

 

Katharina Mazepa Photographed In Miami

 

What has been your favorite modeling job to date and why? 

My favorite modeling job to date was this my international campaign for Guess this year, because it is a brand that I have adored and dreamed about modeling for ever since I started in the industry. Growing up, even before modeling, this was my #1 go-to brand whenever I wanted to treat myself to a beautiful new outfit; I would be in the store admiring the graceful models on the billboards; being one of these Guess Girls now myself feels almost surreal and I am incredibly grateful for that opportunity. 

 

You have a substantial following of over 1.6 million Instagram followers. Was there a turning point where your followers started to grow exponentially or was it gradual?    

The turning point in my social media presence was clearly spring of 2020, when the world was shutting down due to the coronavirus. Before that I have been working in traditional modelling and did not really take social media as seriously for work as modelling – until the pandemic hit and from one day to the next, I essentially lost my job. No runway jobs, photo shoots or commercials during the lockdown had me going from being booked out entirely to not knowing where my next pay check will come from pretty much overnight. I thought hard about how I could make the best out of this global pandemic and these uncertain times for growth and how to advance my career and started to think outside the box; I began to put in much more effort in my social media presence, dedicatedly posting and connecting with my followers every day and soon in started to blow up; before the pandemic I was at around 40k followers total and now, a year and a half later, my presence has grown to 2M followers throughout all my social media channels. With my follower count rising, I managed to make money and get brand deals through my Instagram and now that things have opened up again and traditional modelling is back, it has been a huge help to book some of the most high-level jobs in the industry in a country that is new to me, eventually leading me to be on billboards worldwide and to be featured in Elle Magazine as well as Harper’s Bazaar. 

 

What tips do you have for an aspiring Instagram Influencer?   

In a market this over-satiated, my advice would be to find out what makes you irreplaceable. Figure out what it is that makes you unique and what people have to gain from following you. Pay close attention to who your audience is and what their interests are; figure out how to provide content that they will find relevant and that is true to your value at the same time. 

 

What Social Media Platforms are you currently on?  

I am on several, but I am most active on my Instagram https://www.instagram.com/katharinamazepa/?hl=en as well as on my Only Fans https://onlyfans.com/katharinamazepa where I connect with my followers every day. 

 

What do you think are some top social media trends to watch in 2021?   

I am hoping that we are going to move away from blindly copying each and every trend and start to fill our feeds with things that are true to ourselves and stand out. 

Katharina Mazepa In Her Most Recent Guess Campaign

 

 

How do you think Instagram has impacted the Fashion Modeling industry?  
A blessing that comes with today’s importance of social media presence is that unlike in the past decades, you see the idea of beauty evolving in a direction that is healthier; finally different body types are to be seen on catwalks and commercials, diversity is being celebrated and brands want to work with personalities that have a message to share and a unique look rather than viewing models simply as mannequins they dress, with their only purpose being to fit measurements. 

Now, we as models are wearing the clothes rather than the other way around. Physical traits that formerly were considered “flaws” are being celebrated; individuality is key and, in my option, will never go out of fashion. One of the things that I believe makes me stand out most is that I am 100% natural and are definitely planning on staying this way. Not everything needs a “quick fix” and I am proud to be advocating for women with all-natural traits. 

 

What is your current skincare routine?  

Since I have to wear lots of makeup for my shoots, I make sure I always cleanse my skin very, very well. I’ll use a serum in the evening depending on my skin’s needs and make sure I moisturize religiously. However, skin care goes much further than that and making sure I have all the vitamins I need is the foundation for healthy, clear skin. I consider drinking lots and lots of water to be part of my skincare routine, as well as changing my pillowcases often and showering immediately after workouts. 

 

 

You can follow Katharina on Instagram @KATHARINAMAZEPA